BARKERS BUTTS RFC

A BRIEF HISTORY

Barkers Butts  the club at the Heart of the Country that produces Rugby stars
Barkers Butts RFC  formed in 1947 has been the training ground for several top International rugby players . In their more recent history they have had players graduate from junior sections and go on and play for Premiership clubs and represent their Country .England won the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday 22 November 2003. And they had this Warwickshire club to thank for their part in grooming a couple of the stars that helped them on their way.

Neil Back and Danny Grewcock are two such players who played their part in England's World Cup winning campaign in 2003. The list goes on with the likes of Leon Lloyd, Rob Hardwick and Damion Evans also representing their countries on the global stage.
So why is the club so successful in producing quality players from a young age? It is due in part to the club having had a colts side for over 45 years which is arguably the longest for any side in Warwickshire. Along with four senior sides the club operates a strong youth policy with seven teams spanning the ages of eight to 14. Barkers Butts also has very close links with a number of secondary schools within the city of Coventry including King Henry VIII, Bablake, Woodlands and Finham Park.
Barkers Butts have been at their home off Pickford Grange Lane ever since 1975 ,prior to this they were initially based on Northbrook Lane in the Keresley area of Coventry.
The club was formed in 1947 when Daimler RFC ceased to exist and the first side was led by John Gardiner. In 1973 mini rugby was introduced which became the backbone of the club’s success today.
During the 1960’s Barkers Butts found themselves struggling to find more competitive games because of the historic traditions the code of rugby union was steeped in. Being unable to play the better sides in the midlands, the club had to look elsewhere and ended up travelling further afield to take on teams from Hemel Hempstead and Sedgley Park. The introduction of the Warwickshire Cup in the 1970’s allowed Barkers Butts the chance to humble some of the bigger clubs in the area and when the leagues were introduced there was some consternation over the placing of Barkers in Midlands One. Despite being relegated from this division to Midlands West One last season, the club have proved that they can play at such a level.
If Barkers could field an all star XV of former servants, the line-up would be impressive. But it doesn’t just stop here, for Barkers are likely to continue to produce some of the nation’s top rugby stars for years to come with their excellent junior sections and quality coaching. And maybe the senior squad can begin to build on their reputation in the league.
The latest Barkers' old boys due to play for their country in the World Cup in New zealand in September 2011 are Tom Wood for England and Jim Hamilton for Scotland.
MY ASSOCIATION

When my Son started playing rugby for Barkers in 2007 i set out to create a photographic record of his rugby exploits , so that in future years he will have more than just memories to look back on. Since then I have also covered other junior teams and i can often be found at  the club on Saturdays photographing the Senior games. My initial aim  evolved into the role of ' club photographer ' and over the years some of the images taken have been used in the local paper match reports which i feel can only help to raise the profile of the club.

Prompted by requests from parents and players and an ever expanding library of images of the numerous teams at the club i  decided to set up this website so that you too can enjoy seeing images of yourselves and your team mates taking part in the sport that you enjoy so much.Go to Galleries/Barkers Butts RFC to view images .

Now that my Son has moved up to Senior level and is playing for the Colts and my photographic commitments mean i am often out of town i will be normally at the club on Saturdays .However, if any teams at Barkers would like a specific game to be photographed,minis included, then please feel free to approach me at the club or e-mail me via the contact page on this site and i will try and accommodate your request.

                                                                                                                                    Regards.

                                 Rob Clifford

                                                                                                                              (C.R.B. Checked )

                                                                                    Barkers Butts RFC website

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