Old Hertfordians Rugby Football Club (OHRFC) became Hertford RFC (HRFC) in June 1972. The land and clubhouse previously owned by the OHRFC was handed over to the Old Hertfordians Association (later the Richard Hale Association , RHA) to act as Trustees for the Club. The committee and officers of the new club were largely those from the old set up, so continuity and stability for the transition was very much in place. Our President for this period of transition was the ebullient Len Smith and his leadership and the actions of the Committee put the revitalized club on a firm footing.

Many of the stars of the successful sides in the 1960s such as Hale, Howlett and the Creaseys, had retired or moved away and initially this brave new world was disappointing in that the 1st XV lost the first five games of the new season. Results did improve, however, and more importantly the club continued to run 7 sides throughout the 1970s.

1st XV results were fairly average during this period but it is worth noting that the 60s call for better fixtures was beginning to bear fruit with games against strong opposition, Hillhead (Scotland), Newark, Kendal, Kenilworth and Exeter (look where they are now).

There were important developments in other areas. Mini and Youth rugby was introduced in 1974 and soon began to flourish. In the same year match floodlights were erected enabling all teams to have midweek or Friday evening matches. It also saw the introduction of a prestigious floodlit cup, a Schools’ Cup, County Games and a Sevens competition. By the end of the 70s over 20 floodlit matches were being played each season. It was, and is, a mindset of continued improvement and enhancement of our facilities and it placed us at the forefront of other clubs in the county.

New floodlights 1974

Training under Floodlights 1975

Big fixtures, such as those against Public School Wanderers and Waitemata (New Zealand), were enjoyed by large crowds. The lights also enabled the Club to welcome overseas tourists and in this period teams from France, USA, Canada and Argentina visited.

It is worth noting that in the 1974/75 season the 1st XV played 41 games (winning more than they lost) and in the 1978/79 season the Extra B XV had a 100% record (played 22, won 22)

Hertford RFC 1st XV 1974-75

The 1980s

President’s Cup Winners 1982

In many respects the 80s was a Golden Decade for the Club with 3 victories in the Hertfordshire President’s Cup, 2 transatlantic tours, the 50th Jubilee celebrations and a memorable Golden Oldies Festival in 1985.

The Herts Presidents’ Cup was perhaps the pinnacle of success at the time and we achieved victories in 1981,1982 and 1986 competitions ,at the expense of Hemel Hempstead, Cheshunt and Letchworth, the latter beating us in the final a year later in 1987.

President’s Cup Winners 1986

In August 1981 the Club embarked on its first major overseas tour to the USA with five fixtures in New York (2), Portland (Maine), Hartford and Albany. A wonderful tour with a proud 100% playing record.

In 1987 California was the destination with fixtures in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego. There was less success on the playing field this time but great success off it.
The Golden Jubilee Year of 1981/82 was packed with events. Apart from the USA Tour, the most memorable occurrence was the Dinner at Hertford’s Civic Hall, attended by over 300 guests, including many founder and pre-war members. Sadly no photographic record has survived of this event. It is rumoured that the photographer failed to have any film in his camera but we will never be sure!

In May 1985 we went to France and won the International Clermont Sevens Tournament and in October the Club was one of half a dozen London clubs who hosted the international Golden Oldies Festival. At Hertford 9 teams from the USA, 7 from Australia, 6 from New Zealand, 2 from Canada and 1 each from South Africa, Yugoslavia and Scotland as well as 6 English clubs, all enjoyed a magnificent jamboree of Veterans rugby.

In 1987 after many years of debate League Rugby was introduced for the first time, the 1st XV being placed in London North 2 (Level 6). Unfortunately, the successful side of the earlier part of the decade had largely broken up and by 1989 we found ourselves at Level 7.

During the decade, however, the Club continued to field 7 regular sides and a Colts XV was introduced in 1984.

The 1990s
The 90s began with a wonderful tour to Canada, visiting Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. The rugby here was stronger than in the USA and 2 wins and 2 defeats was a respectable outcome.

The 1994/95 season saw the 1st XV winning London North West 3 (Level 7) but found the going too hard in the league above and relegation followed. Another period of consolidation resulted in a good 1998/99 season with only 2 defeats but no promotion. The 1st XV went through the 1999/2000 season undefeated but again there was no promotion as the league structure was being re-organised to allow for home and away fixtures.

1st XV 1994

The 1993/94 season was significant for two main reasons. Firstly the game became open, in other words professionalism became allowable, although Hertford remained amateur. Secondly the opening of the new changing room block, considered state of the art at the time, allowed the club in September 1993 to host a County Championship game between Hertfordshire and Somerset. This was notable as it was the first time that a home County Championship match had been held away from Croxley Green (OMT RFC ground) since 1952 when Herts entered the County Championship. It was also the only game that Hertfordshire won that season.

In 1967 when the new clubhouse was first opened it boasted 3 small changing rooms, with some benches in the corridor for more team changing, but it did have a luxurious bath and a few showers. When the Squash Courts were built in 1969, 2 large changing rooms were constructed behind the ‘Muppet Box’ allowing 3 or 4 games to be played at Hoe Lane.

The bath was central part of club life, after match Guinness and singing were frequent. And who could forget the Beach Party when the bath overflowed into the dining room. But even with these changing facilities, a vast improvement on what the players of the 40s-60s experienced, space was considered constricted so plans were drawn up for the new Changing Block. Rooms for 8 sides, a large bath and showers and an adjacent Physio Clinic were built in 1993.

Changing Room Block built in 1993

Over the next 5 or so years the use of the bath was curtailed for health and hygiene regulations and was eventually filled in and replaced with a large number of showers. The end of an Era!

As the club approached the Millennium the facilities were in place and a new team was forming that would herald another Golden Era for the Club.