The Devon RFU

- to carry out the directions and obligations as a Constituent Body (CB) as outlined by the RFU. - to support develop improve and expand the community game at all levels within Devon. - to provide the opportunity for representative rugby at all ages as a pathway to progress to the highest level possible. - to lead on initiatives to develop the game... and its core values providing the infrastructure - physical and human - to make this possible. - to maintain the sustainability and well being of our CB Clubs providing a safe and pleasant environment. The Devon County Football Club which was formed in 1877 had no administrative role within the county. It was purely the name given to a team that represented the County on the field. The first recorded County game was played against Somerset in March 1876 at Taunton, Devon the victors by a goal to nil. The Devon players were selected mainly from three Clubs, Exeter, Teignmouth and Torquay plus some from out of the County. This continued until 1881 when other Clubs, and there were many, felt their players were not being given an equal opportunity to represent the County. It was then that The Devon County Football Association was formed and properly organised regional trials were held upon which selection would be based. In 1889, the New Zealand Maoris were the first overseas opponents for Devon and their style of rugby was much admired as they defeated the County 13-0. This was a time of huge growth of the game with Clubs cropping up in almost every village and town. Indeed there were twenty different clubs in Exeter alone, some running two teams. Villages such as Dolton and Ashreigney in North Devon, Ottery St Mary and Axminster in the East, several in Torquay and Plymouth. Some lasted only a season or so, others continued for many years. The County team suffered a few lean years until 1899 when the first of 10 County Championship finals was won, defeating Northumberland 5-0 at Newcastle. The Following year the County reached the final again, losing 11-3 against ...Read More