A Club with a Proud History…
Like many post war clubs OV’s beginnings were humble. Over the years with the vision and drive of many people the clubs has grown to be one of the leading clubs in Hertfordshire.
Back in 1948 the club was formed by a nucleus of ex Verulamian School pupils running a single XV team playing on the School playing Fields. RF Bradshaw, the Schools Head Master was the founding President, a position he held for 35 years.
In the formative years the club, like so many others, gradually built up its player base and by the 1960’s was regularly fielding 4 full sides. With no club house or its own pitches, it relied on the benevolence of the school for its ground and frequented many local pubs for its HQ, The Crown, The Jolly Sailor and the Wellington (which is no longer there it’s now part of St Christopher’s place).
In 1959 several club members turned to the idea of having its own club house and grounds. With the assistance of A.B. Hobbs, the then deputy mayor, F. Lavery and G. Gerrard the Vees acquired the lease for our current home, Cotlandswick, London Colney.
A Major Force…
Geoff Brookfield and Brian “the Admiral” Davies designed the first, wooden, Club house with the help and support of many club members was opened by the then President of the RFU Sir Augustus Walker on the 7th September 1963. On that Day we defeated OA’s 6 -3 and the OV’s had established itself as a major force in the county.
The club went from strength to strength during the 1960’s and early 1970’s expanding not only its player base but where it was playing. The clubs first European tour was to Brussels in 1966 and since then the club has toured all over Europe.
Up until the 1970’s OV’s played in a white kit, it was the only colour they could afford! Our current Chairman Shanks designed the First Blue and Gold Shirt V shirt and this signalled to the rugby world that we had moved from being an Old Boy club to a club for all in the area.
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The Peoples Club of St Albans…
OV’s now playing as Verulamians to reflect the fact it is no longer exclusively tied to the Boys School has taken on the mantle of being the peoples club of St Albans. It is a community club one that welcomes and encourages people of all abilities to play competitive rugby, to have fun and to treat those within its ranks as family.
In 2005 Rob Lines had the idea to form a mini & junior section of the club to help grow our presence and extend the opportunity for young people to be part of our great club. In that short time the club has over 250 children regularly turning out to play and we continue to grow.
That brings us to the present day, a time when participation in club sports is on the decline. The club has a proud history and it is up to those in the club today to write the next chapter so that those playing in our minis and juniors have the opportunity to experience what those before them have been able to do.
Take the opportunity to get involved in the Peoples club, your club, and be part of the future of the Vees.