Rugby Town FC
Butlin Road
Rugby
Warwickshire
CV21 3SD
01788 866920
Official Website
Twitter
Rugby
Warwickshire
CV21 3SD
01788 866920
Official Website
Ground Number: 230
Tuesday 11th December 2012
Rugby Town 2-1 Royston Town
Southern League - Division 1 Central
RUGBY TOWN FC - A BRIEF HISTORY
The club was established in 1956 as NEW BILTON JUNIORS, playing a few friendlies before changing their name to VALLEY SPORTS. They played in the Rugby & District League until 1963 and then the Coventry and North Warwickshire League until 1969, when they changed their name to VS RUGBY and joined the United Counties League. They played in it's short-lived third tier for two seasons until they were promoted as runners-up to Deanshanger Athletic in 1971. After a third-place finish in Division 1 in 1975, they moved to the West Midlands (Regional) League. They remained in the Premier Division until 1983, when, after a 7th place finish, they joined the Southern League Midland Division. They won the title in 1987 and were promoted to the Premier Division. VS Rugby achieved two third-place finishes here, in 1989 and 1992, at a time when the league sat at the second step of the Non-League Pyramid. The club was relegated for the first time in 1993 but bounced back straight away as runners-up behind Rushden & Diamonds in the Midland Division.
Butlin Road on 14th February 2006, pictures taken on the way to Notts County 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers.
Another relegation followed in 1996, and then in 2000, they changed their name to RUGBY UNITED. The introduction of the Conference North & South in 2004 saw them shift upwards to the Premier Division before another name change to RUGBY TOWN in 2005, the same name as their local rivals that had folded the previous year. They lasted in the Southern Premier until 2010 when they were relegated to Division 1 Central. They were successful here with two runners-up spots. There were also two unsuccessful playoff campaigns in 2013 when they lost to Biggleswade Town in the final, and in 2014 when they lost to Slough Town in the semi-finals. An enforced sideways switch to the NPL D1 in 2015 saw them start to struggle and they were relegated to the Midland Premier in 2017 before being switched to the United Counties League the following year. In 2023, they were UCL Premier Division South runners-up, winning promotion back to the NPL D1 Midlands.
The club twice reached the FA Cup 2nd Round, losing to Bristol Rovers in a replay in 1987 and Marlow in 1992, again in a replay. On the latter occasion, they missed out on a home game with Tottenham Hotspur, although in Marlow's case, the tie was reversed to White Hart Lane. They also reached the FA Trophy 3rd Round during the 1999/00 season. In 1981, the Valley's most successful manager, Jimmy Knox, took over. He had previously successfully managed the then Rugby Town (for whom he had also made 452 appearances) and AP Leamington. Knox turned around the club's fortunes dramatically, and in 1983, they won The FA Vase, defeating Halesowen Town 1–0. Local cup honours include the Southern League Cup in 1990, two Birmingham Senior Cups and three Midland Floodlit Cups. Record scorer and appearance maker for the club is David Kolodynski, who scored 251 goals in 458 appearances over four separate spells.
Whilst the club was known as VS Rugby, they played Wycombe Wanderers twice. In 1986, they played their part in one of the worst days in the club's history as they thumped Wycombe, who played a division higher 5-1 on their own patch in a FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round game. Playing that day for Rugby was Steve Norris who went on to play in the Football League for Scarborough, Notts County, Carlisle United, Halifax Town and Chesterfield as a highly successful striker. Five years later, Wycombe made amends when they won narrowly 1-0 at VS Rugby on their way to beating Kidderminster Harriers 2-1 at Wembley Stadium in the 1991 FA Trophy Final. Player links from the 1991 VS Rugby side included midfielder Anthony Riley had made 92 appearances for Wycombe between 1983 and 1987 and was a part of the squad that lifted the Isthmian League Championship in May 1987. While striker Mark Boyland had scored 10 goals in 23 appearances, having joined Wanderers for £10,000 under Peter Suddaby in December 1987. Boyland left in September 1988, having failed to gel in the Wanderers squad under new boss Jim Kelman. Also, Sam Belcher, a youth teamer for Wycombe, played for Rugby Town when I went there in 2012.
The club initially played at Thornfield and then briefly at Hillmorton Recreation ground when Thornfield was taken over for the sports centre, before groundsharing with the then Southern Football League side Rugby Town at Oakfield. VS Rugby moved into its own ground, Butlin Road, in 1973. The town of Rugby is the second most populous in Warwickshire after Nuneaton, with a population of just over 78,000. It is the main settlement within the larger Borough of Rugby, which has a population of 114,400. Rugby became a market town in 1255. In 1567, Rugby School was founded as a grammar school for local boys but by the 18th century, it had gained a national reputation and eventually became a public school. The school is the birthplace of rugby football, which, according to legend, was invented in 1823 by a Rugby schoolboy named William Webb Ellis. Local rivals Rugby Borough also play in the NPL D1 Midlands. Rugby has a number of rugby union teams, including the Rugby Lions, Rugby Welsh, Rugby St. Andrews RFC, Newbold-on-Avon RFC, AEI (Rugby) Rugby Football Club and Old Laurentian RFC.
It was another Tuesday night without a Wycombe game, and so my fellow groundhopping enthusiast and I were off somewhere random again. After getting the Non-League Paper on Sunday, the following options were drawn up:
Stafford Rangers v AFC Fylde
Redditch United v Bashley
Rugby Town v Royston Town
Woodford United v Chalfont St Peter
In the end, we plumped for Rugby Town, who compete in the Southern League Division 1 Central. They had a decent-looking stadium, and I later discovered that there was an excellent pub in town, called The Merchants Inn. I also read on Twitter that they were offering half-price admission to this game against Royston Town - that was if it was going to be on, which looked doubtful as all outside looked frozen. Though upon checking the weather, it was a whole degree warmer in Rugby than it was in Wycombe, so although I wasn't going to be packing the sunglasses and suntan lotion, it was at least a tiny bit better. There were pitch inspections announced all over the place, and I made sure I followed Redditch United and Woodford United on Twitter, as well as Rugby Town, so I could keep an eye on the situation. I also took a copy of the night's fixtures, in case all those were called off.
On the day, I had some merchandising work to do at various stores, so I had to leave early to allow time to complete this. So, leaving just before 12, I went to Wycombe, along the A40 to Loudwater, onto Amersham and finally to Aylesbury, where Anwar lived. My timing was pretty good as I finished doing my work and got to his place at 4.10PM, roughly the time we had planned to meet. An hour before that, I had been on tenterhooks as with practically every non-league game in the country, biting the dust, there was a pitch inspection at 3PM. I was delighted when it was on, and celebrated by buying some Millionaire Shortbread from Tesco. Not even the petrol being 2p more expensive than my local garage could put me in a bad mood - I only put £15 worth in as I might not have made it back otherwise. There was a short delay on our journey as we travelled through Milton Keynes, but apart from that, it was plain sailing. We got to Rugby just before 6, and as previously planned, parked in a side road about 10 minutes walk from the Merchant's Inn pub. And it didn't disappoint, in fact, it was one of the best pubs I have ever been in. A choice of about 10 ciders, as well as loads of beers, on tap and bottled from all over the place. I'd estimate that there was a choice of around 200 there. I know that one of the main rail lines runs through there, so that is something that I will bear in mind if ever I am travelling by train. As I was driving, I could only have two halves - namely Janet's Jungle Juice and Shaky Bridge, but there was so much choice that I would need to visit many times to get them all done. At £3.80 for the pair, the cost was a tiny bit above average, but it really is worth paying for quality. The pub was very busy for a midweek night too, which shows that I'm not the only one who thinks this. Anwar settled for a soft drink, a shame he couldn't have driven, really, I could have had more!
We left the pub at 6.45 and from there it was only a 5-minute drive to the ground. After walking to the car, parking up and going in, it was around 7.10. I paid £4 to get in (half price as promised) and £2 for a programme. I also picked up a pennant for £1.90 - cheap because it had their old name of Rugby United on it. The team have seen three name changes within very recent history before United and Town, they were known as VS (the VS stood for Valley Sports) Rugby. I was hungry by then, so I got myself some chips and gravy for £2, and then "The Famous Valley Double Bacon Cheeseburger" which cost me £4.50. We then went around the ground taking pictures, before settling into the covered terrace along the side of the ground for the first half. I can't recall seeing either team play before. Both were competing at the right end of the table. Royston had just come up from the Spartan South Midlands League, whilst Rugby Town had recently been in the division above. They also had former Wycombe youth teamer Sam Belcher, who had helped himself to 2 goals in the 2-1 victory over Chalfont St Peter on Saturday. This was part of a 6-match winning streak, the club's best since 1993. Royston themselves had been on a decent run, their latest victory being over AFC Hayes on Saturday, 2-0 the scoreline. I also noticed, whilst looking at their fixtures, that the original game had been abandoned due to floodlight failure, maybe the reason for the half-price offer tonight.
The game itself was pretty decent. Beforehand, Royston were top of the league, with Rugby behind in 4th. A win, however, could take the home side top. Rugby had the first real action of the game, as one of their players went down in the area. Former Wycombe player Sam Belcher stepped up, but despite getting 2 goals on the previous Saturday, he missed the spot-kick. His team were soon made to pay for his error as Ryan Lockett put the visitors into the lead with a long-range shot. But just before halftime, the home side equalised - Fazal Koriya netting from close range. I was peckish again at the interval, so I got some more chips, this time with sausages. That bought my tea bar, spending up to £9, leaving me glad that I had saved on other stuff. We went and sat in the big stand for the second half, which offered a great view of the action. Rugby had much the better of the second half and got their reward when David Kolodynski got the winner. He had caused Royston a lot of problems all night with his pace and was one of the best players on the pitch. So, yet another good night's football, despite the fog and the cold. And another new ground was visited. It was a slightly quicker journey home. After dropping Anwar off, I was back home by 11.30. But with me getting up at 4 and not going to sleep till 1am, I was even more tired than usual in the morning.
MY SECOND VISIT
1-0 v Loughborough Students, NPL D1 Midlands, 21/10/25
Rugby Town had long been a ground that I wanted to revisit, having been there as far back as 2012. It was back when I started hopping with fellow hopper Anwar, it was the sixth of 335 games that I had given him a lift to before the options dried up, especially for midweek games. This time, Colin was keen for a lift. It was left until there was a midweek when there was no new ground option and Holmer Green or Wycombe Wanderers were not at home. It was primarily to update my blog with a more comprehensive entry for a great club that deserved a better introduction than the one I initially wrote. This was especially true regarding the history section, which I didn't bother with when I started this blog. There was also a Wetherspoons to tick and better pictures to get than the fog-bound ones from last time. The only shame was that I was not able to do it on the train and have a few pints in the various excellent pubs in the town.
From our game at Barnton, I drove Colin & me home. I listened to BBC Three Counties for the first hour, as we were leaving, Wycombe grabbed a last-minute goal at Blackpool to rescue a 1-1 draw. For all the money we have pissed up the wall in the last two transfer windows, it was long-serving Jack Grimmer who was the hero. That gave way to Five Live for commentary on Fulham 0-1 Arsenal, followed by the phone-in. A brief delay due to rubber-necking freaks on the M6 did not stop me dropping Colin off at 19:55 and getting home 20 minutes later after a road closure. A couple of drinks were had, both blogs were uploaded, and I aimed for a bedtime close to 11 PM. That turned out to be 11.30 in the end. Work was hectic, also beset by a supervisor's insistence that we adhere to some of the more petty and draconian rules imposed by our corporate overlords. But a hard day's work is good for the soul after a one-day weekend of enjoyment, and I caught up on sleep in the late afternoon, having been unaffected until then. It was another tiring day, and an afternoon nap on Monday.
Tuesday saw my usual day off and the usual eleven-mile walk to town and back. This was undone by a Brie & Cranberry sandwich from Tesco and a cookie from Lidl as a mid-morning snack. I came back and spent the afternoon at home. I discovered that I could have had another new ground tonight with Hastings-based Westfield at home. However, that is another one I will save for a Saturday on public transport. I left at 4.30, picking Colin up at my local bus stop on the way. He was asleep within 30 seconds of getting in my car and didn't wake up until we got caught up in some roadworks on the A423 in Southam. We were delayed 20 minutes and got to Rugby at 6.45. Wetherspoons 451 was the Rupert Brooke where I had a Buffalo Burger and all the trimmings with a pint of Cranberry Juice for £8.66, a real bargain and excellent service. Again, I lamented the fact that I wasn't on public transport so I could enjoy a few pints. The pub was named after a poet, famed for his war sonnets from around the time of the First World War. It was a five-minute drive to the ground where I paid a tenner for entry. There was no food available, with the tea bar closed and the Valley Bacon Double Cheeseburger had disappeared from the venue. The element of surprise had gone, but it was good to get some new photos of the ground whilst walking around.
Rugby Town were 12th in the table, having won five, drawn three and lost six of their games so far. They'd won three out of their last four, beating Coventry Sphinx 3-0 on Saturday. Loughborough Students were 15th in the table and had won four, drawn four and lost five. On Saturday, they lost 1-0 at Anstey Nomads. It was fairly even early on but Rugby took the lead on 22 minutes when Rivel Mardenborough latched onto a good through ball to score from just inside the area. Both sides had chances and came close, but it looked as if there would be no further goals. The attendance was 242 and included an excellent set of young fans who gave their team great vocal backing all night. There was a mad scramble near the end, well after the specified injury time. The students' keeper went up and it was cleared off the line, ending 1-0. A late finish, around 9.45, meant that I got home later than expected, even with a good 90-minute journey. It took me ages to get to sleep, and so with a 3.50 am alarm, it was another afternoon nap the following day.
THE GROUND - 2012 PICTURES
BUTLIN ROAD is a very smart non-league ground, especially for the step 4 level that the team are currently at. The ground is covered on all 4 sides and could easily be a Blue Square North level venue, if not the Blue Square Premier. There is cover on all 4 sides, with the most impressive area being the main stand, which offers a great view as it is so high. Opposite that is a smaller seated stand with covered terracing on either side. To the left as you sit in the main stand is the best terraced area, which wouldn't look out of place in the football league. Finally, to the right, there is a smaller covered terrace. The rest of the ground is open terracing.
There is a table as you come in the turnstiles that acts as the club shop, and although the range is quite limited, the stuff looks good and is sensibly priced. A hat and scarf together, for example, is £10. The tea bar is also good, with a better range than most. Finally, the bar, which has Sky Sports, is nicely decorated. Nothing really special on the drinks front, but if you have the spare time, the town is a 20-minute (brisk) walk away, and this has several pubs to suit all tastes as well as takeaways.
2025 PICTURES
