150 years in the making
Celebrate Bath Rugby’s past, present and future
1865
The Club was founded
The question of who formed the Club has never been definitely answered. Reports from the time say it was ‘formed by a few gentlemen of the city’. Others believe the founders were members of Lansdown Cricket Club, whose colours are blue, black and white, looking for something to do in the winter.
1882
Bath’s first International player
Forward Herbert Fuller is believed to be the first Bath player to turn out in an international, making his debut against the Scots in 1882.
1894
First game played at the Rec
Prior to 1894 matches had been played at North Parade, Claverton Down, Lambridge Meadows, Kensington Meadows, Taylor's Field and Henrietta Park.
1899
Bath’s first British & Irish Lion
Frederick Belson was the first Bath player to play for what went on to be become the British & Irish Lions, when he was selected for the Anglo-Australian Touring Team.
1907
First overseas club to visit the Rec
The first home fixture against European opposition takes place as Racing Club de Bordelais visit the Rec, with a 6-6 draw the result.
1908/09
The Hoops are born
The 1908/09 season is believed to be the first time the blue, black and white hoops were worn.
1914-1918
World War One
Bath lost 10 players associated with the Club in the service of their country during World War One.
1939-1945
World War Two
Bath lost 17 players associated with the Club in the service of their country during World War Two.
Both the North Stand and West Stand suffered bomb damage in 1942.
1947
First non-English International cap
Scottish fly-half Ian Lumsden becomes Bath’s first non-English international.
1954
First overseas tour
Bath conduct their first overseas tour, and beat the French teams St. Claude (23-3), Givors (9-6) and Tour du Pin (17-0).
1971 - 1973
First female President
Mollie Gerrard, the wife of the late Bath Rugby captain Major Ronald A Gerrard D.S.O, became the first female President of Bath Rugby and, indeed, any rugby club.
1978 – 1994
Jack Rowell becomes Head Coach
During Jack Rowell’s 16-year tenure as Head Coach, the Club became arguably one of the best club sides in history.
1983 - 1987
John Player Cup
Bath won the John Player Cup for an unprecedented four years in a row, starting in 1983/84.
1986
First Bath Player to captain England
Aged 24, scrum-half Richard Hill became the first Bath player to captain England.
1988 - 1996
Courage League Division One Champions
Bath Rugby became Courage League Division One Champions for the first of six times in the 1988/89 season.
1989 - 1997
Pilkington Cup Champions
Bath Rugby became Pilkington Cup Champions for the first of six times in the 1989/90 season.
1992-1996
Bath Rugby win the double
Bath Rugby won the double for the first of three times, becoming both the Courage League Division One Champions and Pilkington Cup Champions in the1991/1992 season.
1995/96
Going Professional
The professional era of rugby begins.
1996
Bath v Wigan
May 1996 saw the first Union v League matches for over 100 years take place between Bath and Wigan.
A game was played under each set of rules, with (somewhat predictably) the winning side on each occasion was the one that knew the rules best!
1996
New owner
Andrew Brownsword becomes the owner of Bath Rugby.
1997/98
European Cup Champions
Bath beat favourites Brive 19-18 to become the first British club to win the European Cup.
2003
England win Rugby World Cup
England win the Rugby World Cup in Australia. Bath players in the squad included Iain Balshaw, Mike Catt, Danny Grewcock, Mike Tindall.
2007/08 Season
European Challenge Cup Champions
Bath defeat Worcester Warriors in Kingsholm, 24-16, to become European Challenge Cup Champions.
2010
Bruce Craig becomes owner of Bath Rugby
Bruce Craig becomes owner of Bath Rugby
2011
Farleigh House
Farleigh House becomes the elite training home of Bath Rugby.
2014
Record win over arch-rivals Leicester
Bath inflicted a record 45-0 defeat over arch-rivals Leicester Tigers at the Rec.
2014/15 Season
Finalists in the Aviva Premiership
Bath reach the final of the Aviva Premiership, however are defeated by Saracens 28-16.
2015/16 Season
150th anniversary Season
17th October 2015. The 150th anniversary Season kicks off.
