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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.