MORE than 100 years of Keynsham Rugby Club and its links with the local community are being commemorated in a new book.
Entitled KRFC Celebrating 100 years 1923- 2023, it has been written by Dr David Whittington, supported by Dermot Courtier.
David, a former captain and chairman of the club, wrote a history of the club’s first 50 years back in 1972-73, at the age of 28.
Now approaching his 80th birthday, he has updated the club’s history to incorporate its centenary last year.
In his introduction, David writes: “In 1973, I was not always able to tell the full story about some people or happenings. With the passage of time those people have died, leaving me free to be more candid.
“My former boss at the University of the West of England, on hearing about this book, said that I should not confine myself to purely rugby matters, but should expand the content to produce a truly cultural history that shows our club’s place in the context of changes in the town, and in society in general.
“With this in mind, there will be references to such important events as World War II, the arrival of rugby playing schools in Keynsham, the rapid expansion of the town in the 1950s and 1960s, the introduction of the breathalyser and, of course, Covid-19.
“Possibly even more important have been societal changes, especially the role of women. For example, when I joined in 1960, the idea of a lady coach for the senior teams would have attracted scorn.”
To research the book, David and Dermot scoured around 90 years of fixture cards that confirmed dates, names and roles volunteers performed supporting the club.
They also held one-to-one meetings with a small number of elderly and former senior members to understand how Keynsham Playing Fields Ltd came into existence immediately after the First World War, which allowed the shareholders of that company to buy the Crown Fields on the Bristol Road for the benefit of both the rugby club and Keynsham Town AFC.
Dermot also contacted the planning departments of Bath & North East Somerset and other local authorities to identify the various planning applications lodged by the club over the years that resulted in clubhouse, playing field and floodlight developments.
The book covers such topics as age-group rugby, overseas tours, and the development of the club’s physical infrastructure, as well as pen-picture tributes to its life members.
As a result, says Dermot: “It stands as a proud record of achievements by many hundreds of club members who have voluntarily devoted time and energy to making the club what it is today, within our local community and town of Keynsham.”
David continues in his introduction: “Generation after generation of officials at Keynsham have, through dedication, competence and good humour, kept the club on the right lines. As the final chapter will show, the challenges keep on coming.”
Anyone wishing to buy a copy of the book should email dermot.courtier@gmail.com. It costs £15 per copy, plus £5 postage and package. Copies are on sale behind the bar in the clubhouse.
Pictured, a happy dressing room as KRFC 1st XV celebrate victory in the final of the Somerset Cup in 1982
New books celebrates Keynsham Rugby Club history
