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#Post#: 153119--------------------------------------------------
Historic London rugby club fights for survival
DIR By: Rugbycat
Date: April 20, 2026, 2:23 am
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Wendy Hurrell
Thornton Heath
Published
1 hour ago
A rugby club founded more than 150 years ago has launched an
emergency appeal for funding, warning it faces an uncertain
future amid rising costs and falling income.
Streatham and Croydon RFC, founded in 1871, said the cost of
maintaining its ground on Frant Road in Thornton Heath - where
it has been based since 1926 - was reaching thousands of pounds
each year. The most recent water bill alone cost £2,000.
Club president Femi Oresanya has appealed for urgent support,
saying the club needs £20,000 to survive.
"Celebrating 100 years should be a time of celebration, but the
reality is the cost of running the club has become extremely
difficult," he added.
"Yes we may get the odd one who comes through and goes on to
play for in England under 20 like my son, or Sadia Kabeya who
was player of the match in the World Cup final just a few months
ago - that's at the very pinnacle.
"But if every child comes here and goes away learning how to
play rugby, but also how to be a good citizen, then I think
we've done our job."
The ground remains a vital community resource, with up to six
local schools, many of which have sold off their own playing
fields, regularly using the pitch for games and events.
"Maintenance, utilities and grass upkeep all add up, and we
receive no funding from local authorities.
"We are fortunate to own our pitches, clubhouse and stand, and
this has been our home for nearly a century," he said.
"We've had periods where we ran up to 13 teams on a Saturday.
Today it's fewer, but our mini and junior section is growing and
that really is the lifeblood of the club."
Oresanya outlined longer‑term plans to relaunch the
women's and girls' section and generate income by demolishing
disused squash courts to create padel courts for use outside the
rugby season.
"We want to restart a women's section and, above all, keep the
club open for the children. To do that, I won't hide the fact
that we need money.
"Our members have already put their hands in their pockets.
"The response has been truly humbling. The level of support
we've received to our GoFundMe campaign in such a short space of
time has meant a great deal to all of us."
HTML https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx24dgvvzy7o
#Post#: 153121--------------------------------------------------
Re: Historic London rugby club fights for survival
DIR By: Yareet
Date: April 20, 2026, 3:35 am
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What's really sad is that they were in the same position a
couple of years ago
HTML https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-streathamcroydon-rfc
Had some feisty games against S-C but nobody wants to see a club
fold
#Post#: 153122--------------------------------------------------
Re: Historic London rugby club fights for survival
DIR By: Rugbycat
Date: April 20, 2026, 3:48 am
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--- Quote from: Yareet link ---
>
> What's really sad is that they were in the same position a
couple of years ago
HTML https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-streathamcroydon-rfc
>
> Had some feisty games against S-C but nobody wants to see a
club fold
>
--- End Quote ---
The chap being interviewed son Conor, was in our academy.
#Post#: 153136--------------------------------------------------
Re: Historic London rugby club fights for survival
DIR By: Quinky
Date: April 20, 2026, 6:49 am
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"we receive no funding from local authorities"
This is shameful, especially when you look at some of the things
they do spend money on.
#Post#: 153138--------------------------------------------------
Re: Historic London rugby club fights for survival
DIR By: Rugbycat
Date: April 20, 2026, 7:03 am
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--- Quote from: Quinky link ---
>
> "we receive no funding from local authorities"
>
> This is shameful, especially when you look at some of the
things they do spend money on.
>
--- End Quote ---
Especially when they are letting local schools play on their
pitch and not receiving anything for it’s upkeep.
Sort of thing that should be given lottery funding, if the local
authority really can’t give them a grant.
#Post#: 153140--------------------------------------------------
Re: Historic London rugby club fights for survival
DIR By: Jedzi
Date: April 20, 2026, 9:40 am
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--- Quote from: Yareet link ---
>
> What's really sad is that they were in the same position a
couple of years ago
HTML https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-streathamcroydon-rfc
>
> Had some feisty games against S-C but nobody wants to see a
club fold
>
--- End Quote ---
I'm involved with community rugby across one of Quins' core
counties on a weekly basis. The picture I see is that youth and
women's is doing OK. However, mens' rugby is really struggling.
An increasing number of medium to small clubs can't get their
2s out anymore. 1 or 2 clubs have given up the struggle this
season. I've seen 'big' clubs at Regional 1 or 2 not being able
to get their 2s out. Immediately pre-covid, the club I'm
slightly involved with fielded 3 sides every Saturday, plus the
vets 4 or 5 times a year. Now they're down to 1 team. It's a
bleak picture.
I think there probably several causes both inside the game and
to do with society as a whole, and not many simple solutions.
On the upside - really good to see that S&C's fundraiser is
doing well.
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