‘Effingham & Leatherhead RFC’ was founded by Dr Charles Sutton in 1966, originally named ‘Effingham Rugby Club’, it was formed with the deliberate intention of creating a home team for the mutual benefit of the King George V charity and the Club. The Eagles’ home ground, set in the heart of Effingham, is a beautiful 31-acre site bought for the village by residents in 1938 and held in trust for them ever since. Today, the charity which manages the site is ‘Effingham Village Recreation Trust’, reg. no. 301058 and has pitches for various sports, as well as playgrounds, woodland walks and spacious open grassland areas for people to enjoy.
The Eagles Story
- 1966 – ‘Effingham Rugby Club’ founded by Dr Charles Sutton.
- March – The Club’s first game against Guildford and Godalming XV. This first Effingham team consisted of players who had never played before on the one hand, to a player who had represented the Royal Navy on the other. Although leading at halftime it was not to be a successful debut.
- October – The Clubs first victory was a 19-10 win against a Battersea Ironsides XV
- 1975 – The Minis section formed.
- 1976 – New changing rooms were opened and a tenth anniversary game against Guildford and Godalming was played.
- 1982 – The Junior section formed.
- 1986 – The Clubroom constructed, the occasion was marked by an official opening by the President of Surrey and a game against a Surrey XV.
- 1986/87 – introduction of Leagues into Rugby Union, The Eagles were placed in Surrey Division 2.
- 1986/97 – Winners of Surrey Division II, winning promotion to Surrey Division I.
- 1991 – The 25th anniversary of the Club and a tour to British Columbia. Although the Club has enjoyed many tours both at home and in Europe, this was the first tour to North America and it certainly lived up to expectations with many firm friendships being formed.
- 1996 – Boasted four Senior sides and a Vets side. At Junior level, the Club was represented at every age group from under 13 to under 18. At Mini level the Club was represented at every level from under 6 to under 12. The Mini section was the fifth largest group in the South East of England.
- 1996 – Effingham creates one of the first rugby Club websites.
- 1996/97 – 1st XV winners of Surrey Division 1, promoted to the London South West 3 league.
- 1997/98 – The Club changed its name to ‘Effingham & Leatherhead RFC’ and adopted ‘The Eagles’ nickname.
- 1998/99 – Winning ‘the double’, the London 3 South West league and the Surrey Cup. Promoted to London 2 South West League.
- 2001 – ‘The Eagles’ win the Surrey 7s.
- 2004 – Fire destroys most of the Clubhouse. The Clubhouse was rebuilt ready for use by the end of 2004/5 season.
- 2003/4 – The ‘Eagles’ reverted to London 3 South West where they play currently.
- 2007 – Awarded the RFU’s Seal of Approval.
- 2009/10 – The London 3 South West League is renumbered as London South West 2.
- 2015 – Awarded RFU Accreditation Club.
- 2016 – 50th Anniversary.
- 2017 – Eagles 2XV win the Surrey East Conference League whilst being unbeaten all season, winning 18 league games.
