RUGBY Town’s 2016 Diamond Jubilee will see a series of events commemorating the club’s first ever competitive fixture, including a visit to Butlin Road by two teams of footballing legends from Coventry City and current Premier League champions Leicester City.
The anniversary celebrations date back to that first game in the Rugby & District League Division Three on September 8 1956, when a Valley Sports (as they were known at that time) side beat Dunchurch Lodge 7-0 at Thornfield.
The club has transitioned through a number of identities since, whilst achieving considerable success and advancement along the way – finally adopting the Rugby Town moniker 11 years ago.
One of the club’s original founders and its first secretary Keith Coughlan is looking forward to the latest opportunity to fondly remember Valley’s rich history.
He said: “The 50th anniversary was well-supported in 2006, and we are hoping that it will be the same this time round too.
“We should have many ex-players travelling from across the country and also internationally to be here for the main weekend of celebrations – including some of the line-up from that first game.”
Ex-Rugby players Craig Herbert and Tony Clarke are currently assembling a Valley Legends squad to face their professional counterparts in the two games on Sunday August 21 (v Leicester) and Sunday September 11 (v Coventry) respectively, with a celebration dinner taking place on Friday September 9 in the Butlin Road hospitality suite also forming part of the jubilee schedule.
A commemorative calendar and a ‘Valley Diamond Draw’ are also planned, with a number of nominated charities set to benefit from the anniversary event series.
