Gerry Brooke takes a look at a new book on Clifton Rugby Football Club.

The authors of a new book on Clifton RFC, Patrick Casey and Richard Hale, have long associations with the club.

“I was brought up in Bristol with rugby football in my blood,” explained Richard.

“I developed a love of the game, found my niche and a tremendous community of friends with whom I remain close to this day.

“As a young lad I knew my grandfather and I was always proud of his rugby past, a stalwart of the Bristol team in the period between the wars.

“What hadn’t registered with me until writing this book and discussing it with my father, was that he had fought in the trenches as one of the Glosters.

“Like so many, he rarely talked about it.

“I first became interested in the history of Clifton RFC through my sons playing with the juniors there and attending Clifton College.

“I was fascinated by the strong and direct link between the formation of the game, Rugby School, Clifton College and Clifton Rugby Club.

“Clifton RFC was instrumental in the creation of the game and as it evolved in the late 19th century.

“To me this is not simply a rugby book.

“Yes, we have aimed to update and share some of the club history, but I see this also as capturing social history of local and national significance.

“Writing it has been an exciting and emotional experience, as we have uncovered new facts and stories about those who have helped to keep the club going, often against the odds.

“Over 45 members, for instance, were killed in World War I alone.

“Many old Bristol and Clifton families have come forward with material, stories and photos and have been incredibly generous with their contributions.

“We have also included accounts of the many internationals who played for Clifton before, during or after their international careers.

“We’ve also covered the way the club moved through several grounds to keep itself alive.

“There are records of famous matches involving Clifton players and we have covered some of the strong links with local families who have developed their family businesses in the area.

Patrick was also amazed at the way the book grew.

“Little did we imagine, back in 2002, that a page on the website of a Clifton under-8s side would metamorphose into a fully-fledged book,” he adds.

“That was intended as a short history of the club, plus a list of players who had gone on to international status.

“Information came from a centenary book; memorabilia were collected from various sources and the website page was expanded until it was too big and needed its own website.

“To this were added photos and documents from the club, principally donated by Clifton players, Ellison Fuller Eberle, Gilbert Castle and Tom Burroughs.

“The scrapbooks and photos of Victor Fuller Eberle were donated by his son, Admiral Sir James Fuller Eberle.

“Relatives of former players started contacting me.

“ Richard Savory was the first - his grandfather had played for Clifton from 1908 to 1920.

“Many of the descendants of those listed on the War Memorial also provided photos.

“It was intended to remain just a website until Richard Hale suggested it would make an interesting book.

“From that point on it took another four years to become reality.”

“We have consciously tried not to replicate previous histories of the club.

“We have concentrated on its origins - the founders, the internationals, the Oxford and Cambridge Blues, the names on the War Memorial and the players and events that have changed the club since1972.”

The book, which includes hundreds of photos from the last 150 years, covers the history, events and accounts of famous players since the club’s foundation in 1872.

It shows the close link between the public schools, local business and the merchants and military men who fought for, and in many cases, gave their lives for their country.

The book has an introduction by Admiral Sir James Henry Fuller Eberle, the son of Victor Fuller Eberle, who played for Clifton RFC from 1905 was later club captain.

James Fuller Eberle, his grandfather, was one of the the club’s founders.

A special book launch is being held from 6pm to 8pm this Friday (Nov 20) at The Pavilion, The Close, College Road, Clifton College.

For College, Club & Country - A History of Clifton Rugby Football Club is by Patrick Casey and Richard Hale. It is published by MX Publishing it costs £13.99