The Modern Club
The seeds were sown back in 1934/5 when East Dorset Rugby Football Club was formed. Unfortunately this club was rudely curtailed by the onset of World War II.
It was not until 1948 that a reforming of the club took place under the Old Wimbornians supported by the Old Wimborne Grammar School.

In 1950, after a meeting at the Griffin Hotel (now a block of flats) next to Wimborne Station (now a market), opposite Andys’ Café (now houses) it was decided to form Wimborne Rugby Football Club (incorporating the Old Wimbornians).
This meeting was attended by a number of famous ‘old boys’ including Maurice Herridge, Ivor Hilliam, Bill Williams, Gunner Holman , Douggie Harrison (who went on to be the 59^th President of the RFU) and others.

The original minutes of this meeting showed that the club colours would be ‘all black’ with white collars and sock tops – this was done primarily because it was cheap.
The logo depicted Wimborne Minster.
Early fixtures were held at Merley Camp (now Flight Refuelling Social Club) and at the Hanhams ground (which became the town cricket pitch, and is now home to Waitrose).

In 1963 the club moved lock, stock and barrels (!) to Leigh Park where the club remains to date.

The club includes two bars plus a large function hall. The Harrison room is dedicated to Douggie Harrison 1911-1989.

Below is one of the first teams to play for Wimborne in 1951 - 52 season.
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And some twenty-five years later, saw the gentlemen pictured below, representing Wimborne RFC
You may recognise a number of the faces from this 1976 line-up, around the Club on Saturday afternoons.

On Saturday 13th May 2000, WRFC celebrated fifty years of Rugby with a 50th Anniversary Ball.
Click here to see photos from the Ball.