Exeter Rugby Club celebrates 150th anniversary

By Jack Lewis
04/04/2022

Legends of Exeter Rugby past and present packed into Sandy Park for a spectacular Gala Dinner at Sandy Park to commemorate the club's 150th Anniversary.

On a night to remember for everyone associated with the club, the Exeter Suite was beautifully transformed as over 450 guests donned their finery to enjoy a trip down 'Memory Lane' - relieving some of the key landmarks from the club's creation back in 1872 to that of modern-day success.

It was a veritable who's who of Rugby, attended by Chairman of World Rugby Sir Bill Beaumont CBE, as well as Chairman of the British and Irish Lions, Jason Leonard OBE, President of the RFU Jeff Blackett, President of the Premiership Rugby Martyn Phillips, CEO of the RFU Bill Sweeney, Chairman of EPCR Dominic McKay and CEO of Premiership Rugby Simon Massie-Taylor.  They too were joined by the Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Trish Oliver, Lord Charles Courteney, the Earl of Devon, and Colonel Simon Chapman OBE, Commandant of the CTC Royal Marines. 

With former England international David Flatman as Master of Ceremonies, he was joined on stage by friend of the club, Jenny Walrond, who took  guests through the 150 Year history of Exeter Rugby.  From our formation in the last quarter of the 19th Century, through the formative years of the 1960's 70s and 80s to the meteoric rise of our modern era, culminating in the double-winning triumph in 2020.

Rugby Club Chief Executive and Chairman, Tony Rowe OBE, said of the night: "Seeing so many of the club's legendary names in one place, celebrating the achievements of our great club, was simply fantastic. An event like this has taken a great deal of organising and there are too many names to mention here, but to everyone involved I want to pay my heartfelt thanks.

"Listening to how the club was originally started, how we have progressed from the old County Ground to that of Sandy Park, and how we are now regarded as one of the elite clubs, not just here in England, but internationally as well, gives us all a huge sense of pride and satisfaction. 

"As I've said before, the future of the club is bright and if we can replicate the achievements of the past 150 years, then I know we will continue to grow from strength to strength in the future."

Also amongst the guest list on the night were a number of the club's past club captains, including: John Baxter, Paul Baxter, Richard Baxter, Rob Baxter, Graham Bess, Nick Bodnar, Andy Cole, Trevor Harris, Tom Hayes, Dave Hartland, Kai Horstmann, John Jenkins, John Lockyer, Andy Maunder, Dean Mumm and Gareth Steenson.