The History of the Dagenham Rugby Union Football Club

The club was first founded in 1991 by Danny Canary, Peter Rogers and Tony Ventham. The guys liked the spirit of the social life that is ledgend within rugby circles. The club they origianally belonged to didn't hold up to their expectations of this legend, and Dagenham rugby club was born.
They dragged along friends and collegues to the Becon Tree leisure center and Eastbrook school and played games. From there they played at the Becon Pub and the Eastbrook school, with a pitch, and then they asked the council about the pavillion that wasnt being used. Their first pitch was in a hollow that was always filled with mud, the pitch was then moved to the position of where the first pitch is situated now.
Over the years friends came along and one of the local clubs folded, Fairburn and Chigwell, they stopped playing, and as true rugby players still wanted to play, and so some joined the Dagenham club.
At first all the games were friendlies, then after a few years they went on to join the league in the Eastern Counties 5, which used to be all over the South Eastern Counties. The leagues were then divided and the levels got bigger and more localised. Dagenham was then moved to division 4. They then made the teams just in Essex for division 3 so again Dagenham moved up a level. In 2001 they had gone from strength to strength and were promoted to division 2. Dagenham made their mark!
The club now has a first and second team. The social life is still as adventurous as the guys would like, but they have the passion of the game in their hearts and that is what makes Dagenham a great side to play for.
The future for Dagenham would be to build up more sides and be a game player and stay up with the big boys. For a side that has only two teams and play against clubs with upto 5 teams shows how much spirit Dagenham has a club.
Dagenham also pride themselves as a family club with many members having their families and young children being catered for. Each year they have a childrens Christmas party, new years eve disco, charity events and other social gatherings.
Dagenham have a committee made up of members of the team and ex players, all of which have a vested interest to make the club a success all round.
2001 & 2002 has seen some great things with the Dagenham club. They now have the flood lights for training, a second pitch, new funiture for the club, a container for the gear, have gained sponsorship from the Barking and Dagenham Post and still have many plans in pipeline.