History

Club History

SOME IMPORTANT DATES IN “THE YELLOWS” HISTORY

1878

Feilding F.C. formed and played first ever match on 13 July v. a “Rangitikei combined clubs” XV in Feilding. This is widely regarded as the first ever rugby match being played in the Manawatu.

1882

Feilding briefly combined with Marton and played as “Manchester” until 1885. (The “Manchester” name however was used until 1887.)

1886

As Manchester, Feilding win their first ever Manawatu senior championship. Since then, Feilding has achieved this honour on 18 occasions.

Manawatu County Union formed (with Feilding as a founding member).

1887

Famous rugby song “On the Ball” written in admiration of the Feilding captain Andrew Thomson, by Edward Secker, captain of Palmerston North club.

1888

Manawatu County Union renamed Manawatu R.U.

1889

Club altered its playing strip to Black with a silver fern “shield” on the breast.

1893

NZRFU adopts Feilding’s strip for national side use. The current day amber and black hoops become new club colours as a result.

1896

Feilding threatened to join the Rangitikei Union in protest to a MRU judiciary ruling! Sanity prevailed and Feilding went on to win the Manawatu senior championships and become the inaugural recipients of the J.H. Hankins Shield, the oldest trophy still in use in N.Z. senior club rugby.

1900

Local clubs Feilding and Unionists combine to form Feilding Unionist Club.

1901

Club joins and plays in Rangitikei sub-union.

1903

The former Feilding F.C. is resuscitated incorporating Red Star and old Unionists club. Playing strip is black and gold.

1905

Club rejoins the Manawatu R.U. competition.

1909

Colours revert back to black and yellow, but with blue dungarees.

1911

Athletic rugby club formed in town and decimates Feilding F.C.’s ranks.

1912

Town clubs combine again as Feilding F.C.

1916-1919

All clubs in recess because of The Great War.

1920

Club fully revived. Feilding Technical School Club also had a senior team.

1921

“Technical Old Boys” rejoin Feilding F.C.

1925

Old boys of F.A.H.S. form Old Boys F.C. and decimate Feilding ranks.

1928

Rugby moves from the racecourse grounds to a new facility called Johnston Park, formerly a camping ground.

1934

Construction of the Collins Gym commenced.

1935

Feilding (playing as “Kowhai”) won the MRU mid-week competition. (Wednesday was a “half-holiday” in the district then!)

1936

Collins Gym opened on 13th May.

1938

Former Feilding player Joe Ongley becomes President of the N.Z.R.F.U.

1941

Feilding F.C. and Old Boys F.C. combined their seniors and played as “Feilding and Old Boys F.C.” due to many players being away on active service.

1942-1945

The club was forced into recess during the war years and the only rugby played was armed forces inter-camp matches.

1948

The club “re-formed” as Feilding R.F.C. incorporating the Old Boys F.C.

1951

Two players selected for North Island colts: R.Hurn, R.C. Henderson

1952

The touring Wallabies team were guests at the club’s Annual Ball.

1953

“Stewie” Freebairn becomes the club’s first All Black.

1954

The club wins the Abraham Cup for Manawatu club supremacy.

1955

Feilding Old Boys RFC is formed as a totally new and separate club.

1958

Club celebrates its 80th birthday with the opening of its own clubrooms attached to the Collins Gym.

1960

Abraham Cup.

1961

Club monogram initiated.

1962

Abraham Cup.

New clubrooms opened 11th August on current site.

1965

New clubrooms become freehold.

1967

Brian, Donald and Rex Kitchen all gain Manawatu rep honours!

1969

Abraham Cup.

1970

Abraham Cup.

1972

Feilding’s Jack Gleeson is named All Black coach and leads the team on an unbeaten internal tour and test series against Australia. Gleeson would also coach the All Blacks from 1976-1978 including a “Grand Slam” tour of the U.K. in 1978.

1974

Kevin “Hayburner” Eveleigh becomes the club’s 2nd All Black!

1975

The “spec” house in Fairview Avenue built by club labour is sold and this enables the commencement of the clubroom extensions.

1976

Manawatu defeats Auckland at Eden Park to claim the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in the provinces history (as “Manawatu”). Feilding hooker Denis Clare played in the match.

1977

Clubrooms extensions opened.

1978

Centenary Year and major celebrations.

1982

An eight team National Seven’s tournament was held at Johnston Park and Feilding were well represented: D.Clare, T.Clare, P.Scott (Manawatu A) and T.Knox, K.Williams, G.O’Fee, M.Ayres, P.Hausman, C.Childs, D.Miller (Manawatu B). A post tournament N.Z. Sevens team was announced with Denny Clare gaining honours!

1984

Clubs first official overseas tour with a party of 30 “mostly” senior players plus officials and supporters travelling to Melbourne for a week, hosted by the Box Hill club. A total of 5 games were played by our two XV’s, with A.Wilkinson and M.Ayres being the top points scorers.

Abraham Cup, with 4 teams winning their comps! (A’s, 3rds, 4ths, U19’s)

1985

Abraham Cup again!

1986

Club fielded a record 8 teams in Manawatu club competitions.

1987

Abraham Cup.

1984-1989

The Senior Fourths were recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records for 114 consecutive competition games without a loss!

1989

Abraham Cup.

1990

Johnston Park grandstand condemned.

2002

Internal renovations of clubrooms completed.

2003

125 years of rugby celebrated.

2000-2008

Senior Fourths made 9 consecutive finals! (Champs ’01/’04/’05)