Proud To Be a Vandal
Started playing in the Juniors in the 70s! Since when, my brothers and sons have all played, my Dad before them, and my wife was Cinderella in the club panto!! Say no more, great family orientated club.
Weybridge Vandals has been a huge part of my life for over 12 years. My fondest memoirs of rugby all involve pulling on a Vandals shirt or sharing a beer with my friends after a game. The club is a second home for me and it’s players, staff and supporters are like a second family, in all the years of playing rugby, I’ve never come across a more welcoming, friendly and supportive club. I’ve made friendships for life which, although now sadly retired, provide numerous opportunities for reminiscing whilst watching the current teams play the most exciting brand of rugby I’ve seen in many years at Vandals. I love this club.
What started as helping a mate out because his team were short developed a 30-year association with the Vandals. I’ve toured 3 continents, shared the highs and lows of many league and cup campaigns, and made life-long friendships. I find myself passionately cheering any team/age group wearing our green, black and purple and as I walk through the clubhouse doors I’m always assured of a warm welcome- even if I’m wearing my kilt for the Calcutta Cup match!
Having had two sons venture from New Zealand on their grand O.E. during the past few years, and linking up with The Vandals RFC to play Senior Rugby for them, has shown me that our great game truly does transcend globally and the passion, fervour and camaraderie that Kiwi’s hold for our great game is matched in the UK through the outstanding efforts of wonderful clubs such as Weybridge RFC is. I will always be so grateful for the wonderful way both my sons were accepted into The Vandals Rugby Family, so well looked after by the wider community and given a UK life experience courtesy of the club that so many other Kiwi’s would probably never get to sample. Having been hosted by the club myself personally at a vandals match a few years back my endearing memory also is of a club filled with pride, passion and a true sense of community, any player lucky enough to pull their jersey on at any level will quickly get to experience what a small group of Kiwi’s will long hang on too as the greatest of memories made.
I've been a member, player and coach at the Vandals, and during the past 25 years, my 3 sons and wife have all been involved. It’s been a large and happy part of our family life memories made.
In over fifty years of rugby I’ve yet to come across a better club than the Vandals.
“When I moved to the area from Somerset in the late 80s I viewed some Rugby Posts from the Red Lion Pub in Shepperton. Not even knowing the name of the club or a single member I turned up to training the following Tuesday. 30 years later, having played there for 20 of them, I still visit the club regularly to meet with people I met on that very first night. Great club.”