The Old Centrals Rugby Football Club was founded
in 1913 as a subsection of the Old Centrals Association, formed
previously in 1903. Its object was to provide recreation in the
form of Rugby Football for the former pupils of the Central Secondary
School. The first world war intervened after the first season
and it was not until the 1920's that the club's growth began.
During that time fixtures were played against Moseley and Bedford
as well as many of the sides that still exist today.
The club continued to flourish in the 1930's and
1940's but led a nomadic existence, playing on grounds as far
apart as Edgbaston, Yardley and ending up on the then school ground
at Metchley Lane, Harborne in the 1950's. It was at this time
that saw the emergence of the famed Johnie Harrison's XV's. Over
a period of 8 seasons out of 200 games played, only 37 were lost,
and during the 1954 - 55 season the club was unbeaten.
During this period also, the present ground at Bourne Vale was purchased with donations by members to provide a permanent memorial to the Old Boys who gave their lives in the two World Wars. The Memorial Pavilion was built by the members own efforts and officially opened by International Peter Robbins in 1957. The 50th season was celebrated in 1963 and during the 60's the club continued to win more games than it lost.
Following the return of several players who had been playing for 1st class clubs, the early 70's saw the formation of another outstanding Old Centrals team. Under the captaincy of Dave Harris, two games were lost in the 1970/71 season and the success was sustained for a further two seasons.
The club then instigated colts rugby based
on pupils from Central and Streetly schools. The Colts teams over
the next several seasons were amongst the most successful in the
area and many of the players went on to form the basis of many
of the subsequent Old Centrals senior sides.
It was during the 80's that the school ceased playing rugby and
the regular yearly feed of players declined. Attempts to establish
a local identity and recruitment failed to come to fruition so
that by the 90's we were faced with an experienced but rapidly
ageing membership, with the first team surviving on the remnants
of the successful Colts sides of the previous seasons.
However it wasn't all doom and gloom during the 80's. In the latter
part of the decade the club ran a successful Veterans XV which,
drawing on a number of newly retired ex 1st XV players, went through
the 1988-89 season unbeaten.
The playing results held up reasonably well
until the mid 90's, when difficulty was experienced in raising
a Third team, this quickly affected the Second team so that during
1996-97 we experienced the ignominy of struggling to raise even
one side, which, because it was totally under strength, was more
often than not totally outclassed and subjected to some heavy
defeats. Low membership also meant low income and it became obvious
that the club would not be able to continue for another season
unless outside help was obtained.
Approaches were made to Witton Rugby Club, who were then running two sides but were about to lose their playing facilities which were being sold by the owners. Initial talks went well and the two clubs agreed to amalgamate under the name of Aldridge RFC to provide a much needed area identity.
