This is another in a series on Rubgy Clubs in SE London.
Blackheath is the oldest independent Rugby club, meaning that it was not attached to any institution such as a military establishment, hospital, school or college. There were a number of institutional sides that are older than Blackheath and it was they who provided the Club’s opposition. The Proprietary School and Blackheath FC had annual fixtures against each other for many years. It was on these occasions that the school supporters would shout “Up School” to the counter cries of “Up Club”. Blackheath FC are still known as “the Club” to this day.
The lack of any written documentation to establish the date of the foundation of Blackheath Football Club leaves many historians in a quandary regarding the date. There are, however, documents that indicate that rugby was instituted at the Blackheath Proprietary School around 1856, and also that the boys who founded the Club were playing on the Heath in 1858. The Rectory Field became their home somewhat later.
Since then Blackheath have been at the centre of rugby in England and, prior to the professional era, played against all the big-named clubs such as Harlequins or Leicester. Nowadays, they play in the National leagues and have recently (within the last ten years) moved to Eltham Well Hall, where there is more space and facilities for spectators.
(Content taken from Blackheath's website)
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