Old Tiffinian’s RFC was founded in 1924 by old boys of Tiffin School in Kingston, Surrey. During the four course dinner various toasts were offered under the expert control of Toastmaster Chris Harwood using a whistle to good effect. Well-fed and refreshed the formalities commenced with the Toast to the Club proposed by Ken Fletcher, a Life Vice President of the Amateur Football Alliance and Old Boys League.
d XI
The Black & Whites arrived at the Grist Memorial ground having scuppered Sidcup theprevious round. That triumph, in a bruising encounter against the erstwhile leaders, came at acost with the loss of props Gibson and Mount as well as O’Brien and Elliott in the backs. It wasnot all doom and gloom from the physio’s hut as Tom Lennard made his belated first start ofthe campaign at 10. If there was much to admire last weekend there was plenty to forget thistime around.
- This period began with Mike Taylor as Chairman and Peter Woan as 1st XI captain.
- (We reproduce below the useful résumé of the Club’s history, researched and compiled by several stalwart members to mark the Club’s centenary celebrations in the Autumn of 2000).
- Poor play at therestart handed the initiative to the Tiffinians who set out their stall in the S&E 22.
- Rob played at centre for Ireland and was picked for the British Lions in 2001.
- Several of the lower sides won their respective divisions providing a regular flow of trophies presented at the League Dinner.
- Please email us on if you would like to get in touch with regards to sponsoring the club or a team.
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In the mid-’80s Old Tiffinian’s was very strong, both in numbers and playing strength. Competition within the six XVs was at a peak and this was reflected in good performances in the Surrey Cup – reaching the semi-final stage on a number of occasions. During this very successful period a number of players were selected to represent CLOB and Surrey – amongst them Ian Dopson, Chris Mason, Robert Spittle, Duncan Fennemore and Ian Lindsay, who travelled with CLOB on the 1990 tour to California. OTFC play their home matches at the Grist Memorial Ground, affectionately shortened to Grist’s. The ground was purchased by the Old Tiffinians in 1944 and to this date a range of sports are still enjoyed by the school and Old Boys clubs at the site. A memorable evening continued after dinner with Roy Taylor, who had flown in from Dallas USA, busy collecting signatures for his menu card and Peter Woan also over from the USA, recalling his dynamic midfield play as well as celebrating the recent birth of his daughter!
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My Club Wins
Though this combination is far fromthe Black & Whites first choice they performed impressively providing a steady platform anddid not take a backward step in the set piece. Five minutes later the visitors had a wonderfulopportunity to level the scores after a Tom Lennard break but, as would be the case too oftenduring this entertaining encounter, the ball out to the flank was not gathered.The first period entered its final phase. Any good work by Sutton was thwarted byeither the defensive solidity of Tiffinians or critical errors by the visitors.
The Old Tiffinians thoroughly deserved their success leapfrogging Sutton& Epsom in the league table.Free from rain, bathed in sunshine and with a gentle breeze upon an immaculatesurface the scene was set for a captivating afternoon’s entertainment as Freddy Buntingkicked off. The opening Sutton salvoes were quashed by forthright tackling by everyone in anOT shirt as the visitors looked to spread the ball wide to their wings. After ten minutes the OldBoys demonstrated their best phases and enjoyed the bonus of a penalty in the 22. Their positive approach was rewarded with aperfectly executed catch and drive from the 5-metre lineout that ushered prop Ross Hobbsover the whitewash for the first try of the afternoon. The OTs were soon on the attack again and assisted by S&E transgressions.Their second entry in the visitors’ 22 would result in their second try. Unfortunately, Suttonhooker Peter Gordon had to be replaced by Ben Green after a clash of heads in a try-savingdouble tackle.
Players who were selected for the league representative sides included Dave Harry, Errol Walker, Ted Wightwick, Marv Abdo and Bill Worman. The Club had a great reputation for social events, with regular discos and live groups for dances (The Gonk Ball et al). The Club celebrated its 75th anniversary with a match against the Nemean League.
John Cope and Keith Venables, both looking indecently fit, reflected on football in the late 50s/early 60s, whilst Roger Middleton boasted of his three squash games a week! Those in attendance are shown on the table plan and can look back on a memorable evening for the Old Tiffinians’ Football Club. It took a further 10 years before an organised Old Boys’ Club emerged, following an announcement in the Surrey Comet of 1st September 1900 convening a general meeting at the School.
Several of the lower sides won their respective divisions providing a regular flow of trophies presented at the League Dinner. We continually need younger players to rejuvenate the club and we welcome current male and female students (over 16), ex-pupils, teachers, friends and relatives into the club and hope they will wish to continue playing for many years. OTFC offers players the chance to play competitive weekend amateur non gamstop casinos football at a level suitable to their ability, providing a competitive but sporting game, whether they play for the 1st XI, another male or female senior team – or indeed the Vets team.
The team was Cozens, Speller, Taylor, Burton, Narracott, Evans, Wellman, Finch, Shears, Holt, Adams and Moore. Going into the seventies, the Club had a healthy mixture of new young players and elder statesmen. As a result of a limited opening up to non-Old Boys, such characters as Les Limbrick and Bill Smith emerged.
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Old Tiffinians teams on Full-Time
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The bar there became a very popular assembly point for OTs on leave. He also arranged an annual match against the school throughout the war years. In March 1935 the Headmaster, Mr. Dean, announced at a special meeting of the main OT Club that he would consider reintroducing soccer at the School. This saw the restart of competitive school soccer, which was to continue through the war years.
The ‘young ones’ were the likes of Steve Finch, Steve Porter, Ian Wellman and Fred Shepherd. The Reserves topped their division two years running, and the 1st XI won the newly formed Intermediate Division and the Surrey AFA Junior Cup in 1957. It was a convivial period, and the enlargement of the bar area helped us to gain a reputation as being one of the more hospitable clubs in the League. In those days, only former pupils were allowed to play for the clubs in the Old Boys’ League, and this rule was strictly enforced. (We reproduce below the useful résumé of the Club’s history, researched and compiled by several stalwart members to mark the Club’s centenary celebrations in the Autumn of 2000). With Oakfield, once again at its most resplendent, we are hoping for a fast and open game and may the better team win.