Richmond
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Wikipedia - Richmond F.C.
Richmond Rugby Club is a rugby union club in Richmond, London. It is a founding member of the Rugby Football Union, and is one of the oldest football clubs (of any code). It fields teams in both men's and women's rugby; the men's first team currently play in National League 1 following their relegation from the RFU Championship at the end of the 2022–23 season, while the women's first team play in the Women's Championship.
History
Formed in 1861, it is one of the oldest football clubs in the world and holds a significant place in the history of association football, playing in the first ever match under the rules of The Football Association on 19 December 1863, against the Barnes Club, even though it was not a member of the Football Association. In 1878 it hosted the first ever floodlit match and in 1909 played in the inaugural match at Twickenham Stadium, the home of English rugby.
Richmond always traditionally played without a number 13 (similar to Bath) – the outside centre would wear 14, right wing 15 and fullback 16. However, during the professional era they adopted squad numbering; meaning rather than rugby's usual method of giving numbers 1–15 to the starting line-up, players were assigned a number for the season, as seen in football. Back in the amateur leagues, Richmond returned to their traditional numbering system before promotion to the National Leagues in 2008 saw them forced to adopt the uniform 1–15 numbering system according to RFU laws.
The team currently competes in the National League 1, which is the third tier of English rugby union. Richmond has a strong reputation for its attacking style of play and has a loyal fan base that supports the team at every game.
The club's home ground is the Athletic Ground, which has a capacity of 4,000 spectators. The ground has been the home of Richmond since 1889 and has undergone several renovations over the years to improve facilities for players and fans.
Richmond has a strong youth development program and has produced many talented players who have gone on to play at the highest level of rugby union. The club also has a strong community focus and is involved in various initiatives to promote rugby union and support local charities.
Overall, Richmond Rugby Union Football Club is a well-respected and successful team with a rich history and a bright future ahead.