Category Archives: Purley-John Fisher

Croydon choristers add their voices to Lions’ roar in Australia

Posted on July 31, 2025 by insidecroydon

PETER GILLMAN on the latest ‘world tour’ by a doughty band of singers from the Croydon Male Voice Choir Sporting history could be made on Saturday, when the British and Irish Lions rugby team take on Australia in Sydney seeking … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon Male Voice Choir, Elliot Daly, Music, Peter Gillman, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dobbyn’s team win second cup final without playing a game

Posted on April 25, 2025 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: The 2024-2025 Surrey Veterans’ competition ended much as the 2023-2024 season did – quietly, in farce, another signal of the grassroots’ game’s sad decline A 50-season career of playing rugby, old man and boy, has staggered to an … Continue reading →

Posted in Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

After weeks of mud and guts, Warlingham still have a chance

Posted on April 3, 2025 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: With one Saturday of the season left to play, our local clubs’ fates are already decided – with one notable exception. PLUS: a grassroots rebellion against the blazers at Twickenham falls flat as controversial CEO survives his no … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trinity manage to shine as local clubs find life’s no walkover

Posted on January 2, 2025 by insidecroydon

Inside Croydon was first to report the collapse in player numbers in local men’s grassroots rugby. The Daily Torygraph played catch-up with their broader look at the alarming decline in coarse rugby across England. Here, in JOHNNY DOBBYN’s 2024-2025 half-term … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rapid decline in numbers shows that ‘coarse’ rugby is ‘at risk’

Posted on September 18, 2024 by insidecroydon

The club rugby season is well underway, with a couple of crunch derbies this Saturday – Old Walcs against Purley John Fisher, and Streatham and Croydon versus Warlingham. But will all local sides be able to field a full XV? … Continue reading →

Posted in Elliot Daly, Marland Yarde, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

How the ‘Mighty’ have fallen: relegation haunts rugby clubs

Posted on April 3, 2024 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: After ill-tempered local derby clashes which had more cards than Christmas, and a revised formula for relegation that would leave Einstein confused, JOHNNY DOBBYN pulls on his flanker’s jersey, right, for the final time this season to preview … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Middling at mid-season: Trinity lead way for bragging rights

Posted on December 15, 2023 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: Halfway through the season, the local rugby clubs have so far done so-so. JOHNNY DOBBYN, left, packs down to get you the details If most local clubs went into the season feeling fairly upbeat about their prospects, whether … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stormzy’s football club’s ground on council’s ‘For Sale’ list

Posted on December 5, 2023 by insidecroydon

CROYDON IN CRISIS: The council’s ‘asset disposals’ programme is making desperately slow progress, as it adds tennis clubs, community centres, scout huts and a rugby ground to its list of available properties. But few, if any, existing tenants have been … Continue reading →

Posted in AFC Croydon Athletic, Business, Charity, Colonnades, Community associations, Croydon Council, Croydon Park Hotel, Football, Golf, Mayor Jason Perry, New Addington South, Old Coulsdon, Property, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Scouts and Guides, Thornton Heath | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Memorial matches stand out as rugby clubs prepare for kick-off

Posted on September 1, 2023 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: While the England team’s preparations for the World Cup are in disarray following injuries, brainfade and piss-poor performances, the outlook locally is far brighter, with clubs using the off-season to re-group, re-build and, in some cases, lick some … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Derby days: rugby clubs face some bumper autumn fixtures

Posted on August 18, 2023 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: The publication of the club fixture lists has added some extra edge to some pre-season training, reports BRIAN MORE-ORLESS The rugby clubs in and around Croydon could be in for some hectic times in their clubhouses and bars … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

‘Counts finish on the up as clubs struggle with league shuffle

Posted on April 4, 2023 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: The RFU’s league reorganisation has taken a heavy toll on clubs in and around Croydon these past few months. JOHNNY DOBBYN, right, provides the end-of-season report, and discovers some worrying developments down Croham Manor Road Walcountians ended the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Community associations, Croydon RFC, John Fisher School, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC, Whitgift School | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Warlingham go from top to bottom at the flick of a blazer’s pen

Posted on January 12, 2023 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: The club that has dominated local rugby for a decade hopes to restore some pride in their derby against Trinity on Saturday You’ve got to feel a bit sorry for Warlingham in this, the club’s centenary season. After … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Warlingham take league title without having to make a tackle

Posted on April 16, 2022 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: Warlingham kicked off the club’s centenary season in some style, celebrating finishing the season as London South-West Div 3 champions without having to make a tackle in anger. In an extraordinary turn of events, Warlingham took their regional … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fisher’s ‘strawberry daiquiri’ Dombrandt on a World Cup path

Posted on February 15, 2022 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: After two blighted seasons, the past fortnight has demonstrated how resilient the area’s clubs are, with a first Six Nations start for one of their former youth players and two hard-fought derby games which between them were settled … Continue reading →

Posted in Chris Robshaw, Croydon RFC, Elliot Daly, John Fisher School, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rugby clubs’ season’s big kick-off gets postponed to 2021

Posted on September 26, 2020 by insidecroydon

The club rugby season was due to kick off today. But with barely 48 hours’ notice, amid a rapidly worsening situation with the coronavirus pandemic, the blazers at Twickenham issued orders on Thursday to postpone competitive rugby until January, at … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

No scrums, no mauls, no tackling: rugby prepares to return

Posted on August 15, 2020 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: Promotions for Old Walcountians and Croydon RFC, relegation for Streatham-Croydon and Chipstead, some big signings for Warlingham, and uncertainty for all, as the area’s clubs prepare for the new season Professional rugby kicked off last night in an … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Plenty of derby action assured as rugby season kicks off

Posted on September 20, 2019 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: It’s the big kick-off this weekend. No, not that little tournament being staged in Japan, but in Division One of the Surrey county league. The club rugby season gets underway in earnest tomorrow, and this year sees the 10-team … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Whitgift are denied a final double by Wellingtons’ non-boot

Posted on March 13, 2019 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: It was ecstasy and agony at Allianz Park for Whitgift School last weekend as they came within a clause in the rule book from getting both their teams through to Twickenham finals later this month. The South Croydon … Continue reading →

Posted in Elliot Daly, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Schools, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC, Whitgift School | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Struggling Whitgiftians face tough derby trip to Hamsey Green

Posted on December 14, 2018 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: Croydon sides are top of Surrey 2 and second in Surrey 1 going into the Christmas break It’s the Big One at Hamsey Green tomorrow, the hottest derby fixture in Croydon rugby, with the district’s two top sides … Continue reading →

Posted in Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Coach Edwards wings it before MidWives extend their cup run

Posted on November 30, 2018 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: There was cup action for Old MidWhitgiftians last Saturday, in the Junior Vase. They followed up a resounding 62-10 win over Fareham Heathens earlier in the month in the first round with a 36-12 win at New Ash … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Warlingham bounce back to keep alive promotion talk

Posted on November 1, 2018 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: For rugby alickados, the old farts in blazers, there’s long been a sense that the club season hasn’t properly started until the clocks go back, and kick-off for Saturday matches is brought forward from 3pm. And there’s also … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Old MidWhitgiftians enjoy a try-fest at Lime Meadow Avenue

Posted on October 6, 2018 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: Old MidWhitgiftians quickly got their season back on track with a breath-taking 62-5 win at home against Old WImbledonians in Surrey 1 last Saturday. Andrew Dean scored a hat-trick of tries, fellow centre Temi Okenla got two, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, John Fisher School, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Schools, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC, Whitgift School | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Old boys’ youngsters claim bragging rights over Warlingham

Posted on September 21, 2018 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: Old Whitgiftians, after a 20-year exile from London divisional rugby, claimed their first win of the season on Saturday, as they beat Warlingham 22-14 at Croham Manor Road. In the first clash between the two clubs at 1st … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Old Whitgiftians are on the way up as champions of Surrey

Posted on April 21, 2018 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: Old Whitgiftians finished the league season last weekend by maintaining their unbeaten home record at Croham Manor Road this season with a 41-31 win over Chipstead to underline their status as Surrey 1 champions, with promotion to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Warlingham in peril of relegation for being in Surrey

Posted on March 28, 2018 by insidecroydon

RUGBY ROUND-UP: The long-standing order of the Croydon area’s rugby clubs could be about to be turned on its head in a relegation battle that depends less on the clubs’ position in their league tables, and more to do with … Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment