Formed in 2002 in the back room of the Original Plough public house. A meeting reminiscient of the 1895 meeting in the George Hotel which led to the formation of the Rugby League, a few hardy souls met with the intention of forming their own club and moving away from the domination of Chelmsford Rugby and the Academicals.

Led by David Rowan as inaugral President and his (un)able deputy, Scott Taylor as Chairman, this merry gang went onto form Writtle Wanderers. The list of founder members is as follows -

David Rowan - President
Scott Taylor - Chairman
John Horne - Hon Sec
Martyn Howarth - Fixtures Sec
Gary Hall - Treasurer
Robin Wallbank - Vice Chairman
Mark Rawlinson - Coach
Steve Clark - Entertainments
Paddy Bidwell - Committee Member
Jim Cooknell - Committee Member

A heady mix of talented individuals from local teams followed with the inaugral game at Upper Clapton resulting in a healthy win for the newly formed visitors. The Wanderers were fortunate to have a smattering of senior players from Maldon and Chelmsford mixed in with more vigorous youth from the Anglia Academicals.

The Wanderers went on to enjoy unparralled success in their first two non-league seasons, going unbeaten for the whole of 2002-2003.

In their first year in Essex Division 2 in the 2004/5 season the Wanderers marched to victory and the following two years saw strong competition in Essex Division 1. Since then the Wanderers have been plying their trade in Essex 2 again however the 2010-11 season saw promotion back to Essex 1.

The Wanderers pride themselves on their sociable approach to the game. Anyone is welcome at Writtle and the club now offers three teams with rugby to suit all abilities. There is an annual tour with the most recent visit to Dortmund a great success.

Writtle also hold a range of social events and can most likely be found on most Saturdays in season at their home base - Writtle College Baa - under the avuncular eye of Ernie Kelly, our long suffering bar manager.

Wanderers should also thank their many sponsors over their short history and special mention should go to Chris and Pam Prile and the Original Plough for their valuable support in the early days. SRS Rail services have also been longstanding servants and supporters to the club. In more recent times the Burke/Seager empire has come to the fore with invaluable support on matchdays and with repeat sponsorship. Barista on Duke Street in the town is their unofficial Saturday night base and events have also been known to happen at Bar7 on the High Street and, more formally, the South Lodge Hotel.

All of the founding Committee are still in contact with the club with many of them still strapping on a boot from time to time. The Wanderers look set to tackle the future full on with many of the children of original members coming to playing age and carrying those famous family names back onto the teamsheets of the future. We can look forward again to new generations of Culletons, Pearces, Battyes, Rowans and Redferns flying the flag as the club goes from strength to strength.

If you are interested in helping the club develop and want to be part of this ongoing story fill in the contact form on this website. You'll be assured a warm welcome.

Writtle Wanderers RUFC

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