Folkestone Rugby Club was started by a few enthusiasts in the 1973/74 season. Two of those original enthusiasts are still playing for the Club, Gary McCarthy and John Cadwallader. Caddy has actually played at least once for the First XV in each of the first 28 years of the club.

The club attracted many former players of the Ashford Club who formed the main source of administrators and finance for the club. The first Chairman was Derek Searle and the Hon Secretary was Alan Frew. Bob Pocock was the successful fundraiser. Early and generous benefactors included Frank Barber, Conrad Blakey, Keith Rawlings and Anthony Record but of these only Frank went on to hold high office as President of the club

The club operated out of the Sports centre where Derek Searle was the manager and they played at the Polo Field and More Hall Recreation Ground. Very soon they realised that the bar profits would be better coming into the club and an ambitious scheme was launched to raise the funds for our own grounds and clubhouse.

This was done with a lot of self-help and an imaginative “buy a brick” campaign. Paul Tory released some land at a generous price near the A20. John Ovenden designed the clubhouse and “Caddy” virtually built it with his own hands. Former England Captain Dickie Jeeps officially opened it in 1983. The moment was given a hilarious “rugby twist”, we think by Ron Prothero, and when Dickie unveiled the plaque it revealed a very saucy female nude!

With the achievement of his great project Derek Searle handed over the reins as Chairman to Alan Frew and Paul Barber took over as Hon Secretary little realising what a key role he was to play in the survival of the club.

By this time, with the help of Army players from Shorncliffe camp we were able to sustain 3 and four teams each week and were challenging and beating our rivals in East Kent. In addition to those mentioned above the club had stalwart members in Steve Durham, Barrie Lee, Glenn Foreman, Alex Ruddock and Steve Cribbens, all of whom were to play an essential part in the club’s playing and administrative success.

With the purchase of the new grounds the club was able to launch into its most important role, namely, the establishment of the Youth and Minis sections. Under John Turbutt Snr, John McPartlin, Mike O’Sullivan, Don Turner, Colin Hodges, Richard Wincote, Andrew Dagger, Ian Fell and Bob Gillett these sections have grown into the largest and most flourishing sections of the club and recently Phil Cooper, Alan Perkins, Peter White, Dave Ward and Peter Pritchard have been responsible for the constant development of enough players of calibre to replace our inevitable player wastage to Universities, distant jobs and age! These gentlemen have introduced Folkestone’s youngsters to the joys of touring and have enjoyed great success in France, Belgium, Holland and Wales where they have made many friends. Recently they have seen one of the club’s finest young players, Tom Johnson snapped up by Saracens and the club has high hopes that this talented young man will go on to be a star and be joined by some of the new youngsters coming through. John Turbutt produced one of the best Colts squads we have ever had. He indulged them by organising a tour to San Diego, California!! One of the best players the club has produced was Toby Booth. Through playing for Kent Toby was recruited by Blackheath. He then, inevitably became their recruiting sergeant and lured away the cream of our first XV. These included, Tony Hughes, Gary Furneaux and Neil Cousens. Luckily Tony and Neil came back after a few years to do good work for the club. Toby is now the forwards coach for Premiership club London Irish and also coach to England youth sides.