History

History of Coventry Saracens

1966 - The club was formed from the 13th Coventry Scouts, Brian Hancox being the scout leader at the time, playing the first game on February 26th against Standard 4ths and coming away with a 14 points to 3 victory. This was the only game played as 13th Scouts as it was difficult to get fixtures as scouts, so a new name was chosen, Coventry Saracens as we had no ground of our own and were wandering nomads like the Arabic tribe. The original kit was red but changed to green when Coundon Rugby folded and the players moving over to Saracens brought a newer set of shirts before black became the colour. Starting with just one side the club had 2 by the end of the first decade, all games were friendlies and included sides from Coventry that are no longer in existence such as Coventry Phantoms, Cheylesmore Old Boys,Coventry Post Office, Jag-Daimler-Climax and Caludon Castle. The home fixtures were originally played at The Memorial Park meeting at the New Inn (Chesnut Tree) public house in Hearsall Lane before changing to Coundon Hall Park and using the Carousel in Bedworth as the drinking place. From the original team Roger Hancox is the sole surviving member who is still active (well goes to the bar occasionally) within the club.

1971 – Try changed from 3 to 4 points

1972 - Gary Jones became the first Saracens player to represent Coventry in a game against Harlequins.

1975 – First colts side formed with inaugural game played against Caludon Castle at Bredon Avenue.

The rugby balls were made from leather with a bladder inside and laced shut!! Some players had leather studs too!!
Players jumped in lineouts! Wingers threw the ball in! Rucks & mauls didn’t end until the ball came out!

1976 - Graham Stanley became the Saracens first Warwickshire colt and going on to have England trials. Out of the original colts Steve Hancox (yes he was young once) is the only one still playing for Saracens.

1980 - Saracens acquired the clubhouse from Caludon Castle who had run into financial difficulties players putting their houses as guarantees for mortgage from Ansells brewery. Players gutted the clubhouse and refurbished it during the close season.

1981 - The number of teams grew to 4 senior sides and a colt’s team and was then added to with the start of mini & junior rugby sides. A lot of the younger players came from Binley Park School, including Darren Garforth, where we also had the use of 2 extra rugby pitches.

1981 – Saracens colts XV lost 1 game all season to Broadstreet in the county cup

1982 - Won first trophy Coventry and mid Warwickshire Benevolent Sevens held at Coundon Road and beating Standard in final after overcoming Barker Butts and Trinity Guild along the way. Included in the team that day were Brian Craner, Briggs to most of you, Steve Hancox, Sammy Bell, Dave Henley, Marcus Greenway and Mick Wilson.

1982 – Winners of Pinley 1001 darts competition.

1984 – Runners up Coventrians 15-a-side and Rugby & District sevens.

1986 – Saracens 1st XV suffered only 5 defeats all season.

1989 – Coventry Saracens become Warwickshire Division II champions.

1989 – Saracens 1st XV beat Northampton Extras 24 -12, their side containing a number of the 1st XV.

1989 – Darren Garforth wins full Warwickshire Cap.

1991 – Darren Garforth makes Leicester Tigers debut against Northampton.

1991 – Coventry Saracens host the Saracens sevens for the first time.

1992 – Points for a try increased from 4 to 5.

1992 – Tony Simms wins full Warwickshire Cap and plays for Rugby Lions in the top league.

1993 – Darren Garforth wins England ‘A’ Cap in a 66 – 5 win over Spain.

Darren Garforth

1993 – Steve Lewis (Leggy) & Tony Simms flanked for Rugby Lions in a televised match in the top league.

1995 – TNT cup winners- Saracens beating Nuneaton in the final at their old ground.

1996 – Coventry Saracens 2nd XV make it to the semi-finals of the Warwickshire 2nd Team cup only to lose to Broadstreet.

1997 – The sin – bin is introduced to Rugby, Dave Southam’s and Gonzo’s (Paul Walsh) rest period!!!

1997 – Saracens 2nd XV record 2nds biggest victory 108 – 5 versus Aylestone St.James. Jimmy Gleeson scoring 5 tries and Dave Graham from Saracens scoring the oppositions try!

1997 – Inaugural Saracens Vice Presidents dinner with great food by master chef Ken Rosamond.

1997 – Darren Garforth wins his first full England Cap on 15th March against Wales in Cardiff in a 34 -13 victory.

1997 – Coventry Saracens host the annual Saracens Sevens for the second time.

1998 – Brian Hancox plays his last game at the age of 58 for the second team propping in a game against Dixonians.

1999 – Founder of Coventry Saracens Brian Hancox passes away suddenly whilst playing golf at Nuneaton golf course. His final wish was granted when his ashes were spread over the pitch so the spirit of Saracens is always there.

2000 – Darren Garforth wins his 25th and last England Cap against Italy in Rome in a 59 – 12 victory.

2004 – Saracens best season for a while ending up 3rd in Warwickshire II missing out on promotion in the final game.

Coventry Saracens R.F.C.