Many readers will know of the Gordon League Rugby Club in Hempsted, but perhaps not too many will be aware of its rich history – or the fact that its activities have been about much more than just rugby.

The Gloucester Gordon League was launched on 5th December 1885. It was founded along with many other Gordon Boys Clubs throughout Britain in memory of General Charles Gordon, who died after being sent to Khartoum in Sudan to quell a revolt.

The only Gordon club left in the country

The initial enthusiasm from local government for the Gordon Youth movement soon waned and they withdrew their financial backing. Many of the clubs were forced to disband but, in the City of Gloucester, this was not the case, thanks to the intervention of a remarkable woman, Miss Agnes Jane Waddy. She was believed to be a volunteer tea lady in the early days of the club and took control, enlisting the support of local businesses and individuals to save the club. Gloucester is now the only Gordon club left in the country.

In 1888, Miss Waddy and a young assistant named Ernest Browning founded The Gordon League Rugby Football Club as an integral part of the existing Boys Club. The ‘League’ played its first match in the September of that year. Young Ernest scored the winning try and went on to serve the club as a player and as an official for 59 years.
Each year, a service is held in Hempsted Church, where Miss Waddy is buried, to honour her memory.

The club has produced many accomplished sportsmen

Over the years, the club has produced many accomplished sportsmen – including Tommy Voyce, who captained England and was President of the Rugby Football Union; Gloucester rugby legend Peter Ford; Gloucester flanker John Watkins, who played against the All Blacks; Lou Robbins, the President of English Bowls; England table tennis captain Bryan Merrett; and weightlifter Mel Barnett, who represented England in the 1940s.

The club also has a highly successful angling team, winning seven individual and team gold medals in the last 30 years.

2025 marks the 140th anniversary of the founding of Gordon League. I wish them many more years of sporting success.