2025/26 Newsletter to the Club’s Vice Presidents.

The newsletter below was sent out by Andy “Bunter” Green by email on the 31st Aug 25. Any VPs who have not received it should check their Junk emails and if not there are requested to send their current email address to: andrew.green07@hotmail.com.
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Dear Vice President,

Welcome to all our Honorary Life Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents to the 2025/26 season.

Invitation to the Vice Presidents Lunch
You are cordially invited to Hertford RFC’s Annual Vice Presidents Lunch on Saturday, 04th October 2025. Please join us for a complimentary 3 course set lunch, including match entrance and programme, and an afternoon of rugby when Hertford play Colchester in their Regional 1 – South East Division match. The bars will be open as usual from midday with lunch served at 1pm. The match kicks off at 3pm with the bars remaining open afterwards. Dress Code: Jacket & tie / Smart casual. VP ties can be bought from the Club shop. We do hope you will be able to join us.

Please reply by email to: andrew.green07@hotmail.com to advise if you can or cannot attend. An early response would be appreciated.

Vice Presidents Donation
Many thanks to all those Vice Presidents who donated last season and to those who continue to do so through their existing standing orders. They are always very gratefully received and help enormously towards the running of the Club.

If you are not sure how much you would like to donate, it is suggested that a donation be made for at least the amount of the Club Non- Playing Membership Fee, which for 2025/26 is £80 per annum.

Donations for the 2025/26 season can be made by:

• direct payment to Sort Code:20-20-37; Account No: 50479764; Ref [insert your name] – VP
• cheque made payable to Hertford Rugby Football Club and sent to Mr A. Green, 62 Fordwich Rise, Hertford, Herts SG14 2BN.
• by setting up a Standing Order with your bank.
• by registering and paying your membership via the RFU’s GMS – Game Management system. It will help our Treasurers if any VPs with children in the Mini & Youth sections make their donations through GMS.

If you wish to amend your current Standing Order, then please do so directly with your bank.

If you do set up or amend a Standing Order, could you please advise details to the undersigned.

What’s happening on the pitch at Hoe Lane
At the end of last season Hertford 1st XV finished in 6th place in their league, Regional 1 – South East (Level 5 in the RFU’s league structure). Oundle were promoted whilst Harpenden & Bedford Athletic were relegated. Coming into our league for 2025/26 season are Colchester, who were relegated from National 2 (Level 4), Westcliff and Medway who were promoted as winners of their respective leagues in Regional 2 (Level 6).

There is also some very good news regarding our 2nd XV. They will now be playing in a newly formed Counties 1 league (Level 7) with nine other sides, namely Cheshunt 1’s, Hitchin 1’s, Hemel Hempstead 1’s, Fullerians 1’s, Welwyn 1’s, Bishops Stortford 2’s, Old Albanians 2’s, Eton Manor 2’s and Southend Saxons 2’s. It should be a very competitive league and there are a number of excellent home games to come and watch when our 1st XV are playing away or don’t have a game, eg they are playing Cheshunt 1’s at home on the 24th Jan 26 when they 1st XV do not have a game. We have already decided to put on a supporters lunch that day. There are also a couple of Friday night fixtures which we are hoping will prove to be very popular.

On the coaching front, Marcus Cattell has joined us from Bishop’s Stortford RFC as Head Coach of the 1st / 2nd XV squad. He is being assisted by James Thacker, Jon “JP” Patton and Harry Cavlan.

Our 3rd XV (Hoes) will be playing Herts / Middlesex Merit Table 1 and the 4th XV (Termites) will be playing in Herts / Middlesex Merit Table 3. They will be managed by Olly Gawthorne in his new role of Director of Social Rugby.

James Storey has taken on the role of Director of Rugby, whilst Ben Storey & Ged Murphy remain in overall control as Joint Heads of Rugby.

At the AGM Will Davies was elected to become Club Chair with Ben Roberts as Vice Chair. A big thank you to Karen Newbury who decided to stand down as Club Chair at the end of last season.

Attached please find the Club Diary for 2025/26 which lists the 1st XV fixtures, pre-match lunches, Club events and England internationals. As you will see the new season starts with an away game against North Walsham on Saturday, 06th September 2025 followed by the first home game against Westcliff on Saturday, 13th September 25.

Please keep an eye on the Club’s website for all updates regarding the 1st / 2nd XVs and what’s going on at Hoe Lane. Team sheets for both teams will be posted on the website which will also include confirmation of the kick off times.

Please also let us know if you wish to book any places or tables at the pre-match Supporters lunches. They cost £32.50 (inc VAT) per person. This includes a 3 course set lunch, match entrance and programme. Bars open at 12.00, lunch is served at 13.00 with match kick off at 15.00.

The Entrance Fee for 1st XV matches at Hoe Lane remains at £5 for Members (need to show your Membership Card) or £7.50 for Non-Members. There is no fee for children under the age of 16.

Membership Cards will be available at the Club bar.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding the VP’s lunch.

Kind regards
Andy
Andy “Bunter” Green
Membership Secretary