the history of ourfc

written by Tim Stevens, updated by Zed Nott

With the first Varsity Match being played in 1872, it is one of the world's longest running sporting fixtures. It represents the pinnacle of amateur and student rugby where two of the most prestigious universities in the world compete for the the title of Varsity holders. The journey to Varsity is a unique experience, endowing every player, coach and supporter with many precious memories and a spectacle steeped in tradition, pride and a culture of excellence. Despite the sometimes inclement conditions, the Varsity match was traditionally played at 2pm on the second Tuesday in December. More recently the matches have been played on the weekend, with the Women's kick off at around midday and the Men's at around 3pm.

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The histories of both the Varsity Match and of rugby union are intertwined. Oxbridge rugby has been historically, and remains, at the forefront of the development and refinement of the game. Whilst Oxford and Cambridge are not professional teams, they remain a benchmark for the game through their promotion of the rugby's traditional values and ideals. As the pinnacle of amateur sport, the Varsity Match is a unique and not to be missed sporting event. 

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The Varsity campaign starts in September of each year, before the start of Michaelmas Term, with pre-season training and an overseas tour; an opportunity for the squad to get into winning ways and experience the hospitality of a foreign country. On their return the Men's Blues will go head to head against a number of Premiership Clubs, the Women's Blues against some of the top rugby Universities in the country, and in December, the Major Stanley's XV. Traditionally the highlight of the Varsity build-up, the match against the Major Stanley's team sees the Blues come up against an invitational side for an day of festival rugby. All the games and preparations build up to what is the defining moment, and highlight, of the season – the Varsity Match. 

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The match epitomises the age-old rivalry between Oxford and Cambridge Universities and at the same time illustrates the continuing vitality and spirit of amateur rugby. The importance of the contest is highlighted by the enormous contribution Oxbridge rugby and the Varsity Match have made to the development and refinement of the game of rugby over the last 135 years. Up until 1875 the Universities fielded 20 players a-side, as was the norm for Rugby football in those early years. In that year, the Universities and their respective Blues took the initiative and changed to 15 a-side. This caught on quickly and was adopted as the international standard in 1877. 

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Only a few short months after the first international rugby match, between England and Wales, was played, the first ever Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge made its debut in February 1872 in Oxford's 'University Parks'. In that first match Oxford wore dark blue jerseys (the same as today, though at some stages they have worn white), and Cambridge played in pink, changing to their light blue and white in 1876 – and so the Dark and Light Blues were born. Ever since 1872, the Varsity has been played annually and is renowned as one of the most pulsating fixtures on the rugby calendar. The following year (February 1873) the return match was played in Cambridge on 'Parkers Piece'. In 1877 it was decided to move the match to a neutral ground and the Kennington Oval - scene of England's first home international fixture the previous year - was chosen. 

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During the 1880s the Varsity Match was played at a variety of venues including the Rectory Field, the home of Blackheath F.C. In December 1887, the match was moved to Queen's Club in Fulham. The venue had only just opened and was considered to be the best sporting club in Europe. Queen's Club continued to be the venue until the outbreak of the First World War, when all rugby matches, including Varsity, were suspended. ​