Esher RFC

Esher RFC
Full nameEsher Rugby Football Club
UnionSurrey RFU
Founded1923 (1923)
LocationHersham, Surrey, England
GroundMolesey Road (Capacity: 3,500 (1,200 seated))
ChairmanOlly Johnson
Director of RugbyMike Brown
CoachChris Wilkins
CaptainPierre Thompson
LeagueNational League 2 East
2024–25Relegated from National League 1 (13th)
Team kit
Official website
www.esherrugby.com

Esher Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union club based in Surrey, England. Esher currently play in the fourth tier of the English league system, National League 2 East, following their relegation from the 2024–25 National League 1.

History

The club was formed in 1923 when four rugby enthusiasts agreed to start a club.

When the league system was introduced in 1987 Esher were placed in London 1, but were relegated in the first season and did not win promotion back to that league until 1993.

Esher were first promoted to the national leagues system for the 1997–98 season, finishing fourth in National League 2 South. They led for most of the season the following year but finished second, but won promotion in 1999–00. The club set a new points record when winning National Division Two in 2006–07 and were thus promoted. They were promoted into the second tier, the RFU Championship after winning National League 1 in 2009–10. During this season they broke the world record when they beat Manchester 148 – 0. They played in the Championship for two seasons before being relegated back into National League 1 for the 2012–13 season.[1]

Esher suffered another relegation at the end of the 2018–19 season, dropping down to National League 2 South, their lowest league level since the end of the 1990s. They would yo yo between the leagues over the next few years, being promoted as National 2 South champions in 2021–22 and then being relegated from National League 1 at the end of 2022–23 season.

In 2020, the club announced a two-year agreement to share their ground with RFU Championship side London Scottish starting in 2021–22.[2] However it was later confirmed that Scottish would remain at Richmond Athletic Ground.[3]

On 13 April 2024 Esher defeated Dorking to win National League 2 East and return to National League 1 after being relegated the season before.[4]

Current standings

2025–26 National League 2 East table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Old Albanian 19 16 0 3 734 493 +241 16 1 81 Promotion place
2 Oundle 19 14 2 3 642 499 +143 14 1 75 Promotion Play-off
3 Bury St Edmunds 19 13 1 5 755 512 +243 15 4 73
4 Canterbury 19 12 0 7 579 469 +110 11 4 63
5 Barnes 19 11 1 7 530 410 +120 10 5 61
6 Dorking 19 10 2 7 537 388 +149 8 5 57
7 Westcombe Park 19 9 0 10 548 518 +30 13 5 54
8 London Welsh 19 8 0 11 538 626 −88 14 6 52
9 Guernsey Raiders 19 9 1 9 494 578 −84 9 2 49
10 Havant 19 8 1 10 613 658 −45 14 1 49
11 Esher 19 6 0 13 549 645 −96 11 4 39
12 Sevenoaks 19 6 0 13 539 631 −92 8 3 35 Relegation Play-off
13 Henley Hawks 19 4 2 13 444 491 −47 7 7 34 Relegation place
14 Oxford Harlequins 19 2 0 17 367 951 −584 7 2 17
Updated to match(es) played on 14 February 2026. Source: National League Rugby [5]
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Number of matches drawn
  3. Difference between points for and against
  4. Total number of points for
  5. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  6. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled

Honours

Notable former players

References

  1. ^ "History of Esher Rugby Club". Esher Rugby Club. Archived from the original on 28 April 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
  2. ^ "General announcements of progress and fundraising during the Covid pandemic". Esher Rugby Club. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  3. ^ "London Scottish to remain at the RAG". London Scottish Rugby. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Esher on top to seal title triumph". The RugbyPaper. No. 813. 14 April 2024. p. 32-33.
  5. ^ "National League 2 East". NCA Rugby.
  6. ^ "London 1 96/97". www.hampshirerugby.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014.
  7. ^ "Esher on top to seal title triumph". The RugbyPaper. No. 813. 14 April 2024. p. 32-33.
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