History

Havant RFC, 'Hav', was founded in April 1951 and came to our present home, at Hooks Lane, Bedhampton, two years later. The clubhouse, which was built by members of the Club, was opened in 1955 by the Lady Mayoress of Portsmouth.

Ten years after its founding, HRFC was running 5 sides. In 1962 Colts were started and there were further extensions to the clubhouse. A new clubhouse was opened at the end of 1975 and in 1993 there were further extensions, and the addition of an all-seater grandstand.

Early milestones in the Club's playing history were the winning of the Hampshire Cup for the first time in 1974/75 and then, in 1975/76, becoming the first Junior Club to go into the last 16 of the John Player Cup. HRFC has now won the Hampshire Cup 15 times, the last being in season 2006-07.

When leagues were formed for 1987/88, 'Hav' was positioned in Area League South. Our league record since then is

1987/88	Area League South	5/11
1988/89	Area League South	2/11
1989/90	Area League South	5/11
1990/91	National Div 4 South	8/13
1991/92	National Div 4 South	1/13
1992/93	National Div 3	2/12
1993/94	National Div 3	9/10
1994/95	National Div 4	4/10
1995/96	National Div 4	8/10
1996/97	National Div 3	14/16
1997/98	Jewson National 2 South	12/14
1998/99	Jewson National 2 South	14/14
1999/00	London Div 1	8/17
2000/01	London Div 1	2/12
2001/02	London Div 1	1/12
2002/03	National Division 3 South	13/14
2003/04	London Div 1	1/12
2004/05	National Division 3 South	7/12
2005/06	National Division 3 South	9/12
2006/07	National Division 3 South	3/12

The highlights of the league campaigns were gaining promotion to National League 3 at the end of 1991/92, and then finishing joint top of that league the following season, missing promotion on points difference which would have made the club one of the top twenty clubs in the country. After a difficult period in the second half of the nineties (coincident with the advent of professionalism!), 'Hav' halted their slide in 2000/01 and fought their way back into the National Leagues the following season. They were immediately relegated, however, with great spirit and determination, bounced straight back at the end of 2003-04 and have managed to maintain National League status 'comfortably' since then. 2006-07 was the best year since the 1992-93 campaign!