Supermarine RFC: Our Legacy

Honouring Tradition, Embracing Progress

Supermarine Rugby Football Club has a story that stretches back more than six decades, rooted in determination, community spirit, and a love for the game. What began as a factory team on the edge of Swindon has grown into a thriving club that embodies the values of rugby: teamwork, resilience, and respect.

Beginnings: The Factory Team (1958)

The club’s journey started in 1958, when Norbert “Bob” Little turned his vision into reality despite significant challenges. At the time, Supermarine—then the Vickers Armstrong factory side at South Marston—had no home ground, and management was less than enthusiastic about the idea. Every fixture had to be played away, but persistence paid off. Eventually, pitches were marked out on the nearby airfield, though the goalposts had to be dismantled after each game because of a curious belief that they might “attract birds.”

Adapting to Change (1966–1980)

In 1966, Vickers Armstrong became Vickers (Swindon) Ltd, and the rugby side followed suit, adjusting its identity. But by 1980, bigger changes were underway. The South Marston site was sold to Honda UK, and the Vickers name began to fade. The club chose a new name that looked back while moving forward: Supermarine RFC, a tribute to the Vickers-Supermarine legacy and the iconic Spitfires built in Swindon during the Second World War.

Finding a Home (1980s)

The early 1980s brought uncertainty but also opportunity. For a few years, Supermarine became nomadic, playing on a strip of land just outside Honda’s perimeter fence—affectionately known as “the rockery”. Balls that cleared the fence often relied on Honda security patrols to make their way back. Stability came in 1988, when the club secured its long-term home on Supermarine Road. The pitches weren’t perfect—drainage issues caused flooding—but steady improvements transformed them into the quality surfaces the #BlueFamily enjoy today.

Building the Future: Mini, Youth & Ladies Rugby

Supermarine has always looked to the future. In 1982, the club launched its Mini & Youth section with only a few children and enthusiastic parents. Today, it is one of the most vibrant parts of the club, welcoming hundreds of young players each season and supported by an ever-growing team of qualified coaches.

In 1990, the club expanded again, answering a local newspaper call-out that led to the creation of the Ladies section. From those early beginnings, the women’s side has flourished, producing capped internationals and now competing at Championship level, just one step below the Premier division.

A Community Club for All

From its earliest days as a factory team to its place today as a modern community club, Supermarine RFC has always been about more than just rugby. It is about belonging, tradition, and progress. The club welcomes men, women, boys, girls, and veterans, all united by the values that Bob Little envisioned back in 1958: rugby for everyone, played with passion, respect, and pride—on and off the field.

This is our legacy. This is Supermarine RFC. #BlueFamily