Historic London rugby club fights for survival

President Femi Oresanya says above all, he wanted to keep the club open for children [BBC]

A rugby club founded more than 150 years ago has launched an emergency appeal for funding, warning it faces an uncertain future amid rising costs and falling income.

Streatham and Croydon RFC, founded in 1871, said the cost of maintaining its ground on Frant Road in Thornton Heath - where it has been based since 1926 - was reaching thousands of pounds each year. The most recent water bill alone cost £2,000.

Club president Femi Oresanya has appealed for urgent support, saying the club needs £20,000 to survive.

"Celebrating 100 years should be a time of celebration, but the reality is the cost of running the club has become extremely difficult," he added.

"Yes we may get the odd one who comes through and goes on to play for in England under 20 like my son, or Sadia Kabeya who was player of the match in the World Cup final just a few months ago - that's at the very pinnacle.

"But if every child comes here and goes away learning how to play rugby, but also how to be a good citizen, then I think we've done our job."

The ground remains a vital community resource, with up to six local schools, many of which have sold off their own playing fields, regularly using the pitch for games and events.

"Maintenance, utilities and grass upkeep all add up, and we receive no funding from local authorities.

"We are fortunate to own our pitches, clubhouse and stand, and this has been our home for nearly a century," he said.

"We've had periods where we ran up to 13 teams on a Saturday. Today it's fewer, but our mini and junior section is growing and that really is the lifeblood of the club."