Throughout the 60's & early 70's Committee Meetings, Social Evenings and the "After Match Meals" were all held at the Packhorse Inn until it's demolition in 1971. The Committee then agreed in principle to continue to give "our custom" to the present landlord when he acquired the Cherry Tree in Bond St.
At that particular time the pub would open to serve the meals (free to the opposition but 3 shillings (15np) to club members)) but could not serve alcoholic beverages until 5.30pm.
An Xmas raffle was organised in 1969, tickets were 1 shilling each (5np) in books of 10 and the raffle prises were: - from club funds A Case of Vintage Champagne - Bottle of Port & Sherry - A 1lb box of Chocolates and 10 Manikin Cigars. Prizes donated by club members were -A Gas Lighter - Bottle of Whiskey - Basket of Fruit - Fifty Cigarettes and a Record Token.
BRFC in 1969 were also in a position to open a savings account for monies surplus to the running of the club. Barclays bank, Melton Turn, was the bank used and 6% was the rate offered. An opening balance of £100 was deposited and the treasurer and club secretary were the designated signatories.
At a committee meeting on Jan 27th 1971 a discussion took place regarding the use of the Old Pavilion. As the changing facilities were shared and the building was now in it's twilight years it was thought that new Changing Rooms were now needed exclusively for the members of BRFC. A site was pencilled in near the old Police Box, which was opposite to the Old Pavilion. A rough cost of £650 was estimated for this project with a projected cost rise of 10% extra each year.
The committee also approved the use of the Cherry Tree Pub as the next season's headquarters.
At an Extraordinary General Meeting on the 20 Dec 1971 it was decided after much discussion to build the Changing Rooms and a Clubhouse in one go (Changing rooms first followed by the Clubhouse).
In 1972 plans were well in hand for a small clubhouse to be built on the Belgrave pastures.
Brickwork on the new clubhouse started on Saturday 29th April 1979 and the brick building was built entirely by club members who also built the extension, which doubled its size. Approximately 12,000 bricks were used on this project. Unfortunately our then President Ramsey Ward was killed in a car accident and would not see its completion.
By 31st January 1973, £855 pounds had been spent on this new project, eventually rising to £1304 by May of that same year. Brickwork up to the roof was complete also roof timbers were in place, "bricking up" the gable ends would complete the outer shell.
Around September 1973 "Club Objectives" discussed included the extension of the existing building and the possibility of a third pitch.
At one particular committee meeting (still being held at the Cherry Tree) a reference was made to the effect that "Petrol Rationing" could have an effect on away matches and infact by February 1974 a proposed levy of 5p was made for away matches. Also at this time was the introduction of the "Three Day Working Week" which again also proved to be problematical.
In 1974 match fees were 40p (seniors) and 20p (juniors), petrol allowances of:
15 miles = 1 gallon (50p)
25 miles = 2 gallons (£1.00)
35 miles = 3 gallons (£1.50)
were introduced and new aluminium posts and sockets were purchased for £20.
In 1975 a "Wives Committee" was formed to assist in the social side of the club, also in 1975 all committee meetings would now be held at Belgrave Pastures and not the Cherry Tree Pub.
In 1976 it had been a particularly dry hot summer and due to these conditions it was proposed that all of the September Fixtures be "Cancelled" pending a change in the weather and pitch condition. Also up until '76 only one "Training Light" was available now three more were obtained.
Things were beginning to roll along smoothly and at a committee meeting held on the 30th Nov 1976 the committee was advised that the trustees have given:
1) Permission to build an Extension (30ft x 24ft)
2) Permission to apply for a Bar License
3) The promise of another Pitch should on become available
4) An assurance that the lease be reviewed.
Also in '76 the committee recognised that John Law had been a "Playing Member" of Belgrave RFC for 25 years and that a "Jersey and Tankard" be presented.
The total Clubhouse building project would be completed in 1980 at a cost (due to the efforts of club members and purchasing materials as and when needed) of £2,503. This figure could have well exceeded £10,000 if an outside contractor had been involved.
In 1979 the club committee asked Alan Pick if he would form a junior colts team. Alan, who had played regularly for the club in the 1950's and 1960's, worked hard contacting local schools and youth centres and started about twenty boys aged between thirteen and fifteen. A game was arranged against Syston's under fifteens and to everyone's surprise the side showed a lot of promise, beating Syston with some good rugby.
An interested spectator at that game was John Coupland who was coming to the end of his playing career. John offered to coach the team and Alan Pick became manager and fixture secretary. Eight more games were played that season resulting in seven victories. The team was also invited to play in South Leicester Rugby Football Club's Junior Colts Cup Competition and reached the semi-final. They lost to eventual winners Nuneaton.
In 1979/80 the team played twenty-two games winning nineteen and losing three. The following season 1980/81, the team with the addition of some new players, became full colts. Most of the boys were only about sixteen years old and with the age for the colts being sixteen to eighteen the boys often played against teams who were older. This age gap did show in the early season results - the record up to Christmas 1980 shows they lost 9 games and won 2 - but by the end of the season their record improved and they finished with thirteen victories and eleven defeats. Entering the County Colts Cup they beat Birstall in the first round by 6 points to nil. The played favourites and eventual winners, Lutterworth, in the next round and lost 15 points to 12. In the 1981/2 season twenty-four games were played and only three games ended in defeat. This was to be the season that a Belgrave team won a long awaited cup.
The colts successful cup run started with a first round game against Vipers, a close game in which Belgrave won 9 points to 3. In the quarterfinal, highly rated Hinckley were the opponents, but a great team effort enabled Belgrave to win 13 points to 7. In the semi-final they beat Lutterworth 19 points to 6. The Leicestershire County Colts Cup final was played on Leicester Tigers Welford Road ground against local rivals Syston. The game was a very close one with Belgrave winning 12 points to 9.
Six members of the County Colts Cup winning team were selected to represent Leicestershire Colts.
The players - John Muggleston, Mark Fritch, Neil Smith, David White and Greg Mason - all now playing for the club's senior teams.
The colts again reached the cup semi-final the following year after beating Vipers 29 points to 6 and Aylestone St James 15 points to 6. They were unfortunate to lose 6 points to 3 against eventual winners Market Bosworth.
The early eighties became a period of "Highs and Lows" for Belgrave RFC. On the one hand teams throughout the club were playing exceptionally well but on the other hand there were internal problems trying to secure the lease. Meetings were held between Belgrave RFC, Southend FC and Belgrave WMC FC discussing joint efforts on how to secure the lease.
At one committee meeting (06/09/82) solely for BRFC members the general feeling after much discussion was to persue the possibility of obtaining a new ground possibly on the then new Beaumont Leys Development. Also a letter was sent to BUSMC re the sale of their playing fields on the top of Mowmacre Hill.
A vote of thanks was given to J. Coupland for his success with the running of the "Colts" team and it was agreed to present all of the "Colts" squad with a plaque for winning the "Leicestershire Colts Cup". John then agreed to become the "First Team" coach with R. Broughton taking over the "Colts".
A separate electricity supply was installed this year at a cost of £140. Talks were also taking place regarding the "Centenary Celebrations" for the coming 1983 / 84 season. R. Ward BRFC's President agreed to be the "Centenary Celebrations Secretary". The celebratory year would include a "Presidents v BRFC" game, a Centenary Dinner Dance at the Centre Hotel (15-10-83) guests to include: - Lord Mayor & wife - Cannon K. Quinne & wife - President of LRU - Hon Sec LSRUR - plus guest from Leics Tigers possibly the President & wife.
A commemorative service to be held on Sept 16th Sept 1983 at St Peters Church Belgrave. John Goddard to read the lesson.
A possible "Centenary Tour" to Amsterdam.
A Garden Fete to end the Centenary Year.
Suggestions for memorabilia to include: - Special Wallets - Pennants - Club Jumpers - Club Ties, Key Fobs and Blazer Badges.
The 1983 / 84 Centenary season turned out to be a very successful time for BRFC with all of the above events taking place.
Another club landmark took place on Saturday 17th September 1983 when the club fielded a fourth senior team and colts. For the first time ever five teams represented Belgrave.
On Sunday 28th April 1985 a "Presidents Day" was held and apart from the usual game of rugby (Presidents team winning 21-9) presentations were made to J. Norman (Clubman of the Year). A tankard and Club tie to Denis McAtee on reaching 25 years service to the club and a glass tankard to Tony Haddon Captain of the Presidents team (2 previous seasons) for his help and commitment to the team.