They left after a dispute over the drawing up of the laws of the game.
Eventually they joined the newly-formed RFU in 1871 and are one of seven from the original 22 founder clubs surviving today.
A couple of seasons later club captain Frederick Stokes skippered England in their maiden international against Scotland at Edinburgh.
Incidentally, Stokes opened Old Redingensians’ new ground at Emmer Green in 1927.
New ground and life in the league system
Blackheath moved to Rectory Field in 1883 and remained there until 2016 when Well Hall, Eltham became their new headquarters.
During their time at the former ground, they entertained the first-ever touring All Blacks in 1905/06 and lost 32-0.
When leagues were formed in 1987, Blackheath were placed in National Two and since then have been consistently in the National leagues.
Famous players who have worn the red-and black are Micky Skinner, All Black John Gallagher and British Lion Mike Campbell-Lamerton, plus the ubiquitous CB Fry.
A fictional Blackheath player was Dr Watson of Sherlock Holmes fame.
Club dominate early encounters
Our clubs met for the first time during the 2019/20 season and Blackheath completed a double with a 22-17 home success and 31-18 victory at Old Bath Road.
Club made it three in a row as they triumphed 17-13 at OBR in December 2021, Rams posting a first success with a 29-17 away win in April 2022.
They followed up with a double in the next campaign, winning 42-22 on the road as Henry Bird bagged a first-half brace and James Baker, Olise Monye, Axel Kalling-Smith and Charlie Robson all touched down after the break, Fraser Honey landing all six conversions.
It took another fine comeback to seal a home win, Rams trailing 20-7 at the interval before prevailing 33-25 success thanks to tries from Dan Swain, Monye, Robson, Ellis Jones and Zach Clow, plus the boot of Honey.
Four on the spin for Rams before brace of defeats
The spoils were shared last season, Rams winning the home game 33-14 to extend their perfect start to 10 matches.
In an absolute cracker the hosts led 14-0 at half-time after Honey converted tries from Max Hayman and Clow.
Club replied through Tom Everard, Tom Ffitch with the extras, only for Robbie Stapley to cross.
But a converted Noah Sloot score made it a five-point game before converted tries by Morgan MacRae and Solodrau Radianirova secured victory.
Blackheath were 39-33 winners in the return, taking the lead through Tom Baldwin before Jake Hennessey converted.
Rams levelled through Ollie Hodgson and Honey, Jake Lloyd and Nick Barry then exchanging scores for 14-14.
Club pulled clear either side of the break, 20 unanswered points coming via Billy Harding (two) and Tex Cavubati tries, plus a conversion and penalty from Hennessey.
Swain and Clow crossed before Tom Stradwick mauled over, and a late penalty try for the Berkshire side was only enough for two bonus points.
Club made it back-to-back wins with a 26-7 success at 14-man Rams back in October.
Mike Cooke converted Clow’s early try before Robson saw red on 13 minutes.
A Hardin double and Raff Hollister try put the visitors 19-7 up at half-time, Matt Dalrymple with two kicks.
And the former Shiplake College fly-half completed the scoring after man-of-the-match Finn Osborne touched down shortly after the break.
Matchday information
Tickets for Saturday’s game cost £15. To book, click here
On-site parking is £5, while there is a strict no dogs policy at Well Hall.
