BLACKHEATH FC was founded in 1858 by old boys of Blackheath Preparatory School and joined the Football Association for a very brief spell five years later.

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 founder clubs surviving today of the original 22.

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.

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 1905-6 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.

Our clubs met for the first time during the 2019-20 season and Blackheath completed a double with a 22-17 home success before a 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 win at Well Hall in April 2022 as Robbie Stapley, his brother Connor, Tom Vooght and Michael Dykes got on the scoresheet.

And they followed that up with a 42-22 triumph in November 2023, the second-half performance outstanding on an afternoon when Henry Bird had earlier bagged a first-half brace.

Rams had trailed 15-14 early in the second period, but they turned on the style as James Baker, Olise Monye, Axel Kalling-Smith and Charlie Robson all touched down after the break, Fraser Honey landing six conversions from six to round out the scoring.

And it took another fine comeback to seal a win when Blackheath visited last March, Rams trailing 20-7 at the interval before fighting back for a 33-25 success.

Club were outstanding in the first quarter as Jake Lloyd, Jake Hennessey and Noah Sloot all dotted down, Tom Ffitch with a penalty and conversion with Rams only on the board through a seven-point Dan Swain score.

But they posted 19 unanswered after the break as Honey added to tries from Monye, Robson and Ellis Jones, Club getting the deficit back to one as ex-Ram Paul Schroter crossed before a converted Zach Clow score finally put the game to bed.

Earlier this season Rams produced arguably their best display of the campaign to date in a 33-14 home victory.

The Berkshire me had to repel wave after wave of pressure in the opening quarter, but led 14-0 at the break as Honey converted tries from Max Hayman and Clow.

The lead was halved as Ffitch added to Tom Everard's score, converted efforts from Robbie Stapley and Club's Noah Sloot leaving it 21-14.

However, the hosts pulled clear late on, Morgan MacRae and Solodrau Radianirova touching down in the final 10 minutes.