In the summer of 1975, it was decided, given the very copious amount of young talent available that it was opportune for the Club to run, for the very first time, a Colts XV. A full fixture list was put together for the 1975- 76 season and with Ray Short as the manager the Colts were ready to take the field. The first Colts match was played on September 13th 1975, away against Vipers, many of the team who took the field that day were to go on to become the key to Coalville’s successes over the next twenty years – Dave Pickering, Paul Lynds, Andy Brown, Steve White and Mark Wardle.

This first season for a Colts XV brought considerable success with the team reaching the final of the Colts County Cup only to lose to Loughborough whom they had demolished two weeks previously. Success in the County
Cup did come for the 1983-1984 Colts XV when Coalville overcame Market Bosworth in the final at Welford Road. In 1994 the Colts XV disbanded and it was not until eight years later that a Coalville Colts XV took the field again. History repeated itself in that, as with the 1976 Colts, this Colts XV would contain some of the Club’s most outstanding players ever and they would be responsible for the future success of the Club. By February, of the first season, six players were selected for the County under-18s and four for the under-20s. Additionally, Jon Neville was selected to become a member of the Tigers Academy, Jon would later play for England under18s.

In February 2003 the reformed Colts XV found themselves doing very well in the English Colts Knock-out Cup and to their surprise found themselves up against the Colts XV from Bath Rugby Academy. Unfortunately, although the Recreational Ground was not in use on the day the game was played on Bath’s training ground some miles from the City centre pitch. Coalville surprised the Bath Colts by storming to an impressive lead but as the second half progressed the home side took control and came out easy winners. But Coalville had given them a tough fight. Coalville Colts XV continues to flourish and more than holds its own in the Leicestershire Colts League.

Bibliography

Coalville Rugby Football Club - A Centenary History
Coalville Times 1902-2011
Leicestershire Rugby Union - 1887-1987