World Footy News

The Chippenham Redbacks are the newest team up and running in British footy, with England Dragonslayers captain Rob Fielder helping to found the club over the past few months. Chippenham is a town of around 30,000 inhabitants located within about 30km of both Swindon and Bristol, with many of the Swindon Devils originally recruited by Fielder from this area - including six Dragonslayers representatives and the vice-captain of the Welsh Red Dragons.

Fielder says, "the Chippenham Redbacks are here to provide an opportunity for players in the local area much more access to the sport. More of my students and rugby colleagues are interested with it being a local team.

"I aim to run some sessions in the local schools, or get Brian Clarke in, to widen the awareness in the community over the coming seasons. The Redbacks want to give the local kids a chance to train, and play when they are old enough, with a target of getting an under 16 team going around 2010.

"We are currently running an art competition in local schools to design the jumper and logo. We have a 7-man committee set up and have secured Chippenham Rugby Club as our excellent playing venue."

Fielder tells us it isn't currently finalised which ARUK division the Redbacks will play in, although the Southern league is currently the frontrunner. "The Welsh league was great fun last year, but they want to go it alone if that's possible."

The Swindon, Chippenham and Bristol footy clubs within an hour's drive of one another, as well as the Welsh teams not too much further away, give a density of clubs unheard of outside London two or three years back.

The Chippenham Redbacks can be contacted through their Facebook group.