Doesn’t the name Rectory Field conjure images of vicars playing cricket? The Rectory Field stands as a testament to London’s rich sporting history. It is nestled in Blackheath. This ground has seen the evolution of rugby and cricket.
Let’s step back to the 1880s. Blackheath was a hub of sporting enthusiasm. The increasing popularity of sports led to the creation of Rectory Field. Before its establishment, sports were played on Blackheath grounds. A match was abandoned in 1877 because of a pitch invasion. This event highlighted the need for a proper ground.
Lennard Stokes, the club captain, found a 5-acre plot on Charlton Road. This became Rectory Field. The field is named after the Charlton Rectory that once stood at the site. Cricket was first played here in 1886. Montague Druitt negotiated the use of the field during the summer. The Blackheath Cricket, Football and Lawn Tennis Company was formed. It managed the ground and its amenities.
Rectory Field became the home of Blackheath Football Club in 1883. The first match was against Guy’s Hospital. In 1886, Rectory Field hosted its first international rugby match. England faced Wales in the Home Nations Championship. England withdrew from international rugby in 1887. Rectory Field wasn’t used again until the New Zealand Māori team arrived in 1889.
Before Twickenham Stadium, Rectory Field was an unofficial home for England’s rugby team. Along with the Richmond Athletic Ground, it held a special place. In 1909, Rectory Field hosted its last international match. England played against the first touring Australian rugby team.
The Rectory Field faced potential sale for commercial development when the initial lease expired. 9,000 pounds were raised through debentures. The field was purchased in 1921. This secured a permanent home for cricket and rugby teams. After World War II, Richmond and Blackheath merged for a season.
Blackheath F.C. played their final first team game at the Rectory Field on April 30, 2016. They defeated Blaydon 45–17. The club moved to Well Hall in Eltham to boost revenue. The ground remains in use for other teams.
Cricket at Rectory Field is equally storied. The first cricket match was in 1886. It was between Blackheath and GG Hearne’s XI. The first first-class match was in 1887. Kent played Surrey. Kent played regularly at the ground until 1971. They played 84 home first-class matches. The final first-class match was against Derbyshire in June 1971.
Colin Blythe, a future Kent and England bowler, was spotted at Rectory Field. He bowled at Walter Wright during a Kent match. William McCanlis invited him for a trial. Blythe became a leading bowler before World War I.
Rectory Field isn’t just about rugby and cricket. Tennis has been played here since its creation. There are eight hard and three grass tennis courts. Two squash courts were built in 1937. They are still in use.
Today, Rectory Field is used by Blackheath Sports Club. Cricket, rugby, tennis, and squash thrive here. It is also home to Askeans RFC since 2021. Rectory Field continues to be a vibrant hub for sports. Its legacy as a cornerstone of English sport endures.