Come and join new bid for rugby glory in Chichester

They start the build-up to another London one south campaign when pre-season begins on Tuesday, July 2 - and they say there is a place and a potential role for everyone in the new campaign.

Last season, the Blues missed out on a promotion play-off by the narrowest of margins - denied by champions East Grinstead drawing 17-17 with Basingstoke on the final day when Chichester were producing one of their hardest-fought wins of the season at Dover.

It was the first game in 26 that EG had not won, and the draw meant Basingstoke pipped Chichester to second spot.

Chichester were gutted but are now planning to come back with another promotion bid, and want the whole community and city to be part of their drive.

First XV head coach and rugby development officer Rob Lawrence said: “We’re back on July 2 and from then will train every Tuesday and Thursday at Oaklands Park between 6.30 and 8.30.

“We’d love to see anyone who wants to be part of the club, in whatever role. That goes for players, volunteers, sponsors - literally anyone.

“We’ll be staging open touch rugby sessions for seniors (over-16s) and will be having a lot of fun.”

The club runs numerous adult teams and has a thriving colts section and is also branching out into girls’ rugby.

Their London one south campaign will begin on Saturday, September 7, at home to Brighton, with a trip to Havant coming a week later.

Read this week’s (June 27) Observer for a full look ahead to how Chichester aim to put last season’s heartbreak behind them and win promotion.