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Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the founding of Battersea Ironsides RFC by Colonel E. H. St. Maur Toope

Back in 1943, Ironsides Rugby’s founder, Colonel E. H. St Maur Toope played at Streatham RFC and borrowed the use of this very pitch, to put on the first ever match for what would eventually become Battersea Ironsides RFC - giving the opportunity to play rugby to some of the lads he commanded in the 42nd Royal Tank Regiment Cadet Battalion.
80 years on - as part of this season’s Ironsides' 80th Anniversary celebrations - we are celebrating Ironsides' historic connection with Streatham-Croydon RFC and returning to where it all began to play a special charity match between Ironsides Colts XV and a Streatham and Croydon Barbarians Team.
Today’s match is the inaugural Colonel’s Cup – a match we plan to play annually for charity in his memory, celebrating his legacy for youth sport and refreshing the historic friendship between our two great clubs.