When the General Electric Company Ltd. moved from Salford to Coventry it brought with it strong sporting traditions, embraced within it's "Magnet Sports & Social Club", managed by "Billy" Hope. Billy Hope skippered the Magnet Rugby Club (which played under the name of "Salford And Broughton Rangers"). The club won the District Cup outright (1898-1900). This cup, now known as the "C.J. Alsop Trophy", is presented annually to the clubman of the year.

It was Billy Hope, Len Hurley, Len Potter and Ernie Lerpineire who, in 1925, were instrumental in founding "Magnet R.F.C.". Their first fixture, played in mid-week, was against John Gulson Old Boys.

During the mid nineteen-thirties the name was changed to "G.E.C. (Coventry) R.F.C".

In the late nineteen-thirties the club colours were changed from black and amber, to red, blue and green.

During the 1943-45 war the club flame was kept burning with ad-hoc fixtures arranged on a weekly basis, by club stalwart Charlie Alsop (later affectionately known as "Mr G.E.C.").

The immediate post war years were some of the clubs most successful, and talent was in great abundance. An ex-England schoolboy, Eric Shaw, played in every position apart from hooker for the 1st XV, with distinction, a feat only equalled many years later by Ray Davenport.

Over the following years there was an exodus of players to senior clubs and the club fortunes took a downward spiral. A cry for help was sent out to those players - they responded to a man and returned to the fold.

Further years brought many achievements, the Telegraph Cup was won three times & the Stadium Cup seven times (eventually outright and retained).

But once again the club began to find itself on a downhill path, and it was not until Fred Webb was appointed club coach that the decline was halted, and the club began once again to take its rightful place among the top echelon of clubs in the county.

A highlight from this period was the selection of Terry Bateman for Warwickshire, one of only a handful of players who have been selected from a "junior" club.

In the early days of the Warwickshire Cup the club gained a reputation as giant killers, dismissing clubs like Leamington, Kenilworth (twice), and Newbold.

The club is commendably maintaining its reputation for providing attractive rugby characterised by a well disciplined approach both on and off the field.

Further name changes have occurred in our recent history, firstly to "GPT (Coventry) RFC", and again in 1999 our name changed to "Marconi RFC", these changes were due to company takeovers. In 2005, with the Marconi company no longer having any stake in the Sports & Social Club, we finally changed our name to Copsewood. The Copsewood Sports & Social Club is now totally standalone and self-sufficient. As Copsewood RFC we are currently playing in the Midlands 5 West (South East) League, still fielding two teams each week.

Author: Alan Johnson, recent updates by Matt Shaw