Only two clubs in the whole of Essex pre-date Ravens, Southend (founded in 1870) is one, but the only older metropolitan Essex side still in existence is The London Hospital (1865).

An open club despite it's later name and its origins, Ravens Rugby Football Club was founded on October 2, 1875.

The Club was recruited mainly from the staff of the East & West India Docks Company, and took their name from the famous inhabitants of the nearby Tower of London. Little survives of the early records of the Club but it is known that the first President was Mr Thomas Beck (a Superintendent of the London and St Katherine's Dock), the first Secretary and Treasurer was a Mr J R Hosker and the first Club Captain was Mr Clement Hirst (an Assistant Warehouse Keeper at West India Dock). The Club's first Patron, Colonel J L Du Plat-Tyler, was Secretary and General Manager of The East & West India Docks Company and later a Director of the company's successors, The London and India Docks Joint Committee and the London and India Docks Company.

In 1907 the Independent London Dock Companies were combined to form the new Port of London Authority, and the Club followed it's parent organization two years later, changing its name to `Port of London Authority RFC' in 1909.

The Club disbanded at the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, leaving all the club funds with the Port of London Authority for safe-keeping. Little did they know that it would be thirteen long years until they were to play their next fixture!

After the War the PLA found themselves in stiff competition with many other London organizations for the highest qualified management recruits, and decided that one of the best ways to lure them was to offer not only good wages, but first-class social facilities as well. With this in mind the PLA bought the site of Cranbrook Castle, an unusual architectural folley at The Drive, Ilford. On it they built a modern clubhouse and laid out a new sports field.

The PLA RFC was subsequently re-formed in 1925, but it wasn't until the 1926/27 season the Club began playing at their new home. Even then the Club wouldn't have had enough playing members to operate properly had it not been for the help afforded to them by their Fairlop neighbours Old Blues RFC. At this time many of the Christ's Hospital School old boys were employed by the Port of London Authority - amongst them the five Wales brothers, all of whom were outstanding players.

Important figures in the club during the 1927/28 were: A G Dickenson, Chairman; Captain Sir Ian Hamilton Benn, President; L F Cogger, Club Captain; S H Wales, Hon Secretary; and T Drayton, Hon Treasurer. Two XVs were fielded during this season.

Even in these early days of the revived Club, the Club had to remind members of the following: "Will selected members who are unable to play please note the rule which states that in these circumstances they must notify the Hon Secretary or the Captain immediately". Modern-day selectors will no doubt sympathise.

The AGM of 1937 saw H J Greedus elected both Vice Captain and Hon Secretary of the Club. He had played in the first game of the 1927/28 season and went on to serve as Hon Secretary for thirty years.

Wednesday, April 13th 1938 saw the first McAlister Memorial Match between the Port of London Authority and H M Customs & Excise (a 22-0 win for PLA). Although this fixture has since disappeared, the Ravens still play a Memorial game every year, usually on Boxing Day, in which they remember all of the Club's players who have passed away.

Over the years a variety of opposition brought a number of top class players to the Ilford ground for this game and not inconsiderable sums of money were raised for the Seamen's Hospital. The second memorial game on April 1, 1939 against London Shipping Companies was another 22-0 win for PLA.

The Club was again disbanded at the onset of the Second World War, but reformed immediately afterwards in 1946. The hostilities did have one useful effect, John Mather was introduced to the game. Captured by the Germans early in the war, John spent the next five years as a POW working in a coal mine. Two activities helped keep his spirits up; one - regular escape attempts and two - 50 a-side rugby games on the inadequate camp exercise ground.

Returning to civilian life John gained a position with the PLA and was attracted to the Rugby Club where he quickly made his mark. In later years he admitted that the chaos of his early rugby education had never left him, and even when he played for Essex he didn't actually know what he was doing, but it was always good fun.

The centenary of the Club was celebrated during the 1975/76 season. Activities included a very successful Easter Festival and games against Eastern Counties and an Essex XVs.

Competition success came to the Club for the first time at the end of the 1978/79 season when the Colts XV won the Essex Colts Cup in an exciting 10-0 win against Eton Manor at Thurrock.

Regular tourists within England, the Club ventured abroad for the first time over Easter 1987, with a trip to Germany and three games against British RAF and Army sides. Foreign opposition proper was encountered in 1988 on a trip to Holland and Belgium. A trip to the USA was planned for the 1990's.

When the new league structure was put in force the Club played in the Eastern Counties League Two. Some were surprised by the Club's placement in this league, but the Club's results more than justified the decision. One club who refused to play the PLA pre-league, went on to lost every game between the Clubs that season.

The Rugby football section of the PLA Sports Club was subsidized but had always more or less paid it's own way. So on June 16, 1988 it came as quite a shock when the money-men at the Port of London Authority (who were now more concerned about Tilbury than the East-End) decided that the PLA Recreation Group at The Drive in Ilford was ripe for redevelopment . and evicted its own Rugby Club.

And so it was that in 1990, despite desperate appeals to the local council and even to the House of Lords, the Club found itself without a home. As there was no point in retaining the PLA title, the Club reverted to it's original name, and in the 1991/92 season found a new ground at the Ford Sports & Social Club in Ilford.

The Club isn't as strong as it once used to be but the current members and committee are striving to change this and are on the look out for new rugby talent in any shape size or form. The Ravens is an open Club and so welcomes all rugby enthusiasts with great warmth and enthusiasm and it is with this warmth and enthusiasm that permeates the Ravens that we strive to achieve success once again in this Rugby-playing part of East London.

With thanks to Mr D Tyson and Mr A Guest for providing me with the above information.