History

The England Rugby Internationals Club (ERIC) is open to anyone who has played full International Rugby for England when caps have been awarded. Its origin is traced back to 1947, when a former captain of England, Bernard Gadney, felt that it would be appropriate for the former players to give a retirement present to Sidney Coopper, the then secretary of the Rugby Football Union. His letter requesting donations was sent all over the world and the response was overwhelming.

Following this Bernard Gadney, a schoolmaster familiar with Old Boys' Associations, thought it important to keep former England players in contact with each other. He asked the RFU for a place where England internationals could meet and a room was provided in the West Stand at Twickenham. It was called The Internationals Bar. It wasn’t much of a room, more like the grounds man’s hut, next door to the gents’ toilet.

The Club became active in 1967 when a small group of England players (Eric Evans, Jeff Butterfield, Sandy Sanders and John Currie) met at Twickenham and decided to organise and run a players club. The name ERIC was coined and the first secretary was Eric Evans; Phil Taylor followed and then Bill Treadwell (who has been in office for the past 30 years, now supported by Nick Greenstock). The first President was Lord Wakefield of Kendal, followed by Sir Carl Aarvold, John Currie and now Bob Hiller.

The object of the Club is to maintain contact between all English International players. There are over 430 members, the oldest in his 90’s. There is a Clubroom in the new West Stand at Twickenham which holds 300 people. Action photographs line the walls, there are cabinets with memorabilia and there is the famous 'Wall of Signatures' signed by all England players - with a section for visiting International players and distinguished visitors to sign.

Until recently it was the only country in the world with a former international players club. (Wales has now copied ERIC with the WREX room in the National Stadium).