THEY might be fresh-faced debutants in league terms but Hereford Greyhounds are hardly newcomers to the game.

Greyhounds have joined Chaddesley Corbett and Old Shrewsbury as the new boys in North Midlands Three tasting competitive league action for the first time.

But while the Chaddesley club formed just over 12 months ago the Greyhounds story starts back in the 70s.

They were based in the Greyhound pub and were formed as a social Sunday club for players in and around Hereford who were unable to play on Saturday afternoons.

Gradually they and their rivals organised a Sunday league including teams such as the fire brigade and players from the local police station.

But Greyhounds became part of the league's downfall as they were pulling in players capable of playing in Hereford's first team and mismatches lead to no matches.

Next they turned their attention to sevens tournaments while continuing the odd Sunday game until three years ago the Sunday fixtures dried to a trickle.

They were playing just once or twice or a season so it was agreed to play on Saturday afternoons.

Matches were arranged with second and third teams around the area but, though the side was performing well, things did not always run smoothly.

They found some third, fourth and fifth teams were not always reliable opposition and this prompted them to find some competitive rugby.

A constant obstacle to their entry into the leagues was the lack of a home ground.

Greyhounds used to be based at Hereford Leisure Centre but they lost their pitch when the council decided it was being under-used.

The rugby posts went but this left the city withoui a public rugby pitch.

Greyhounds solved the problem by joining forces with the hockey and cricket clubs at Hereford City Sports Club.

They use the old racing grandstand for a clubhouse but a brand new version should be completed by January. Greyhounds have even spent £5,000 on a brand new scrummage machine.

So with everything in place the long journey from the 1970s to present day North Midlands Three is complete and a new chapter awaits.

"They have been happy days and the club has built up real comradeship over the years," said director of rugby Dale Martin who has spent 13 years with the club.

"The side is quite strong and with a new club house the future's looking good."

Thursday, October 28, 1999.