SCRUFFS

What are the SCRUFFS? (the men & women in pink!!)

Supporters of
Camberley
Rugby
Union
Football
Fun
Society

The SCRUFFS were founded in 1989 by a band of supporters, mostly ex-players, with the intent of raising money for the club that was trying to meet the challenges of the professional game. An important factor was that they had to have fun doing it. This objective remains at the core of the SCRUFFS to this day, who continue to help the club where possible, often from "behind the scenes". The question is often asked "Why Pink?" When the SCRUFFS was formed, the founder members wanted to create a recognisable uniform - pullovers of course. Someone groaned "Not another NAVY one, can't we be different?" Billy White then chirped "Up in Ayrshire, one of our sides wears a very fetching shade of pink which everyone agrees is very distinctive". That is how the SCRUFFS came to be wearing pink!

SCRUFFS try to ensure maximum support for 1st XV home and away games, and help to bring together CRFC members and guests for the lunches prior to home games, in conjunction with the game sponsor. Our catering team has a range of menus for these occasions, and will also be happy to quote you for private functions, weddings etc on request. SCRUFFS also help to gather supporters for away games transport and lunch arrangements, as they say "the more, the merrier". Some matches each year are nominated as "Target" matches where all SCRUFFS are asked to attend if possible. SCRUFFS has a code of conduct designed to maintain good club spirit both at CRFC and when visiting clubs. Failure to observe SCRUFFS rules leads to fines being paid into the "Pink Box", which helps towards raising funds for CRFC.

The SCRUFFS is an equal opportunities organisation intended for those who wish to support Camberley RFC in one way or another. Membership is open to all, and in particular all members of Camberley RFC who are not averse to wearing the "pinks". It is NOT an alternative to CRFC membership, more a way to donate something extra to the club, via a small subscription, as well as your usual membership costs. These extra donations are passed to CRFC, along with funds raised by Predict-a-Score and social events, to be used as decided by the club's committee. Singing is not obligatory, but often takes place after matches, irrespective of the result. The picture above shows some SCRUFFS enjoying Christmas Carols!!

SCRUFFS help to arrange some of the social functions at CRFC, raising funds for the club in the process. These typically include Quiz Nights, a Burns Supper, and Irish Party Night. These are intended for the enjoyment of all club members and their guests, and to help boost activity for the bar and catering side of the club. We in turn are keen to support social initiatives being organised by other sections of CRFC, like the City Lunch and Summer Ball. Details of social events are displayed on the club's notice boards, the website, and will also be sent out to members by e-mail from time to time, and via the club's all-members Pitchero mailings.

See above a SCRUFFS gathering prior to one of the Summer Dinners held at the end of each playing season.

The 2021/22 Season: At last, we had a return to league rugby, nearly a complete group of 14 teams, as before, except that Haywards Heath withdrew, before season-start, so we had 2 gap weekends in our fixtures list. We had a magnificent season, won the league, and were promoted to Level 5, specifically to Regional 1 South Central. A core of SCRUFFS supports enjoyed a weekend tour to Horsham, when we had a wind-assisted journey on the way, thanks to Storm Eunice, but a great time overall, with a close win.

The 2022/23 Season: Our first season in Regional 1 South Central League, we had fewer local derbies, but geographically, some more distant games to the north and south! We enjoyed a great deal of success, and were Top of Table several times, but post-Christmas had several games postponed, and with a few players injured, slipped back a little in the table, to end up in a very creditable 3rd place. The SCRUFFS tour took place in the autumn, not quite "overseas", as in the Guernsey and IOW days, but this time "by the sea" at sunny Brighton, where our blazers were much admired, and we found some great pubs and restaurants. Once again, we squeezed a win in the final minutes of the game, which always makes a tour weekend that much better!

The 2023/24 Season: We started the season with most of our squad from last season, less one or two who have retired, and with the addition of some exciting new players, and one or two returning friends. SCRUFFS plan to support at home and away games as usual, and look forward to another enjoyable season.

Home league games: CRFC invites visiting committees and club supporters to join Camberley members and their guests at the pre-game lunches that are arranged before each home league game. SCRUFFS help to boost numbers for these fun occasions, which all club members and their guests are of course welcome to attend, on payment of the usual lunch costs.

Club Socials: SCRUFFS arrange some of the club's social events, together with other club members, the overall plan being to provide good entertainment at reasonable cost, for all members and their guests, and raise a little money for the club in the process. Information about these events will show on the club's website beforehand, and is also sent out on a regular basis by SCRUFFS, and through Pitchero mailings but if you require more details now, or have good ideas for a future event, please make contact as shown at the foot of this page, thanks.

SCRUFFS Kit: Wear the "pink & black" and be identified! We have golf-style caps, woolly bobble hats, quartered long-sleeved shirts, polo shirts, bow-ties, and very smart blazers and waistcoats. Please contact Doug Fish (Quartermaster) with your size and requirements for any of the above.

SCRUFFS "Overseas" Tours: Over the years, SCRUFFS have supported the 1st XV for both home and away matches, including two seasons when we flew "overseas" to Guernsey, which in both cases resulted in 3-day round trips. We have subsequently enjoyed long trips to Sandown & Shanklin (overseas) Bognor and Portsmouth (near the sea!) and several other places quite far from the sea, but with similar results, lots of FUN and camaraderie over the course of a few days, and a chance to support our First XV in style. The Spring 2019 tour took place in Rochester, when we provided strong support for the game against Medway, won the match and made a lot of friends in the process. We missed 2 years of touring due to Covid, but joy, in March 2022, thanks to storm Eunice, we had a wind-assisted journey to Horsham, where a core of SCRUFFS enjoyed a 3-day trip, helped support the 1sts to a close win on a very windy day, and enjoyed the warmth and hospitality of many from Horsham afterwards. Tours are back! Last season, we enjoyed a "near the sea" tour to Brighton, we are now looking at options for the current season, watch this space for details!

Have your say: This page is edited by Harry Fish,hoping to receive relevant information from SCRUFFS and CRFC members who wish to support the club's various activities. If you wish to suggest new ideas, and provide help to implement them, please e-mail Harry Fish: harryfish@uwclub.net or call landline: 01276-423928, or phone/text: 07550-088068. Many thanks. (New members welcome.)