In 1957 a few members of the 5th year of St. Joseph's Academy, Blackheath, headed by Lawrence Sullivan and Ronald Munro, decided to form a rugby team. Asking the Headmaster if, with the blessing of the Old Boy's Association, they could become eventually an official Old Boy's team. The Headmaster pointed out that a long standing tradition, was for pupils to join Park House RFC and indeed Blackheath RFC, and that this could prove a stumbling block as regards to recruiting players. Not discouraged, they decided to form a team independently of the Old Boy's Association.

Without the support of the Old Boy's Association, the first few games were played away, due to the lack of a ground. They therefore decided to name the club "The Hermits Rugby football Club", after the Hermit crab, which spends most of its life using other creatures shells as it's home. The Hermit crab therefore became the emblem of the club. The Club was then registered with the Rugby Football Union and Kent Society of Rugby Football Union Referee's. The later, through the good offices of their Match Secretary, Wilf Merry, became an unparalleled source of guidance and inspiration, in thev early years. Eventually the club were able to rent a ground at Hall Place Playing fields, Bexley. The staggering sum of £14 was paid as rent for the season, borrowed from an uncle of Alan (Bugsy) McConnell. Within five or six years the Club had become well established in Kent, particularly Bexley, running three full sides plus a Colts team.

When Bexley became a Greater London Borough it was decided to re-name the Club "Bexley Rugby Football Club". The crab was not forgotten and the second team, to this day are still known as the "Hermits".

In the early years the majority of the senior players were Old Boys, of the Academy and contact with the school remained, ensuring albeit a diminishing but steady supply of players from the school. However, there was fierce competition with local clubs for players and eventually an approach was made by Park House to merge with Bexley into one club. A meeting of Bexley members was held and, with one exception, all voted against the proposal. Doubtless the influence of the founder members still prevailed.

The biggest drawback that existed for the Club was the lack of it's own clubhouse. Over the years many attempts were made to find one but, until 1976, all had failed. In February of that year the Club, applied successfully to rent the nearly derelict St, John's Fisher Catholic Church in Thanet Road, Bexley from the local council. As is well known the wheels of local government turn so quickly that by August 1978, we moved in, two and a half years after applying.

The Club in it's new home continued to foster links with local schools, particularly Bexley and Erith Technical High School for Boys and Downs School, Dartford. By 1980 the Club ran six sides most Saturdays, together with occasional Kent Cup, Colts and sevens games on a Sunday.

Finally in 1997, Bexley Council sold the land in Thanet Road and the Club were once again homeless. The Club were able to persuade Bexley Hospital Social Club to provide not only the use of their clubhouse but also a pitch on the same ground.

Currently the Club runs three Saturday teams with the 1st XV competing in Kent League II and the national "Powergen Junior Vase", and Shepherd Neame Junior Vase competitions. On Sundays we regularly play 'Veteran' (old has beens) games.

The Club has a great tradition in youth rugby, having originated from young enthusiasts and by continuing to be sustained with regular recruitment's from local schools over the years. We therefore recognise the importance of encouraging young people to get involved in the game, and as a result established "The Mini-Rugby Section" in September 1997. The section meets regularly for coaching / training and matches on Sunday mornings at our Bexley Hospital Ground. The numbers are growing, with boys and girls in all age groups U7, U8, U9, U10, U11 , U12 and Juniors (U13/U15) and qualified coaches to provide good guidance. The new season will start on Sunday 2 September 2002, we will train at our Bexley Hospital Ground starting at 10.30 am. For more information contact the Youth Rugby Officer, Kevin Cope, tel no : 0208 850 4957