Wymondham Rugby Club celebrated the opening day of the new season by unveiling a Hall of Fame for the players at the heart of the club’s 50-year history.

Thirty-three club veterans were inducted into the Hall of Fame - marking not just their thousands of games in red and black, but also the huge amount of work behind the club’s growth from a group of friends to the 2000 members of today.

All the inductees played at least ten years of senior rugby at Wymondham, and took on important roles in running the club and its more than 20 different squads.

“All of those nominated are playing legends of the club,’ said chair Paul Wootton.

Among those honoured was the late Roger Miller, who died four years ago at the age of 51.

“Roger was a larger-than-life character - a modern prop-forward well ahead of his time who went on to be a brilliant coach and chair of the club. His passing in was one of the most painful for us all to endure,” said Paul.

The youngest player is Holly Watts, the driving force behind the formation of the Wymondham Wasps women’s team in 2009.

She explained: “We started as a small fitness group - and laid the foundations for what’s now a thriving women’s and girls’ section.

“We’re seeing more girls pick up a rugby ball at a younger age, and the visibility of the women’s game is increasing, especially with the World Cup showcasing the talent and passion in the sport.”

Paul said: “In many ways Holly is the most important inductee - without her, I am not sure women’s rugby would be where it is at the club.”

The launch of the Hall of Fame happened on the opening Saturday of the new season - with Wymondham men’s 1st XV beating Chelmsford 51-14.