A century of sport is being celebrated by Devonport Services Rugby Football Club – eight years sooner than many people might have expected.

The club, which has been a breeding ground for Services, national and international rugby talent, is looking to track down ex-players to share their memories of 100 years of the club.

For years it was thought the club first began in 1912, but a trawl through the history books and some old newspapers has revealed the first games were played eight years earlier.

In fact, the club began life as United Services Devonport in 1904, but it was an all-officers affair – and not a very good one at that; in the first two seasons, they lost 25 of the 32 fixtures they played.

Only when the club opened up to the lower decks, as a journalist of the day put it, in 1912 did its fortunes improve – that season, when the club also gained its nickname of the Sporting Blues, Devonport lost just three times and notched up 16 victories.

Since then, DSRFC has spawned 37 internationals (the most recent for Malta), 71 county players, seven Barbarians, three England Colts and three England U16s.

“We tend to think of the club as a Naval club,” said club spokesman Mike Yeats, “but it belongs as much to the Army and the RAF. The gunners of 29 Regiment Royal Artillery based at the Citadel in Plymouth are a source of players.”

Since 1994, the club has introduced youth rugby to its inventory – a move which has also helped recruiting for the Services.

The side is about to return to its roots by playing on the old RN Engineering College pitch at Keyham, which is currently being upgraded.

Ex-players should contact Mr Yeats at Devonport Services RFC, 2nd Avenue, Devonport, or e-mail devonportservices@yahoo.com

Sister club Portsmouth United Services RFC are also gearing up for an anniversary, as they celebrate their 125th birthday in 2005.

The team, which plays at Burnaby Road, is – not surprisingly given their location – made up chiefly of sailors and Royal Marines, and is part-funded by RNRU.

The club’s director of operations, ‘Burt’ Reynolds, is keen for players from the side’s distinguished history to get in touch ahead of the birthday, as well as find fresh blood in the RN for today’s side.

Details are available via e-mail info@usportsmouthrfc.co.uk or write to the club at its Burnaby Road home.