The seeds of the club were sown and cultivated on the playing fields of Audenshaw Grammar School from the time the school was formed in 1932, and then harvested at a meeting in the Headmaster's office in September 1936.
As the first intake of boys reached school leaving age, the headmaster John Lord wanted to retain the fellowship established over the previous five years — and so the Old Aldwinians Association was born, enabling old boys past and present to continue their friendships and maintain their loyalty to the school.
The first Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday 16th September 1936. A General Committee was elected and John Lord became Chairman. Four sections were formed — dramatic society, music, social and rugby — each appointing its own officials. Sections for lacrosse, tennis, athletics and cricket would follow, but only rugby had the stamina, numbers and dedicated volunteers to survive to this day.
At that first AGM, Mr E Lamb — a teacher at the school and former Leicestershire county player — was elected captain. With the school's agreement, home matches were played on a school pitch, and temporary changing accommodation there was soon exchanged for more suitable rooms at the nearby Church Army social centre.
With its initial 20 members, most of them still only 16 and 17, the first Old Aldwinians team had an amazing inaugural season.
Under Lamb's experienced leadership they won 20 games, drew one and lost only one — scoring 560 points and conceding just 214.
That side went on to have equally successful seasons in 1937–38 and 1938–39. Its quality is highlighted by the likes of Davies and Waller, who gained County honours, and club stalwarts and characters like Frank Bailey and Alan Moss — both of whom became Presidents — alongside Pringle and Draper.
And there was one wiry young teenager named Eric Evans, who went on to win 30 caps for England.
