Tabard RFC defied the odds when they stormed through the league ranks and rose to the national level in the early Nineties.

However, like their hard-fought climb, the struggle to retain their new-found status proved to be a battle of mammoth proportions.

Now, a decade on from the club's glory days, Tabard's fight continues.

Peter Cook, the club's spokesman, has lived through their ups and downs, having been attached to the Radlett club for almost 40 years.

"We spent 12 years in the National League but things went a bit wrong," he said.

"I think Tabard rose to the national level before professional rugby arrived. With professional rugby we became very much a minnow amongst the big-money clubs.

"Now we seem to be in a league which is tougher than the National League because of the big spending sides."

At the end of the 2004-05 season, Tabard were relegated to London One.

Although the club, based in Cobden Hill, are no longer in the national competition, many would agree that their new league is just as challenging.

It covers an area stretching from Norwich to Worthing, comprising big-name clubs such as Canterbury and Richmond, with big-name players like former South Africa captain Bobby Skinstad.

But the biggest hurdle for Tabard to get over once again is money.

Most teams in the village club's league have big budgets and will not hesitate in forking out large sums if it means securing a solid team.

One of Tabard's opponents reportedly signed a player for £12,000, plus a car.

Mr Cook, 59, who amazingly played for Tabard from 1967 right up until 1994, said: "When I played I never got anything like that. We had to pay for everything ourselves."

Even today, Tabard's players count themselves lucky after the recent introduction of free post-game meals.

But Tabard still have a lot to offer their players.

"Tabard have a long history of nurturing players," said Mr Cook. "Lots of young players who came through Tabard have gone on to have prosperous careers."

Despite an uphill struggle, competing against teams with bigger budgets, Mr Cook believes Tabard are still a force to be reckoned with.

"The relegation has enabled us to reappraise the situation and hopefully it will allow us to maintain our place in London One, and maybe later return to higher rugby," he said.

"Tabard have always been used to fighting an uphill battle. There's a strong spirit at the club and it's stronger now than it was last year.

"We may not have the cash to match these bigger clubs, but we have the heart."

If you are interested in joining the club or helping with sponsorship, please contact Mr Cook on 020 8207 5564.

u Tabard play away at Canterbury in League One on Saturday, following the postponement of their home match against Worthing last weekend.