HORLEY Rugby Club have announced that they shall be joining the town's footballers, Horley Town at the New Defence for the start of the 2010-11 season.

The rugby players were based at Oakwood School last season, using their changing facilities and a local pub as a base.

Promoted in their first league season, they will enjoy the football club's plentiful amenities, playing on an adjoining pitch.

"I don't think the rugby players knew what they were getting when they first came down," said Horley Town chairman Mark Sale. "When I showed them the pitch and it's proximity to the clubhouse, they couldn't believe they could have a pint of Guinness in their hand within seconds!"

Sale believes their tenants will not be the only benefactors.

"At times like this any extra money coming in is great, and so to have that little bit of rent money combined with the extra money in the bar will help the club as a whole," he said.

"It will be great for Horley. A real centre of sport for the area where people can come for a whole day; rugby kicks off at 2pm and the football at 3pm."

Sale does not envisage any problems when both teams converge on the clubhouse.

"I think there will be good banter between the two sports. The rugby club will have their own room to go in and the football team will be in the main bar. I like to think we can all get on.

"The rugby team have already been down to watch the Heineken Cup Final in the clubhouse and it was great. When you are in a normal pub, like they were before, you have to behave a certain way.

"But I've told they if they want to sing and shout and behave like rugby players then they are free to do what they want – as long as they clean up afterwards!"