It’s a tale of sporting passion and determination.

We’re talking rugby and the return to competitive league action of a club which disappeared from view 20 years ago.

But now Christchurch RFC is back and, Covid-19 permitting, just over two months from playing its first fixture in the Dorset and Wilts League.

It will be an especially proud moment for two leading players, one current and one former.

Donovan Lynaghan, 32, led the relaunch, galvanising a strong team around him.

Meanwhile David McDonald, who co-founded the former club in 1985, is back and playing an active role in the reincarnation as President.

For father-of-four Donovan, the planned October 17 fixture against Ellingham and Ringwood II – if it goes ahead – will mark the culmination of nearly two years of hard graft.

It was late 2018 that the former East Dorset RFC player and official, formerly from Exmouth but now living in Christchurch, began working on resurrecting the town’s RFC.

The previously named Plessey Christchurch Rugby Club, co-founded by David who was then a graduate at Plessey, had played its last match around 20 years ago.

Donovan, a Training Technical Developer at JPMorgan Chase, said: “It was November 2018 when I started researching the former club.

“I just felt it would be good to have Christchurch back with its own rugby club again and very much at the heart of the community.

“Working with Henley (Roberts), who was with me at East Dorset, we started pulling things together.

“I found David through Facebook and asked if he would give us his blessing for the relaunch and also offer us any advice.

“It was really important to us that the history and links in the past were respected and that we stuck to the original values of being a friendly club with close ties to businesses and the community.”

Not only did David, now Group Chair for Vistage UK, give his blessing but he also agreed to become President while Graham Donaldson was confirmed as Chairman.

Crucially the club also found a base at East Christchurch Sports and Social Club, just across the road from the old Plessey building and home of the former RFC.

May 2019 saw the arrival of a brand new set of rugby posts, courtesy of North Dorset RFC, as well as the club’s new clothing.

And then on September 7, 2019, the first fixture for Christchurch RFC, albeit playing the first season in the friendly Dorset & Wilts First XV Plate.

A historic match, watched by many players and members of the former club, which ended in a victory over Poole.

The relaunched Christchurch RFC now has around 50 players, aged from 17 to 52, with an impressive line-up of sponsors and more than 100 members.

It has also started women’s only fitness sessions and has plans for other activities and social events.

Donovan, who is the club’s secretary as well as a player, said: “David is a very active President who has helped us set out our vision for the club.

“We want it to be a fun, engaging and welcoming club for everyone.

“A club by the players for the players.

“But we also want to play our part in the community, from things like organising teams of litter pickers to choosing a local charity to support during the year.

“It’s been hard work getting to where we are now, and not always easy.

“I feel a great sense of pride but it’s a team, and not a solo, effort.”

David said that an even earlier club had existed in the 1950’s, playing against some of the big clubs, such as Cardiff and Wasps.

It had been based at what is now known as The Bear of Burton hotel, pub and restaurant in Burton.

He added: “It’s good to see something we started in the 80’s come back to life again.

“Don and the team have done a great job and I’m absolutely delighted to see Christchurch RFC back playing in the league.”