WITH its sofa full of holes, worn carpets and walls, you would think that few non-league football teams would tolerate such a shabby clubhouse.

But its members cherish every worn armchair and faded black and white photograph on the orange coloured walls.

For this is one of the most loved corners of Oxford, a place where elite sportsmen have gathered since the reign of Queen Victoria.

Its membership has – and still does today – included Olympic heroes, international cricket captains and rugby test players.

Then there are senior civil servants, cabinet ministers and enough Oxford Blues to fill the University Parks – all united by their passion for student sport, and their love of Vincent’s.

But things are soon to move forward at the famous university club, which this summer is celebrating its 150th birthday with a series of events across the globe.

  • Members have included: Prime Ministers Alec Home and Harold Macmillan; former Cabinet Secretary Lord Butler; business magnate Cecil Rhodes; Edward VIII; King Olaf of Norway; former All Blacks captain David Kirk; former England cricket captain Colin Cowdrey and the first sub four-minute miler Sir Roger Bannister.

The anniversary will be marked with a major redevelopment, costing between £500,000 and £600,000, with the current president Marcus-Alexander Neil conceding that for all the love of tradition, “the fabric of the club has become very tired”.

In addition to a refurbishment of the club – above the Shepherd & Woodward shop in High Street – there are plans to create a new conference room and to increase the capacity of the dining room from 38 to 60.

Work is expected to begin next month, with plans to reopen in early January.

Funding will come from the successful V150 appeal, with is also raising money for the club’s Outreach Programme, to encourage young sportsmen and women to apply to Oxford.

Mr Neil’s mission is to build on successful summer camps and oversee the rolling out of Vincent’s scholarships of up to £20,000, open to all students who have secured a place at Oxford.

The idea of promoting “scholar athletes” was at the heart of the club, founded in 1863 by Walter Bradford Woodgate, a larger than life Oxford figure and a famous oarsman.

So what is the ethos that binds the members of this men-only club today?

“Vincent’s represents camaraderie, sporting excellence and leadership“ said the new president.

Harold Macmillan, a Prime Minister not best known for his ability at games, was a member – to make the point that Vincent’s has never been about sporting excellence per se. At the same time, some distinguished Oxford Blues have not been invited to join the club, while less talented sportsmen have.

Membership remains restricted, with only about 150 students elected each year. The one qualification is that you have to be a man.

But there are signs that women membership may not be too far down the track.

Mr Neil said: “I would like to see it span from child camps from the age of 10 right through to Vincent’s Scholars who will receive financial help for each year of undergraduate or postgraduate study to support their sporting pursuits, along with mentoring from members, access to elite coaches and academic advice.”