Alnwick RFC
Full nameAlnwick Rugby Football Club
UnionNorthumberland RFU
Founded1960 (1960)
LocationAlnwick, Northumberland, England
Ground(s)Greensfield (Capacity: 1,200 (200 in stand))
Coach(es)England Tom Borthwick and Scotland Ali Hogg
Captain(s)England Richard Elliot
League(s)Regional 1 North East
2022/234th
1st kit
2nd kit
Largest win
Alnwick RFC 83โ€“0 Redcar RUFC
(2010)
Largest defeat
New Brighton FC 90-5 Alnwick RFC
(1995)
Official website
www.pitchero.com/clubs/alnwick/

Alnwick RFC is an amateur rugby union club based in the town of Alnwick, Northumberland in north-east England. The club play in Regional 1 North East, a level five league in the English rugby union system and are the most northerly rugby union club in English league rugby, (Berwick RFC play in the Scottish rugby union system).[1] Alnwick regularly field three senior sides, all of which play competitive league and cup rugby. The club also has a junior section running teams from under 7's through to under 18's and a girls section.[2]

Beginnings

The club was originally formed on 9 December 1880, following a meeting in the Star Hotel. The name The Hotspur was adopted, a reference to the famous Alnwick knight Harry Hotspur. W.Newman was elected as the captain. Mrs Rennison of The Star Hotel offered a field on the outskirts of the town, known as Wagonway.

A Victorian supporter card depicting rugby in Alnwick from the 1880s

The first fixture was away against Jesmond on 22 October 1881. This game ended in a 0-0 draw. The first home fixture took place on 5 November 1881, Rockcliffe were the visitors and this was the first game played under rugby union laws. A large crowd attended to witness the first rugby game in the town, they were not disappointed as The Hotspur won by 1 goal and 3 touchdowns. Further fixtures were played against a Gosforth team and Rockcliffe.[3]

The Hotspur had a full fixture list for the 1882/83 season including games against Northern, Gosforth and Rockcliffe, fixtures that are still maintained today. In May 1884 a joint meeting took place between The Hotspur, Guild and other Football Clubs. During this meeting it was decided they would combine to form the Alnwick Association Football Club.

Fifty years then elapsed until the game of Rugby was re-introduced in the town in 1933 under the Presidency of Stan Anderson who as a Rockcliffe player, represented England in 1899. For some years the club flourished with such stalwarts as Duncan Hodgson, Robert Hoigg and Harry Green forming the nucleus. The club house was the Plough Hotel, the ground at Denwick Mill. Difficulties in getting players finally saw the game abandoned in 1937.[4]

After the Second World War, efforts were made to revive the club but without success largely because there was no regular local source of players. In 1950 the picture changed, the Duke School changed over to rugby union. There was now a ready source of players and the demand for a revival of the club grew. An open meeting was held on 12 April 1960, presided over by Bobby Robinson of Northern FC. The club was reformed and matches were played in the season 1960/61.

Alnwick's first game after reforming, 10 September 1960 Gosforth IIIa 27 - 6 Alnwick.

His Grace The Duke of Northumberland agreed to be Patron of the club whilst S.O. Williams, a patron of Llanelli Rugby Club accepted the Presidency of the club with Alan Churchill elected as captain. The club obtained the use of a field at Greensfield Moor as a pitch and accommodation for changing bathing and a clubroom was again made available at the Plough Hotel. A permanent headquarters was found when the Duke of Northumberland offered a long lease of land for use as a club ground and headquarters at Greensfield.

[5]

League history

The 1987/88 season saw the formation of rugby union leagues in England[6] which placed Alnwick in level six league then known as North 2. The first league fixture was a home game against Davenport on 12 September 1987, the game finished 10-9 in Alnwick's favour. In the inaugural league season, the closest club to Alnwick was Aspatria over 100 miles away. North 2 was an 11 team league with only one fixture played against each club. In 1987/88 the Aspatria fixture was played at Alnwick meaning the shortest journey Alnwick made for a league game was 150 miles to visit Halifax. Alnwick remained in level six until the 2002/03 season when they were relegated to the level seven Durham & Northumberland 1. The winners of Durham & Northumberland 1 are automatically promoted, with the second placed team going into a play-off promotion game against the second place team from Yorkshire 1.[7]

The 2003/04 campaign saw Alnwick finish in second place in Durham & Northumberland 1, meaning they faced the second placed team from Yorkshire 1, Pontefract RFC in the play-off for promotion. The game saw Alnwick claw back a 10-18 deficit to claim a thrilling 25-18 victory, with 5 minutes remaining the score was 17-18 in Pontefract's favour. Alan Moses' late 40-yard drop goal and a last gasp try from Jon Snaith sealed the victory and promotion back into North 1 East, then known as North 2 East.[8] This was the first time a club from the Durham and Northumberland region had won the Durham/Northumberland 1 v Yorkshire 1 promotion playoff fixture.[9] They remained at this level for two seasons. At the end of the 2005/06 campaign Alnwick were relegated back to Durham & Northumberland 1 after finishing the North 2 East campaign in 10th position.[10]

After a four-season rebuilding period in Durham & Northumberland 1, Alnwick produced a young team, captained by the prolific try-scoring wing Andrew Shell. The 2010/11 season saw the club finish in third position in Durham & Northumberland 1. The following campaign saw Alnwick go one better and finish in second place,[11] and face Keighley RUFC, who finished second in Yorkshire 1, in a play-off for promotion. Alnwick went into half time with a 16โ€“3 lead. The second half saw Keighley fight back to win 18โ€“16 and seal promotion to the restructured level six league North 1 East.[12]

In 2012/13 Alnwick were promoted to North 1 East. They clinched promotion by finishing as champions of Durham & Northumberland 1 with a 10โ€“28 victory against Medicals RFC in the final game of the season.[13]

Gordon Smith scoring the bonus point try, against Medicals RFC in the final game of the 2012/13 season to seal the Durham & Northumberland 1 title

The 2013/14 season resulted in Alnwick finishing the North 1 East campaign in 11th position and narrowly avoiding relegation back to Durham & Northumberland 1 on the final day of the season. This was the first time since Northern and Team Northumbria in the 2010-11 season, that a newly promoted club from Durham & Northumberland 1 had avoided relegation from North 1 East.

Alnwick's 2014/15 season, the second back in level six resulted in a creditable 7th-place finish. The 2014/15 campaign proved to be more comfortable for Alnwick in comparison to the 2013/14 relegation battle with more games being won than lost, some notable performances and a terrific victory against Northumberland neighbours Percy Park.[14]

2015/16 season Alnwick pipped West Hartlepool to 3rd in North 1 East after a convincing 10-43 victory at league champions Doncaster Phoenix in the last game of the season.[15]

2016/17 season Alnwick finished 4th in North 1 East where a chance at promotion faded in the last two months of the season.

The 2017/18 season finished with Alnwick as champions of North 1 East, Alnwick sealed the North 1 East title with a 10-34 victory against local rivals Morpeth, on the final day of the season. Alnwick gained promotion to the level 5 league North Premier, the highest league level the club has ever competed at.

The 2018/19 season finished with Alnwick in midtable of North Premier. Alnwick comfortably adapted to life at level 5 and were never in relegation danger. Alnwick won more games than they lost, the most impressive victory coming away against Harrogate, in the first meeting between Alnwick and the prestigious Yorkshire club.

The 2019/20 season finished with Alnwick narrowly avoiding relegation after the final table was completed using a best playing record formula. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) officially cancelled the season on 20 March 2020. At that point Alnwick were in 11th place in the table with 38 points and 5 games remaining. The best playing record formula awarded Alnwick a further 10 points from their remaining 5 games, meaning they finished 1 point above Carlisle who were relegated. Alnwick's most impressive victory came at home against champions Blaydon, in the first league win for Alnwick over the Tyneside club.

The 2021โ€“22 season finished with Alnwick in seventh position in North Premier, the highest league position in the club's history. Four defeats from the last seven games of the season saw a likely fifth place finish slip down two positions. Alnwick responded well after the 18 month COVID-19 break in league rugby, the most impressive victory coming away against Preston Grasshoppers, in the first league meeting between Alnwick and the distinguished Lancashire club.

The RFU reorganised leagues at level 5 after the 2021-22 season and the North Premier league was discontinued. Alnwick were placed into a newly-created level 5 league, Regional 1 North East, for 2022โ€“23.

The 2022โ€“23 season finished with Alnwick in fourth position in Regional 1 North East, the highest league position in the club's history. Away defeats against Driffield and Heath saw a possible second place finish slip down two positions. The most impressive victory coming at home against league winners Billingham.

Season League Name Level Position (League Size) P W D L PF PA +/- Notes
1987/88North 265th (11)1060412575+5011 teams in league. One fixture played against each team in the league
1988/89North 265th (11)10604104110-6One fixture played against each team in the league
1989/90North 266th (11)10505141124+50One fixture played against each team in the league
1990/91North 264th (11)10514127124+3One fixture played against each team in the league
1991/92North 268th (11)1041511899+19One fixture played against each team in the league
1992/93North 266th (13)12804227152+75League size increased to 13 teams. One fixture played against each team in the league
1993/94North 265th (13)1272320093+107One fixture played against each team in the league
1994/95North 2610th (13)12408155244-89One fixture played against each team in the league
1995/96North 265th (13)12615190202-12One fixture played against each team in the league
1996/97North 265th (12)221219540425+115League size reduced to 12 teams. Introduction of home and away fixtures against each team in the league
1997/98North 269th (12)228014361449-88-
1998/99North 2610th (12)227114305395-90-
1999/00North 265th (12)221219355464-109Last season that Level 6 covered the whole of the north.
2000/01North 2 East68th (12)16808297274+23Level 6 in the north split in to two leagues, East and West. Fixtures not completed due to foot and mouth disease
2001/02North 2 East66th (12)229211373371+2-
2002/03North 2 East610th (12)225116341584-243Relegated to Durham & Northumberland 1
2003/04Durham & Northumberland 172nd (12)231823569241+328Promoted after winning playoff against Pontefract 25-18
2004/05North 2 East64th (12)221129382444-62-
2005/06North 2 East610th (12)226016307546-239Relegated to Durham & Northumberland 1
2006/07Durham & Northumberland 175th (12)2210012489375114-
2007/08Durham & Northumberland 177th (12)2210111384463-79-
2008/09Durham & Northumberland 173rd (12)221606452324+128-
2009/10Durham & Northumberland 175th (14)241527551432+119League size increased to 14 teams. Fixtures not completed due to bad weather
2010/11Durham & Northumberland 173rd (14)262105889398+491-
2011/12Durham & Northumberland 172nd (14)272106870385+472Lost playoff against Keighley RUFC 16-18
2012/13Durham & Northumberland 171st (14)262303763340+423Promoted as champions
2013/14North 1 East611th (14)269116459572-113Avoided relegation by gaining a losing bonus point, in the final game of the season against Middlesbrough RUFC
2014/15North 1 East67th (14)2613112592552+40-
2015/16North 1 East63rd (14)261808660322+338-
2016/17North 1 East64th (14)261718698368+330-
2017/18North 1 East61st (14)262024830367+463Promoted as champions
2018/19North Premier59th (14)2614012531500+31-
2019/20North Premier511th (14)217014328488-160Fixtures not completed due to COVID-19
2020/21North Premier5NA0000000Fixtures not played due to COVID-19
2021/22North Premier57th (14)2614111854291+563Last season that Level 5 covered the whole of the north.
2022/23Regional 1 North East54th (12)221606629460+169League size reduced to 12 teams. Level 5 in the north split in to two leagues, East and West.
Totals707391242921519612325+287155% win percentage

Local rivalries

Each season Alnwick play against local rivals Berwick, Northern and Morpeth for a trophy.

The annual Alnwick v Berwick fixture contested for the Claret Jug[16] takes place on the traditional derby date of Boxing Day. The venue for this fixture alternates between the clubs each year and often attracts the largest attendance of the season. The fixture is deemed as a special occasion by both sets of players and supporters alike, despite being local rivals the two clubs play in separate league structures meaning the clubs will never meet in a league fixture. This results in the Boxing Day clash being a fiercely contested game often settled by a single point.[17]

  • Alnwick v Berwick - Claret Jug. Current holders Alnwick
  • Alnwick v Northern - Andrew Bell Trophy. Current holders Alnwick
  • Alnwick v Morpeth - Bret Fuel Silver Horse. Current holders Alnwick

[18]

Cup competitions

Alnwick have featured in 11 Northumberland Senior Cup Finals, winning the cup on 4 occasions.

Northumberland Senior Cup winners 1983/84
Northumberland Senior Cup winners 2016/17
Northumberland Senior Cup Winners 2018/19
Northumberland Senior Cup winners 2021/22
Season Winners Score Runners Up Venue
1972/73 Gosforth 21-9 Alnwick Northumberland County Ground
1977/78 Gosforth 38-3 Alnwick Northumberland County Ground
1979/80 Gosforth 21-9 Alnwick Northumberland County Ground
1982/83 Gosforth 24-6 Alnwick Northumberland County Ground
1983/84 Alnwick 6-4 Gosforth Northumberland County Ground
1998/99 Tynedale 24-10 Alnwick Tynedale Park
2016/17 Alnwick 11-7 Morpeth Sutherland Park
2017/18 Percy Park 21-16 Alnwick Welfare Park
2018/19 Alnwick 39-3 Morpeth Scremerston
2019/20 Morpeth 11-10 Alnwick Greensfield
2021/22 Alnwick 61-14 Novocastrians Whitley Bay Rockcliff

In the 1983/84 season Alnwick reached the Northumberland Senior Cup final for the fifth time, as in the previous 4 occasions Gosforth were the opponents. Gosforth had won the cup every year since 1970/71 season, including four victories over Alnwick in 1972/73, 1977/78, 1879/80 and 1982/83. The final took place at the Northumberland County Ground on 18 April 1984. Gosforth fielded a side including 3 Internationals, S.Bainbridge, J.Pollock and W.Breakey. Alnwick battled to a 6-4 victory over their much fancied opponents, with two penalty goals kicked by Dawson Lillie winning the cup for Alnwick.

In the 2016/17 season Alnwick reached the Northumberland Senior Cup final. They faced local rivals Morpeth in the fixture staged at Novocastrians RFC ground, Sutherland Park. Alnwick took a 6-0 lead in to half time, thanks to two long range penalty goals from James Bird. Morpeth took the lead in the 2nd half via a converted Try, leading 7-6 with 5 minutes to go in the match and a strong wind behind them. Alnwick managed to turn the ball over in the Morpeth 22 area allowing James Warcup to score a dramatic unconverted try and give Alnwick an 11-7 lead. Strong defence during the last plays of the game allowed Alnwick to hold on for the victory and lift the Northumberland Senior Cup for the first time since 1983/84.[19]

Before professionalism came in to rugby union, the winner and runner-up from each County Cup competition in England competed in the National Cup Competition, now known as the Anglo-Welsh Cup. Alnwick qualified for the 1st round of the National Cup Competition in each of the following seasons.

Season Home Team Score Away Team
1980/81 Alnwick 0-12 Broughton Park
1983/84 Flyde 43-21 Alnwick
1984/85 Alnwick 0-34 Wakefield
1999/00 Stourbridge 20-8 Alnwick

Facilities

Alnwick RFC proposed new ground at Greensfield. February 1961
Opening of the grandstand. September 1984
Grandstand overlooking the 1st XV pitch. January 2017
View of the 1st XV pitch from the clubhouse. December 2017

In 1961/62 the ground at Greensfield was drained, levelled and seeded. The club house was officially opened on 29 April 1964 by A.G.Butler, President of the Rugby Football Union.[20] Greensfield has 3 Rugby pitches. The 1st team Pitch has a small grandstand on the touchline, the stand was opened in 1984. The 1st team pitch is floodlit, the first game under floodlights was a fixture against Northumberland County President's XV on Monday 29 October 1990. The clubhouse overlooks the dead-ball area behind the posts at the north eastern end of the pitch. Greensfield is often chosen by the Northumberland Rugby Football Union to host fixtures in the County Championship. Greensfield hosted the first home fixture Northumberland played after the closure of the Northumberland County Ground in 1988.[21]

A major overhaul of facilities took place in 2012 resulting in new changing rooms being built along with a gym, improved toilets and showers, enhanced car parking, flood defense work and new advertising boards for the 1st team pitch. The project cost ยฃ240,000, which was made up from ยฃ130,000 in grants and a fundraising campaign which raised ยฃ110,000.[22]

The new facilities were officially opened by Bob Reeves, president of the Rugby Football Union, on 19 October 2013 before the North One East clash: Alnwick 14 Wheatley Hills 8.[23]

Honours

Notable former players

See also

References

  1. โ†‘ "Berwick RFC". www.pitchero.com/clubs/berwick. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  2. โ†‘ "Alnwick RFC Junior". www.pitchero.com/clubs/alnwick. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  3. โ†‘ "Hotspur Alnwick Football Club". Northumberland Gazette. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  4. โ†‘ "History of the Club". TOS. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  5. โ†‘ "History of the Club". TOS. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  6. โ†‘ "English Premiership". espnscrum.com. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  7. โ†‘ "North PLayoffs". RFU. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  8. โ†‘ "Alnwick Rugby Club gain promotion". northumberlandgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  9. โ†‘ "North PLayoffs". RFU. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  10. โ†‘ "FIXTURES & RESULTS". RFU. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  11. โ†‘ "Durham/Northumberland 1". www.rugbyroundup.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  12. โ†‘ "Alnwick 16 Keighley 18". chroniclelive.co.uk. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  13. โ†‘ "Champions!". northumberlandgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  14. โ†‘ "Alnwick avenge their loss at greensfields". percyparkrfc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  15. โ†‘ "MATCH REPORT". www.pitchero.com. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  16. โ†‘ "Berwick RFC 12 Alnwick RFC 11". northumberlandgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  17. โ†‘ "Berwick RFC 12 Alnwick RFC 11". northumberlandgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  18. โ†‘ "Berwick are stuffed". northumberlandgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  19. โ†‘ "Alnwick v Morpeth: Northumberland Senior Cup Final 2017". youtube.com. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  20. โ†‘ "History of the Club". TOS. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  21. โ†‘ "Match Report - Northumberland 34 Eastern Counties 6 (at Alnwick, 18th May 2013)". NorthumberlRugbyUnion. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  22. โ†‘ "Rugby club unveils revamped facilities". northumberlandgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  23. โ†‘ "Hills conquered, but mountain to climb". northumberlandgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
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