Blackpool RUFC
| File:Blackpool Logo.jpg | |
| Full name | Blackpool Rugby Union Football Club |
|---|---|
| Union | Lancashire RFU |
| Nickname(s) | Seasiders, Badgers |
| Founded | 1959 |
| Location | Blackpool, Lancashire, Lancashire, England |
| Ground(s) | Mossom Lane (1959-present) (Capacity: Unknown) |
| Chairman | Sean O'Brien |
| Coach(es) | Greg Jones |
| Captain(s) | Chris Parlour |
| League(s) | Raging Bull Division 3 |
| 2018–19 | 2nd |
| Official website | |
| www | |
Blackpool Rugby Union Football Club is a rugby union team from Blackpool in Lancashire.
The club was founded in 1959, at one time playing in the top level of rugby in the North West of England. The club fell on hard times in the 2010s and lack of funding and players, left the club just one game away from folding in 2017, before a revival began accumulating in two promotions in the last two years. As of the 2019–20 season Blackpool will be competing in Raging Bull Division 3 North.
History[edit]
Beginnings[edit]
Blackpool RUFC, initially known as St. Josephs College Old Boys RUFC, was founded in 1959. They found their home at Mossom Lane, where they still remain today. In their early years, functioning mainly as a social side they competed with other smaller local teams. Before long Blackpool were progressing and formed local rivalries with clubs such as Fleetwood RUFC, Preston Grasshoppers and Fylde RFC.
1980s, 1990s and early 2000s[edit]
It was in these years Blackpool enjoyed their finest times. Reaching as high as North Premier, the fifth-tier of the English Rugby Union ladder. In these times, some high profile names played for the club, the most famous of which was England and British Lions International, Wade Dooley. In the late 1990s with Blackpool at their height they had some great talent, all of which was steered by David Stephenson acting as Director of Rugby at this time. In late 2003, Paul Dooley, brother of Wade and standout number 8 for the club moved into coaching and had a full year in charge before in November 2004 another significant face in Barrie-Jon Mather, a former dual-code international, took the head coach role at the club while they were playing in North Lancs 1. The following season Barrie-Jon stepped down which allowed his brother Darren to steer the ship and in his first season in tenure he managed to get the previously struggling Blackpool promoted in the 2005/06 season.
Collapse and revival[edit]
After a great period in the 1990s and early 2000s, Blackpool fell on hard times and even with Phil Raw and Heath George doing their best to keep it together the club continued to tumble down the leagues. Even the returning David Stephenson accompanied by ex Fylde Prop Forward Steve Ellis into the coaching fold couldn't stop the rot. At the ond of the 2016–17 Season, the club had dwindled down to having only 8 registered players. Then came the revival as Sean O'Brien and Chris Parlour took the reins as Chairman and Captain respectively. In a matter of weeks the club had recruited well and boasted a strong squad of 30 players. Starting the 2017–18 season with a 51-0 victory over local rivals Fleetwood RUFC, before backing it up with a 43-19 win against Preston Grasshoppers. Blackpool finished their first season of their revival in 3rd place. In the 2018–19 season Blackpool went one better by finishing second in the division with only Wigan RUFC in front, who went an entire season unbeaten. This position was good enough to have Blackpool promoted into Division 3 North for the 2019–20 season. As of June 2019, former Blackpool RUFC Captain, Greg Jones was named director of rugby on a permanent basis.
Current squad[edit]
Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.
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Recent league performances[edit]
Season Pld W D L F A +/- Pts Pos 2019-20 Division 3 North
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 2018–19 Division 5 North
18 14 1 3 719 289 430 63 2nd Promoted to Division 3 North 2017-18 Division 5 North
24 16 1 7 749 436 313 73 3rd 2016–17 Division 5 North
20 1 0 19 174 829 -655 20 11th 2015-16 Division 5 North
24 6 1 17 465 710 -245 43 7th 2014-15 Division 5 North
16 6 2 8 263 359 -96 28 6th 2013-14 Division 5 North
20 12 1 7 577 329 248 50 3rd
Honours[edit]
Club honours[edit]
Lancs Division 1 North
- Champions: 1998/99
- Runners-Up:1994/95, 1995/96, 1997/98
North Lancs & Cumbria
- Champions: 1996/97
Captains[edit]
| Tenure | Incumbent |
|---|---|
| 1959–1961 | E.T.Crossland |
| 1961–1962 | A.Dunn |
| 1962–1964 | M.Murray |
| 1964–1972 | E.T.Crossland |
| 1972–1973 | W.Hindle |
| 1973–1974 | A.Bradley |
| 1974-1975 | D.Brooks |
| 1975-1976 | C.Fenney |
| 1976–1978 | R.Keam |
| 1978-1980 | G.Bagot |
| 1980–1982 | P.Manning |
| 1982–1983 | N.Jones |
| 1983–1985 | D.Bostock |
| 1985–1987 | R.Anstead & P.Anstead |
| 1987–1990 | F.Bagnall & A.J.R Hopton |
| 1990-1992 | C.Eves |
| 1992-1993 | P.Swindells |
| 1993–1994 | G.Collins |
| 1994-1995 | M.Williams |
| 1995-1997 | B.Tickle |
| 1997-2000 | P.Dooley |
| 2000-2001 | G.Jones |
| 2001-2002 | S.Cooper |
| 2002–2005 | G.Collins |
| 2005-2008 | N.Perks |
| 2008-2010 | L.Mason |
| 2010-2015 | R.Woodward |
| 2015-2016 | M.McDaid |
| 2015-2017 | M.Harrison |
| 2017–Present | C.Parlour |
References[edit]
Blackpool seal promotion to Division 3 North - https://www.nowirul.org.uk/nowirul.nsf/URL/TBYE-B2DK8W/
"Blackpool Back With a Bang!" - https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/blackpool/teams/7514/match-centre/1-2847037
BJ Takes Over - https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/5809804.mather-takes-over-as-coach/
Dave Stephenson Returns - https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/blackpool/news/new-coaching-team-appointed-at-blackpool-rufc-43919.html
External links[edit]
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