Lancashire County Rugby Football Union
Encyclopedia
The Lancashire County Rugby Football Union is the society responsible for rugby union
in the county of Lancashire
, England
and is one of the constituent bodies of the national Rugby Football Union
having been formed in 1881. In addition it is the county that has won the county championship
on most occasions.
. A movement of emerging new clubs, headed by W. Bell, the honorary secretary of the Broughton Football Club
, had an objective to secure a voice in the selection of county teams. Bell was supported by an informal committee consisting of: G. C. Lindsay (Manchester Rangers), A. M. Crook (Free Wanderers), F. C. Hignett (Swinton), Hunter (Birch). Initial approaches to the Manchester Club were declined and in 1881 a general meeting of Lancashire clubs was called at which the following clubs were represented: Manchester Rangers; Free Wanderers; Broughton; Swinton; Walton; Rossendale; Oldham; Manchester Athletic; Rochdale Hornets; Chorley Birch; and Cheetham. Notably, the Manchester Club did not take part, but a resolution to form the Lancashire Football Union was agreed. The initial committee had W. Bell as its honorary secretary and G. C. Lindsay as the honorary treasurer. Two county matches were arranged altogether versus the Midland Counties and Lanarkshire (Scotland). Manchester then decided to wrest control of the county back and on December 22, 1881, met with the new Union and a duly constituted and representative governing body, its club to be called The Lancashire County Football Club, was formed. It was agreed the president, a vice-president, the hon. secretary and treasurer should be elected from the Manchester Football Club, a vice-president and a member of committee from the Liverpool Club, and the remaining eight names to be elected from clubs other than the Manchester and Liverpool clubs. Also, all Home County matches would be played on the ground of the Manchester Football Club. The first officers and clubs elected to represent the newly-formed Lancashire County Football Club were:
The first match was versus the Midland Counties (the Lanarkshire match having been cancelled), played at Coventry on March 26, 1882. A. N. Hornby became president after James MacLaren resigned the office on October 1, 1884. Lancashire was part of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations in 1887 when they were asked to play Middlesex at Kennington Oval on 12 March as a representation of Rugby Football, whilst Corinthians played Preston North End as an exposition of Association rules. Lancashire, led by Edward Temple Gurdon
, won by a try, gained by V. Slater (Salford).
In February, 1889, it was proposed that the county shall be divided out into five districts (Manchester, Liverpool, South-East Lancashire, West Lancashire, and North Lancashire) each with three representatives, removing club based representation on the committee.
It was postulated that the comparatively small membership compared to Yorkshire had its roots in the fact that Yorkshire had a Challenge Cup the eligibility for which was based on membership of the county union, whereas in Lancashire there was no equivalent.
From 1984 all Championship finals were played at Twickenham.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
in the county of Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and is one of the constituent bodies of the national Rugby Football Union
Rugby Football Union
The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886...
having been formed in 1881. In addition it is the county that has won the county championship
County Championship (rugby union)
The County Championship is an annual rugby union competition in England between teams representing English counties. After restructuring in 2007 the top tier of the Championship has been known as the Bill Beaumont Cup, after the trophy awarded to the competition winners was named in honour of Bill...
on most occasions.
History
Club history precedes that of county rugby football.Early years of County representative team
The first match arranged for the county of Lancashire took place in 1870, at Leeds v. Yorkshire. This match was immediately known as the " Battle of the Roses " and was considered the " blue ribbon " of Northern rugby football. To be selected to represent the county was an honour bestowed long before the foundation of the Lancashire RFU and it was seen as "the high road to International honours".Formation of the Lancashire Football Union
From 1870 to 1881 the government and arrangement of county matches in Lancashire vested in Manchester Football Club. Though self-appointed, Manchester was recognised as the authority by the other great Lancashire club, LiverpoolLiverpool St Helens F.C.
Liverpool St Helens Football Club are a rugby union team formed from the merger of Liverpool Football Club and St. Helens RUFC. The club currently plays in North 1 West....
. A movement of emerging new clubs, headed by W. Bell, the honorary secretary of the Broughton Football Club
Broughton RUFC
Broughton Rugby Union Football Club is a rugby union club based in Salford, Greater Manchester, which at the time of the club's founding in 1869 was in Lancashire, England. Its home venue is the Broughton Cricket & Rugby Club pitch on Yew Street...
, had an objective to secure a voice in the selection of county teams. Bell was supported by an informal committee consisting of: G. C. Lindsay (Manchester Rangers), A. M. Crook (Free Wanderers), F. C. Hignett (Swinton), Hunter (Birch). Initial approaches to the Manchester Club were declined and in 1881 a general meeting of Lancashire clubs was called at which the following clubs were represented: Manchester Rangers; Free Wanderers; Broughton; Swinton; Walton; Rossendale; Oldham; Manchester Athletic; Rochdale Hornets; Chorley Birch; and Cheetham. Notably, the Manchester Club did not take part, but a resolution to form the Lancashire Football Union was agreed. The initial committee had W. Bell as its honorary secretary and G. C. Lindsay as the honorary treasurer. Two county matches were arranged altogether versus the Midland Counties and Lanarkshire (Scotland). Manchester then decided to wrest control of the county back and on December 22, 1881, met with the new Union and a duly constituted and representative governing body, its club to be called The Lancashire County Football Club, was formed. It was agreed the president, a vice-president, the hon. secretary and treasurer should be elected from the Manchester Football Club, a vice-president and a member of committee from the Liverpool Club, and the remaining eight names to be elected from clubs other than the Manchester and Liverpool clubs. Also, all Home County matches would be played on the ground of the Manchester Football Club. The first officers and clubs elected to represent the newly-formed Lancashire County Football Club were:
- PRESIDENT : James MacLaren, Esq. (Manchester).
- VICE-PRESIDENTS : W. Brierley, Esq. (Manchester) ; E. Kewley, Esq. (Liverpool).
- HON. SECRETARY AND TREASURER : W. Grave, Esq. (Manchester).
- COMMITTEE : Manchester, Liverpool, Broughton, Cheetham, Preston, Manchester Rangers, Rochdale Hornets, Oldham, Swinton, and Free Wanderers.
The first match was versus the Midland Counties (the Lanarkshire match having been cancelled), played at Coventry on March 26, 1882. A. N. Hornby became president after James MacLaren resigned the office on October 1, 1884. Lancashire was part of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations in 1887 when they were asked to play Middlesex at Kennington Oval on 12 March as a representation of Rugby Football, whilst Corinthians played Preston North End as an exposition of Association rules. Lancashire, led by Edward Temple Gurdon
Edward Temple Gurdon
Edward Temple Gurdon, often known as Temple Gurdon, was a rugby union international who represented England from 1878 to 1886. He also captained his country.-Early life:Temple Gurdon was born on January 25, 1854 in Barnham Broom, Norfolk...
, won by a try, gained by V. Slater (Salford).
In February, 1889, it was proposed that the county shall be divided out into five districts (Manchester, Liverpool, South-East Lancashire, West Lancashire, and North Lancashire) each with three representatives, removing club based representation on the committee.
1890 - 1900: Lancashire and the county championship
Lancashire won the 1890-91 season of the County Championship, despite the championship having been organised by arch-rivals, Yorkshire. Lancashire won all their games with "not a goal being scored against them in any of the county matches they played". They then played "the Rest of England"', on the 18th of April, 1891. In 1891-92 Lancashire were defeated by Yorkshire who therefore wrested the championship of England from Lancashire. At this time, Lancashire County Football Club was made up of a number of clubs, and two sub-unions, West Lancashire Union (formed in 1884) and South-East Lancashire Union was (predating the county Rugby Union having been formed in 1877):It was postulated that the comparatively small membership compared to Yorkshire had its roots in the fact that Yorkshire had a Challenge Cup the eligibility for which was based on membership of the county union, whereas in Lancashire there was no equivalent.
Honours
The county side has been in the final 31 times, winning the title on 19 occasions.| Year | Winner | Regional Winners |
|---|---|---|
| 1891 | Lancashire | |
| 1892 | Yorkshire | Kent, Lancashire, Midlands |
| 1894 | Yorkshire | Lancashire, Midlands, Somerset |
| Year | Winners | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1929 | Middlesex Middlesex Rugby Football Union Middlesex Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Middlesex, England; Middlesex is a historic county of England that has since been divided up and shared between Greater London, Surrey and Hertfordshire though the appellation is still in use when referring to sport, businesses... |
Middlesex Middlesex Rugby Football Union Middlesex Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Middlesex, England; Middlesex is a historic county of England that has since been divided up and shared between Greater London, Surrey and Hertfordshire though the appellation is still in use when referring to sport, businesses... |
8-8 | Lancashire | Twickenham | |
| Lancashire | 8-9 | Middlesex Middlesex Rugby Football Union Middlesex Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Middlesex, England; Middlesex is a historic county of England that has since been divided up and shared between Greater London, Surrey and Hertfordshire though the appellation is still in use when referring to sport, businesses... |
Blundellsands | Replay match | ||
| 1930 | Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union The Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union is the union responsible for rugby union in the county of Gloucestershire, England and is one of the constituent bodies of the national Rugby Football Union. Formed in 1878, it has won the county championship on numerous occasions.-History:The Union was... |
Lancashire | 7-13 | Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union The Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union is the union responsible for rugby union in the county of Gloucestershire, England and is one of the constituent bodies of the national Rugby Football Union. Formed in 1878, it has won the county championship on numerous occasions.-History:The Union was... |
Blundellsands | |
| 1933 | Hampshire | Hampshire | 18-7 | Lancashire | Boscombe | |
| 1935 | Lancashire | Somerset | 0-14 | Lancashire | Bath | |
| 1938 | Lancashire | Lancashire | 24-12 | Surrey Surrey Rugby Football Union The Surrey County Rugby Football Union is the union responsible for rugby union in the county of Surrey, England and is one of the constituent bodies of the national Rugby Football Union having been formed in 1879.-Early years of County representative team:... |
Blundellsands | |
| 1947 | Lancashire | Lancashire | 8-8 | Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union The Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union is the union responsible for rugby union in the county of Gloucestershire, England and is one of the constituent bodies of the national Rugby Football Union. Formed in 1878, it has won the county championship on numerous occasions.-History:The Union was... |
Blundellsands | |
| Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union The Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union is the union responsible for rugby union in the county of Gloucestershire, England and is one of the constituent bodies of the national Rugby Football Union. Formed in 1878, it has won the county championship on numerous occasions.-History:The Union was... |
3-14 | Lancashire | Kingsholm | Replay match | ||
| 1948 | Lancashire | Eastern Counties | 0-5 | Lancashire | Cambridge | |
| 1949 | Lancashire | Lancashire | 9-3 | Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union The Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union is the union responsible for rugby union in the county of Gloucestershire, England and is one of the constituent bodies of the national Rugby Football Union. Formed in 1878, it has won the county championship on numerous occasions.-History:The Union was... |
Blundellsands | |
| 1952 | Middlesex Middlesex Rugby Football Union Middlesex Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Middlesex, England; Middlesex is a historic county of England that has since been divided up and shared between Greater London, Surrey and Hertfordshire though the appellation is still in use when referring to sport, businesses... |
Middlesex Middlesex Rugby Football Union Middlesex Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Middlesex, England; Middlesex is a historic county of England that has since been divided up and shared between Greater London, Surrey and Hertfordshire though the appellation is still in use when referring to sport, businesses... |
9-6 | Lancashire | Twickenham | |
| 1954 | Middlesex Middlesex Rugby Football Union Middlesex Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Middlesex, England; Middlesex is a historic county of England that has since been divided up and shared between Greater London, Surrey and Hertfordshire though the appellation is still in use when referring to sport, businesses... |
Lancashire | 6-24 | Middlesex Middlesex Rugby Football Union Middlesex Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Middlesex, England; Middlesex is a historic county of England that has since been divided up and shared between Greater London, Surrey and Hertfordshire though the appellation is still in use when referring to sport, businesses... |
Blundellsands | |
| 1955 | Lancashire | Middlesex Middlesex Rugby Football Union Middlesex Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Middlesex, England; Middlesex is a historic county of England that has since been divided up and shared between Greater London, Surrey and Hertfordshire though the appellation is still in use when referring to sport, businesses... |
8-14 | Lancashire | Twickenham | |
| 1964 | Warwickshire | Warwickshire | 8-6 | Lancashire | Coundon Road, Coventry | |
| 1966 | Middlesex Middlesex Rugby Football Union Middlesex Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Middlesex, England; Middlesex is a historic county of England that has since been divided up and shared between Greater London, Surrey and Hertfordshire though the appellation is still in use when referring to sport, businesses... |
Lancashire | 0-6 | Middlesex Middlesex Rugby Football Union Middlesex Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Middlesex, England; Middlesex is a historic county of England that has since been divided up and shared between Greater London, Surrey and Hertfordshire though the appellation is still in use when referring to sport, businesses... |
Blundellsands | |
| 1969 | Lancashire | Cornwall | 9-11 | Lancashire | Redruth | |
| 1973 | Lancashire | Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union The Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union is the union responsible for rugby union in the county of Gloucestershire, England and is one of the constituent bodies of the national Rugby Football Union. Formed in 1878, it has won the county championship on numerous occasions.-History:The Union was... |
12-17 | Lancashire | Memorial Ground Bristol | |
| 1974 | Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union The Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union is the union responsible for rugby union in the county of Gloucestershire, England and is one of the constituent bodies of the national Rugby Football Union. Formed in 1878, it has won the county championship on numerous occasions.-History:The Union was... |
Lancashire | 12-22 | Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union The Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union is the union responsible for rugby union in the county of Gloucestershire, England and is one of the constituent bodies of the national Rugby Football Union. Formed in 1878, it has won the county championship on numerous occasions.-History:The Union was... |
Blundellsands | |
| 1977 | Lancashire | Lancashire | 17-6 | Middlesex Middlesex Rugby Football Union Middlesex Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Middlesex, England; Middlesex is a historic county of England that has since been divided up and shared between Greater London, Surrey and Hertfordshire though the appellation is still in use when referring to sport, businesses... |
Blundellsands | |
| 1980 | Lancashire | Lancashire | 21-15 | Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union The Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union is the union responsible for rugby union in the county of Gloucestershire, England and is one of the constituent bodies of the national Rugby Football Union. Formed in 1878, it has won the county championship on numerous occasions.-History:The Union was... |
Vale of Lune | |
| 1981 | Lancashire | North Midlands | 3-7 | Lancashire | The Reddings, Moseley | |
From 1984 all Championship finals were played at Twickenham.
| Year | Winners | Score | Runner's Up | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Lancashire | 23-18 | Warwickshire | Twickenham | |
| 1990 | Lancashire | 32-9 | Middlesex Middlesex Rugby Football Union Middlesex Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Middlesex, England; Middlesex is a historic county of England that has since been divided up and shared between Greater London, Surrey and Hertfordshire though the appellation is still in use when referring to sport, businesses... |
Twickenham | |
| 1992 | Lancashire | 9-6 | Cornwall | Twickenham | |
| 1993 | Lancashire | 9-6 | Yorkshire | Twickenham | |
| 2003 | Lancashire | 24-18 | Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union The Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union is the union responsible for rugby union in the county of Gloucestershire, England and is one of the constituent bodies of the national Rugby Football Union. Formed in 1878, it has won the county championship on numerous occasions.-History:The Union was... |
Twickenham | |
| 2005 | Devon | 22-16 | Lancashire | Twickenham | |
| 2006 | Lancashire | 32-26 | Devon | Twickenham | |
| 2007 | Devon | 27-6 | Lancashire | Twickenham | |
| 2009 | Lancashire | 32-18 | Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union The Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union is the union responsible for rugby union in the county of Gloucestershire, England and is one of the constituent bodies of the national Rugby Football Union. Formed in 1878, it has won the county championship on numerous occasions.-History:The Union was... |
Twickenham |
Notable players for the County side
- Bill BeaumontBill BeaumontWilliam "Bill" Blackledge Beaumont CBE was captain of the England rugby union team at a time when they struggled to win games. His greatest moment as captain was the unexpected 1980 Grand Slam. He played as a lock...
- Steve BorthwickSteve BorthwickStephen William "Steve" Borthwick is an English rugby union footballer who plays lock for Saracens F.C....
- Fran CottonFran CottonFrancis Edward Cotton is a former English rugby union prop forward who played for England and the British Lions. His clubs included Coventry R.F.C. and Sale. After retiring, he remained in rugby administration and founded a clothing company...
- Dick GreenwoodDick GreenwoodJohn Richard Heaton Greenwood is a former rugby union international flanker, captain of Waterloo, Cambridge University, Lancashire and England as well as national coach...
- Edward Temple GurdonEdward Temple GurdonEdward Temple Gurdon, often known as Temple Gurdon, was a rugby union international who represented England from 1878 to 1886. He also captained his country.-Early life:Temple Gurdon was born on January 25, 1854 in Barnham Broom, Norfolk...
- Albert Neilson Hornby
- Barry JacksonBarry Jackson (rugby union)Barry Jackson a rugby union international who represented England in 1970.-Family:Barry Jackson is married to Hilda Jackson, whom he has two children with; a boy and a girl. He also has six grandchildren, four girls and two boys. He is now living, content with his life, in Northern England where...
, Captain of Lancashire and England International. - Thomas KellyThomas Kelly (rugby player)Thomas Kelly was a rugby union international who represented England from 1906 to 1908. He also captained his country to a 19-0 victory over France at the Stade Colombes in Paris on 1 January 1908.-Early life:...
(also played for Devon Rugby Football Union) - Edward KewleyEdward KewleyEdward Kewley was an English sportsman who played rugby union for England and also played first class cricket for Lancashire...
- Mike LeadbetterMike LeadbetterMike Leadbetter was a rugby union international who represented England in 1970.-Early life:Mike Leadbetter was born on July 25, 1946 in Southport. Mike was the elder of two brothers, and his family is one with deep roots in the Southport area, predating the construction of Southport itself...
- Tony NearyTony NearyAnthony "Tony" Neary is a former England international rugby union player. He represented England at U18's basketball as well as rugby. He attended De La Salle College, Salford and Liverpool University before qualifying as a solicitor....
- William OpenshawWilliam OpenshawWilliam Openshaw was a rugby union international who represented England from 1879 to 1879.-Rugby union career:Openshaw played his club rugby for Manchester . Openshaw made his international debut on 24 March 1879 at The Oval in the England vs Ireland match in which he was on the winning side...
- Malcolm PhillipsMalcolm PhillipsMalcolm Phillips is a former rugby union international who represented England from 1958 to 1964.-Early life:Malcolm Phillips was born on 3 March 1935 in Prestbury...
- Lancelot SlocockLancelot SlocockLancelot Slocock was a rugby union international who represented England from 1907 to 1908. He also captained his country.-Early life:...