Moseley Rugby Football Club
Encyclopedia
Moseley Rugby Football Club is an English
rugby union
club, based at Billesley Common
in Birmingham
, that competes in the RFU Championship
. The club was historically the premier rugby club in Birmingham, reaching the final of the John Player Cup three times in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They originally played at the Reddings, but after attempting to keep up with the transition to professional rugby, the club ran into financial difficulties and were forced to sell their 125-year home to property developers. An unsuccessful five-year spell based at the University of Birmingham
followed, during which time they were relegated to National Division Two. In 2005 the club moved to its new home at Billesley Common, and was promoted to National Division One in 2006. Since then they have consolidated their place in the second tier of English rugby and in 2009 won their first cup for 27 years beating Leeds 23–18 in the final of the National Trophy at Twickenham
.
Moseley was founded in 1873 by members of Havelock Cricket Club who wanted a winter sport when the cricket season had finished. The club debuted its signature red and black colours one year later. The Reddings was leased by the club in 1880 and the club was traditionally called, like many rugby football clubs from either code, simply "Moseley Football Club" (a signpost from Alcester Road along Reddings Road in Moseley
, erected by Birmingham City Council
, pointed to "Moseley F.C. (R.U.)". This sign has now been re-erected by the main entrance to the club grounds on Yardley Wood Road.) There were major successes at for Moseley in the early days of rugby, including a three-year undefeated run from 1879–82, which included winning the first Midland Counties Challenge Cup. In 1882 Moseley became the first team to defeat the travelling Maoris
. In front of 5000 supporters they beat the tourists 6-4 much to the surprise of the New Zealanders. In 1890 John Rogers was the first Moseley player to win an international cap while at the club.
winning a Silver medal
. The team, known as Moseley Wanderers, played one game, a 27-8 defeat to France
at the Velodrome Municipal at Vincennes
. A report in The Times
suggested that fatigue was largely to blame, and at least 5 of the players are believed to have played for their respective clubs, in England, the day before the game.
, and Moseley players were regularly included in international teams. The most successful years were the late 1960s and 1970s, this included reaching the RFU Knock-out cup final on three occasions - losing 17-6 to Gloucester and then 15-12 to Leicester
before emerging joint winners drawing 12-12 with Gloucester after extra time in 1982. The team also defeated Fiji
and the Barbarians
and the club won the Anglo-Welsh Trophy twice - in 1972-1973 and 1976-1977.
When league rugby commenced, the team was placed in the Courage National Division 1
, the top division at the time. They ended Bath
's astonishing run of 22 unbeaten cup matches in 1988 winning 4-3.
and the future of the club was in jeopardy. However, the club's playing commitments were still fulfilled except in the North Midlands Cup in which the 2nd XV was entered. On 12 June 1998, the club was given another chance to fashion its own destiny when a group of Moseley Rugby Club members, assembled by Simon Cooper, a former club player and official, formed Moseley Ventures Ltd and bought the club out of administration. In the last 1st XV match at The Reddings on 6 May 2000, Moseley defeated Worcester 34-17 in a National Division One game.
in Bournbrook
. However long-term permissions for a clubhouse and hospitality boxes were not granted and in consequence Moseley Ventures found it more difficult than expected to raise the necessary finance. Merger plans were discussed and an offer was made by Firoz Kassam
, the chairman of Oxford United Football Club with a proposal to buy out the club and take it to his new stadium in Oxford
. Supporters organized a major media and political campaign and this became the catalyst for a consortium of Moseley stalwarts to come forward to raise finance to defeat the Kassam offer. At a predictably traumatic meeting at the Grand Hotel on 26 July 2002, the consortium gained the support of the creditors by a narrow 1.7% majority regarded by some as a Pyrrhic victory. However, the consortium’s business plan was approved by the RFU and with additional backing by the politicians of the City of Birmingham and the North Midlands RFU, the club survived in Birmingham. So a new Moseley Rugby Club was born and appointed David Warren as Chief Executive and former players John Beale and Derek Nutt as Director of Rugby and Head Coach respectively. Negotiations for planning permission for a new stadium at Billesley Common, in the same postal district as The Reddings, began and permission was obtained.
However, despite the success of the consortium in keeping the club in Birmingham a large number of first-team regulars had left the club at the end of the 2001/02 season. The team hastily assembled from more junior ranks after the rescue was inevitably relegated from National Division One (after 14 seasons in the top two divisions). After a difficult first few months in National Division Two the team began to gel, and a decent run of results in the new year saw mid-table respectability achieved for the 2003/2004 season.
Further improvement during the 2004/2005 season saw Moseley finishing third in the table, narrowly missing promotion behind Doncaster
and Newbury
. Nonetheless, the season saw many club records broken, and the era of lodging at Birmingham University ended with much optimism for the future.
The records broken were:
. Moseley topped the table
for much of the season and indeed finished as champions ahead of Waterloo
. Both teams gained promotion to National Division One.
. However, a string of defeats up to Christmas against top teams, with even bonus points being hard to come by, left Moseley facing a difficult task to survive. A brief rally in December and January, including a win against traditional "best enemies" Coventry
proved vital in the long run, and towards the end of the season, with Waterloo
already doomed, Otley
flagged badly enough for Moseley to overhaul them and win a second season in National One.
in the semi-final and the division winners Leeds Carnegie in the final. A final league position of 8th represented continued upward progress over a period of 5 seasons.
An away defeat to Birmingham and Solihull and a home loss against Rotherham meant that Moseley were in grave danger of relegation. A scrappy game at Butts Park Arena resulted in a narrow 6-3 loss, but a spirited away victory over Rotherham and a nervy win against Coventry at Billesley Common by a score were enough to guarantee another season in the second tier. A terrible defensive display led to another defeat to Birmingham and Solihull, but fortunately it did not matter. However at the end of the season Moseley lost Aly Muldowney, who was the current Supporters Player of the Season, to Glasgow Warriors
, former Supporters Player of the Season and England Sevens
International James Rodwell, top points scorer Tristan Roberts
to Championship rivals Doncaster
, and released a number of players including the disappointing Justin Mensah-Coker
.
Since 2005 Moseley have played at Billesley Common
, which is owned by Birmingham City Council
, and they now have a long term lease on an area to the north of the site where the clubs facilities and 1st IX pitch are located. These temporary facilities include a clubhouse and changing facilities, a covered stand, club shop, and hospitality boxes. The pitch is extremely highly-rated for its playing surface, although it gently slopes to the north-east. There are also outer pitches on the common for the 2nd/development XV, colts, women, minis and juniors as well as an all-weather pitch featuring the latest rubber-crumb technology which the club manages.
Plans for the replacement of the temporary facilities at Billesley with permanent buildings were first exhibited to the general public in 2007. In the autumn of 2009 plans were formally submitted to Birmingham City Council for the construction of a 5000 seat stand along the east side of the pitch, allowing the overall capacity to be expanded to 7500. Planning approval was granted by councillors on the 21 January 2010 with construction expected to start once funding is obtained.
. Prior to the commencement of league the two clubs would play each other annually on Boxing Day
for the 'Moseley Trophy' and on one occasion in 1972 the starting line up at the fixture included 16 internationals. Since league rugby began the clubs are only keep up this tradition when in the same league, although the friendly rivalry between the fans remains. When playing Northampton
the two clubs play for 'The Teddy Brookes Trophy' although they have rarely been in the same league in recent years.
More recently there has been less friendly rivalries with Birmingham & Solihull
and Worcester Warriors.
* Capped by country while at the club
§ Captain of England
† British Lions international cap
in 1977 at the age of 33. His life was honoured in a special match between an International XV and Moseley, played to a packed Reddings.
When Moseley moved to their new ground at nearby Billesley Common in 2005, 28 years later, many suggested that it should be called the Sam Doble Stadium.
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...
rugby union
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...
club, based at Billesley Common
Billesley Common
Billesley Common is a recreational area of public open space in South Birmingham, England. It is situated along the Yardley Wood Road, between the suburbs of Moseley and Yardley Wood....
in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, that competes in the RFU Championship
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
. The club was historically the premier rugby club in Birmingham, reaching the final of the John Player Cup three times in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They originally played at the Reddings, but after attempting to keep up with the transition to professional rugby, the club ran into financial difficulties and were forced to sell their 125-year home to property developers. An unsuccessful five-year spell based at the University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
followed, during which time they were relegated to National Division Two. In 2005 the club moved to its new home at Billesley Common, and was promoted to National Division One in 2006. Since then they have consolidated their place in the second tier of English rugby and in 2009 won their first cup for 27 years beating Leeds 23–18 in the final of the National Trophy at Twickenham
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
.
Early Days
Moseley
Moseley is a suburb of Birmingham, England, two miles south of the city centre. The area is a popular cosmopolitan residential location and leisure destination, with a number of bars and restaurants...
, erected by Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council
The Birmingham City Council is the body responsible for the governance of the City of Birmingham in England, which has been a metropolitan district since 1974. It is the most populated local authority in the United Kingdom with, following a reorganisation of boundaries in June 2004, 120 Birmingham...
, pointed to "Moseley F.C. (R.U.)". This sign has now been re-erected by the main entrance to the club grounds on Yardley Wood Road.) There were major successes at for Moseley in the early days of rugby, including a three-year undefeated run from 1879–82, which included winning the first Midland Counties Challenge Cup. In 1882 Moseley became the first team to defeat the travelling Maoris
1888-1889 New Zealand Native football team
The 1888–1889 New Zealand Native football team was a New Zealand football team that toured Britain, Australia and New Zealand in 1888 and 1889. The team was composed mainly of players of Māori ancestry, although several Pakeha were included in the squad. The tour was a private endeavour, and was...
. In front of 5000 supporters they beat the tourists 6-4 much to the surprise of the New Zealanders. In 1890 John Rogers was the first Moseley player to win an international cap while at the club.
1900 Paris Olympics
Moseley formed the backbone of the team which represented Great Britain at the 1900 Paris Olympics1900 Summer Olympics
The 1900 Summer Olympics, today officially known as the Games of the II Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1900 in Paris, France. No opening or closing ceremonies were held; competitions began on May 14 and ended on October 28. The Games were held as part of...
winning a Silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
. The team, known as Moseley Wanderers, played one game, a 27-8 defeat to France
France national rugby union team
The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
at the Velodrome Municipal at Vincennes
Vincennes
Vincennes is a commune in the Val-de-Marne department in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. It is one of the most densely populated municipalities in Europe.-History:...
. A report in The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
suggested that fatigue was largely to blame, and at least 5 of the players are believed to have played for their respective clubs, in England, the day before the game.
The Golden Years
The club acquired the freehold of The Reddings in 1925 and in 1935 the ground even staged an England trial game. Floodlights were installed in 1965 which allowed for an expanded fixture list and began Moseley's so-called 'The Golden Years'. From this time onwards Moseley's fixture list routinely included the top sides in England and WalesWales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, and Moseley players were regularly included in international teams. The most successful years were the late 1960s and 1970s, this included reaching the RFU Knock-out cup final on three occasions - losing 17-6 to Gloucester and then 15-12 to Leicester
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
before emerging joint winners drawing 12-12 with Gloucester after extra time in 1982. The team also defeated Fiji
Fiji national rugby union team
The Fiji national rugby union team is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance formerly along with Samoa and Tonga. In 2009, Samoa announced their departure from the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, leaving just Fiji and Tonga. Fiji are ranked sixteenth in the world by the IRB as of 26...
and the Barbarians
Barbarian F.C.
The Barbarian Football Club, usually referred to as the Barbarians and nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", is an invitational rugby union team based in Britain...
and the club won the Anglo-Welsh Trophy twice - in 1972-1973 and 1976-1977.
When league rugby commenced, the team was placed in the Courage National Division 1
Guinness Premiership
The English Premiership, also currently known as the Aviva Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Aviva, is a professional league competition for rugby union football clubs in the top division of the English rugby system. There are twelve clubs in the Premiership...
, the top division at the time. They ended Bath
Bath Rugby
Bath Rugby is an English professional rugby union club that is based in the city of Bath. They play in the Aviva Premiership league...
's astonishing run of 22 unbeaten cup matches in 1988 winning 4-3.
Building for the Future
The team's relegation from the top division at the end of the 1990-1991 season marked a consolidation period for the club after their fantastic times of the 1970s. In August 1995, when the door to full-scale professionalism opened, the board executives came together to work on plans to move with the idea and find possible financial resources so that the team could play with the best team and best facilities.Administration - Leaving the Reddings
On 30 January 1998, the club went into administration, after overstretching its financial resources in the early years of professional rugby union. The Reddings had been sold on a 'delayed sale' basis to Bryant HomesBryant Homes
Bryant Homes was one of the larger UK housebuilders when it was acquired by Taylor Woodrow in 2001; Bryant then became the principal housebuilding operation of the enlarged group. Taylor Woodrow merged with Wimpey in 2007 and during 2010 the Bryant brand was phased out...
and the future of the club was in jeopardy. However, the club's playing commitments were still fulfilled except in the North Midlands Cup in which the 2nd XV was entered. On 12 June 1998, the club was given another chance to fashion its own destiny when a group of Moseley Rugby Club members, assembled by Simon Cooper, a former club player and official, formed Moseley Ventures Ltd and bought the club out of administration. In the last 1st XV match at The Reddings on 6 May 2000, Moseley defeated Worcester 34-17 in a National Division One game.
The Bournbrook Era - Crisis and Final Rescue
On 7 October Moseley defeated Exeter 27-18 in the first match at its new home at the University of BirminghamUniversity of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
in Bournbrook
Bournbrook
Bournbrook is a residential suburban district in south-west Birmingham, England. The suburb of Bournbrook is bordered by Selly Oak to the west and south, Selly Park to the east, and Edgbaston to the north. The Worcester and Birmingham Canal and the Birmingham Cross-City Railway Line run along the...
. However long-term permissions for a clubhouse and hospitality boxes were not granted and in consequence Moseley Ventures found it more difficult than expected to raise the necessary finance. Merger plans were discussed and an offer was made by Firoz Kassam
Firoz Kassam
Firoz Kassam is a Tanzanian-born, businessman. He is the former owner of Oxford United F.C.He was born in Tanzania ofPakistani parents and came to Britain as a student during the 1970s....
, the chairman of Oxford United Football Club with a proposal to buy out the club and take it to his new stadium in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
. Supporters organized a major media and political campaign and this became the catalyst for a consortium of Moseley stalwarts to come forward to raise finance to defeat the Kassam offer. At a predictably traumatic meeting at the Grand Hotel on 26 July 2002, the consortium gained the support of the creditors by a narrow 1.7% majority regarded by some as a Pyrrhic victory. However, the consortium’s business plan was approved by the RFU and with additional backing by the politicians of the City of Birmingham and the North Midlands RFU, the club survived in Birmingham. So a new Moseley Rugby Club was born and appointed David Warren as Chief Executive and former players John Beale and Derek Nutt as Director of Rugby and Head Coach respectively. Negotiations for planning permission for a new stadium at Billesley Common, in the same postal district as The Reddings, began and permission was obtained.
However, despite the success of the consortium in keeping the club in Birmingham a large number of first-team regulars had left the club at the end of the 2001/02 season. The team hastily assembled from more junior ranks after the rescue was inevitably relegated from National Division One (after 14 seasons in the top two divisions). After a difficult first few months in National Division Two the team began to gel, and a decent run of results in the new year saw mid-table respectability achieved for the 2003/2004 season.
Further improvement during the 2004/2005 season saw Moseley finishing third in the table, narrowly missing promotion behind Doncaster
Doncaster R.F.C.
Doncaster Rugby Football Club are a rugby union club representing the town of Doncaster. The first XV are known as the Doncaster Knights, and play in the RFU Championship...
and Newbury
Newbury R.F.C.
Newbury Rugby Football Club are a rugby union club representing Newbury. For season 2011/12 they will be playing in National League 3 South West.-Current standings:...
. Nonetheless, the season saw many club records broken, and the era of lodging at Birmingham University ended with much optimism for the future.
The records broken were:
- Most team points: 665 points
- Most Consecutive Victories: 6
- Most individual points in a season: 328 (Ollie Thomas)
- Most conversions in a season: 48 (Ollie Thomas)
- Most penalties in a season: 62 (Ollie Thomas)
- Most drop goals in a season: 7 (Ollie Thomas)
- Most consecutive scoring matches (points): 15 (Ollie Thomas)
- Most league appearances: 161 (Andy Binns)
- Most penalties in a career: 62 (Ollie Thomas)
- Most consecutive matches: 70 (and counting - Gareth Taylor)
2005/2006 season
The first season at the new stadium on Billesley Common saw Moseley installed as favourites to gain promotion to higher echelons of the English game. Coaches Ian Smith and Don Caskie, along with Director of Rugby John Beale assembled an exceptionally strong team, now including ex-Premiership players Neil Mason and Daren O'LearyDaren O'Leary
Daren O'Leary was a rugby union player who represented Saracens, Harlequins, Gloucester, Worcester and Moseley. Now retired, he is a professional rugby union agent with Top Marque Sports.-Notes:...
. Moseley topped the table
National Division Two 2005-06
The final league table for National Division Two for the 2005/06 Season....
for much of the season and indeed finished as champions ahead of Waterloo
Waterloo R.F.C.
Waterloo Football Club is an English Rugby Union team based at St Anthonys Road, Blundellsands, Merseyside. It celebrated its 125th season in 2007/08, having been founded in 1882 by brothers Sidney and Harry Hall and George Abercrombie. From 1882 until 1884 the club was known as Serpentine after...
. Both teams gained promotion to National Division One.
2006/2007 season
After the euphoria of promotion, the new season was much more difficult for the club. Most of the promotion-winning squad was retained, and with some additions the team showed showed promise in the early games, including a defeat of highly-fancied BedfordBedford Blues
Bedford Blues is a rugby union club in the town of Bedford, England, currently playing in The RFU Championship. Bedford is one of the largest towns in England without a league football club, and one of the few towns in England where the rugby club is better supported than the football team. The...
. However, a string of defeats up to Christmas against top teams, with even bonus points being hard to come by, left Moseley facing a difficult task to survive. A brief rally in December and January, including a win against traditional "best enemies" Coventry
Coventry R.F.C.
Coventry Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in the city of Coventry, England. The club enjoyed national success during the 1960s and the 1970s, with many of its players playing for their countries....
proved vital in the long run, and towards the end of the season, with Waterloo
Waterloo R.F.C.
Waterloo Football Club is an English Rugby Union team based at St Anthonys Road, Blundellsands, Merseyside. It celebrated its 125th season in 2007/08, having been founded in 1882 by brothers Sidney and Harry Hall and George Abercrombie. From 1882 until 1884 the club was known as Serpentine after...
already doomed, Otley
Otley R.U.F.C.
Otley Rugby Union Football Club is an English rugby union club representing Otley in the City of Leeds district of West Yorkshire. Founded in 1865 it broke away from the RU in 1895...
flagged badly enough for Moseley to overhaul them and win a second season in National One.
2007/2008 season
For this season, a highly imaginative agreement was made with Gloucester whereby all of Gloucester's England Academy players were dual-registered with Moseley, enabling them to get competitive match experience when not required by the Gloucester 1st XV. The club finished the season in an improved 10th place with 12 wins and a draw, beating every side from 7th downwards either home or away. Two victories against top six sides included Nottingham (3rd) away and Cornish Pirates (5th) at home. A lack of bonus points meant that while they had the same playing record (W12 D1) they finished 6 points adrift of 8th placed Plymouth.2008/2009 season
The season commenced with the dual-registration agreement with Gloucester still in place, although refined in detail, and the bulk of the previous season's squad retained with some judicious recruitment in particular positions. Together with the heavily criticised plan to reduce National Division One from 16 to 12 teams and a fixture backlog caused by a number cancellations, the team hovered just above and around the relegation zone for most of the season. Despite facing the threat of relegation they won the National Trophy beating National Division One runners up Exeter ChiefsExeter Chiefs
Exeter Rugby Club are a rugby union club based in Exeter, Devon.The Exeter club was formed around 1871 and played its first match in 1873. The first team has been rebranded as the Exeter Chiefs and play in a strip of Black , White ....
in the semi-final and the division winners Leeds Carnegie in the final. A final league position of 8th represented continued upward progress over a period of 5 seasons.
2009/2010 season
Despite having their moments, most notably a final day 30-25 victory over Bristol, Moseley did not perform on a consistent enough basis and despite finishing only two points behind 8th place, were lucky not to be relegated after a poor performance in the relegation play-off. After an early season defeat to Exeter Chiefs, who would later earn promotion, Moseley managed victories away to local rivals Birmingham and Solihull and Coventry; however they lost at home to Nottingham and London Welsh to late tries, a regular occurrence that would cost them later in the season. Moseley never threatened to be anything other than mid-table, however they had hopes of at least finishing in the top 8, but even their heroic last day performance was not enough to reach the promotion play-offs.An away defeat to Birmingham and Solihull and a home loss against Rotherham meant that Moseley were in grave danger of relegation. A scrappy game at Butts Park Arena resulted in a narrow 6-3 loss, but a spirited away victory over Rotherham and a nervy win against Coventry at Billesley Common by a score were enough to guarantee another season in the second tier. A terrible defensive display led to another defeat to Birmingham and Solihull, but fortunately it did not matter. However at the end of the season Moseley lost Aly Muldowney, who was the current Supporters Player of the Season, to Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors
The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
, former Supporters Player of the Season and England Sevens
Rugby sevens
Rugby sevens, also known as seven-a-side or VIIs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is administered by the International Rugby Board , the body responsible for rugby union worldwide...
International James Rodwell, top points scorer Tristan Roberts
Tristan Roberts
Tristan Roberts is a rugby union player for Bristol Rugby in the RFU Championship. He plays at fly-half....
to Championship rivals Doncaster
Doncaster R.F.C.
Doncaster Rugby Football Club are a rugby union club representing the town of Doncaster. The first XV are known as the Doncaster Knights, and play in the RFU Championship...
, and released a number of players including the disappointing Justin Mensah-Coker
Justin Mensah-Coker
Justin Mensah-Coker is a Canadian rugby union player who plays internationally with the Canadian national team...
.
Facilities
Billesley Common
Billesley Common is a recreational area of public open space in South Birmingham, England. It is situated along the Yardley Wood Road, between the suburbs of Moseley and Yardley Wood....
, which is owned by Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council
The Birmingham City Council is the body responsible for the governance of the City of Birmingham in England, which has been a metropolitan district since 1974. It is the most populated local authority in the United Kingdom with, following a reorganisation of boundaries in June 2004, 120 Birmingham...
, and they now have a long term lease on an area to the north of the site where the clubs facilities and 1st IX pitch are located. These temporary facilities include a clubhouse and changing facilities, a covered stand, club shop, and hospitality boxes. The pitch is extremely highly-rated for its playing surface, although it gently slopes to the north-east. There are also outer pitches on the common for the 2nd/development XV, colts, women, minis and juniors as well as an all-weather pitch featuring the latest rubber-crumb technology which the club manages.
Plans for the replacement of the temporary facilities at Billesley with permanent buildings were first exhibited to the general public in 2007. In the autumn of 2009 plans were formally submitted to Birmingham City Council for the construction of a 5000 seat stand along the east side of the pitch, allowing the overall capacity to be expanded to 7500. Planning approval was granted by councillors on the 21 January 2010 with construction expected to start once funding is obtained.
Supporters
The Moseley Supporters Association was originally established as 'The Members Committee' in 1986. When Moseley left the Reddings in 2000, like the club the Association struggled to maintain its support and it was disbanded in 2001. However the Association was reformed in 2010, organising social events and competitions at home matches and running coaches to away games. The Association also organise annual Supporters Player of the Season, with the winner receiving the Lionel Moriaty Memorial Boot.Rivalries
Moseley's historic local rivals are CoventryCoventry R.F.C.
Coventry Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in the city of Coventry, England. The club enjoyed national success during the 1960s and the 1970s, with many of its players playing for their countries....
. Prior to the commencement of league the two clubs would play each other annually on Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
for the 'Moseley Trophy' and on one occasion in 1972 the starting line up at the fixture included 16 internationals. Since league rugby began the clubs are only keep up this tradition when in the same league, although the friendly rivalry between the fans remains. When playing Northampton
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591....
the two clubs play for 'The Teddy Brookes Trophy' although they have rarely been in the same league in recent years.
More recently there has been less friendly rivalries with Birmingham & Solihull
Birmingham & Solihull R.F.C.
Birmingham and Solihull Rugby Football Club are a rugby union club representing Birmingham and Solihull. It was formed in 1989 by a merger of the original Birmingham and Solihull rugby clubs, which were both established over 60 years ago....
and Worcester Warriors.
Men's Domestic
Cups
- Anglo-Welsh Trophy
- Winners 1973, 1977
- The National CupEDF Energy CupThe Anglo-Welsh Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the LV Cup , is an English and Welsh rugby union knock-out cup competition featuring the twelve Aviva Premiership clubs and four Welsh Regions...
- Winners 1982 (joint holders)
- Runners-up 1972, 1979
- The National Trophy
- Winners 2009
Women's Domestic
- National Challenge Midlands 1
- Winners 2009
- National Challenge 2 Midlands West
- Winners 2008
Teams
Moseley field a full range of teams from the professional level of the 1st XV through all age groups. These are as follows:- 1st XV - Professional team, competing in the RFU Championship, the second tier of the RFU league "pyramid".
- 2nd XV - During 2007/08 this was run jointly with Gloucester Rugby, playing in the Guinness "A" League, but with Gloucester's withdrawal from that league, new arrangements will be necessary.
- Development XV - Overlaps with 2nd team, providing opportunities for younger/aspiring players in challenging fixtures
- Women's XV - Champions of RFUW National Challenge Midlands 1 2008/09, will play in RFUW Championship Midlands 2 from 2009/10.
- Moseley Oak (formerly Selly Oak RUFC) - The amateur XV affiliated to Moseley, also playing at Billesley Common, in RFU Midlands Div 2 West (North).
- Colts - U19 and U17 age groups, competing in National and County competitions.
- Juniors - U16, U15, U14 and U13 age group teams, playing friendly games against other local clubs .
- Minis - U7 to U12, and Micros for the very youngest. All except micros play friendly matches against other local clubs. Girls and boys play in the same teams up to U12.
Current 1st XV squad
This list includes players on loan as well as permanent squad members.Transfers In 2010-11
- Paul Spivey from Old Belvedere R.F.C
- Ben Pons from Coventry RFC
- Michael Ellery from Newcastle FalconsNewcastle FalconsThe Newcastle Falcons is an English rugby union team currently playing in the Aviva Premiership. The club was established in 1877 and played under the name of Gosforth Football Club until 1990. The name was then changed to Newcastle Gosforth and the club began to play at Kingston Park stadium in...
- Brad Davies from Bedford BluesBedford BluesBedford Blues is a rugby union club in the town of Bedford, England, currently playing in The RFU Championship. Bedford is one of the largest towns in England without a league football club, and one of the few towns in England where the rugby club is better supported than the football team. The...
- Anthony Carter from Doncaster Knights
- George WarnerGeorge WarnerGeorge Warner is a rugby union player who formerly played for Leeds Carnegie in the Guinness Premiership. From the 2010/11 season, he plays for Moseley in the RFU Championship.-External links:*...
from Leeds Carnegie - Craig Voisey from Rotherham Titans
- David LyonsDavid Lyons (rugby union)David Lyons is an English rugby union player for Moseley in The Championship.He plays as a lock. He previously played for Worcester Warriors.-External links:*...
from Worcester Warriors - Kevin MaggsKevin MaggsKevin Michael Maggs is a former Irish rugby union Centre, he is currently player/coach with Moseley, he previously played for Bristol, Bath, Ulster and Rotherham Titans....
from Rotherham Titans (player-assistant coach) - Chris BishayChris BishayChris Bishay is a rugby union footballer who used to play fullback, or wing for Wasps, and is currently playing for Moseley....
from London WaspsLondon WaspsLondon Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999... - David BishopDavid BishopDavid Bishop is a screenwriter and author. Born in New Zealand, he was a UK comics editor during the 1990s, running such titles as the Judge Dredd Megazine and 2000 AD, the latter between 1996 and the summer of 2000....
from Edinburgh RFC - Joe Munro from Loughborough Students
- Dan Sanderson from Northampton SaintsNorthampton SaintsNorthampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591....
- Jamie Hearn from Stourbridge RFC
Transfers Out 2010-11
- Ryan WilsonRyan WilsonRyan Wilson is an American professional wrestler who formerly worked for World Wrestling Entertainment in the Ohio Valley Wrestling developmental promotion as Jacob Duncan where he was a former OVW Heavyweight Champion...
to Glasgow WarriorsGlasgow WarriorsThe Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to... - Tristan RobertsTristan RobertsTristan Roberts is a rugby union player for Bristol Rugby in the RFU Championship. He plays at fly-half....
to Doncaster Knights - Andy WilliamsAndy WilliamsHoward Andrew "Andy" Williams is an American singer who has recorded 18 Gold- and three Platinum-certified albums. He hosted The Andy Williams Show, a TV variety show, from 1962 to 1971, as well as numerous television specials, and owns his own theater, the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri,...
to Worcester Warriors - Dan Oselton to Moseley RFC
Transfers Out 2011-12
- Nathan WilliamsNathan Williams (rugby player)Nathan Williams is a Welsh rugby union player who plays for Newport Gwent Dragons regional team having previously played for Moseley and the Scarlets. His position is prop forward.Williams has also represented Wales at Under-21 level....
to Newport Gwent DragonsNewport Gwent DragonsNewport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup...
Notable former players
| Oliver Atkinson * Rev. E.M. Baker * W.L. Bunting *§ F.A. Byrne * J. F. Byrne J. F. Byrne James Frederick Byrne was English sportsman who captained Warwickshire at first-class cricket and was capped in rugby for both England and the British and Irish Lions.-Cricket career:... *§† Al Charron Al Charron Al Charron is a former Canadian rugby union footballer. He played at back-row forward and was capped 80 times for the Canadian national team, the Canucks. He played club rugby for Ottawa, Bristol and Pau and Dax and also Moseley in England.Charron was a favourite with the supporters of many of the... * R.H.B. Cattell * J.G. Cooper * Martin Cooper Martin Cooper (Rugby Player) Martin Cooper was an international rugby union player who won 11 caps between 1973 and 1977. His only try was scored against at Lansdowne Road in a record low scoring game, his being the only score in a 4 -0 victory.... * Barrie Corless * Mike Coulman Mike Coulman Michael John Coulman is an English former rugby football player and coach. He played at the highest levels in both rugby union and rugby league - a dual-code rugby international.... *† Peter Cranmer Peter Cranmer Peter Cranmer was an English sportsman who captained Warwickshire in first-class cricket and earlier in his career represented England at rugby union. After World War II he gave up on rugby and focused purely on cricket.... *§ Les Cusworth Les Cusworth Les Cusworth is a former English rugby union footballer and current Argentine Director of Rugby.-Education:He was educated at Normanton Grammar School and the West Midlands Teacher Training college.... Sam Doble Sam Doble Samuel 'Sam' Arthur Doble was an English rugby union full-back who played international rugby for England and club rugby for Moseley... * |
A.L. Dowson * Guy Evers Guy Evers Guy Vincent Evers was an English international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Moseley. Evers played international rugby for the British Isles on their 1899 tour of Australia-Personal history:... *† C. Fagan * Keith Fielding Keith Fielding Keith John Fielding is an English former dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s, '70s and '80s who at representative level has played rugby union for England, and at club level for Moseley Rugby Football Club, playing at Wing, i.e... * J.F. Finlan * T.J. Gavin * P.M. Hale * A.R.A. Healy * Simon Hodgkinson Simon Hodgkinson Simon Hodgkinson is a former international rugby union player. He represented England at fullback between 1989 and 1991, gaining 14 Test caps.... Nigel Horton Nigel Horton Nigel Edgar Horton is a former England international rugby union player. He toured New Zealand in 1977 with the British and Irish Lions and at the time played club rugby for Moseley Rugby Football Club.-Notes:... * H.D. Hurley * Nick Jeavons Nick Jeavons Nicholas Clive Jeavons is a former international rugby union player. In 1983 he toured with the British and Irish Lions on their tour to New Zealand and at the time played club rugby for Moseley. -References:... * Mark Linnett * Colin McFadyean Colin McFadyean Colin William McFadyean is a former international rugby union player and captain.He was capped eleven times for England between 1966 and 1968, nine times as a centre and twice on the wing and captained England in his last two internationals in 1968... *§† |
Ian Metcalfe Steve Moore * Steve Ojomoh Steve Ojomoh Stephen Oziegebe Ojomoh, known as Steve Ojomoh , is a Nigerian-born English former rugby union footballer and a current coach. He played as a flanker.... Darragh O'Mahony Darragh O'Mahony Darragh O'Mahony is a rugby union player who played on the Wing for Moseley, Saracens and Ireland. O'Mahony joined Saracens from Bedford Blues in 1999 and was released by mutual consent in August 2004.-Notes:... P.G.D. Robbins * Alain Rolland Alain Rolland Alain Colm Pierre Rolland is an Irish rugby union referee and former player.During his playing days as a scrum-half, Rolland earned three caps for . He started the match on 27 October 1990 against , and gained further caps as a replacement against in 1994 and the USA in 1995. He won 40 provincial... John Rogers John Rogers (rugby player) John Henry Rogers was an English rugby union forward who played club rugby for Moseley Rugby Football Club and international rugby for England. In 1890 Rogers became one of the original members of the Barbarians Football Club.... * C.H. Shaw * Ian Smith Ian Smith (Scottish rugby player) Ian Scott Smith was a Scottish rugby union wing who played 32 Tests for Scotland and two Tests for British Isles. Although he was born in Melbourne, Australia, and bought up in New Zealand, Smith moved to England and ended up at Winchester College, Oxford University and Edinburgh University... * Mike Teague Mike Teague Michael Clive Teague is a former England and British Lions rugby union footballer.-Early life:Teague was born and raised on a pig farm a few miles outside Gloucester... *† Victor Ubogu Victor Ubogu Victor Eriakpo Ubogu is a former Bath and England rugby union player. He also played, whilst still at university, for Moseley.... Jan Webster * B.J. Wightman * Andy Williams Andy Williams (rugby player) Andy Williams , is a Welsh international rugby union player. A scrum half, he has attained 5 caps for the Wales national rugby union team.... Kevin Wirachowski * |
* Capped by country while at the club
§ Captain of England
† British Lions international cap
Sam Doble
Perhaps Moseley's most famous player, Sam Doble was a record points scorer for the club who died of cancerCancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in 1977 at the age of 33. His life was honoured in a special match between an International XV and Moseley, played to a packed Reddings.
When Moseley moved to their new ground at nearby Billesley Common in 2005, 28 years later, many suggested that it should be called the Sam Doble Stadium.
Games played against international opposition
| Year | Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1888 | October 13 | Win | 6-4 | 1888-1889 New Zealand Natives football team tour 1888-1889 New Zealand Native football team The 1888–1889 New Zealand Native football team was a New Zealand football team that toured Britain, Australia and New Zealand in 1888 and 1889. The team was composed mainly of players of Māori ancestry, although several Pakeha were included in the squad. The tour was a private endeavour, and was... |
|
| 1973 | September 22 | Win | 25-12 | 1973 Fiji Tour to the British Isles | |