Welcome to Harrogate Rugby Club

1871	Founded under the name Harrogate Football Club. The venue for the first match was on Harrogate’s famous Stray, believed on the area opposite The Coach and Horses. The date was December 16th of that year and the opponents were a Leeds team, probably Leeds Athletic. Harrogate fielded 16 players to Leeds 11. Harrogate lost the match, due to the fact that they were a bit green about the rules, the result was Leeds one goal and five touchdowns, Harrogate 1 touchdown. Four brothers played in the match Frank, Fred, T. and W. Fawcett, this must be a record that still stands.
1875	In 1875 the club acquired land at Dragon Fields opposite where Smiths the Rink is today. When that site was required for housing in :-
1896	19th December move to Claro Road
1903	Harrogate played Canada, result unknown.
1905	Winners Yorkshire Cup
1906	Harrogate Old Boys formed from 2nd XV.
1907	Winners Yorkshire Cup
1914	Harrogate becomes a soccer club. Rugby continues as Harrogate Old Boys.
1923	Harrogate R.U.F.C. formed. Played at the showground Knaresborough Road, now Shaw’s caravan park.
1926	Harrogate Old Boys purchase Claro Road
1928	The current changing rooms were built – regarded as the best in the county if not country at that time
1936	Harrogate R.U.F.C. joins with Harrogate Old Boys.
1948	Saw the first Colts team form under the guidance of a Mr G. Ashcroft.
1949	Winners Yorkshire Cup v Skipton
1957	Harrogate Georgians (Ex Civil Service, St Georges Road) join Harrogate R.U.F.C. name saved for posterity as our second team title.
1963	Present Club House opened
1965	Winners Yorkshire Cup v Wakefield
1968	Winners of Daily Telegraph Northern Merit Table
1971	Club Centenary
1972	The Bantams now known as the Mini/Junior section was formed as one of the first in the Country, and has thrived ever since, and has produced many a County and Schools player from the Under 15’s upwards as the honours board in the Clubhouse can testify.
1981	Won Yorkshire Cup v Morley
1990	Promotion from Div. North 1 to Div. 4 North
1991	Winners Yorkshire Cup V Otley
1992	Winners Yorkshire Cup v Bradford & Bingley , Div North champions promoted to newly formed League 4. Finished 2nd and promoted.
1993/4	Division 4 finished 2nd
1994/5	Division 3 Club finished 7th
1995/6	Division 3 finshed 6th
1996/7	Division 3 finished 5th
1997/8	Jewson National Division 1 finished 14th
1998/9	Jewson National 1 finished 12th
1999 - 2000	Jewson National 1 finished 6th
2000/1	National 1 finished 5th. Represented Yorkshire in National 7's Cup.
2001/2	National 2 finished 4th. Won Yorkshire Cup v Wharfedale. Represented Yorkshire in National 7’s, winning the cup
2002/3	National 2 finished 4th (again)Won Yorkshire Cup (again) v Doncaster. Runners up in National 7’s Cup representing Yorkshire.

Do you know any more details, or have you any old photographs?
Please email us at: info@harrogaterugby.com