Union Rugby Football Union President Gordon Pargeter League Durham/Northumberland 1 | Chairman Colin McNeil Founded 1872 Ground Acklam Park | |
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Full name Middlesbrough Rugby Union Football Club Location Acklam, Teesside, United Kingdom | ||
Middlesbrough Rugby Union Football Club is an English rugby union team based in Middlesbrough, Teesside. The club runs five senior sides and ten junior teams. with the first XV currently playing in Durham/Northumberland 1.
Contents
1872–2014: Early days
The first recorded club match took place on 16 November 1872 against Northumberland, playing at Newcastle. The final results score was Northumberland 28–0 Middlesbrough. The earliest Derby game known was Middlesbrough 2–0 Darlington, which took place at Breckon Hill road on Grove Hill on 15 February 1873. Between 1873–79 is unknown with the debut Middlesbrough team defunct. Later, a Middlesbrough Rovers team was formed.
Teesside Wanderers was founded in 1881. Until 1892, Middlesbrough continued to support their 2 clubs until that year came when the Rovers lost their ground. Middlesbrough Rugby Club was then officially formed.
In 1930, the name of the Middlesbrough ground was decided as Acklam Park. In 1932, Middlesbrough Rugby Club became joint ground owners alongside Middlesbrough Cricket Club. The new official title of the club grounds became "Middlesbrough Rugby and Cricket Club". Play was then halted during World War II. The club returned on 7 September 1945.
For the 2012–13 season in the North 1 East, the club finished in 11th place, one place above the relegation zone, with 45 points. They were later relegated the following season, in 12th place, with just 50 points being achieved.
2014–present: New league
The team did not play in a league for the 2014–15 season, instead playing friendlies. Middlesbrough later made their debut in Durham/Northumberland 1. They stayed in the league, and are currently participating in the 2016–17 season.
Sponsorship
From the 2015–16 season, Twitter, Barker and Stonehouse, Charles Clinkard, Hertel and Carlsberg UK invested joint-sponsorship with the club. However, only Barker and Stonehouse renewed their sponsorship for the 2016–17 season.