History
Chesterfield Panthers was formed in 2008 following the merger of Chesterfield RUFC and North Derbyshire RUFC. The move, which has the full support of the RFU, heralded the formation of one stronger club in the area of Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.
The Panthers made their lair at Sheffield Road, Stonegravels at the ground previously used by the Chesterfield club and fielded Senior Men's and Ladies' teams in the RFU league and cup competitions for the coming season.
In November 2012 new playing facilities were established at a new venue followed in July 2013 by a new clubhouse at 2012 Dunston Road, 2.5 north of the town centre. This was the culmination of 2 decades of planning and over £1.8m capital spending.
The Men's 1st XV team joined Midlands 5 East (North) and subsequently won promotion to Midlands 4 East (North). In the first season (2013/14) at the new site, the Men's 1st XV earned promotion to Midlands 3 East (North) by winning the Championship after 20 wins, 1 draw and only one loss over the whole season.
The club fields senior male and female squads plus a burgeoning number of youth teams.
Midlands 5 East (North) was a level 10 English Rugby Union league and level 5 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the northern part of the East Midlands region including Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and the occasional team from Leicestershire, with home and away matches played throughout the season.
Midlands 4 East (North) is a level 9 English Rugby Union league and level 4 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the northern part of the East Midlands region including clubs from Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and the occasional team from Leicestershire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. Each year some of the clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a level 9-12 national competition.
Midlands 3 East (North) is a level 8 English Rugby Union league and level 3 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the northern part of the East Midlands region including clubs from Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and the occasional team from Leicestershire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands East 2, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 4 East (North) and Midlands 4 East (South) ahead of the 2000–01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, led to the current name of Midlands 3 East (North).
Midlands 4 East (South) is a level 9 English Rugby Union league and level 4 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the southern part of the East Midlands region including clubs from Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and occasionally Cambridgeshire, all of whom play home and away matches throughout the season. Each year some of the clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a level 9-12 national competition.
Midlands 3 East (South) is a level 8 English Rugby Union league and level 3 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the southern part of the East Midlands region including clubs from Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and occasionally Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire, all of whom play home and away matches throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands East 2, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 4 East (North) and Midlands 4 East (South) ahead of the 2000–01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, led to the current name of Midlands 3 East (South).
Nottingham Moderns Rugby Football Club is an amateur Rugby Union team based in Wilford, a suburb of Nottingham, England. The 1st XV currently compete within the RFU English rugby union system and play in Midlands 3 East (North) following their promotion from Midlands 4 East (North) as runners up at the end of the 2016–17 season. The club plays at their own Ferryfields ground on the banks of the River Trent, close to the Wilford Toll Bridge. The club has been in continuous existence since 1956, enjoying a nomadic existence before settling at their current home in 1975. In the 2010–11 season the club was awarded a prestigious President's XV award from the RFU, recognising the links the club has formed with the local universities. The club has also been awarded a further RFU President's XV award in the 2012–13 season, this time in the Community Engagement category.
Midlands 2 East (North) is a level 7 English Rugby Union league and level 2 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the northern part of the East Midlands region including clubs from Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and the occasional team from Leicestershire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands East 1, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South) ahead of the 2000–01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, led to the current name of Midlands 2 East (North).
Midlands 2 East (South) is a level 7 English Rugby Union league and level 2 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the southern part of the East Midlands region including sides from Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and occasionally Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire, who play home and away matches throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands East 1, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South) ahead of the 2000–01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, led to the current name of Midlands 2 East (South).
Grimsby Rugby Union Football Club is an English rugby union team based in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire. The first XV currently plays in Midlands 3 East (North) following the club's promotion from Midlands 4 East (North) as champions at the end of the 2018–19 season. The club runs three senior sides and five junior sides. They currently hold the record for most titles in Midlands 3 East (North) with two titles.
Cleethorpes Rugby Union Football Club is an English rugby union team based in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire. Established in 1979, the first XV currently plays in Midlands 4 East (North) following their promotion as champions of Midlands 5 East (South) at the end of the 2017-18 season. The club runs two senior sides and seven junior sides. Cleethorpes play their home games at Taylor's Avenue, and their previous grounds include Lucarly's and Lindsey School Rugby Pitches. The club's home colours are navy, gold, and white. They get their nickname of 'The Meggies' from the nickname for the residents of the town.
The Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire & Derbyshire Rugby Football Union is a governing body for rugby union in part of The Midlands, England. The union is the constituent body of the Rugby Football Union for the counties of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire and Derbyshire, with each county having also having their own sub-unions with additional club cup competitions. As well as overseeing club rugby, the Notts, Lincs and Derbyshire RFU also administers the county representative teams.
Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 was a tier 9 English Rugby Union league with teams from Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire taking part. Promoted teams moved up to Midlands 4 East (North) and relegated teams dropped to Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 2.
Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 2 was a tier 10 English Rugby Union league with teams from Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire taking part. Promoted teams moved up to Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 and relegated teams dropped to Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 3.
Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 3 was a tier 11 English Rugby Union league with teams from Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire taking part. Promoted teams moved up to Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 2 and since the cancellation of Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 4 at the end of the 1995–96 season there was no relegation.
Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 4 was a tier 13 English Rugby Union league with teams from Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire taking part. Promoted teams moved up to Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 3 and since the cancellation of Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 5 at the end of the 1991–92 season there was no relegation. Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 4 was cancelled at the end of the 1995–96 campaign and the majority of teams transferred into Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 3.
Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 5 was a short lived tier 11 English Rugby Union league with teams from Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire taking part. Promoted teams moved up to Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 4 and there was no relegation. The division was cancelled at the end of the 1991–92 season and the majority of teams transferred into Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 4.
East Midlands/Leicestershire 1 was a tier 9 English Rugby Union league with teams from Bedfordshire, parts of Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire taking part. Promoted teams moved up to Midlands 4 East (North) and relegated teams dropped to East Midlands/Leicestershire 2.
East Midlands/Leicestershire 3 was a tier 11 English Rugby Union league with teams from Bedfordshire, parts of Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire taking part. Promoted teams moved up to East Midlands/Leicestershire 2 and relegated teams dropped to East Midlands/Leicestershire 4 until that division was cancelled at the end of the 1995–96 season.
Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire/Leicestershire 2 East was a tier 10 English Rugby Union league with teams from Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and the eastern region of Leicestershire taking part. Promoted teams moved up to Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire/Leicestershire 1 East and there was no relegation.
Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire/Leicestershire 2 West was a tier 10 English Rugby Union league with teams from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and the western region of Leicestershire taking part. Promoted teams moved up to Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire/Leicestershire 1 West and there was no relegation.
