 | ||
| Full name | Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union | |
|---|---|---|
| Union | RFU | |
| Founded | 1878 [1] | |
| Region | Gloucestershire, Bristol | |
| President | Keith Gee | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| gloucestershirerfu | ||
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.
The Union was formed at a meeting held at Gloucester in September, 1878. At that meeting, the clubs represented were Clifton RFC, Gloucester RFC, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester RFC, Rockleage, Stroud, and Cheltenham White Cross. The Union was formed mainly due to the efforts of J. D. Miller, J. H. Dunn, and J. F. Brown. all of whom were amongst the Union's first officers. For many years, the playing strength depended almost entirely on the Clifton and Gloucester Clubs. In the first five seasons the Union side only lost two of seventeen fixtures in Inter-County matches. [1] The RFU recognised its success by electing in 1880 J. D. Miller to represent the West of England on the central executive. Ironically, the representative side then went through a period in which they had a very poor record. From 1883 to 1889 the team played only 10 times and of these 6 were lost, 3 drawn, and only 1 won. It was noted that the fortunes of the county side mirrored the success of the Gloucester City club side. When the Gloucester City side revived in the early 1890s, so to did the County, and in the seasons 1889-90, 1890–91, 1891–92, Gloucestershire lost two matches only. [1]
In the first year of the County Championship (1890–91) Gloucestershire were the winners in the South-Western group, but when they entered the second phase, they were crushed by Lancashire. [1]
| Year | Winners | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1902 | Durham County | Gloucestershire | 3-9 | Durham County | Gloucester | |
| 1910 | Gloucestershire | Gloucestershire | 23-0 | Yorkshire | Gloucester | |
| 1913 | Gloucestershire | Cumberland | 3-14 | Gloucestershire | Carlisle | |
| 1920 | Gloucestershire | Yorkshire | 3-27 | Gloucestershire | Bradford | |
| 1921 | Gloucestershire | Gloucestershire | 31-4 | Leicestershire | Kingsholm | |
| 1922 | Gloucestershire | North Midlands | 0-19 | Gloucestershire | Aston Villa | |
| 1925 | Leicestershire | Gloucestershire | 6-14 | Leicestershire | Bristol | |
| 1930 | Gloucestershire | Lancashire | 7-13 | Gloucestershire | Blundellsands | |
| 1931 | Gloucestershire | Gloucestershire | 10-9 | Warwickshire | Gloucester | |
| 1932 | Gloucestershire | Durham County | 3-9 | Gloucestershire | Blaydon-on-Tyne | |
| 1934 | East Midlands | East Midlands | 10-0 | Gloucestershire | Northampton | |
| 1937 | Gloucestershire | Gloucestershire | 5-0 | East Midlands | Bristol | |
| 1947 | Lancashire | Lancashire | 8-8 | Gloucestershire | Blundellsands | |
| Gloucestershire | 3-14 | Lancashire | Kingsholm | Replay match | ||
| 1949 | Lancashire | Lancashire | 9-3 | Gloucestershire | Blundellsands | |
| 1959 | Warwickshire | Gloucestershire | 9-14 | Warwickshire | Memorial Ground Bristol | |
| 1970 | Staffordshire | Staffordshire | 11-9 | Gloucestershire | Burton on Trent | |
| 1971 | Surrey | Gloucestershire | 3-14 | Surrey | Kingsholm | |
| 1972 | Gloucestershire | Warwickshire | 6-11 | Gloucestershire | Coundon Road, Coventry | |
| 1973 | Lancashire | Gloucestershire | 12-17 | Lancashire | Memorial Ground Bristol | |
| 1974 | Gloucestershire | Lancashire | 12-22 | Gloucestershire | Blundellsands | |
| 1975 | Gloucestershire | Gloucestershire | 13-9 | East Counties | Kingsholm | |
| 1976 | Gloucestershire | Middlesex | 9-24 | Gloucestershire | Richmond Athletic Ground | |
| 1978 | North Midlands | North Midlands | 10-7 | Gloucestershire | The Reddings, Moseley | |
| 1980 | Lancashire | Lancashire | 21-15 | Gloucestershire | Vale of Lune | |
| 1982 | Northumberland | Gloucestershire | 6-15 | Northumberland | Kingsholm | |
| 1983 | Gloucestershire | Gloucestershire | 19-7 | Yorkshire | Memorial Ground Bristol |
From 1984 all Championship finals were played at Twickenham.
| Year | Winners | Score | Runner's Up | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Gloucestershire | 36-18 | Somerset | Twickenham | |
| 1996 | Gloucestershire | 17-13 | Warwickshire | Twickenham | |
| 1999 | Cornwall | 25-15 | Gloucestershire | Twickenham | |
| 2002 | Gloucestershire | 26-23 | Cheshire | Twickenham | |
| 2003 | Lancashire | 24-18 | Gloucestershire | Twickenham | |
| 2004 | Devon | 43-14 | Gloucestershire | Twickenham | |
| 2009 | Lancashire | 32-18 | Gloucestershire | Twickenham |
Many notable players have represented the county.
Formed by Clifton RFC, Gloucester RFC, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester RFC, Rockleage, Stroud, and Cheltenham White Cross, by 1891, the Union consisted of ten clubs, viz., Gloucester, Clifton, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, Bristol, Cheltenham, Lydney, Sharpness, Dursley, Stroud, and Gordon Wanderers (Gloucester). [1] In its early days, only Gloucester City was rated as a first class side, and this was deemed the county's weakness. Since then, the fortunes of the constituent clubs has varied enormously.
Today there are 74 clubs affiliated with the Gloucestershire RFU, most of which have teams at both senior and junior level. Geographically, most clubs in the RFU are from Gloucestershire or Bristol, although several teams are based in bordering counties such as Somerset. In turn clubs are affiliated with one of the five combinations – Bristol, Cheltenham, Forest of Dean, North Gloucestershire and Stroud – that make up the Gloucestershire RFU.
The Gloucester RFU currently runs the following club competitions for club sides in Gloucestershire and parts of Bristol:
Discontinued leagues:
Although in the past there has been a cup covering the whole of the county, Gloucestershire currently has competitions for each of the five affiliated bodies that make up the Gloucestershire RFU. [3] These are as follows:
Cheltenham Combination
Forest of Dean Combination
North Gloucestershire Combination
Stroud & District Combination
The Bristol and District Rugby Football Combination is an organisation for the promotion of junior rugby union in the city of Bristol, England.
Old Patesians Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The club currently play in Counties 2 Gloucestershire North following their voluntary relegation from Regional 2 Severn. As well as the first XV, the club operate two other male teams, a junior programme, with teams starting from under-9, through to under-19 (Colts) level. The club runs a rugby league side under the name, Cheltenham Old Patesians, which play in the West of England Rugby League.
Somerset Premier is an English rugby union league which sits at the eighth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bristol. Originally a single division called Gloucestershire/Somerset, in 2000 the division split into two county leagues called Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.
Counties 1 Western North is an English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues called Western Counties North and Western Counties West. Western Counties North was renamed Counties 1 Western North prior to the 2022–23 season and is currently a seventh tier league for clubs based in the south-west of England; mainly Bristol, Gloucestershire and Somerset. The champions are promoted to South West 1 West and the runner-up plays the second team in Western Counties West, with the winning team gaining promotion. The number of teams relegated depends on feedback following promotion and relegation in the leagues above, but is usually two or three to Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier. Although 2nd XV rugby is part of the Somerset regional league system, only 1st XV teams are allowed in Tribute Western Counties North. Since 2021/22 2nd xv teams have been allowed in Counties 1 Tribute Western North but under current RFU Rules they are unable to be promoted beyond here.
Gloucester Premier is an English rugby union league which sits at the eighth level of league rugby union in England with teams largely being based in the county of Gloucestershire and Bristol. Originally a single division called Gloucestershire/Somerset, in 2000 the division split into two county leagues called Gloucester Premier and Somerset Premier.
Gloucester 1 is an English rugby union league which sits at the ninth level of league rugby union in England for teams based primarily in the county of Gloucestershire but also on occasion teams from Bristol. Promoted clubs move into Gloucester Premier and relegated clubs drop into either Gloucester 2 North or Gloucester 2 South depending on location. Each year clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a level 9-12 national competition.
Gloucester 2 North and Gloucester 2 South are English rugby union leagues which sits at the tenth level of league rugby union in England for teams primarily based in Gloucestershire as well as some teams from Bristol. Promoted clubs move into Gloucester 1 and since the discontinuation of Gloucester 3 at the end of the 2017–18 season there is currently no relegation. Up until 2017-18 Gloucester 2 was a single division but has since been split into two regional divisions.
Gloucester 3 was an English rugby union league which sat at the eleventh level of league rugby union in England for teams based in Gloucestershire as well as some in Bristol. Promoted clubs moved into Gloucester 2, and since the cancellation of Gloucester 4 at the end of the 1995–96 season there had been no relegation. The division was discontinued at the end of the 2017–18 season and Gloucester 2 was divided into north and south regional divisions.
Avonmouth Old Boys Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union team based in Shirehampton in Bristol. The club run three men senior teams, a vets side, a ladies team, a colts side and a youth section featuring the full range of age-groups including three girls' age groups. The first XV play in Western Counties North, a level-seven league in the English rugby union system.
Old Bristolians Rugby Football Club is an English amateur rugby union club founded in 1915 and based in Failand, North Somerset. The first team play in Western Counties North. They are a member of the Bristol and District Rugby Football Combination, an organisation which promotes junior rugby union in the city of Bristol.
Cheltenham Saracens RFC is an English rugby union club based in the town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, affiliated to Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union. The club's First Team currently play in Gloucester Premier, while their reserve teams play in the Gloucestershire Merit Leagues. The club also runs an under 14's squad.
The Somerset County Rugby Football Union (SCRFU) is the governing body for the sport of rugby union in the county of Somerset in England. The union is the constituent body of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) for Somerset. The SCRFU administers and organises rugby union clubs and competitions in the Somerset including the county rugby representative teams.
The Bristol Combination Cup is an annual rugby union knock-out club competition organised by the Bristol and District Rugby Football Combination – one of the five bodies that make up the Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union. It was first introduced during the 1970–71 season, with the inaugural winners being Bristol Harlequins. A plate competition was introduced during the 1985–86 season for teams knocked out of the early rounds of the Bristol Combination Cup, with St Brendans Old Boys being the inaugural winners. The plate was discontinued at the end of the 2002–03 season and has since been replaced by the Bristol Combination Vase, which is for lower ranked clubs in the region.
The Bristol Combination Vase is an annual rugby union knock-out club competition organised by the Bristol and District Rugby Football Combination – one of the five bodies that make up the Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union. It was first introduced during the 2003–2004 season, with the inaugural winners being Frampton Cotterell. Prior to 2003–04 there had been a plate competition for teams knocked out of the early round of the Bristol Combination Cup, although the vase was not a direct replacement as it was a separate competition intended for lower ranked sides in the Bristol region. It is the second most important competition organised by the Bristol Combination, behind the Bristol Combination Cup but in front of the Bristol Combination Cyril Parsons Bowl.
The Bristol Combination Cyril Parsons Bowl is an annual rugby union knock-out club competition organised by the Bristol and District Rugby Football Combination – one of the five bodies that make up the Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union. It was first introduced during the 2012–13 season, with the inaugural winners being Winscombe, and is the third most important competition organised by the Bristol Combination, behind the Bristol Combination Cup and Bristol Combination Vase.
The Stroud and District Combination Senior Cup is an annual rugby union knock-out club competition organized by the Stroud and District Combination - one of the five bodies that make up the Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union. It was first introduced during the 1974-75 season, with the inaugural winners being the Royal Agricultural College and is the most important rugby union competition in Stroud District, ahead of the Junior Cup and Bill Adams Cup. With only 9 member clubs the combination is one of the smallest in Gloucestershire.
The North Gloucestershire Combination Senior Cup is an annual rugby union knock-out club competition organised by the North Gloucestershire Combination – one of the five bodies that make up the Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union. It was first introduced during the 1903–04 season, with the inaugural winners being Berkley and is the most important rugby union competition in north Gloucestershire, ahead of the Junior Cup and Glanville Cup.
The North Gloucestershire Combination is the governing body for the sport of rugby union in the city of Gloucester and surrounding area in the county of Gloucestershire, England. The combination is responsible for organising clubs and cup competitions in the city of Gloucester and surrounding area, but is ultimately part of the Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union, which has overall control over rugby union in the county. Although there is no senior men's team, there are North Combination junior sides (under-16), as well as a vets team.
The RFU Intermediate Cup is a rugby union national knockout cup competition in England run by the Rugby Football Union. It is contested by teams at level 7 of the English rugby union system. While the competition is a national one, it is however split into regions until the semi-finals with the final being held at Twickenham Stadium in London. It was first contested in 1997. Presently, the RFU Intermediate Cup is the third most important club cup competition in England, behind the Premiership Rugby Cup and RFU Championship Cup.
Somerset 1 is an English rugby union league which sits at the ninth level of league rugby union in England involving teams based in the county of Somerset as well as some teams based in Bristol. 1st, 2nd and even 3rd XV sides can participate in the division as long as they are not from the same club.
