History

We are currently researching the history of the club and would welcome any background information, anecdotes, and so on from former club members. We know there are a lot of you out there across the UK and, indeed, around the globe. To get in touch you can use the feedback form. Better still, share your thoughts with all our visitors by posting a message in the discussion forum .

The following brief history of the club was written by our Secretary, Gordon Wright, and appeared in the programme for the clash between Ryton and Dolphins to celebrate the switching on of our new floodlights in 1999. It gives flavour of what's to come, but if it stirs any memories, if you have anything to add or correct we'd love to hear from you.

A SHORT HISTORY OF RYTON RUGBY CLUB

Officially founded in 1880, the story passed on is that the idea of forming a rugby team came from a group of youths attending a bible class in the village and there is a record of a Rugby Match Ryton v Blaydon on Ryton Willows in 1876.

Ryton soon became a force in Durham County: in 1882 F. Oliva was invited to play for Durham.

1883 saw Ryton in the Final of the Durham Senior Cup. In 1883 and 84 I T Taylor was honoured by Durham. The Club made steady progress over the next 20 years playing at Stargate, Woodside, Greenside, Crawcrook and Westfield Lane.

In 1909 The Durham Junior Cup and Inter Counties Championship were won, and in 1911 the club was successful in the Durham Second Teams Cup. During this period two names are worthy of mention: Joe Tweedy and Percy Sample, who gave splendid service to the club in those early years.

After World War I the club moved from Westfield Lane to Holburn Dene.

In a seven year period 1922-1929 the club appeared in three Durham Senior Cup Finals, winning on one occasion — 1927 — when the Inter Counties Championship was also won. During this period 9 players were honoured by Durham County and one player, A A Traill, went onto an international trial, and another member of the club, Ned Holmes, became internationally famous as a referee: he was the first English referee to be appointed to an international game in France.

In 1933, interest in Junior Rugby was revived and the 3rd XV won the Samuel Storey Cup for Junior Rugby.

With the advent of World War II in 1939 club activities were suspended. After World War II, in 1945, the club soon got underway again. An army hut was purchased and converted into a clubhouse and changing rooms. This served the club for some 15 years during which time the club continued to make steady progress until 1961 when the land was taken over for building purposes. Ryton Council came to the rescue with an offer of land for a clubhouse and playing fields. This offer was accepted and the club moved down into the Dene in 1962.

Interest in Colts rugby was revived with an influx of young players and a colts side was formed. This side developed into a formidable team and reached the final of the colts cup in 1964. During this period, four of these Colts — G. Gainford, J Dixon, C. Thompson and R. Wannop — played for Durham County at colts level. The standard of rugby at Ryton continued to improve and the colts side eventually became the nucleus of the first team which made itself a respected force in the County. The highlights of this period were four Durham Senior Cup semi-final appearances and the defeat of Hartlepool Rovers at the Friarage in the first round of the Durham Senior Cup 1971. Also in this period George Gainford had been honoured by Durham County on 15 occasions.

The need for a new clubhouse with better facilities was now becoming a necessity. Ryton Council came along with a scheme for a sports complex at Barmoor on which four Rugby pitches were to be provided. After protracted negotiation it was decided to purchase land for a new clubhouse at Barmoor alongside the four pitches. Early in 1974 work was started on the new clubhouse; this was completed September 1974. September 2nd 1975 saw the fulfilment of what had only been a dream for many years: the Official Opening of the New Clubhouse and Playing Fields by G. Tam Bainbridge, President of the English Rugby Union.

From then on the playing strength grew and grew, which improved the quality of the first XV who reached the semi-final of the County Cup twice, only to lose to Hartlepool Rovers on both occasions. By the time of the Club's centenary in 1980, there were six senior sides and Under 19 & Under 17 sides taking the field every Saturday (a fixture secretaries nightmare). The strength of the youth section showed up when in 1980,1982 and 1983 the U17s won the Durham County Cup. The youth section had begun in 1978 when the likes of Gordon Wright and Tony Hayes started it going and it is still going strong to this day, ably organised by Tom Knott.

With the number of players ever on the increase, the need to extend the club became ever apparent, so over a period of time in the early eighties, three dressing rooms and two plunge baths were put on the north side of the building and the lounge and bar extended on the south side
In 1986 the club won its first senior county honour for 43 years when the 4th XV won the Durham County Fourth Team Shield and eleven years later, in 1997, it was won again.

The advent of league rugby in 1987 saw the club in North East Division Two, and after three years in this league we were relegated to Durham & Northumberland One, where we stayed until 1998 when we were promoted as champions into our present league, North East Division Three. The 1st XV also reached the semi-final of the County Cup in 1998, only to lose to West Hartlepool TDSOB in a titanic battle having come back from 0-20 down to lead 21-20 only to lose out to a last minute drop-goal.

The Club has been honoured by Durham County with county appearances at senior level by Bill 'Skippa' Mordue, John Murray. Peter Kennedy and Phil Ritson and on numerous occasions at 'B' level, U21, U19, U17, U16, U15 and U14. Well done to all those players who apologies go to for not naming them.

John Carr has been our most honoured player of late. Having moved to Bristol, he played in two National Cup Finals winning one. He also played for England Students, England U23s and the South West Counties. Mention must also be made of Raymond Holmes who, having been picked for England Colts, was unfortunately injured on the morning of the game and was unable to play.

We come to the present day and the Club now has the facility of floodlights, which after four long years of hard work by the Business Committee, especially Bill Scott, will be officially switched on tonight by Rob Andrew MBE Director of Rugby, Newcastle Falcons and former England and British Lions International.
The occasion sees the 1st XV play The Dolphins who where the opposition when the clubhouse was officially opened in 1975. Thank you to Steve Havery for his hard work in organising The Dolphins squad.

No history , however short, would be complete without the mention of some of the administrators who in their day gave, and those giving today, splendid service to the Club:

And to all the members who have contributed and who are contributing greatly to the success of this Club and who we have not been able to mention by name, thank you.
G.L.WRIGHT October 1999