Carlisle Rugby Club is an English
rugby union
Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its m ...
club based in
Carlisle
Carlisle ( , ; from xcb, Caer Luel) is a city that lies within the Northern England, Northern English county of Cumbria, south of the Anglo-Scottish border, Scottish border at the confluence of the rivers River Eden, Cumbria, Eden, River C ...
,
Cumbria
Cumbria ( ) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in North West England, bordering Scotland. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local government, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumb ...
. The first XV team currently plays in
North Premier
North Premier was a level five league in the English rugby union system, with the fourteen teams drawn from across Northern England. The other leagues at this level were London & South East Premier, Midlands Premier and South West Premier. The ...
, having reached the national levels of the sport for the first time in 2019. As well as a 1st XV, the club also operates men's 2nd XV (Crusaders) and 3rd XV (Hornets) sides and colts (under-19), a women's side (Cougars), and a number of junior sides for boys and girls aged 6 to 16.
History
Early years
Carlisle were formed in 1873, with their first-ever game played at home against Scottish side
Langholm
Langholm , also known colloquially as the "Muckle Toon", is a burgh in Dumfries and Galloway, southern Scotland. Langholm lies between four hills in the valley of the River Esk in the Southern Uplands.
Location and geography
Langholm sits nort ...
. The club originally played in black jerseys, with a white Maltese cross added by 1879. In 1886, Carlisle claimed their first-ever silverware, winning the
Cumberland Cup, a feat it repeated in 1908 and 1910.
The club also regularly contributed players to the
Cumberland
Cumberland ( ) is a historic county in the far North West England. It covers part of the Lake District as well as the north Pennines and Solway Firth coast. Cumberland had an administrative function from the 12th century until 1974. From 19 ...
county team, three of whom went on to play for
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
, including C.E.Chapman in 1884, and
W.M.B.Nanson and J.R.Morgan in 1920. Having played home games at a number of locations in 1895 Carlisle moved to a permanent home at Warwick Road, with a grandstand put up in 1923.
Post war
The club initially struggled after
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
but fundraising during the 1950s saw the club upgrade the club-house and open new changing rooms. The 1960s saw an upturn in the club's fortunes when they won the
Cumberland Cup in 1961 - over half a century since their last county silverware - and the 1967–68 season was the best the club had experienced so far, with 33 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses out of 40 played.
During this period many of the club's players turned out for the
Cumberland
Cumberland ( ) is a historic county in the far North West England. It covers part of the Lake District as well as the north Pennines and Solway Firth coast. Cumberland had an administrative function from the 12th century until 1974. From 19 ...
county side, with Chris Wardlow going on to play for
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
between 1969–71 and just missing out on selection for the
British and Irish Lions
The British & Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for the national teams of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The Lions are a test side and most often select players who have already played for their national ...
due to injury.
Although the results started to decline during the 1970s, off the pitch, facilities continued to improve with the changing rooms upgrading in 1971 and flood lights erected three years later in 1974. Additionally, a colts (under-19s) side was established towards the end of the decade.
League rugby
The introduction of the leagues in the 1986–87 season saw Carlisle placed in North West Division 2 - a league at tier 8 of the
English rugby union system
Men's Rugby union in England consists of 106 leagues, which includes professional leagues at the highest level, down to amateur regional leagues. Promotion and relegation are in place throughout the system.
Women's Rugby union in England cons ...
. During this period the club experienced several promotions up to
North 2, while the 'A' team tasted success in county cup competition, winning the
Cumbria Shield
The Cumbria Shield is an annual rugby union knock-out club competition organized by the Cumbria Rugby Union. It was introduced during the 1888-89 season, when it was known as the Cumberland Challenge Shield, and the inaugural winners were Millom ...
in 1989.
The period was also notable for a mini section (juniors) being introduced. Future
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
international
Ian Hunter also played several seasons at the club prior to moving to
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints (officially Northampton Rugby Football Club) is a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. They play in Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby.
They were formed in 1880 as "Northampton St. James", ...
.
The 1990s were fairly quiet, although a women's side (The 'Cougars') was created in 1994 and the men's 2nd XV had some success in the Cumbria League Division 1.
In 2000 Carlisle were transferred from
North West 2
North West 2 was an English Rugby Union league which was at the eighth tier of the domestic competition and was available to teams in North West England. Promoted teams moved up to North West 1 while relegated teams dropped to North West 3. ...
into
North Lancashire/Cumbria following the cessation of that league. The 2004–05 season was a notable one for the club, less for on-field activities but rather for to the 'Great Carlisle Flood' of January 2005, which swamped Warwick Road, flooding the pitch, ruining the club house and leaving the club homeless for the rest of the season, with games being played at Wigton, and across the border at
Langholm RFC
Langholm Rugby Football Club are a rugby union team founded in 1871. They play their home games at Milntown, Langholm, Dumfries and Galloway.
The team currently play in the East Regional League Division Two following relegation from East Reg ...
. The following season, the club recovered from the disaster in best possible manner by winning North Lancashire/Cumbria and being promoted into
North 1 West
North 1 West is a rugby union league at the sixth level within the English league system. The league is made up of teams from north west England and the Isle of Man; principally consisting of the English counties of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater ...
(tier 6). This success was duplicated by the 2nd XV, who won back to back
Cumbria Vase victories in 2010 and 2011.
Although the 1st XV remained stable in North 1 West for a decade, in 2016 they were finally relegated after finishing 12th. They did not remain in North Lancashire/Cumbria for long, finishing as champions at the end of 2016-17 and claiming promotion back to North 1 West. They also made it a double that season with their first
Cumbria Cup
The Cumbria Cup is an annual rugby union knock-out club competition organized by the Cumbria Rugby Union. It was first introduced during the 1882-83 season, when it was known as the Cumberland Challenge Cup, and the inaugural winners were Aspat ...
victory since 1961, beating St Benedict's 29–13 in the final held at
Bower Park in
Aspatria
Aspatria is a town and civil parish in the non-metropolitan district of Allerdale, and is currently embraced in the Parliamentary constituency of Workington, Cumbria, England. Historically within Cumberland the town rests on the north side of t ...
. In 2019, after two seasons in North 1 West, Carlisle won the league title and promotion to
North Premier
North Premier was a level five league in the English rugby union system, with the fourteen teams drawn from across Northern England. The other leagues at this level were London & South East Premier, Midlands Premier and South West Premier. The ...
- which at tier 5 is the highest level the club had reached in its league history.
Ground
Carlisle have been based at the Rugby Ground on Warwick Road since 1895. The ground is located in the east of
Carlisle
Carlisle ( , ; from xcb, Caer Luel) is a city that lies within the Northern England, Northern English county of Cumbria, south of the Anglo-Scottish border, Scottish border at the confluence of the rivers River Eden, Cumbria, Eden, River C ...
on Warwick Road, next door to
Brunton Park
Brunton Park is a football stadium and the home of Carlisle United. It is situated in the city of Carlisle and has a certified capacity of 17,949. The ground opened in 1909. Brunton Park's grandstand burned down in 1953 and the stadium floode ...
, home of
Carlisle United Football Club. Access to the ground is good with ample parking, and
Carlisle railway station
Carlisle railway station, or Carlisle Citadel, is a Grade II* listed railway station serving the city of Carlisle, Cumbria, England. It is on the West Coast Main Line, south-east of and north north-west of . It is the northern terminus of t ...
is less than a mile's walk away. The ground has a grandstand next to the main pitch, and there are also several additional pitches for 2nd, 3rd XV and junior rugby. The club-house is just off the main pitch and has two bars and a range of other rooms which can be let for conferences and other events. The capacity around the main pitch is approximately 1,500, which includes 250 seated in the grandstand, the rest standing.
Club honours
1st team:
*
Cumbria Cup
The Cumbria Cup is an annual rugby union knock-out club competition organized by the Cumbria Rugby Union. It was first introduced during the 1882-83 season, when it was known as the Cumberland Challenge Cup, and the inaugural winners were Aspat ...
winners (5): 1886, 1908, 1910, 1961, 2017
*
North West 1
North West 1 (not to be confused with North 1 West) was an English Rugby Union league which was at the seventh tier of the domestic competition and was available to teams in North West England. Promoted teams moved up to North 2 West while rel ...
champions: 1987–88
*
North Lancashire/Cumbria champions: 2005–06, 2016–17
*
North 1 West
North 1 West is a rugby union league at the sixth level within the English league system. The league is made up of teams from north west England and the Isle of Man; principally consisting of the English counties of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater ...
champions: 2018–19
A team/2nd team:
*
Cumbria Shield
The Cumbria Shield is an annual rugby union knock-out club competition organized by the Cumbria Rugby Union. It was introduced during the 1888-89 season, when it was known as the Cumberland Challenge Shield, and the inaugural winners were Millom ...
winners: 1989
*
Cumbria Vase winners (2): 2010, 2011
Notable players
*C.E.Chapman - gained 1 cap for
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
at the
1884 Home Nations Championship
The 1884 Home Nations Championship was the second series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 5 January and 12 April 1884. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
England won the champ ...
*
Ian Hunter - London born
fullback and
winger, who spent part of his early career at Carlisle. Went on to play for
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints (officially Northampton Rugby Football Club) is a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. They play in Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby.
They were formed in 1880 as "Northampton St. James", ...
and England, with whom he would gain 7 caps, appearing in the
1995 World Cup.
*J.R.Morgan - capped for England in 1920
*
William Nanson - gained 2 caps for England at the
1907 Home Nations Championship. Died in 1915 fighting at
Gallipoli
The Gallipoli peninsula (; tr, Gelibolu Yarımadası; grc, Χερσόνησος της Καλλίπολης, ) is located in the southern part of East Thrace, the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles ...
during
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
.
*Chris Wardlow - Carlisle born
centre
Center or centre may refer to:
Mathematics
*Center (geometry), the middle of an object
* Center (algebra), used in various contexts
** Center (group theory)
** Center (ring theory)
* Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentricity ...
, who started his career with the club before joining Northampton. Would go on to gain 11 caps for England between 1969–71 and was selected for the
Lions
The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large cat of the genus ''Panthera'' native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; short, rounded head; round ears; and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. It is sexually dimorphic; adult ...
only to miss the tour due to injury.
References
External links
Official club website
{{Rugby union in England
English rugby union teams
Rugby union in Cumbria
Sports clubs in England