New_facilities_at_Dunston_Road_2014-01-31_19-20

Chesterfield Panthers is an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

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. They play in the lower tiers of the Midlands Division, currently participating in Midlands Division 4 East (North).

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) Midlands 4 East (North) is a level 9 English Rugby Union league and level 4 of the English Rugby Union Midland Division, Midlands League, made up of teams from the northern part of the East Midlands region including clubs from Derbyshire, Lincol ...

. 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.

Club Honours

Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 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 3 East (North), Midlands 4 East (North) (formerly Midlands East 2) ...

champions (2): 1989–90, 1991–92 * Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire/Leicestershire 2 West champions: 2003–04 *

champions: 2013–14

Notable former players

* Ross McMillan (Northampton Saints, Leicester Tigers, Bristol Bears and current London Irish coach) * Alexander Obolensky (first England player to score 2 tries against the All Blacks) *

Charlie Davies Charles Desmond Davies (born June 25, 1986) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a forward. Davies set several soccer records at his high school, the Brooks School, before appearing for the Boston College Eagles an ...

(Northampton Saints, Wasps, Stade Francais, Newport and Gwent Dragons)

External links

Club Website
Rugby union teams in England Rugby union in Derbyshire Rugby clubs established in 2008 2008 establishments in England {{England-rugbyunion-team-stub