Gloucester Premier 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 ...
league which sits at the eighth level of league rugby union in England with teams largely being based in the county of
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire ( abbreviated Glos) is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn and the entire Forest of Dean.
The county town is the city of Gl ...
and
Bristol
Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...
. Originally a single division called Gloucestershire/Somerset, in 2000 the division split into two county leagues called Gloucester Premier and
Somerset Premier
Somerset Premier (known as Tribute Somerset Premier for sponsorship reasons) 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 ...
.
The league champions are automatically promoted to
Western Counties North
Western Counties North (known as Tribute Western Counties North for sponsorship purposes) is an England, English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues cal ...
while the runner-up play the runner-up from
Somerset Premier
Somerset Premier (known as Tribute Somerset Premier for sponsorship reasons) 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 ...
for the third promotion place. Relegated teams drop down into
Gloucester 1
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 ...
. Each year all clubs in the division also take part in the
RFU Senior Vase
The RFU Senior Vase is a rugby union national knockout cup competition in England run by the Rugby Football Union, which has been competed for since the 2006–07 season. It is contested for by teams at level 8 of the English rugby union system ...
- a level 8 national competition.
Teams 2021–22
St Mary's Old Boys and
Berry Hill who finished 9th and 10th respectively in 2019-20 but will play in
Gloucester 1
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 ...
in the current season. Their places were taken by Clifton II and Dings Crusaders II.
2020–21
Due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.
Teams 2019–20
Teams 2018–19
Teams 2017–18
Teams 2016–17
Teams 2015–16
The 2015–16 Gloucester Premier consisted of twelve teams from
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire ( abbreviated Glos) is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn and the entire Forest of Dean.
The county town is the city of Gl ...
and
Bristol
Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...
. The season started on 5 September 2015 and the last match was played on 23 April 2016. Eight of the twelve teams participated in last season's competition.
League table
Teams 2014–15
Stroud
Stroud is a market town and civil parish in Gloucestershire, England. It is the main town in Stroud District. The town's population was 13,500 in 2021.
Below the western escarpment of the Cotswold Hills, at the meeting point of the Five ...
are champions and along with the runner-up
Whitehall
Whitehall is a road and area in the City of Westminster, Central London. The road forms the first part of the A roads in Zone 3 of the Great Britain numbering scheme, A3212 road from Trafalgar Square to Chelsea, London, Chelsea. It is the main ...
(play-off winner) were promoted to
Western Counties North
Western Counties North (known as Tribute Western Counties North for sponsorship purposes) is an England, English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues cal ...
.
Painswick
Painswick is a town and civil parish in the Stroud District in Gloucestershire, England. Originally the town grew from the wool trade, but it is now best known for its parish church's yew trees and the local Rococo Garden. The village is mainly ...
and
Gordon League were relegated to
Gloucester 1
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 ...
.
*
Berry Hill (relegated from
Western Counties North
Western Counties North (known as Tribute Western Counties North for sponsorship purposes) is an England, English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues cal ...
)
*Bream (promoted from
Gloucester 1
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 ...
)
*Cheltenham Saracens (promoted from
Gloucester 1
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 ...
)
*Cirencester (relegated from
Western Counties North
Western Counties North (known as Tribute Western Counties North for sponsorship purposes) is an England, English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues cal ...
)
*Frampton Cotterell
*Gordon League
*Hucclecote
*Painswick
*St. Mary's Old Boys
*Stroud
*Tewkesbury
*Whitehall
Teams 2013–14
*Bristol Saracens
*Dursley
*Frampton Cotterill
*Gordon League
*Hucclecote (promoted from
Gloucester 1
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 ...
)
*Newent (promoted from
Gloucester 1
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 ...
)
*Painswick
*Southmead
*Stroud
*St Mary's Old Boys
*Tewkesbury
*Whitehall
Teams 2012–13
*Bristol Saracens
*
Drybrook
Drybrook is a village and civil parish in the Forest of Dean in west Gloucestershire, England.
Location
It lies in the North West edge of the Royal Forest, bordering with Herefordshire, about three miles from Cinderford, and about two miles ...
*Dursley
*Frampton Cotterell
*Gordon League
*Painswick
*Southmead
*Stroud
*St Mary's Old Boys (SW)
*Tewkesbury
*Whitehall
*Widden Old Boys
Teams 2011–12
*Bishopston
*Bristol Saracens
*
Drybrook
Drybrook is a village and civil parish in the Forest of Dean in west Gloucestershire, England.
Location
It lies in the North West edge of the Royal Forest, bordering with Herefordshire, about three miles from Cinderford, and about two miles ...
*Frampton Cotterell
*Longlevens
*
Old Bristolians
*Old Colstonians
*Old Richians
*Southmead
*St. Mary's Old Boys
*Tewkesbury
*Widden Old Boys
Teams 2010–11
*Bristol Saracens
*Brockworth
*Frampton Cotterell
*Gloucester Old Boys
*
Old Bristolians
*Old Colstonians
*Old Richians
*Ross-on-Wye RFC
*Southmead
*Tewkesbury
*Whitehall RFC
*Widden Old Boys
Teams 2009–10
*Bristol Saracens
*Cirencester
*Frampton Cotterell
*Gloucester Old Boys
*Hucclecote
*Matson
*Old Colstonians
*Old Richians
*Ross-on-Wye RFC
*Spartans
*Tewkesbury
*Whitehall
Teams 2008–09
*Bristol Saraces
*Cirencester
*
Drybrook
Drybrook is a village and civil parish in the Forest of Dean in west Gloucestershire, England.
Location
It lies in the North West edge of the Royal Forest, bordering with Herefordshire, about three miles from Cinderford, and about two miles ...
*Frampton Cotterell
*Gloucester Old Boys
*Hucclecote
*Matson
*
Old Bristolians
*Old Colstonians
*Old Richians
*Spartans
*Whitehall
Teams 2007–08
*Aretians
*Cirencester
*
Drybrook
Drybrook is a village and civil parish in the Forest of Dean in west Gloucestershire, England.
Location
It lies in the North West edge of the Royal Forest, bordering with Herefordshire, about three miles from Cinderford, and about two miles ...
*Frampton Cotterell
*Gloucester Old Boys
*Hartpury College
*Hucclecote
*Matson
*North Bristol
*Old Colstonians
*Old Richians
*Whitehall
Teams 2006–07
*Aretians
*Avonmouth Old Boys
*Cirencester
*
Drybrook
Drybrook is a village and civil parish in the Forest of Dean in west Gloucestershire, England.
Location
It lies in the North West edge of the Royal Forest, bordering with Herefordshire, about three miles from Cinderford, and about two miles ...
*Frampton Cotterell
*Longlevens
*Matson
*Old Colstonians
*Old Richians
*Painswick
*Widden Old Boys
*Whitehall
Teams 2005–06
*Aretians
*Barton Hill
*Chosen Hill Former Pupils
*
Drybrook
Drybrook is a village and civil parish in the Forest of Dean in west Gloucestershire, England.
Location
It lies in the North West edge of the Royal Forest, bordering with Herefordshire, about three miles from Cinderford, and about two miles ...
*Longlevens
*Matson
*Old Colstonians
*Old Richians
*Painswick
*Widden Old Boys
Teams 2004–05
*Aretians
*Avonmouth Old Boys
*Barton Hill
*Chosen Hill Former Pupils
*Longlevens
*North Bristol
*Old Richians
*Painswick
*Southmead
*Tewkesbury
Teams 2003–04
*Aretians
*Avonmouth Old Boys
*Cheltenham North
*Chipping Sodbury
*Cirencester
*Chosen Hill Former Pupils
*Longlevens
*North Bristol
*
Old Bristolians
*Painswick
Teams 2002–03
*Aretians
*Avonmouth Old Boys
*Barton Hill
*Cirencester
*Chosen Hill Former Pupils
*
Drybrook
Drybrook is a village and civil parish in the Forest of Dean in west Gloucestershire, England.
Location
It lies in the North West edge of the Royal Forest, bordering with Herefordshire, about three miles from Cinderford, and about two miles ...
*Hucclecote
*Longlevens
*North Bristol
*Painswick
Teams 2001–02
*Avonmouth Old Boys
*Barton Hill
*Bristol Saracens
*Cirencester
*Chipping Sodbury
*Chosen Hill Former Pupils
*
Drybrook
Drybrook is a village and civil parish in the Forest of Dean in west Gloucestershire, England.
Location
It lies in the North West edge of the Royal Forest, bordering with Herefordshire, about three miles from Cinderford, and about two miles ...
*Hucclecote
*Longlevens
*Spartans
Original teams
When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Gloucestershire/Somerset) contained the following teams from
Bristol
Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...
,
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire ( abbreviated Glos) is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn and the entire Forest of Dean.
The county town is the city of Gl ...
and
Somerset
( en, All The People of Somerset)
, locator_map =
, coordinates =
, region = South West England
, established_date = Ancient
, established_by =
, preceded_by =
, origin =
, lord_lieutenant_office =Lord Lieutenant of Somerset
, lord_ ...
:
*
Avonmouth Old Boys
Avonmouth Old Boys Rugby Football Club is an England, 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-gro ...
*
Cleve
*
Combe Down
Combe Down is a village on the outskirts of Bath, England in the Bath and North East Somerset unitary authority within the ceremonial county of Somerset.
Combe Down village consists predominantly of 18th and 19th century Bath stone-built villas ...
*
Coney Hill
*
Gordano
*
Keynsham
Keynsham ( ) is a town and civil parish located between Bristol and Bath in Somerset, England. It has a population of 16,000.
It was listed in the Domesday Book as ''Cainesham'' (as it is pronounced), which is believed to mean the home of Sai ...
*
Midsomer Norton
Midsomer Norton is a town near the Mendip Hills in Bath and North East Somerset, England, south-west of Bath, north-east of Wells, north-west of Frome, west of Trowbridge and south-east of Bristol. It has a population of around 13,000. ...
*
Minehead Barbarians
*
St. Brendan's Old Boys
*
Tredworth
*
Whitehall
Whitehall is a road and area in the City of Westminster, Central London. The road forms the first part of the A roads in Zone 3 of the Great Britain numbering scheme, A3212 road from Trafalgar Square to Chelsea, London, Chelsea. It is the main ...
Gloucester Premier honours
Gloucestershire/Somerset (1987–1993)
Originally Gloucester Premier and
Somerset Premier
Somerset Premier (known as Tribute Somerset Premier for sponsorship reasons) 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 ...
were combined in a single division known as Gloucestershire/Somerset, involving teams based in
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire ( abbreviated Glos) is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn and the entire Forest of Dean.
The county town is the city of Gl ...
,
Somerset
( en, All The People of Somerset)
, locator_map =
, coordinates =
, region = South West England
, established_date = Ancient
, established_by =
, preceded_by =
, origin =
, lord_lieutenant_office =Lord Lieutenant of Somerset
, lord_ ...
and
Bristol
Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...
. It was tier 8 league with promotion to
Western Counties and relegation to either
Gloucestershire 1 or
Somerset 1
Somerset 1 (known as Tribute Somerset 1 for sponsorship reasons) 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 Bris ...
.
Gloucestershire/Somerset (1993–1996)
The creation of
National League 5 South for the 1993–94 season meant that Gloucestershire/Somerset dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to
Western Counties and relegation to either
Gloucester 1
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 ...
or
Somerset 1
Somerset 1 (known as Tribute Somerset 1 for sponsorship reasons) 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 Bris ...
.
Gloucestershire/Somerset (1996–2000)
The cancellation of
National League 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Gloucestershire/Somerset reverted to being a tier 8 league. Further restructuring meant that promotion was now to
Western Counties North
Western Counties North (known as Tribute Western Counties North for sponsorship purposes) is an England, English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues cal ...
, while relegation continued to either
Gloucester 1
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 ...
or
Somerset 1
Somerset 1 (known as Tribute Somerset 1 for sponsorship reasons) 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 Bris ...
.
Gloucester Premier (2000–2009)
Gloucestershire/Somerset was reorganised into two county leagues at the end of the 1999–00 season, Gloucester Premier and
Somerset Premier
Somerset Premier (known as Tribute Somerset Premier for sponsorship reasons) 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 ...
, with both leagues remaining at level 8. Promotion from Gloucester Premier was to
Western Counties North
Western Counties North (known as Tribute Western Counties North for sponsorship purposes) is an England, English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues cal ...
and relegation to
Gloucester 1
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 ...
. Between 2007–2009 Gloucester Premier was sponsored by
High Bridge Jewellers.
Gloucester Premier (2009–present)
Despite widespread restructuring by the
RFU
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the national governing body for rugby union in England. It was founded in 1871, and was the sport's international governing body prior to the formation of what is now known as World Rugby (WR) in 1886. It pro ...
at the end of the 2008–09 season, Gloucester Premier remained a tier 8 league, with promotion continuing to
Western Counties North
Western Counties North (known as Tribute Western Counties North for sponsorship purposes) is an England, English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues cal ...
and relegation to
Gloucester 1
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 ...
. From the 2017–18 season onward Gloucester Premier has been sponsored by
Wadworth 6x.
Promotion play-offs
Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of the Gloucester Premier and
Somerset Premier
Somerset Premier (known as Tribute Somerset Premier for sponsorship reasons) 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 ...
for the third and final promotion place to
Western Counties North
Western Counties North (known as Tribute Western Counties North for sponsorship purposes) is an England, English rugby union league. Originally a single division called Western Counties, in 1996 the division split into two regional leagues cal ...
. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season Gloucester Premier teams have been the most successful with thirteen wins to the Somerset Premier teams six; and the home team has won promotion on twelve occasions compared to the away teams seven.
Number of league titles
*
Drybrook
Drybrook is a village and civil parish in the Forest of Dean in west Gloucestershire, England.
Location
It lies in the North West edge of the Royal Forest, bordering with Herefordshire, about three miles from Cinderford, and about two miles ...
(3)
*
Spartans
Sparta (Doric Greek: Σπάρτα, ''Spártā''; Attic Greek: Σπάρτη, ''Spártē'') was a prominent city-state in Laconia, in ancient Greece. In antiquity, the city-state was known as Lacedaemon (, ), while the name Sparta referred t ...
(3)
*
Avonmouth Old Boys
Avonmouth Old Boys Rugby Football Club is an England, 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-gro ...
(2)
*
Chosen Hill Former Pupils (2)
*
Barton Hill (1)
*
Bristol Saracens (1)
*
Cheltenham North (1)
*
Chipping Sodbury (1)
*
Combe Down
Combe Down is a village on the outskirts of Bath, England in the Bath and North East Somerset unitary authority within the ceremonial county of Somerset.
Combe Down village consists predominantly of 18th and 19th century Bath stone-built villas ...
(1)
*
Coney Hill (1)
*
Dings Crusaders (1)
*
Gloucester Old Boys (1)
*
Hartpury College
Hartpury University and Hartpury College, formerly Hartpury College, is a provider of further and higher education which describes itself as specialising in the "agriculture, animal, equine, sport and veterinary nursing" sectors. The university a ...
(1)
*
Keynsham
Keynsham ( ) is a town and civil parish located between Bristol and Bath in Somerset, England. It has a population of 16,000.
It was listed in the Domesday Book as ''Cainesham'' (as it is pronounced), which is believed to mean the home of Sai ...
(1)
*
Matson (1)
*
Newent
Newent (; originally called "Noent") is a market town and civil parish about 10½ miles (17 km) north-west of Gloucester, England. Its population was 5,073 at the 2001 census, rising to 5,207 in 2011, The population was 6,777 at the 2021 Census. ...
(1)
*
North Bristol (1)
*
Old Bristolians (1)
*
Old Centralians
Old Centralians Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union club based at Saintbridge Sports Center in Gloucester. The club operates three senior sides with the first XV playing in South West Premier, a level five league in the English rugby u ...
(1)
*
Old Culverhaysians (1)
*
Old Patesians (1)
*
Old Richians (1)
*
St. Bernadette's Old Boys (1)
*
St. Mary's Old Boys (1)
*
Stroud
Stroud is a market town and civil parish in Gloucestershire, England. It is the main town in Stroud District. The town's population was 13,500 in 2021.
Below the western escarpment of the Cotswold Hills, at the meeting point of the Five ...
(1)
*
Thornbury (1)
*
Whitehall
Whitehall is a road and area in the City of Westminster, Central London. The road forms the first part of the A roads in Zone 3 of the Great Britain numbering scheme, A3212 road from Trafalgar Square to Chelsea, London, Chelsea. It is the main ...
(1)
Notes
See also
*
South West Division RFU
*
Gloucestershire RFU
*
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 ...
*
Rugby union in England
Rugby union in England is one of the leading professional and recreational team sports. In 1871 the Rugby Football Union, the governing body for rugby union in England, was formed by 21 rugby clubs, and the first international match, which involv ...
References
{{Rugby union in England
8
Rugby union in Bristol
Sport in Gloucester
Rugby union in Gloucestershire