Sunday Telegraph Merit Tables
''Precursor competitions
While there were experiments with county leagues in the north in the nineteenth century for most of rugby union's history there have been no organised leagues. The 1970s saw the creation of a national cup and a series of regional and county merit leagues (the most important of which being the North, Midlands, South West and London merit league). In 1984 this was taken one step further with the creation of two national merit leagues for the top twenty four clubs (based around playing a minimum of sixteen fixtures against each other, a factor which led to Exeter's exclusion after consideration). The top division had three clubs from each of the major merit leagues. In these clubs had to play a minimum of eight fixtures against the other clubs in their division but it was largely based around pre-existing fixtures. There was a system of promotion and relegation between the Merit Tables. 1985 saw the addition of a third national merit table, albeit without promotion and relegation to the top two.1984–85 season
The initial lineups of the merit tables was as follows: Merit Table A *Bath *Bristol *Coventry *Gloucester *Gosforth *Harlequins *Leicester *London Irish *London Scottish *Moseley *Orrell *Sale Merit Table B *Bedford *Blackheath *Headingley *Liverpool *London Welsh *Northampton *Nottingham *Richmond *Rosslyn Park *Saracens *Wasps *Waterloo Merit Table A *Champions: Sale *Relegated: Coventry; London Irish; Orrell Merit Table B *Promoted: Headingley; Nottingham; Wasps1985–86
This year saw the creation of Merit Table C with the following clubs: *Birmingham *Exeter *Fylde *Metropolitan Police *Morley *Nuneaton *Plymouth *Roundhay *Sheffield *Vale of Lune *Wakefield *West Hartlepool *Merit Table A *Champions:Gloucester *Relegated: Gosforth; Headingley *Merit Table B *Promoted: 1st Orrell; 2nd Coventry; *Liverpool merge with non-league St Helens to become Liverpool-St Helens *Merit Table C *Champions (not promoted):1986–87
*Merit Table A *Champions: Bath *Relegated to National 2: London Scottish *Merit Table B *Promoted into National 1: Waterloo *Merit Table C *Champions (not promoted): *Relegated to Area League North: Roundhay *Admitted to National 3: MaidstoneFoundation of the national league system
In 1987 the merit tables formed the basis of the top three divisions of the national league system. For the first season there were no fixed fixtures so clubs had to arrange their own (to a minimum of ten out of eleven opponents, only one game against each club could count). For the initial season there was no promotion and relegation between National 2 and National 3 but this was created for the following season. National 3 had a minimum of two clubs per region (with the top four clubs in the previous season's Merit Table C getting a guaranteed spot outside this quota) thus Roundhay missed out on a spot to Maidstone. In 1988 clubs had their fixtures set by the league for them though still only played each other once.Initial composition of major leagues
National 1 *Bath *Bristol *Coventry *Gloucester *Harlequins *Leicester *Moseley *Nottingham *Orrell *Sale *Wasps *Waterloo National 2 *Bedford *Blackheath *Gosforth *Headingley *Liverpool-St Helens *London Irish *London Scottish *London Welsh *Northampton *Richmond *Rosslyn Park *Saracens National 3 *Birmingham *Exeter *Fylde *Maidstone *Metropolitan Police *Morley *Nuneaton *Plymouth *Sheffield *Vale of Lune *Wakefield *West Hartlepool Area League North *Birkenhead Park *Broughton Park *Derby *Durham City *Lichfield *Northern *Preston Grasshoppers *Roundhay *Rugby *Solihull *Stourbridge Area League South *Askeans *Camborne *Cheltenham *Havant *Lydney *Salisbury *Sidcup *Southend *Streatham-Croydon *Stroud *Sudbury1987–88 season
National 1 *Champions: Leicester *Relegated: Coventry; Sale National 2 *Promoted: Liverpool-St Helens; Rosslyn Park National 3 *Champions (not promoted): Wakefield *Relegated: Birmingham; Morley (both to Area League North) Area League North *Promoted: Rugby *Relegated: Birkenhead Park; Derby; Solihull *Promoted into league: Stoke; Winnington Park Area League South *Promoted: Askeans *Relegated: Streatham-Croydon *Promoted into league: Ealing; Redruth1988–89 season
National 1 *Champions: Bath *Relegated: Liverpool-St Helens; Waterloo National 2 *Promoted: Bedford; Saracens *Relegated: London Scottish; London Welsh National 3 *Promoted: Rugby; Plymouth *Relegated: Maidstone; Metropolitan Police (both to Area League South) Area League North *Promoted: Roundhay *Relegated: Birmingham *Promoted into league: Kendal; Walsall Area League South *Promoted: Lydney *Relegated: Ealing; Sidcup; Stroud *Promoted into league: Basingstoke; Clifton1989–90 season
National 1 *Champions: Wasps *Relegated: Bedford National 2 *Promoted: Liverpool-St Helens; Northampton National 3 *Promoted: London Scottish; Wakefield *Relegated to National 4 South: London Welsh Area League North *Promoted: Broughton Park; Morley *Promoted into league: Birmingham-Solihull; Harrogate; Hereford; Otley Area League South *Promoted: Clifton; Metropolitan Police *Relegated: Salisbury *Promoted into league: Ealing; Maidenhead; North Walsham; Weston-super-Mare1990–91 season
For the 1990–91 season all divisions were increased to 13 teams and the Area Leagues were renamed National 4 North and National 4 South. National 1 *Champions: Bath *Relegated: Liverpool-St Helens; Moseley National 2 *Promoted: London Irish; Rugby *Relegated: Headingley; Richmond National 3 *Promoted: Morley; West Hartlepool *Relegated: Metropolitan Police (to 4 South); Vale of Lune (to 4 North) National 4 North *Promoted: Otley *Relegated: Birmingham-Solihull; Stoke *Promoted into league: Aspatria; Towcestrians National 4 South *Promoted: Redruth *Relegated: Cheltenham; Maidenhead *Promoted into league: High Wycombe; Sidcup1991–92 season
National 1 *Champions: Bath *Relegated: Nottingham; Rosslyn Park National 2 *Promoted: London Scottish; West Hartlepool *Relegated: Liverpool-St Helens; Plymouth National 3 *Promoted: Fylde; Richmond *Relegated: Lydney (to 4 South); Nuneaton (to 4 North) *Headingley and Roundhay merged to form Leeds National 4 North *Promoted: Aspatria *Relegated: Northern; Vale of Lune *Promoted into league: Rotherham; Stoke National 4 South *Promoted: Havant *Relegated: Ealing; Sidcup *Promoted into league: Berry Hill; Thurrock1992–93 season
National 1 *Champions: Bath *Relegated: London Scottish; Rugby; Saracens; West Hartlepool National 2 *Promoted: Newcastle-Gosforth *Relegated: Bedford; Blackheath; Coventry; Fylde; Morley; Richmond; Rosslyn Park National 3 *Promoted: Otley *Relegated to National 4: Askeans; Aspatria; Broughton Park; Clifton; Leeds; Liverpool-St Helens; Plymouth; Sheffield National 4 North *Promoted into National 4: Harrogate *Relegated: Towcestrians *Promoted into league: Birmingham-Solihull; Bradford & Bingley National 4 South *Promoted: Sudbury *Relegated: Thurrock *Promoted into league: Reading; TabardIntroduction of home and away fixtures
1993–94 season
The 1993–94 season saw the reduction in size of the national divisions to 10 teams and the creation of a new National 4 division. It also saw the introduction of home and away fixtures. National 4 (North and South) kept its same format but were now renamed to National 5 (North and South). National 1 *Champions: Bath *Relegated: London Irish; Newcastle-Gosforth National 2 *Promoted: Sale; West Hartlepool *Relegated: Otley; Rugby National 3 *Promoted: Coventry; Fylde *Relegated: Havant; Redruth National 4 *Promoted: Clifton; Harrogate *Relegated: Sheffield (to 5 North); Sudbury (to 5 South) National 5 North *Promoted: Rotherham *Relegated: Bradford & Bingley; Durham City *Promoted into league: Barkers Butts; Wharfedale National 5 South *Promoted: Reading *Relegated: Maidstone; Southend *Promoted into league: Barking; Henley1994–95 season
National 1 *Champions: Leicester *Relegated: Northampton National 2 *Promoted: Saracens *Relegated: Coventry; Fylde National 3 *Promoted: Bedford; Blackheath *Relegated: Clifton; Exeter National 4 *Promoted: Reading; Rotherham *Relegated: Askeans (to 5 South); Broughton Park (to 5 North) National 5 North *Promoted: Walsall *Relegated: Barkers Butts; Hereford *Promoted into league: Sandal; Worcester National 5 South *Promoted: London Welsh *Relegated: Basingstoke; Sudbury *Promoted into league: Camberley; Cheltenham1995–96 season
National 1 *Champions: Bath National 2 *Promoted: London Irish; Northampton National 3 *Promoted: Coventry; Richmond, Rotherham; Rugby National 4 *No promotion as merged into National 3 *Relegated: Aspatria (to 4 North); Plymouth (to 4 South) National 5 North *Promoted: Wharfedale *Relegated: Broughton Park *Promoted into league: Hereford; Manchester National 5 South *Promoted: Lydney *Relegated: Camborne *Promoted into league: Charlton Park; NewburyAdvent of professionalism
1996–97 season
This year saw the expansion of the top two divisions to 12 teams and the temporary expansion of National 3 to sixteen clubs. It also saw National 5 (North and South) revert to being National 4 (North and South), expanded to 14 teams, and for the first time, with home and away fixtures. The leagues became openly professional this year. National 1 *Champions: Wasps *Relegated: Orrell; West Hartlepool National 2 *Promoted: Newcastle; Richmond *Relegated: Nottingham; Rugby National 3 *Promoted: Exeter; Fylde *Relegated: Clifton; Havant; Redruth (all three to 2 South); Walsall (to 2 North) National 4 North *Promoted: Worcester *Relegated: Hereford; Stoke *Promoted into league: Hinckley; Sedgley Park National 4 South *Promoted: Newbury *Relegated: Askeans; Berry Hill; Charlton Park; High Wycombe *Promoted into league: Bridgwater; EsherTwo premierships era
1997–98 season
The 1997–98 season saw the addition of sponsorship by Allied Dunbar and as a result a rebranding of National 1 and 2 to Premiership 1 and 2, whereas National 3 became the new National 1, while National 4 (North and South) became National 2 (North and South) accordingly. Premiership 1 *Champions: Newcastle Falcons *Relegated: Bristol Premiership 2 *Promoted: Bedford; London Scottish; West Hartlepool National 1 *Promoted: Leeds; London Welsh; Rugby; Worcester National 2 North *Promoted: Birmingham-Solihull; Manchester *Promoted into league: New Brighton; Whitchurch National 2 South *Promoted: Camberley; Henley *Promoted into league: Bracknell; Norwich1998–99 season
The 1998–99 season saw the expansion of the two premiership divisions to fourteen teams. Premiership 1 *Champions: Leicester *Relegated: West Hartlepool *''London Scottish and Richmond disband'' Premiership 2 *Promoted: Bristol *Relegated: Blackheath; Fylde National 1 *Promoted: Henley; Manchester *Relegated: Liverpool-St Helens; Morley (both to 2 North) National 2 North *Promoted: Preston Grasshoppers *Relegated: Hinckley; Lichfield; Winnington Park *Promoted into league: Bedford Athletic; Doncaster National 2 South *Promoted: Bracknell *Relegated: Havant *Promoted into league: Penzance & Newlyn; Westcombe Park1999–2000 season
The 1999–2000 season saw the contraction of Premiership 1 to twelve teams with London Scottish and Richmond being absorbed into London Irish and reforming in county leagues. Premiership 1 *Champions: Leicester *Relegated: Bedford Premiership 2 *Promoted: Rotherham *Relegated: Rugby; West Hartlepool National 1 *Promoted: Birmingham-Solihull; Otley *Relegated: Blackheath; Reading (both to 3 South) National 2 North *Promoted: Kendal *Relegated: Sheffield *Promoted into league: Dudley Kingswinford; Tynedale National 2 South *Promoted: Esher *Relegated: Bridgwater & Albion; Metropolitan Police; Norwich *Promoted into league: Basingstoke; LauncestonOne Premiership era
2000–01 season
The 2000–01 season saw Zurich take over the sponsorship of the top division with no interest in the second tier. This saw Premiership 2 rebranded National 1, with National 1 and 2 (North and South) becoming National 2 and 3 (North and South) respectively. It also saw the creation of a promotion play-off between the runners-up of the National 3 divisions with an extra relegation place from National 2. A new Championship competition for the top eight clubs was introduced this season. It was intended that the winners of the Championship would become champions but this decision was revoked after outcry. This season also saw the introduction of the2001–02 season
Premiership *Champions: Leicester National 1 *Champions (not promoted): Rotherham *Relegated: Bracknell; Henley National 2 *Promoted: Orrell; Plymouth *Relegated: Preston Grasshoppers; Waterloo (both to 3 North); Rosslyn Park (to 3 South) National 3 North *Promoted: Doncaster *Relegated: Morley; Sandal; West Hartlepool; Whitchurch *Promoted into league: Broadstreet; Halifax; Hull Ionians National 3 South *Promoted: Launceston; Penzance & Newlyn *Relegated: Cinderford; Clifton *Promoted into league: Basingstoke; Havant; Weston-super-Mare2002–03 season
This season saw the replacement of the Zurich Championship with a top four play-off, the winner of which would be crowned champions. Premiership *Champions: Wasps *Relegated: Bristol National 1 *Promoted: Rotherham *Relegated: Moseley; Rugby National 2 *Promoted: Henley; Penzance & Newlyn *Relegated: Fylde; Kendal (both to 3 North); Launceston (to 3 South) National 3 North *Promoted: Nuneaton *Relegated: Bedford Athletic; Broadstreet; Hull Ionians; Scunthorpe *Promoted into league: Darlington; Longton; Macclesfield National 3 South *Promoted: Lydney; Rosslyn Park *Relegated: Camberley; Havant *Promoted into league: Dings Crusaders; Haywards Heath; Southend2003–04 season
Premiership *Champions: Wasps *Relegated: Rotherham National 1 *Promoted: Worcester *Relegated: Manchester *Wakefield disband National 2 *Promoted: Nottingham; Sedgley Park *Relegated: Lydney (to 3 South); Rugby (to 3 North) National 3 North *Promoted: Waterloo *Relegated: Liverpool-St Helens; Longton; Preston Grasshoppers *Promoted into league: Bedford Athletic; Bradford & Bingley; Cleckheaton National 3 South *Promoted: Blackheath; Launceston *Relegated: Basingstoke; Old Colfeians *Promoted into league: Havant; Hertford; Reading2004–05 season
Premiership *Champions: Wasps *Relegated: Harlequins National 1 *Promoted: Bristol *Relegated: Henley; Orrell National 2 *Promoted: Doncaster; Newbury *Relegated: Bracknell; Rosslyn Park (both to 3 South); Nuneaton (to 3 North) National 3 North *Promoted: Halifax *Relegated: Bedford Athletic; Dudley Kingswinford; Rugby *Promoted into league: Hull Ionians; Leicester Lions; Preston Grasshoppers National 3 South *Promoted: Barking; Redruth *Relegated: Haywards Heath; Tabard; Weston-super-Mare *Promoted into league: Bridgwater & Albion; Cambridge; Cinderford2005–06 season
The 2005–06 season saw Zurich replaced as Premiership sponsors by Guinness Premiership *Champions: Sale *Relegated: Leeds National 1 *Promoted: Harlequins National 2 *Promoted: Moseley; Waterloo *Relegated: Orrell (to 3 North) National 3 North *Promoted: Bradford & Bingley; Nuneaton *Relegated: Kendal; New Brighton *Promoted into league: Morley; Rugby; West Park St Helens National 3 South *Promoted: Cambridge *Relegated: Bracknell; Reading *Promoted into league: Canterbury; Chinnor; Clifton2006–07 season
The 2006–07 season saw National 1 expanded to sixteen clubs. Premiership *Champions: Leicester *Relegated: Northampton National 1 *Promoted: Leeds *Relegated: Otley; Waterloo National 2 *Promoted: Esher; Launceston *Relegated: Barking (to 3 South); Bradford & Bingley; Harrogate (both to 3 North) National 3 North *Promoted: Blaydon *Relegated: Darlington; Cleckheaton; Orrell *Promoted into league: Beverley; Caldy National 3 South *Promoted: Southend; Westcombe Park *Relegated: Chinnor; Hertford; Old Patesians *Promoted into league: Ealing; London Scottish; Luton; Mounts Bay2007–08 season
Premiership *Champions: Wasps *Relegated: Leeds National 1 *Promoted: Northampton *Relegated: Birmingham-Solihull; Launceston National 2 *Promoted: Manchester; Otley *Relegated: Halifax; Nuneaton (both to 3 North); Henley (to 3 South) National 3 North *Promoted: Tynedale *Relegated: Beverley; Morley; West Park St Helens *Transferred to 3 South: Rugby *Promoted into league: Huddersfield; Kendal; Loughborough Students National 3 South *Promoted: Cinderford; Mounts Bay *Relegated: Clifton; Luton; North Walsham *Promoted into league: Chinnor; Richmond; Worthing2008–09 season
Premiership *Champions: Leicester *Relegated: Bristol National 1 *Promoted: Leeds *Relegated: Esher; Manchester; Newbury; Otley; Sedgley Park National 2 *Promoted: Birmingham-Solihull *Relegated: Southend; Westcombe Park (both to 2 South); Waterloo (to 2 North) *Mounts Bay disband National 3 North *Promoted: Nuneaton *Relegated: Darlington Mowden Park *Halifax disband *Promoted into league: Broadstreet; Hull; Westoe National 3 South *Promoted: London Scottish *Relegated: Chinnor; Havant *Transferred to 2 North: Rugby *Promoted into league: Barnes; Clifton; ShelfordAdditional National 3 divisions
The 2009–10 season saw the creation of several National 3 divisions. The North and South divisions were replaced with North, Midlands, South West and London divisions. National 3 North *Beverley *Birkenhead Park *Chester *Cleckheaton *Darlington Mowden Park *Middlesbrough *Morley *Penrith *Rochdale *Rossendale *Sheffield Tigers *Stockport *West Hartlepool *West Park St Helens National 3 Midlands *Ampthill *Bedford Athletic *Bromsgrove *Hereford *Hinckley *Kenilworth *Kettering *Longton *Luctonians *Luton *Malvern *Newport (Salop) *Peterborough *South Leicester National 3 South West *Barnstable *Bournemouth *Chinnor *Chippenham *Cleve *Coney Hill *Exmouth *Maidenhead *Old Patesians *Oxford Harlequins *Reading *Redingensians *Taunton *Weston-super-Mare National 3 London *Basingstoke *Bishop's Stortford *Bracknell *Diss *Dorking *Havant *Haywards Heath *Hertford *Jersey *North Walsham *Old Albanians *Portsmouth *Sutton & Epsom *Tring2009–10 season
The 2009–10 season saw major changes to the league system below the Premiership. The second tier was reduced to twelve teams and rebranded the2010–11 season
Premiership *Champions: Saracens *Relegated: Leeds *Championship *Promoted: Worcester *Relegated: Birmingham-Solihull National 1 *Promoted: London Scottish *Relegated: Otley (to National 2 North); Launceston; Redruth (both to National 2 South) National 2 North *Promoted: Fylde *Relegated: Manchester; Rugby Lions (both to 3 Midlands); Morley (to 3 North) National 2 South *Promoted: Ealing Trailfinders; Jersey *Relegated: Canterbury (to 3 London); Hinckley (to 3 Midlands); Newbury (to 3 South West) National 3 North *Promoted: Stockport *Relegated: Billingham; Middlesbrough; Rochdale *Promoted in: Altrincham Kersal; Burnage; West Hartlepool National 3 Midlands *Promoted: Bromsgrove; Sheffield Tigers *Relegated: Burton; Kenilworth; Peterborough *Transferred to 3 London: Luton *Promoted in: Dudley Kingswinford; Mansfield; Syston National 3 South West *Promoted: Hartpury College *Relegated: Cheltenham; Cleve; Coney Hill *Promoted in: Amersham & Chiltern; Chippenham; Old Redcliffians National 3 London *Promoted: Barnes; Hertford *Relegated: Basingstoke; Diss; North Walsham *Promoted in: London Irish Amateurs; Tonbridge Juddian; Westcliff2011–12 season
;Premiership *Champions: Harlequins *Relegated: Newcastle Falcons ;Championship *Promoted: London Welsh *Relegated: Esher ;National 1 *Promoted: Jersey *Relegated: Birmingham & Solihull; Stourbridge (both to National 2 North); Barking (to National 2 South) ;National 2 North *Promoted: Loughborough Students *Relegated: Harrogate; Kendal (both to 3 North); Nuneaton (to 3 Midlands) ;National 2 South *Promoted: Old Albanians; Richmond *Relegated: Barnes; Hertford; Westcombe Park (to 3 London) ;National 3 North *Promoted: Darlington Mowden Park *Relegated: Beverley; Altrincham Kersal; Morley *Promoted in: Billingham; Percy Park ;National 3 Midlands *Promoted: Dudley Kingswinford (to 2 North); Rugby Lions were due to be promoted to 2 South but were expelled before the season started *Relegated: Hereford; Old Northamptonians; Manchester *Transferred to 3 South West: Malvern *Promoted in: Sutton Coldfield; Bournville; Derby; Sandbach ;National 3 South West *Promoted: Bournemouth; Chinnor *Relegated: Old Redcliffians; Newbury Blues; Bridgwater & Albion *Promoted in: Maidenhead; Brixham; Avonmouth Old Boys ;National 3 London *Promoted: Canterbury *Relegated: Bracknell; Luton; Havant *Transferred to 3 Midlands: Ampthill *Transferred to 3 South West: London Irish Amateurs *Promoted in: Thurrock; Guernsey; Old Elthamians2012–13 season
; Premiership * Champions: Leicester Tigers * Relegated: London Welsh ; Championship * Promoted: Newcastle Falcons * Relegated: Doncaster Knights ; National 1 * Promoted: Ealing Trailfinders * Relegated: Macclesfield; Sedgley Park (both to National 2 North); Cambridge (to National 2 South) ; National 2 North * Promoted: Hull Ionians * Relegated: Huddersfield; Stockport; Westoe (all to 2 North) ; National 2 South * Promoted: Henley Hawks; Worthing * Relegated: Barking (to 3 London); Lydney (to 3 South West) ; National 3 North * Promoted: Chester; Harrogate * Relegated: Birkenhead Park; Kendal; West Hartlepool * Transferred to 3 Midlands: Lymm * Promoted in: Beverley; Morley; Sale ; National 3 Midlands * Promoted: Ampthill (to 2 South) * Relegated: Derby; Mansfield * Promoted in: Bedford Athletic; Old Halesonians ; National 3 South West * Promoted: Exmouth; London Irish Amateur * Relegated: Maidenhead; Malvern; Oxford Harlequins * Promoted in: Bracknell; Old Centralians; Old Redcliffians; Worcester Wanderers ; National 3 London * Promoted: Bishop's Stortford * Relegated: Gravesend; Staines; Westcliff * Promoted in: Basingstoke; Bury St Edmunds; East Grinstead2013–14 season
; Premiership * Champions: Northampton Saints * Relegated: Worcester Warriors ; Championship * Promoted: London Welsh * Relegated: Ealing Trailfinders ; National 1 * Promoted: Doncaster Knights * Relegated: Henley Hawks; Worthing Raiders (both to National 2 South); Hull Ionians (to National 2 North) ; National 2 North * Promoted: Darlington Mowden Park; Macclesfield * Relegated: Bromsgrove; Dudley Kingswinford (both to 3 Midlands); Sheffield Tigers (to 3 North) ; National 2 South * Promoted: Hartpury College * Relegated: Bournemouth; Exmouth (both to 3 South West); London Irish Amateur (to 3 London) * Transferred to 2 North: Ampthill ; National 3 North * Promoted: Huddersfield; Stockport * Relegated: Bradford & Bingley; Penrith; Percy Park * Promoted in: Cleckheaton; Huddersfield YMCA; Wirral ; National 3 Midlands * Promoted: Broadstreet * Relegated: Bedford Athletic; Newport; Syston * Transferred to 3 North: Lymm * Promoted in: Burton; Lichfield; Peterborough Lions ; National 3 South West * Promoted: Lydney * Relegated: Avonmouth Old Boys; Chippenham; Worcester Wanderers * Promoted in: Chard; Hornets; Oxford Harlequins * Transferred to 3 London: Amersham & Chiltern ; National 3 London * Promoted: Dorking; Old Elthamians * Relegated: Barking; Basingstoke; Thurrock * Promoted in: Chichester; Gravesend; Westcliff2014–15 season
; Premiership * Champions: Saracens * Relegated: London Welsh ; Championship * Promoted: Worcester Warriors * Relegated: Plymouth Albion ; National 1 * Promoted: Ealing Trailfinders * Relegated: Macclesfield; Tynedale (both to National 2 North); Old Albanians (to National 2 South) ; National 2 North * Promoted: Ampthill; Hull Ionians * Relegated: Birmingham & Solihull (to 3 Midlands); Hull; Stockport (to 3 North) ; National 2 South * Promoted: Henley Hawks * Relegated: Dings Crusaders; Lydney (both to 3 South West); Shelford (to 3 London) ; National 3 North * Promoted: Sale Amateurs; Sandal * Relegated: Beverley; Morley; Westoe * Promoted in: Birkenhead Park; Ilkley; Sheffield ; National 3 Midlands * Promoted: South Leicester * Relegated: Bournville; Burton; Dudley Kingswinford * Promoted in: Newport (Salop); Old Northamptonians; Syston ; National 3 South West * Promoted: Redingensians * Relegated: Chard; Oxford Harlequins; Weston-super-Mare * Promoted in: Cleve; Chippenham; Ivybridge * Transferred to 3 London: Bracknell ; National 3 London * Promoted: Barnes; Bury St Edmunds * Relegated: Amersham & Chiltern; CS Rugby 1863; Tring * Promoted in: Colchester; Eton Manor; WimbledonSee also
*References
Other sources
*''The Times'' newspaper 1984 onwards. News articles and results section.External links