About our Club
Welcome to the website of Macclesfield Rugby Union Football Club. We hope you find it informative, easy to navigate and that it conveys to all the progressive nature of the Club as a whole combined with its core purpose, which is the strength and depth of its teams.
The over-riding principle of the Club is to ensure that it is built on a sound financial base therefore guaranteeing rugby to players of all ages, male or female, so they can participate in the sport for many years to come.
M.R.U.F.C. is a totally inclusive organisation which believes in developing its players throughout their journey from Mini through to Junior and Youth rugby and eventually into the Senior game where the National Stage beckons to showcase their skills. Situated in 27 acres of green belt land the Club fields five Senior sides, 2 Youth and 10 Mini/Junior sides. After having a number of different grounds M.R.U.F.C. has returned to its roots by moving back to within a “stones throw” of its first ever venue in 1877 when Priory Park was opened in 1980. Among a number of notable land marks since the move, an extremely significant one involved M.R.U.F.C. being one of only 12 Clubs who took part in the RFU’s first structured pilot league known as the “North West Girobank League”. The success of this trial gave the RFU the impetus to roll out its league system over the whole country and since that first pilot back in the mid eighties the Blues have always been involved in the League structure and up to now – has never been relegated.
Macclesfield RUFC Senior Teams
The playing section is lead by the Flagship of the Club with its First Team, better known as “The Blues”, who have just finished a very worthy 4th in there first ever season in National Division One. A lot was learnt in last years campaign and hopefully this season with an influx of new players and a better knowledge of most of the opposition, the blues can challenge for the top places again.
But the Blues are not the only Senior side to complete an historic season.
The Second Team known as the “Lions” completed their own double by winning the BMW Bateman Premier League and the League Cup for the second year running. Both these teams form the Senior Squad and credit must go to the whole back-up team lead by The Director of Rugby Geoff Wappett and Head Coach Andy Northey, providing the experience so crucially needed to achieve these results. This years new Player Coach for the Lions is Iain Taylor with new Backs Coach Paul Bartle and the experience Rick Jones as Captain
Whilst the squad offer high quality rugby to those wishing to aspire to a more challenging level, the social rugby scene is as popular as ever with the Thirds and the Fourths playing in a Regional League system sponsored by the University of Salford. If your desire is to participate in the game at a less demanding level, then either of these teams would love to hear from you. To complete the Seniors, last but by no mean least the “Vets” have developed their own League structure sponsored by Claphams Landscapes. The home and away system ensures that the teams get guaranteed games as previous seasons have seen difficulties in finding fixtures
Macclesfield RUFC Youth and Development Teams
The Senior Squad coaches continue to look to promote from within the Club and at present there are a number of players involved in the Squad who have come through the Club system. With this coming season’s Senior Colts completing their own League Cup and Double in 2009/10, their squad have a number of promising players under the coaching guidance of two ex-First Team Captains. This will enable the Club to continue its desire to see homegrown talent grace the National League in years to come.
However, the transition from these age groups into Senior Rugby is helped by the Club’s creation of a Development Team which plays as many games as possible. This team is a combination of some of our existing Youth players and returning students together with the younger players already established in the senior squads. The Club aim to attract as many suitable games as possible to be played mid-week. If any Clubs are looking for this type of fixture please contact the Club office.
Macclesfield RUFC Mini and Junior Teams
It was during the early to mid nineties when the Club capitalised on its strengths with success in both league and cup competitions. This was based around a group of players who had all come through the Mini/Junior age groups together to represent the First Team taking Macclesfield through two promotions in three years. The enthusiasm, passion and strength of its Mini/Junior and Youth sections which nurtured and developed that team, still rings true today. With over 400 boys and girls registered, their success continues to make news not only locally and regionally but nationally too. This last season has seen the 10, 11 and 12’s all appear at Twickenham on the Guinness Premiership Final Day playing in their own finals. But these age groups are not the only ones who have filled the trophy cabinets over the past few years. Many others have won various tournaments and festivals ranging from County Festivals to the prestigious Nottingham Tournament. .
None of this success could be achieved without the hard work of the coaches and the support of the volunteers and parents. The aim of the section is to never turn away a child. This inclusiveness, which is at the centre of the Club’s principles has played its part in creating this section. Each year since 2003 there have been significant increases in young players from the age of five joining the Club. If you are interested in bringing your son or daughter please contact the Club office for more information.
