History - Dronfield Rugby Club
Dronfield Rugby Union Football Club (DRUFC) was formed in 1969 initially playing their home matches locally at venues including Gosforth School, Rowlinson School and Coal Aston Playing Fields. Very few records exist before 1975 when the club became more established and ran two sides. Expansion continued through the late 70's and early 80's with the ability to run up to five teams from the local schools. In the late 1980's National Leagues evolved with frequent subsequent re-organisation. The highest league in which the club has competed was in 1992/93 when it played against Midlands clubs such as Stoneygate, Hinckley and Ampthill in Midlands East Division One. More recently the club's status has been based in the Notts, Lincs, Derbyshire and Leicestershire regional leagues.
The club enters national and local cup competitions. In the Derbyshire Cup DRUFC were the joint winners along with Castle Donnington in 2006, as well as winning the East Retford 7's Plate and coming a close second in the Mansfield 10's Plate all in the same year. Over the years DRUFC have entered sevens competition being victorious at the last Buxton '7's in 1985. The prize for the winners a Stags Head has since always been associated with the club and still forms part of the badge.
Annual tours have taken place to many regions in England and also to Wales, Ireland, Scotland and more recently France and Belgium. In the last few seasons the club has developed links with the local colleges and universities, which has resulted in an influx of students representing the club at all levels. In the last two seasons there have been students from France, Thailand, South Africa and the U.S.A playing for the club.
After a two-year spell based at the Boundary Club in Sheffield the club then moved, as an interim measure, to Abbeydale Park, the home of Sheffield Rugby Union Club. The club finally played it's first full season, starting September 2005, at its new home on Gosforth Fields and is looking forward to the future at the new home of DRUFC.
Once re-established at Gosforth Fields and with an increasing player base there is an intention to provide once more junior rugby for all ages. This will hopefully strengthen the club and provide a long term future for the sport in the local area.
The club enters national and local cup competitions. In the Derbyshire Cup DRUFC were the joint winners along with Castle Donnington in 2006, as well as winning the East Retford 7's Plate and coming a close second in the Mansfield 10's Plate all in the same year. Over the years DRUFC have entered sevens competition being victorious at the last Buxton '7's in 1985. The prize for the winners a Stags Head has since always been associated with the club and still forms part of the badge.
Annual tours have taken place to many regions in England and also to Wales, Ireland, Scotland and more recently France and Belgium. In the last few seasons the club has developed links with the local colleges and universities, which has resulted in an influx of students representing the club at all levels. In the last two seasons there have been students from France, Thailand, South Africa and the U.S.A playing for the club.
After a two-year spell based at the Boundary Club in Sheffield the club then moved, as an interim measure, to Abbeydale Park, the home of Sheffield Rugby Union Club. The club finally played it's first full season, starting September 2005, at its new home on Gosforth Fields and is looking forward to the future at the new home of DRUFC.
Once re-established at Gosforth Fields and with an increasing player base there is an intention to provide once more junior rugby for all ages. This will hopefully strengthen the club and provide a long term future for the sport in the local area.
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