Club History
The Early Days
Founded in 1921 as Burley St. Margaret's, the club originally played on now developed land on Beckett Park, and operated from the Original Oak Public House in Headingley. By the late 1950s Burley moved Headquarters to The Vesper Gate in Kirkstall, using changing facilities at the rear of the premises. Although not ideal, with two pitches on site this was a much more convenient set up.

A New Home
With a forward thinking committee, the club, content with the location decided the time had come to construct their own clubhouse. Accordingly they approached The Kirkstall Forge who released the land on the present site. With a loan from Tetley's Brewery the clubhouse was built in 1969. As the club thrived further extensions were made to both social and changing areas resulting in our present magnificent building.

Modern Times
Since the formation of League Rugby the club has fluctuated between the bottom three divisions, never staying in any for more than three seasons. Reaching a peak in the 1970s of four sides the club currently runs two regular teams, a 1st and 2nd XV. Competition for places is frequently keen in both teams. Burley enjoyed a fine season in 1990/91, winning the Yorkshire Division 5 title and also finishing runners up in the Yorkshire Silver Trophy that year. Back to back Whistler Trophies were secured in 1996 and 1997 before League success was tasted again in 2002/2003 when the club won the Yorkshire Division 6 title. Burley's most recent silverware came in 2006/2007, when the club finished top of Yorkshire Division 5 as undefeated Champions. Since then, we have survived a League restructuring and a difficult recent season to remain in Yorkshire Division 4. With a strong squad being assembled under coaches Mark Walton and Peter Leeman, Burley can be expected to compete fiercely in the coming 2009/2010 campaign. .......

........ Well that was then, this is now... we did compete strongly in 09/10, but ultimately came up short and finished mid-table. 10/11 was a different story, with Pete Leeman taking over as Head Coach Burley dominated all in their path other than a superb Sheffield Medics team who are currently in Y2. Burley achieved promotion to Y3 and beyond the expectations of all our peers, more than held our own. This year see's our 1st 15 even stronger and we set our targets high, we aim to win matches, play good rugby and do it with a smile on our faces! If you want to join a bloody good bunch of fellers and play enjoyable rugby, get yourself down to the famous Abbey Road next to Kirkstall Abbey.

Since then, we have gone from strength to strength, again earning promotion to Yorkshire 3 in 2019, and winning the Aire-Wharf Cup to boot! In 2022-23, Pete Leeman stepped back into the role of Director of Rugby, and Richard Cuthbert and Tom Barnes came to the fore as Head Coaches. In their first year, they oversaw the club's most successful ever season, achieving the club's highest ever league finish of 3rd in Yorkshire 3, winning the Aire-Wharf Plate and reaching the national Papa John's Community Plate Final under captain Will Graveling.

Harry Francis consolidated our success in 2023-24 while Sam Heaton took the reins in the 2024-5 and 2025-26 seasons, maintaining the club's place in Yorkshire 3. The Second XV continues to thrive under the recent leadership of Alex Crisp, James Everitt, Mike Welsh, Mark Docherty, Zac Ling and Damien Thomson, ensuring the club can offer playing opportunities for all abilities. The club has also developed its first ever Women's XV, founded by Jamie Manson, Jo Welsh and Mark Docherty, and competing in our first ever season in the Inner Warrior Series in 2025-26 under our trailblazing captains Katy B and Jasmine Stenton.

Join us today to be part of the next chapter in our illustrious history...

Burley Rugby Union Football Club

Burley RUFC is Recruiting