Club History 2 of 4

2. Timeline


February 2023
The club signs a historic partnership with Harlequins Rugby Club committing to working together to promote inclusive rugby across London and South East.

August 2022
The 1st XV win the Bingham Cup for the first time in Ottawa. The 2nd XV again win the Hoagland cup (last won by the club in 2012). This is the first time both cups are held by the same club.

June 2018
The club fields six teams at the Bingham Cup in Amsterdam. The efforts of the 1st XV to win the Bingham are recorded in the Documentary "Steelers" by Eamonn Ashton-Atkinson.

April 2018
The 1st XV finishes their league season undefeated. This is a feat only achieved by 10 other teams across the whole RFU league and merit table structure in this season.

May 2017
The club again fields four teams at the Union Cup in Madrid, with the 1st XV taking home the Union Cup itself after battling against Los Valents de Montpellier in the finale.

September 2016
The 3rd XV play their first ever league match in Division 7 of the Shepherd Neame Merit Table.

May 2016
The club fields 4 teams at the Bingham Cup in Nashville, taking a combined group of over 120 players and supporters out to the USA.

The 2nd XV are promoted to Division 6 of the Shepherd Neame Merit Table.

November 2015
The club celebrates its 20th anniversary by holding an intraclub tournament with 4 full XVs taking part, with over 90 players involved. This was followed by over 150 members and alumni celebrating at a Gala Dinner at Canary Wharf.

September 2015
The Club runs it's first 'Pathway to Rugby', an official 12-week programme to welcome complete beginners to the sport. 85 new starters come down to the first session.

May 2015
The club fields 4 teams at the Union Cup in Brussels for the first time in its history, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd XV alongside a mammoths team. The 1st XV win the Union Cup playing the Manchester Spartans in the final.

May 2013
The Club took part in Union Cup in Bristol the 1st XV Winning the Cup beating Dublin's Emerald Warriors in the final.

May 2012
The Club took part in Bingham Cup in Manchester the 2nd XV Winning the Hoagland Cup.

May 2011
The Club took part in Union Cup in Amsterdam the 1st XV Winning the Cup and 2nd XV wining the Plate.

May 2009
Hosted Union Cup III with the 1st XV winning the Cup

May 2008
The Club went to Dublin for the Bingham Cup hosted by the Emerald Warriors. The Club came second in both the Cup and Plate competitions.

Nov 2007
Steelers win the right to host the 2009 Union Cup in London

May 2007
The 1st XV are promoted to Essex League 2.

3 Feb 2007
First "gay marriage" of two Steelers members.

May 2006
The Club travel to New York City to participate in the 2006 Bingham Cup.

4 Nov 2005
10th Anniversary was celebrated at the Thistle Hotel, Kensington Gardens

May 2004
The Steelers host the 2004 Bingham Cup in Esher.

21th Sep 2002
1st XV took part for the first time in the RFU Junior Vase and won the first round match against Pinner & Grammarians RFC 28 - 8.

28-29th Jun 2002
Steelers travelled to San Francisco to take part in the Mark Bingham Cup tournament, getting through to the final and winning the runners up Plate.

12th May 2002
Took part in Surrey Sevens tournament

March 2002
Won Rugby World / Tetley Team of the Month Award

8th Dec 2001
Both second and first teams play matches on the same day.

18th Feb 2001
Second team plays its first match

3th Nov 2000
5th Anniversary was celebrated in the Sports Bar at Central Station, Kings Cross - the place where it all started back in 1995

23th Sep 2000
First Eastern Counties (3 South) League match

28-30th July 2000
Took part in the Rugby Sevens competition at the UK Gay Sports Festival held at Waltham Forest. Visiting US team, the Washington Renegades, and the Manchester Village Spartans also fielded teams

June 2000
Joined Eastern Counties (3 South) League

6th May 2000
Played Manchester Village Spartans at East London RFC. The Spartans won 15-12

2nd October 1999
First Surrey County League Four match against Old Johnian RFC
18 Sep 1999

The club launched its Millennium Calendar as a fund-raising initiative to support participation in the Sydney Gay Games in 2002. Over £4,000 was raised

28-29th August 1999
First rugby tour saw the club play two matches during the Mardi Gras festival, one of these against the newly formed Manchester gay team, the Village Spartans. This was the world's first match between two gay and inclusive rugby teams. The Steelers won 22-15

29th June 1999
Opened the show on BBC2's Gaytime TV

28th June 1999
Became full members of the English Rugby Football Union (RFU) and at the same time joined Surrey County League Four

July 1996
Rugby News ran an extensive feature on the Steelers "The world's first rugby club for gay and bisexual men" which was founded at a meeting which took place in Central Station, a gay pub in London's King's Cross district on 1 November 1995.

1st November 1995
The Kings Cross Steelers were founded