Sheffield RUFC was founded in 1902 and credited to the efforts of Harold Willey and Billy Gray, the original ground was in the Sandygate area of Sheffield. Sheffield RUFC moved their ground to the other side of Sheffield, Tinsley, in search of better facilities. It wasn't until 1919, after the Great War that Sheffield RUFC was to find its' current home at Abbeydale Park, Totley Rise.

The first match to be played on the new ground was against Leicester Westleigh, sadly lost. The rest of the season proved to be more fruitful. 1952 saw the 50th anniversary of the Club and the Golden Jubilee with matches against a Yorkshire XV and Plymouth Albion to celebrate, Sheffield wining both.

It was the 1970's that saw Rugby Union change quite dramatically and with it Sheffield RUFC. The change from friendlies to a competitive structure was the forerunner to the League system. The 70's were to be halcyon years seeing such players as Alan Old, Bill Reichwald, Brian Firth, George Kirkpatrick, Steve Newsome, Mike Gange, Chris Sharpe to name a few, playing for the club and winning both county and national honours. Sheffield also qualified for the Northern Merit Table, playing the North's elite clubs.

The 1980's saw a great deal of re-building after retirements and players moving away from Sheffield but home grown talent continued to flourish. Players such as Miles Pierce, David Holmes, Robin Goodliffe, Nick Crapper and Simon Mugford graced the field. 1982 saw a memorable highlight in the trip of Sheffield RUFC to play Swansea at St Helens ground, with 9 internationals in their side. This year also saw the Sheffield side to the final of the Yorkshire Cup, narrowly losing to old enemy Wakefield 23-3.

The 1990's saw Sheffield captained still by Bill Reichwald and including some great talent; Kerry Morley, Dave Fairclough, Ian Wright, Dave Watson and Rob Parr amongst others and playing the likes of Nuneaton, Lydney, Redruth, Sale and Askeans as well as all of our Yorkshire rival clubs and the odd friendly against up and coming sides such as Wharfedale and Rotherham. This decade also saw the changing face of Sheffield Rugby as the both pitch and stand were to be rebuilt to the excellent standard you witness today.

Club Records List

Team stats

Most wins in a season 30 / 1969-70
Most points in a season 995 / 2002-03
Most tries in a season 140 / 2002-03
Most points in a game 92 v Scarborough 2002-03
Most points against in a game 83 v Coventry 1997-98
Biggest win 92-5 v Scarborough 2002-03
Biggest defeat 0-66 v Headlingley 1922-23
Longest winning run 19 games / 1965-66
Longest losing run 17 games / 2004-05

Thanks too the hard work and from Andrew Reichwald has put in to researching and providing the clubs history the author of 'The History' - Sheffield Rugby Union Football Club.