About Us
Since it's formation in 1962 by workers at the village's BICC factory, Helsby Rugby Club has established a firm reputation as one of the most sociable clubs in the region - and with the 1st XV playing competitive rugby in the South Lancs/Cheshire Leagues this really is a club with something for everyone.

Rumour has it that fixtures in the club's early years were hard to come by, as the club were viewed by opposition as a factory team and therefore a "gang of thugs"(?!?!). The club went from strength to strength, however, during the sixties - quickly developing a reputation as a good touring club that remains to this day.
By the early seventies, the club had established three regular sides. The emphasis then - as now- was firmly on "social" rugby, but in these pre-league days, the club's 1st XV proved that it could still be more than a match for some of the regions bigger clubs such as Chester, Birkenhead Park and New Brighton.
During the eighties the club were slow on the up-take to join the newly formed leagues and ultimately joined what is today South Lancs/Cheshire Division 4. Since then the club has generally achieved mid-table respectability - occasionally threatening for promotion but thankfully never too close to the threat of relegation!
Over the coming years, lack of funding lead to a general decline in the club's facilities and this in turn was accompanied by a reduction in the club's membership. The situation was made worse still, by the decision of the two local High Schools to stop teaching rugby which meant that the club was no longer able to drawn on experienced players. Consequently, the club gradually declined to the point were only two teams were fielded on a regular basis and player recruitment remains a critical issue for the club today.
Despite the above, however, the club has retained the social spirit that was present in it's early years - the club's end of season tour has always been the highlight of the year and the nineties saw no let-up on this front!

Since celebrating it's 40th Anniversary in fine style in 2002, the club has now turned it's attention towards Junior rugby to establish firm foundations for the club's future. In the 2003/04 season - following England's World Cup win - the club's first-ever Junior teams took to the field and by the end of the following season, the club had established teams at every age grade from Under-7 through to Under-14. The club continues to strive to develop local talent and is currently delivering a Rugby Development Programme in local schools, in conjunction with club sponsor's Concept Kitchens, SportsMatch, the Rugby Football Union and Vale Royal Borough Council.

This revival in the club's fortunes also boosted the club's Senior Teams, with the club narrowly missing out on promotion in 2004/05 and reaching the final of the Wirral Floodlit Trophy in the same season. The club now also is seeking to develop off the pitch as well as on it, with a project underway to develop a new clubhouse and also secure more land to develop junior and senior pitches.

If you are interested in getting involved in Helsby Rugby Club - either as a player or as an off-the-pitch volunteer then you'll be made to feel more than welcome! Please contact us or come along to one of our weekly training sessions to find out more.