The History of Castleford RUFC
150 Years of Rugby

Founding of Castleford Football Club

Formation of the RFU

First Season of Rugby

Easter Tour

Team photo

Castleford played a touring Maori side

Harry Speed first Yorkshire Cap

Castleford Player's England cap

Foundation of Northern Union

Winners of Yorkshire Challenge Cup

England v Wales

England v Scotland

Club handbook confirms the club’s name as Castleford Rugby Football Club

Winners Yorkshire Challenge Cup

Winners Yorkshire Challenge Cup

Winners Yorkshire Challenge Cup

Winners Yorkshire Challenge Cup

‘Battle of Headingley’

Arthur Hartley appointed President of the RFU

Club readmitted to Yorkshire RFU

Rugby Union included in Castleford Grammar School curriculum

Joshua Hartley (son of Arthur) appointed President

Donald Hardy elected as Hon Sec

9th Annual Dance at the Gaiety Ballroom

Runners Up Yorkshire Challenge Shield

Club ceased to play due to World War II

Old Legiolians formed from Old Boys of Castleford Grammar School

A proposal to amalgamate Old Legiolians with Castleford RUFC defeated

Amalgamation of Old Legiolians and Castleford RUFC

Runners Up Yorkshire Challenge Shield

Ground Committee of Messrs, Keighley, Pritchard and Riddiough formed to search for a suitable ground

Move to Pinfold Lane, Methley

Kit change

Tour to Scotland

Yorskhire Shield runners up

Debut of Keith Thompson

Runners Up Yorkshire Challenge Shield

John Bennett top appearance

The Big Freeze

Death of Bill Hartley, the long serving President; Donald Hardy replaced him

February – December run of 26 consecutive wins

Bridlington Sevens winners

Outstanding results for 4 teams

Outstanding success by the first three teams

Successful Season

Purchase of Whitwood Colliery Welfare ground

First annual VP Lunch and introduction of junior rugby

Opening of New Clubhouse

1976 Team

Winners of the Norman Elstrob Memorial Trophy and during October and November

flooding of the ground and club house from Carr Beck

The 1st XV enjoyed their most successful season since the move from Methley

Winners of the Norman Elstob Memorial Competition

Elstrob Trophy winners

Resignations from the committee received from Club President, Donald Hardy, and Chairman of Selectors, Rowland Stephens

agreement not to seek match day subs from members involved in the miners’ strike

Boxing Day Match Club 1st XV v Presidents XV organised

Club Captains photograph

Start of leagues in Yorkshire – club in Yorkshire 1

Donald Hartley retired as President but took on role of Patron, Harry Schumm became

First ever Car Boot Sale

Stand constructed by members

League games expanded to 12 per season

1XV in Yorkshire 2 with League games expanded to 18

2XV started in the newly formed 2nd XV League

2XV Champions of Yorkshire Two League

2XV Champions of Yorkshire One League

Yorkshire Challenge Shield win photo

2XV Champions of Yorkshire One League

League structure changed and 1XV in Yorkshire 3

Juniors Section restarted by John Paul

Danny Paul played for England U19

More Drainage Improvements

Castleford U13s win Castleford 7s

Promotion to Yorkshire 3 and Yorkshire Silver Trophy win

Girls section started

Promotion to Yorkshire 2 and EDF Junior win at Twickenham Yorkshire 2

Stand Extension Complete

Extension of changing rooms

U17 Colts win Yorkshire Division 4 and Interdivisional Cup

Groundwork and electricity and water supply to Methley pitches

U15 Girls win National Cup

England Red Roses Women Forwards use the club as a training base

Launch of RESPECT campaign

TR Stephens died

The Club and Clubhouse now