HISTORY

DURFC HISTORY – HONOURS - FACTS & FIGURES

Durham University Rugby Football Club (founded 1875) is one of the oldest sporting clubs in the University, dating back to the foundation of the University in 1832, and has a proud tradition, with many successes in the UAU, BUSA and BUCS competitions. 

Many International players have come through DURFC including England captains Phil de Glanville and Will Carling to name but a few.

Since their separation from Newcastle in 1963, over thirty-five Durham players have won international honours including a number of British & Irish Lions and RFU Presidents

Pre-split

Durham University Rugby Union Football club can find its roots at the very foundation of Durham University. When the University was established, in 1832, it consisted of the Durham colleges, located in Durham, and the College of Medicine and College of Science (later known as Armstrong College and then King’s College) based in Newcastle.

DURFC was formed in 1875 and became one of the strongest senior sides in the region. Owing to travel this side tended to consist of mostly Durham centered players. Throughout this time, they dominated the Northumberland Senior Challenge Cup and achieved four County finals in the 1920s.

During this time three clubs emerged: Durham Colleges, College of Science and College of Medicine. They competed for over 60 years in a knockout competition called the Don’s Cup. This was established in the 1901/02 season by the Dean of the College of Medicine and was a huge event in the university Calendar.

With The Northerner, the student paper, reporting at the time: “When our cup-ties do come around, it is imperative that men turn out and yell for all they are worth. Laboratories and lectures are no excuse, and, in fact, we do not see why the colleges should be open at all on these important days.”

And despite a half dozen years of dominance by the College of Medicine following the World Wars, the title of the Don’s cup was shared relatively evenly between the three teams.

DURFC is proud to have been at the forefront of university rugby since 1875.

Our impressive roster of alumni, who have gone on to achieve great things, both domestically and internationally, is a testament to the club's tradition of excellence. We continue to provide promising players with the training and opportunities necessary to contribute to the rich history of DURFC.

Durham University Rugby Club continue to develop more Premiership players than any other Academic University, with Josh Beaumont (Captain 2012-13) representing Sale Sharks and Simon Hammersley (Captain 2013-14) and Adam Brocklebank representing Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership after studying and playing at Durham University.

Guy Pepper (2021-24), currently playing for Bath, has also represented England A against Portugal last year.

This trend continues for Durham with players such as Fitz Harding (2018-21) Bristol captain, Fred Davies (Captain 2021-22) playing for Doncaster Knights, Ewan Murphy (Captain 2022-23) playing for Sale Sharks, Paul Brown-Bampoe (2020-24) playing for Exeter Chiefs, Jamie Adamson (2018-22) now with NSW Waratahs and Max Pepper (2021-24) representing GB 7's.

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS

Mr. E.R. Wood

Mr. F. King MBE

Dr. G. Bromley

Mr J. Kennedy

Mr. A. Keay

Mr. S. Colwell

Dr. P. A. Warbuton OBE

Mr P. Baty

Mr. M. Woodley

Mrs. C. Wilkinson

Mr. R. Wilkinson

Mr. M. Howard

Mr. N. Willings

Mr. J. Elliot

University Champions: 1951, 1955, 1965, 1969, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 2004, 2011, 2013, 2020, 2022

BSR Champions: 2020, 2022

B.U.C.S. Champions: 2011, 2013

U.A.U. Champions: 1951, 1955, 1965, 1969, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987

B.U.S.A. Champions: 2004 

B.U.C.S. Sevens Champions: 2011, 2012, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024

UAU 7s Champions: 1971, 1974, 1975

BUCS 7s Trophy Champions: 2018, 2022

British Lions: R.G. Henderson, P.J. Dixon, A. Old, J. Dee, W.D.C. Carling, T. Stimpson, W. Greenwood,

England: F. Allison, M. Armstrong, F.E. Chapman, J. Ellis, T. Danby, W.G.D. Morgan, P.J. Dixon (Captain), M. Rose, P. Rossborough, M.D. Bailey, P. Warfield, R. Hesford, R.C. Hannaford, A. Old, F. Clough, J. Dee, J. Phelan, P. Knight, W.D.C. Carling (Captain), C. Oti, A. Mullins, P. De Glanville (Captain), T. Stimpson, W. Greenwood, D. Walder, C. Hodgson

England Saxons/A: R. Vickers, B.Woods , S. Hammersley, G. Pepper

England U23: B. Anderson

England U21: B. Woods, T. Jackson, A. Monaghan

England Counties: D. Cooper, A. Simmie

England U20: J. Clegg, J. Basham, E. Murphy, A. Green, T. Thame

England 7s: O. Phillips (Captain), J. Adamson, M. Pepper, P. Brown-Bampoe

England Women: H. Kerr, N. Smith, C. McDonald

Wales 7s: C. Devine

Wales U20: O. Thomas

Scotland: J. Campbell-Lamerton, D. Hodge, R. Breakey, R.G. Henderson, J.P.A Dunbar, E.D Kalman

Scotland U21: B. McKerchar

Scotland U20: P. Loudon, D. Finnie, J. Hill, A. Clarke, J. Spurway

Scotland Women: F. Cox

Japan U20: H. Willard

Other Internationals: T. Danby (England Rugby League), J. Phelan (Canada), D. Bickle (Japan), M. Griffin (USA), S. Knowles (India), R. Keith (Hong Kong), D. Hasse-Ferreira (Portugal)

The following went on an international tour without playing in a test match: P. Lillington (Scotland), T. Cowell (England).

Played for England vs Japan: T. Allchurch (no caps awarded)

Played for England vs Barbarians: J. Beaumont (no caps awarded)

RFU Presidents: D.D. Serfontein, 1992 – 1993, W.G.D. Morgan, 2002 – 2003, C.R. Kelly 2018 - 19

CLUB HONOURS

Year

President

1st XV Captain

1900-01 B. Robson

1920-21 I. Ibinson

1933-34 A. Percy

1934-35 C. H. Hobson

1946-47 H. Elliott D. H. N. Wells

1947-48 H. Elliott S. Matthews

1948-49 H. Elliott C. F. Pennock

1950-51 H. Elliott E. Poll

1951-52 H. Elliott A. Bird

1952-53 H. Elliott J. Collard

1955-56 H. Elliott E. S. Holmes

1963-64 Dr. T. Whitworth A. Newton

1964-65 Dr. T. Whitworth A. Newton

1965-66 Dr. T. Whitworth L. Toye

1966-67 Dr. T. Whitworth L. Toye

1967-68 Dr. T. Whitworth M. McKenzie

1968-69 Dr. T. Whitworth J. Regan

1969-70 Dr. T. Whitworth G. Buttle

1970-71 Dr. T. Whitworth S. King

1971-72 Dr. T. Whitworth A. Bulmer

1972-73 Dr. T. Whitworth A. Peacock

1973-74 Dr. T. Whitworth J. Knapp

1974-75 Dr. T. Whitworth D. Nash

1975-76 Dr. T. Whitworth C. Kelly E. Wood

1976-77 Dr. T. Whitworth R. Anderson E. Wood

1977-78 Dr. T. Whitworth K. Norkett E. Wood

1978-79 Dr. T. Whitworth K. Norkett E. Wood

1980-81 Prof L. Brooks P. Dewey E. Wood

1981-82 Prof L. Brooks J. Ellison E. Wood

1982-83 Prof L. Brooks S. Henderson E. Wood

1983-84 Prof L. Brooks D. Keating D. Rose E. Wood

1984-85 Prof L. Brooks J. Keating M. Brown E. Wood

1985-86 Prof L. Brooks J. Keating P. Charlton E. Wood

1986-87 Prof L. Brooks A. Mullins J. Turley E. Wood

1987-88 Prof L. Brooks J. Turley A. Furley E. Wood

1988-89 Prof L. Brooks A. Furley C. Phillipson E. Wood

1989-90 Prof L. Brooks P. de Glanville D. O’Leary E. Wood

1990-91 Prof L. Brooks C. Keey S. Stilwell E. Wood

1991-92 Prof L. Brooks N. Canning N. Keller E. Wood

1992-93 Dr. G. Bromiley B. Fennell J. Kennedy E. Wood

1993-94 Dr. G. Bromiley T. Stimpson E. Bennison E. Wood

1994-95 Dr. G. Bromiley G. Moffat A. Morrison E. Wood

1995-96 Dr. G. Bromiley M. Llewellyn D. Lee E. Wood

1996-97 Dr. G. Bromiley A. Macdonald G. Mitchell E. Wood

1997-98 Dr. G. Bromiley N. Smith S. Cates E. Wood

1998-99 Dr. G. Bromiley L. Cholewa D. Yardley E. Wood

1999-00 Dr. G. Bromiley T. Jackson C. Ward E. Wood

2000-01 Dr. G. Bromiley A. Monaghan C. Brain E. Wood

2001-02 Dr. G. Bromiley J. Ferguson C. Mann E. Wood

2002-03 Dr. G. Bromiley R. Vickers O. Phillips E. Wood

2003-04 Dr. G. Bromiley R. Pike C. Mezger E. Wood

2004-05 Dr. G. Bromiley B. McKerchar E. Davies P. Harvey

2005-06 Dr. G. Bromiley T. Malaney R. Campbell P. Harvey

2006-07 E. Wood R. McDermott F. Keenan P. Harvey

2007-08 E. Wood L. Firth R. Mortimer

2008-09 F. King MBE J. Supple C. Wright

2009-10 F. King MBE P. Loudon J. Dennis

2010 -11 F. King MBE R. Malaney J. Burnet A. Keay

2011 -12 F. King MBE J. Bayford J. Binns A. Keay

2012 -13 F. King MBE J. Beaumont T. Yaxley A. Keay

2013 -14 F. King MBE S. Hammersley C. Goodwin A. Keay

2014-15 F. King MBE J. Bache H. Thompson A. Keay

2015-16 F. King MBE B. Richardson T. Gretton A. Keay

2016-17 F. King MBE B. Richardson A. Neden A. Keay

2017-18 F. King MBE J. Clegg E. Manley A. Keay

2018-19 F. King MBE C. Markham J. Burdis A. Keay

2019-20 F. King MBE B. Fowles F. Hamilton A. Keay

2020-21 S. Colwell B. Fowles D. Blackman A. Keay

2021-22 S. Colwell F. Davies R. Belcher A. Keay

2022-23 S. Colwell P. Bishop/E. Murphy C. Hellier S. Culley

2023-24 S. Colwell B. Barratt A. Radcliffe S. Culley

2024-25 S. Colwell M. Rhodes O. Boxall S. Culley

Club Captain

Head of Rugby

HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTS

Prof. C. Higgins

Prof. T. Burt

Dr. J.V. Armitage

Mr. H. Nicholson

Mr. P.C. Cummins

Mr. P. J. Dixon

Mr. A.J. Tribe

Mr. D. Best

Dr. P.A. Warburton

Mr. H. McNeil

Mr. M.P. Weston

Mr. B. Barratt

Mr. D. English

Mr. A. Macdonald

Prof. K. Bowler

Dr. M.J. Stacey

Mr S. Colwell

Mr. T. Yaxley

Mr. T. Atkinson

Mr J. Beaumont

Mr. C. Goodwin

Mr. S. Hammersley

Mr. H. Thompson

Mr. P. Bishop

Mr. E. Murphy

Mr J.Bache

Mr. J. Clegg

Mr E. Manley

Mr. C. Markham

Mr. J. Burdis

Mr. B. Fowles

Mr. F. Hamilton

Mr. D. Blackman

Mr. F. Davies

Mr. R. Belcher

Mr. C. Hellier

Mr. A. Radcliffe

THE OFFICIAL HOME OF

DURHAM UNIVERSITY RFC