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Brief History
Although there was a rugby club in Blyth during the period 1921 - 1937 the game disappeared from this soccer mad town until the creation of the current club in 1961.
This re-formation was principally achieved through the efforts of Peter Daley and Bernie Cranmer. The former was a player with the original Blyth club and who had achieved considerable playing success in the pre-war years.The latter was a Rugby Union enthusiast from Lancashire who stayed on in Blyth after wartime service in submarines based in the port. Despite being well past playing age he bubbled with an infectious enthusiasm for the game which he instilled in others.
Photo : Bernie Cranmer at the club's 25th. Anniversary celebrations in 1986
Bernie was particularly keen on the development of colts and it was probably his efforts in this area which saved the club in its early years.
After a shaky first decade with minimal facilities the club amalgamated with Blyth Cricket and Tennis Club in 1974, thus gaining a permanent home on Plessey Road. The photograph below was taken the following season in 1975. Peter Daley the second 'Founding Father' is second from the left on the front row. There is also a small reward in the club bar for anyone who can identify the 7th. player from the right on the front row - and no, it's not Brian Rees!
Renowned for producing most of our own players through an active youth section we enjoyed a notable period of success and growth in the 1980's and early 1990's.
Since then the club has experienced ups and downs, the most recent highlight being winning promotion to Durham and Northumberland League 2 at the end of 2005-6 season. The photo below shows this season's captain, Tim Beech. receiving the D&N League 3 champions trophy from Yorkshire President Ralph Kester at the League Awards evening in June2006.
Unfortunately, promotion turned into a major problem as the club was hit by injuries and the departure of several players. Whilst not playing badly the team lost key matches , several by less than 5 points with the result that the 2006-7 season ended in relegation . This season many older players have disappeared from the 1st. line-up and youth has been given its head. We have an exciting crop of young players who are capable of some superb rugby although sometimes coming unstuck against more 'streetwise' sides. Nevertheless, the future is bright.
Despite challenge from soccer locally we feel much better placed for survival and development than some Northumberland clubs. We currently have plans for extensive changing room development to be undertaken during 2008, a major project to take us forward into the future.
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