Hartlepool Rovers

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Hartlepool Rovers are a Rugby union team who play at The Friarage which is located on the towns West View Road. Rovers were regelated to the Durham / Northumberland 1 league after losing their final 2007 / 2008 league game to local rival West Hartlepool R.F.C.

Rovers were formed in the 1879 playing on the Old Friarage on the towns Headland before moving to West View Road.

In the 1950's people from West View, County Durham and the The Headland, viewed Rovers as the most prestigious club in the town, district and county when they supplying a few county, divisional and international players.

The clubs most famous son is RF (Bob) Oakes (died 1952) who also played for Headingley and was President of the Yorkshire Rugby Football Union and President of the Rugby Football Union. Oakes is remembered every year by the RF Oakes memorial match, followed by a dinner for the players taking part; many great players past and present such as Will Carling have played in the game.

The club itself played many high profile matches. Including the inaugural Barbarans match and the New Zealand All Blacks.

In the 1911-1912 season Hartlepool Rover broke the world record for the number of points scored in a season racking up 860 points including 122 Tries, 87 Conversions, 5 Penalties and 11 Drop Goals. 800 of those points where against an U12's team from Horden.

Hartlepool Rovers current head coach is Craig Lee.

Prior to relegation West Hartlepool R.F.C. where their rivals but now teams such as Horden, Seaton Carew and Athletic are now their bitter rivals.