| Full name | Bolton Rugby Union Football Club |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1872 |
| Location | Bolton, England |
| Ground(s) | Avenue Street |
| Chairman | Mark Brocklehurst |
| Coach(es) | Alex Youngman |
| Captain(s) | Les Towler |
| League(s) | North Lancs 1 |
| 2010 - 2011 North Lancs 1 | 10th |
| Official website | |
| www.boltonrugby.co.uk | |
Bolton RUFC are an amateur rugby union team who play in the North Lancs 1 league of the English rugby union league system.
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Bolton RUFC was first formed in 1872 and was first listed in the "Football Annual" of 1874.
It reads: "Bolton formed 1872, has 100 members, ground at Burnden which is 1 mile from Bolton station. The dressing rooms are on the ground and it plays Rugby Football. The Secretary or Manager is F H Kevan of 12 Acresfield, Bolton. The colours are Blue jerseys, socks and cap, white knickerbockers. Result of matches last season :- Won 3, Lost 3, Drew 1. Result of goals Won 5, Lost 7."
Between 1919-1939, Bolton had a club that boasted International players, and even the former Bolton MP Arthur Holt played for them, but World War II finally saw the demise of the game in Bolton. The start of the modern era was due to several former pupils of Hayward School, who formed a team to play on Saturdays calling themselves the 'Old Haywardians'.
Hayward School colours were used as the basis of the maroon and white hooped shirts, and the start of a second team brought the need for the more normal club type structure, with fund raising, and social activities. A brief look at the Accounts of 1969 indicated that the club had £36 and 19 shillings in the Bank.
In 1971 the club moved to a base at Bolton Wyresdale sports club, close to their council rented pitches at New House Farm. Here the club began to flourish, with up to 4 teams being put out, and good results, against a steadily improving fixture list.
By the early 1980s, with the help of Bolton Council a new ground site at Avenue Street was coming into consideration. Slowly the various elements came together and building started on the 5th May 1988. Saturday 3 September 1988 saw the first competitive game played at the new purpose built facilities versus Greater Manchester Fire Service. The new club house was officially opened on Sunday 4 September 1988, with a second game versus a president’s invitational XV.
Today, Bolton RUFC operate 4 senior mens teams, a large junior/mini section and support a number of local initiatives.
First Team - RFU North Lancs 1
Second Team - North West Leagues 3 North
Third Team - North West Leagues 4 North
Fourth Team - North West Leagues 5 North
First Team - 10th place
Second Team - 2nd place, gaining league promotion
Third Team - 9th place
Fourth Team - 6th place
According to local records, Bolton Rugby Club first played in 'blue jerseys, socks and cap, white knickerbockers'. From the 1960s, Bolton have played in red and white hooped shirts, black shorts and variants of red/black/white hooped or plain red socks. Bolton's away colours are black and white hoops.
In 2011 Bolton RUFC are experimenting, and venturing into the world of summer Rugby League during the Rugby Union off season. Bolton are entering a mixed senior squad in the North West Merit League operated by the North West Rugby League www.northwestrl.co.uk.