Rugby Union, regional league. Level 7 of the Rugby Union pyramid. Following the restructuring of the league system in England, Durham/Northumberland 1 contains 14 clubs. The bottom two clubs are relegated to Durham/Northumberland 2. The champions are automatically promoted to north east 1, with the runners up facing a playoff against the 2nd place team from an equivalent regional league Yorkshire 1 for promotion to north east 1.
The clubs in this league are mostly amateur clubs with no match fees paid to players. Three clubs reportedly paying their players are Northern RFC, Sunderland RFC & Hartlepool Rovers. The Northumbria University, from Newcastle upon Tyne, have a side mainly containing students. Competing in the league known as Team Northumbria.
Well known clubs competing in Durham/Northumberland 1 include Gosforth RFC who in the '70s enjoyed great success, winning the John Player Cup in 1975/76 and 76/77. Northern RFC, who in the past have produced lots of international player’s. Clubs such as Alnwick RFC, Stockton RFC and Horden RFC have traditionally played in higher leagues and tend to finish towards the top of Durham/Northumberland 1.
Alnwick RFC - Northumberland
Ashington RFC - Northumberland
Consett RFC - Durham
Gosforth RFC - Northumberland
Hartlepool RFC - Durham
Horden RFC - Durham
Northern RFC - Northumberland
Team Northumbria - Northumberland
Novocastrians RFC - Northumberland
Redcar Rugby Union Football Club - Durham
Ryton RFC - Durham
Stockton RFC - Durham
Sunderland RFC - Durham
Wallsend RFC - Northumberland