Preston Grasshoppers R.F.C.

Preston Grasshoppers
Full name Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Football Club
Union RFU
Nickname(s) Hoppers
Founded 1869
Ground(s) Lightfoot Green (Capacity: 5,000)
Chairman George Erdozain
President Peter Ashcroft Esq.
Captain(s) Luke Cunningham
League(s) National Division Three North
Team kit
Official website
clubs.rfu.com/Clubs/portals/hoppers/Default.aspx

Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Football Club is a rugby union team from Preston, Lancashire. It was founded on 28 September 1869 at a meeting held at the Bull Hotel, Preston making one of the oldest 'northern' rugby union teams.

Grasshoppers' players who have progressed to bigger stages include A.N. Hornby, the first man to captain both the English national rugby and cricket sides, Dick Greenwood and his son Will Greenwood, later to play outside centre for Harlequins and England, second row star Steve Borthwick, captaining Bath and playing a key role in the England international side, Wade Dooley, who won 55 caps in the second row for England, and Paul Grayson, who went on to play a number of games at fly half for England. Other past players gaining England caps include Paul Grayson, Pat Sanderson, and Iain Balshaw.

Norwich City striker James Vaughan, also played rugby union for the side before switching more permanently to football.

When the national league structure was introduced in the mid nineties Hoppers remained in National League 3 (North) until their promotion in the 1998-1999 season. This was achieved with the help of Australian Michael Lough and winger Ian Bruce who between them racked up over 50 tries.

References