Stoke-on-Trent Rugby Club

The official page of Stoke-on-Trent Rugby Club. They were joined in 1924 by a new club called the Dominoes.

It is probable that rugby was being played in Stoke on Trent in 1875, for in 'A History of Denstone College', rugby fixtures with Stoke on Trent and North Staffords are listed for that year. Two clubs, Stoke on Trent Public School Boys’ RUFC and North Staffordshire RUFC continued their separate existence from the 1870s until 1920s and photographs of some of these teams can be seen on the walls of

the clubhouse. By 1930 the OPS and the North Staffords had merged to form Stoke on Trent RUFC and were playing at Bassett's Field, off Trentham Road, Blurton. Immediately after the war, Stoke began to share the field at Chaplin Road, Dresden with Longton Cricket Club but continued to change at Longton Baths. The rugby club took the opportunity to buy the ground from the Duke of Sutherland's Estate and built a clubhouse and changing rooms, thus ending the weekly trek to Longton Baths. In 1951 the cricket club moved to a new ground in Blurton. The Club greatly expanded its playing membership after the war, with recruits from the Dominoes Club, which was not re-formed and with new converts to the game. To cater for the growing interest in rugby in North Staffordshire, officials of the Stoke Club were instrumental in forming new clubs such as Newcastle and Trentham. Meanwhile the facilities at Chaplin Road were proving inadequate for there was only room for one pitch plus the use of a farmer's field in Cocknage Road. Thus when the opportunity arose to sell Chaplin Road ground for building this was eagerly seized and a virgin site of eleven acres was purchased in Hartwell Lane, Barlaston in 1965. After two years of ad hoc arrangements, the club was able to move onto the Hartwell Ground and the clubhouse was officially opened in 1967. Enjoying the new surroundings the playing side developed to a stage that the club were playing in Division 4 North of the national leagues in the 1980’s just before the era of professionalism. The club did not successfully survive the introduction of payments for players and has found itself playing in the first and second divisions of Midlands league rugby up to the present day. In the late 1980’s coaching and games were arranged for groups of Under 13 to Under 17 year old players. The numbers steadily grew and the junior section was formally set up in 1992 with a committee to organise all the activities associated with running these age group sides. In 1995 the section increased in size with the influx of a large number of players which enabled the club to run age groups from Under 8 to Under 19. Since then the section has gone from strength to strength to the stage were it is now one of the strongest in the county with over 250 registered players. In season 2009/10, the club has launched its Youth Academy focusing on the 16 to 20 age group and providing coaching and development to bridge the gap to the Senior ranks. The last 40 years has also seen the development of the clubhouse. The building has been extended and improved with a fully equipped gymnasium being added with the help of lottery money and a loan from the Rugby Football Foundation. All three pitches have been levelled and drained, with floodlights erected on one pitch and training lights have also been installed along side pitch three. The first team pitch also benefits from a 120 seat stand. Our rugby-loving predecessors in the OPS, the North Staffords and the Dominoes, enduring at times some rather primitive conditions laid the foundations of rugby as a popular sport in North Staffordshire. The present club is striving to build on these foundations and will continue to provide excellent facilities and rugby for both players and spectators alike.

31/08/2026

👀 WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK 👀

It’s another busy week at Hartwell Lane as we get closer to the start of the new season, alongside our usual pre-season training.

On Tuesday, we’re hosting Apex Mouthguards, who will be at the club scanning for custom-made gumshields. If you’re interested, just turn up anytime between 6–8pm.

On Thursday we're hosting our own inter-club Touch & Go mixed touch rugby tournament, followed by a BBQ.

On Saturday, our senior men take on Belper in a pre-season fixture. Come down and support the lads as they continue their preparations for the season.

And finally, on Sunday, it’s time for our Mini & Junior Rugby season to get underway! We can’t wait to see plenty of returning faces, as well as welcoming some new ones to the club.

There’s plenty going on - we’ll see you there!

Photos from Stoke-on-Trent Rugby Club's post

31/08/2026

🍻 THAT’S A WRAP ON THE BEER FESTIVAL! 🍻

Day 3 is complete and what a way to finish an incredible weekend!

🏃‍♂️ M&J Sports Day
🛝 Inflatables
🏉 Women’s 10s Festival
🍺 And, of course… plenty of beer!

What a great weekend, a great Beer Festival and a really great club we have. ❤️

A huge thank you to everyone who came along and supported the events throughout the weekend. It’s been brilliant to see the clubhouse so busy and everyone having such a great time.

A massive thank you to our bar staff and caterers for keeping everyone fed and watered all weekend - we couldn’t do it without you! 👏

And finally, a BIG thank you to Rob Vaughan for organising the Beer Festival. It’s been a huge success… so much so that we can confirm you’re officially roped into sorting it again next year! 😉🍻

Same time next year? 👀

Cheers everyone! 🍻❤️

📸 out of view photography

31/08/2026

💙 STAND WITH JIM 💙

Over our Beer Festival weekend, we wanted to raise some money for our former Mini & Junior coach and club regular, Jim Tyne, who was sadly diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer just a few months ago.

Jim and his family are determined to leave no stone unturned in the fight for treatment and opportunities beyond what the NHS can offer.

We’re absolutely delighted to say that our Wheelbarrow of Booze raffle raised £635!

We were also really pleased that Jim was able to join us at the Beer Festival on Sunday and draw the raffle himself.

As you can see, the wheelbarrow was overflowing with incredibly generous donations, and so many people also gave additional donations to Stand With Jim.

A huge thank you to everyone who donated, bought a ticket or simply supported the cause. 💙

Congratulations to Kendal Clay, who took home the wheelbarrow! 🍻🍾🍷

If you weren't able to attend our Beer Festival but would still like to support Jim and his family, Sarah has set up a JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sarah-tyne?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=CL

30/08/2026

🏉 WOMEN’S 10s FESTIVAL 🏉

Thank you to Lichfield and Cannock for joining us at Hartwell Lane today for the Staffordshire Women’s 10s Festival!

It was a fantastic afternoon of touch rugby, with plenty of action, plenty of laughs and a brilliant atmosphere.

It was also a great opportunity to introduce some of our new players to the game, giving them the chance to get involved, have fun and experience rugby in a really relaxed environment.

Thanks to everyone who came along to support and made it such a great afternoon!

📸 out of view photography

30/08/2026

🍻 DAY 2 COMPLETE! 🍻

What a great day at the Beer Festival! 🙌

🍺 More great beer
🎶 Live music from Richie Stixx
🍕 Sold-out pizza from Chewyspizzas

And now… Day 3 and our final day! 👀

🏃‍♂️ Kids’ Sports Day from 10am
🏉 Women’s 10s Festival from 12 midday
🎈 Inflatables available while the weather holds out
🍺 And of course… £3 pints are STILL available! 😉

Let’s make the final day a good one! 🍻🔥

📸 out of view photography

29/08/2026

🍺 BEER FESTIVAL – DAY 2! 🍺

After a great start to our Beer Festival last night, the fun continues from midday today!

Here’s what we’ve got lined up:
🏉 Unfortunately our Academy game has been called off, but we’re making the most of it with the lads playing some touch rugby instead.
🎶 Live music from 3pm
🍕 Food available
🍺 And, of course, 10 beers & 2 ciders to work your way through!

Come down, grab a pint and enjoy the day with us. Everyone welcome! 🍻

29/08/2026

📸 STOKE V TRENTHAM 📸

A good run-out for the lads last night and a great chance to dust off the cobwebs. A strong turnout of supporters watched on as several players made their senior rugby debuts, alongside a few others pulling on the Stoke shirt for the first time.

Plenty to build on as we get the season underway 💪

📸 out of view photography

28/08/2026

💡 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS 💡

The perfect way to kick off your bank holiday weekend!
As we welcome to Hartwell Lane for a pre-season fixture.

And if rugby wasn't enought to entice you, there’s even more reason to get yourselves down to the club tonight… our Beer Festival starts TODAY! 🍺

With 10 beers & 2 ciders to choose from, there’s plenty to enjoy before, during and after the rugby!

🍺 Just £3 per pint
🍔 Food available

So come down, support the lads, enjoy some great rugby and make a night of it!
See you later!

26/08/2026

🍺 BEER FESTIVAL 🍺

It’s nearly time! Get yourselves down to the club for a weekend of great beer, good company and plenty of pints!

🍻 10 beers + 2 ciders
💷 Just £3 a pint
🍕 Food available all weekend
📅 Friday 5pm – Sunday evening

Bring your mates, grab a pint and make a weekend of it!

See you at the bar! 🍻

26/08/2026

⚡️QUICK TAP⚡️

What song gets you fired up for a game? 🏉🔥

Some solid choices. Some questionable choices. And some even more questionable dance moves 👀

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Location

Stoke-on-Trent

Telephone

+441782372807

Website

https://www.stokerufc.co.uk/, https://uk.movember.com/team/2429708?mc=1&fbclid=PAAaYoeufskpdPfElIUts1wy3mywWVeUKerhqU0SA

Address

Hartwell Lane, Barlaston
Stoke-on-Trent
ST158TL

Stoke-on-Trent Rugby Club

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