# Carlisle RFC

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Carlisle_RFC
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Carlisle_RFC.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlisle_RFC
> Source revision: 1352342106
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Carlisle Rugby Club** is an English [rugby union](/source/Rugby_union) club based in [Carlisle](/source/Carlisle), [Cumbria](/source/Cumbria). The first XV team currently plays in [Counties 1 Cumbria](/source/Counties_1_Cumbria). As well as a 1st XV, the club also operates men's 2nd XV (Crusaders), an occasional 3rd XV (Hornets) side, a Colts (under-18), a women's side (Cougars), and a number of junior sides for boys and girls aged 6 to 16.[1]

## History

### Early years

Carlisle were formed in 1873, with their first-ever game played at home against Scottish side [Langholm](/source/Langholm_RFC). The club originally played in black jerseys, with a white Maltese cross added by 1879. In 1886, Carlisle claimed their first-ever silverware, winning the [Cumberland Cup](/source/Cumbria_Cup), a feat it repeated in 1908 and 1910.[2] The club also regularly contributed players to the [Cumberland](/source/Cumbria_Rugby_Union) county team, three of whom went on to play for [England](/source/England_national_rugby_union_team), including C.E.Chapman in 1884, and [W.M.B.Nanson](/source/William_Nanson) and J.R.Morgan in 1920. Having played home games at a number of locations in 1895 Carlisle moved to a permanent home at Warwick Road, with a grandstand put up in 1923.[3]

### Post war

The club initially struggled after [World War II](/source/World_War_II) but fundraising during the 1950s saw the club upgrade the club-house and open new changing rooms. The 1960s saw an upturn in the club's fortunes when they won the [Cumberland Cup](/source/Cumbria_Cup) in 1961, over half a century since their last county silverware - and the 1967–68 season was the best the club had experienced so far, with 33 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses out of 40 played.[2] During this period many of the club's players turned out for the [Cumberland](/source/Cumbria_Rugby_Union) county side, with [Chris Wardlow](/source/Chris_Wardlow) going on to play for [England](/source/England_national_rugby_union_team) between 1969–71 and just missing out on selection for the [British and Irish Lions](/source/British_and_Irish_Lions) due to injury.[4] Although the results started to decline during the 1970s, off the pitch, facilities continued to improve with the changing rooms upgrading in 1971 and flood lights erected three years later in 1974. Additionally, a colts (under-19s) side was established towards the end of the decade.[3]

### League rugby

The introduction of the leagues in the 1986–87 season saw Carlisle placed in North West Division 2 – a league at tier 8 of the [English rugby union system](/source/English_rugby_union_system). During this period the club experienced several promotions up to [North 2](/source/North_Premier), while the 'A' team tasted success in county cup competition, winning the [Cumbria Shield](/source/Cumbria_Shield) in 1989.[2] The period was also notable for a mini section (juniors) being introduced. Future [England](/source/England_national_rugby_union_team) international [Ian Hunter](/source/Ian_Hunter_(rugby_union)) also played several seasons at the club prior to moving to [Northampton Saints](/source/Northampton_Saints).[5] The 1990s were fairly quiet, although a women's side (The 'Cougars') was created in 1994 and the men's 2nd XV had some success in the Cumbria League Division 1.[3]

In 2000 Carlisle were transferred from [North West 2](/source/North_West_2) into [North Lancashire/Cumbria](/source/North_Lancashire/Cumbria) following the cessation of that league.[6][7] The 2004–05 season was a notable one for the club, less for on-field activities but rather for to the 'Great Carlisle Flood' of January 2005, which swamped Warwick Road, flooding the pitch, ruining the club house and leaving the club homeless for the rest of the season, with games being played at Wigton, and across the border at [Langholm RFC](/source/Langholm_RFC). The following season, the club recovered from the disaster in best possible manner by winning North Lancashire/Cumbria and being promoted into [North 1 West](/source/North_1_West) (tier 6).[8] This success was duplicated by the 2nd XV, who won back to back [Cumbria Vase](/source/Cumbria_Shield#Cumbria_Vase_winners) victories in 2010 and 2011.

Although the 1st XV remained stable in North 1 West for a decade, in 2016 they were finally relegated after finishing 12th.[9] They did not remain in North Lancashire/Cumbria for long, finishing as champions at the end of 2016–17 and claiming promotion back to North 1 West. They also made it a double that season with their first [Cumbria Cup](/source/Cumbria_Cup) victory since 1961, beating St Benedict's 29–13 in the final held at [Bower Park](/source/Aspatria_RUFC) in [Aspatria](/source/Aspatria).[10] In 2019, after two seasons in North 1 West, Carlisle won the league title and promotion to [North Premier](/source/North_Premier) –which at tier 5 is the highest level the club had reached in its league history.[11]

### Ground

Carlisle have been based at the Rugby Ground on Warwick Road since 1895. The ground is located in the east of [Carlisle](/source/Carlisle) on Warwick Road, next door to [Brunton Park](/source/Brunton_Park), home of [Carlisle United Football Club](/source/Carlisle_United_F.C.). Access to the ground is good with ample parking, and [Carlisle railway station](/source/Carlisle_railway_station) is less than a mile's walk away. The ground has a grandstand next to the main pitch, and there are also several additional pitches for 2nd, 3rd XV and junior rugby. The club-house is just off the main pitch and has two bars and a range of other rooms which can be let for conferences and other events.[12] The capacity around the main pitch is approximately 1,500, which includes 250 seated in the grandstand, the rest standing.[13]

## Honours

**1st team:**

- [Cumbria Cup](/source/Cumbria_Cup) winners (5): 1886, 1908, 1910, 1961, 2017
- [North West 1](/source/North_West_1) champions: 1987–88
- [North Lancashire/Cumbria](/source/North_Lancashire/Cumbria) champions: 2005–06, 2016–17
- [North 1 West](/source/North_1_West) champions: 2018–19
- [Cumbria 1](/source/Cumbria_1) champions: 2023-24

**A team/2nd team:**

- [Cumbria Shield](/source/Cumbria_Shield) winners: 1989
- [Cumbria Vase](/source/Cumbria_Shield#Cumbria_Vase_winners) winners (2): 2010, 2011

## Notable players

- C.E.Chapman - gained 1 cap for [England](/source/England_national_rugby_union_team) at the [1884 Home Nations Championship](/source/1884_Home_Nations_Championship)
- [Ian Hunter](/source/Ian_Hunter_(rugby_union)) - London born [fullback](/source/Fullback_(rugby_union)) and [winger](/source/Wing_(rugby_union)), who spent part of his early career at Carlisle. Went on to play for [Northampton Saints](/source/Northampton_Saints) and England, with whom he would gain 7 caps, appearing in the [1995 World Cup](/source/1995_Rugby_World_Cup).[5]
- J.R.Morgan - capped for England in 1920
- [William Nanson](/source/William_Nanson) - gained 2 caps for England at the [1907 Home Nations Championship](/source/1907_Home_Nations_Championship). Died in 1915 fighting at [Gallipoli](/source/Gallipoli_Campaign) during [World War I](/source/World_War_I).
- [Chris Wardlow](/source/Chris_Wardlow) - Carlisle born [centre](/source/Centre_(rugby_union)), who started his career with the club before joining Northampton. Would go on to gain 11 caps for England between 1969–71 and was selected for the [Lions](/source/British_and_Irish_Lions) only to miss the tour due to injury.[4]
- [Leonard West](/source/Leonard_West_(rugby_union))

## References

1. ["Teams"](https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/carlislerugby/teams/). Carlisle Rugby (Pitchero). Retrieved 6 June 2019.

1. ["Cumbria Cup - Previous Winners (Word Doc)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170106155849/http://files.pitchero.com/counties/26/1445864660.docx). Cumbria RU. Archived from [the original](http://files.pitchero.com/counties/26/1445864660.docx) on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2017.

1. ["Club History"](https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/carlislerugby/a/club-history-39715.html). Carlisle Rugby (Pitchero). Retrieved 6 June 2019.

1. ["Chris Wardlow"](http://en.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/player/7589.html). ESPN. Retrieved 6 June 2019.

1. ["Ian Hunter"](http://en.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/player/11323.html). ESPN. Retrieved 6 June 2019.

1. ["1999-00 Northern Division"](http://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/competitions/northern-division/1999-2000/group/9404). England Rugby. Retrieved 30 April 2017.

1. ["2000-01 Northern Division"](http://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/competitions/northern-division/2000-2001/group/9731). *England Rugby*. RFU. Retrieved 30 April 2017.

1. ["2005-06 Northern Division"](http://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/competitions/northern-division/2005-2006/group/11541). *England Rugby*. RFU. Retrieved 30 April 2017.

1. ["2015–16 Northern Division"](http://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/competitions/northern-division/2015-2016/group/19755). England Rugby. Retrieved 4 May 2016.

1. ["Carlisle claim Cumbria Cup win over St Benedict's at Aspatria's Bower Park"](http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/article/Carlisle-claim-Cumbria-Cup-win-over-St-Benedicts-at-Aspatrias-Bower-Park-c2b8ae6d-1f3a-4f7f-bf9f-c596a7716dc9-ds). News & Star. 10 May 2017.

1. ["2018-19 Northern Division"](https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/competitions/northern-division/2018-2019/group/26458). *England Rugby*. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.

1. ["Venue Hire"](https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/carlislerugby/a/venue-hire-39716.html?page=1). Carlisle Rugby (Pitchero). Retrieved 6 June 2019.

1. ["Contact"](https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/carlislerugby/contact/). Carlisle Rugby (Pitchero). Retrieved 6 June 2019.

## External links

- [Official club website](https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/carlislerugby)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Carlisle RFC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlisle_RFC) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlisle_RFC?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.