Broughton RUFC
Encyclopedia
Broughton Rugby Union Football Club is a rugby union
club based in Salford
, Greater Manchester
, which at the time of the club's founding in 1869 was in Lancashire
, England
. Its home venue is the Broughton Cricket & Rugby Club pitch on Yew Street. Broughton, although it currently occupies a low position in the English rugby union league system, is notable for its early important contributions to the development of rugby union most predominantly in the north of England, but also nationally. Broughton also hosted the first ever rugby match played under floodlights.
(1877) and Broughton Park RUFC
(1882). After playing two or three seasons on the Broughton Cricket Ground they changed their appellation to the Broughton Wasps, and soon played some of the strongest teams in the North. In 1877, the same year that Broughton Rangers
were formed, the Wasps amalgamated with another Broughton club known as Wellington, who it is reported "were the first club to introduce the passing game into Lancashire, and brought it to such perfection, that, in spite of their youth, they succeeded in beating many of the principal clubs of the district.".
(later to be called the Lancashire County Rugby Football Union). From 1870 to 1881 the government and arrangement of county matches in Lancashire had been vested in Manchester Football Club. Though self-appointed, Manchester was recognised as the authority by the other great Lancashire club, Liverpool
. However, a movement of emerging new clubs, headed by W. Bell, the honorary secretary of the Broughton Football Club, had an objective to secure a voice in the selection of county teams. In 1881 a general meeting of Lancashire clubs was called at which the following clubs were represented: Manchester Rangers; Free Wanderers; Broughton; Swinton; Walton; Rossendale; Oldham; Manchester Athletic; Rochdale Hornets; Chorley Birch; and Cheetham and a resolution to form the Lancashire Football Union was agreed. The initial committee had W. Bell as its honorary secretary and G. C. Lindsay as the honorary treasurer. Two county matches were arranged altogether versus the Midland Counties and Lanarkshire (Scotland). Manchester then decided to wrest control of the county back and on December 22, 1881, met with the new Union and a duly constituted and representative governing body, its club to be called The Lancashire County Football Club, was formed. Although the president, vice-presidents, the hon. secretary and treasurer were elected from the Manchester Football Club and the Liverpool Club, Broughton was represented by Bell on the committee.
when they played Swinton
in Salford on 22 October, 1878. The match took place at Broughton's Yew Street ground in Salford and the floodlights used were two Gramme's lights, suspended from 30 foot poles. The match was comprehsively won by Broughton by two-goals, three tries, and three touchdowns to Swinton, nil. A report in the Salford Weekly News dated the 2nd November 1878, provided some details of the match: "C.Sawyer kicked one of the goals from the field of play. Mudie the other from a fine try by J.Sawyer, while the three unsuccessful tries were secured by Riley, A.Bowam and Shut". The report went on to detail that probably "8,000 to 10,000 persons were present when the time for kick-off arrived." Following the Broughton experiment with lights another match took place in Liverpool later that month under floodlights and very soon the practice became popular as the electric companies attempted to overturn the monopoly exercised by the gas companies.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club based in Salford
City of Salford
The City of Salford is a city and metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It is named after its largest settlement, Salford, but covers a far larger area which includes the towns of Eccles, Swinton-Pendlebury, Walkden and Irlam which apart from Irlam each have a population of over...
, Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
, which at the time of the club's founding in 1869 was in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Its home venue is the Broughton Cricket & Rugby Club pitch on Yew Street. Broughton, although it currently occupies a low position in the English rugby union league system, is notable for its early important contributions to the development of rugby union most predominantly in the north of England, but also nationally. Broughton also hosted the first ever rugby match played under floodlights.
History
Broughton was the first Broughton football club in Manchester, founded by members of a club known in 1869 as Broughton College, formed from former pupils of Broughton College, a public school in Salford at the time. Its foundation in 1869 predates both the formation of Broughton RangersBroughton Rangers
Broughton Rangers was a British rugby football, and subsequently a rugby league club. It was based in Broughton, Salford.-History:Broughton Rangers was founded in 1877 as Broughton and added Rangers for its second season...
(1877) and Broughton Park RUFC
Broughton Park RUFC
Broughton Park RUFC, is one of the oldest rugby union clubs in England and was established in 1882, just one year after the Lancashire County Rugby Union was founded and eleven years after the formation of the national Rugby Football Union.-History:...
(1882). After playing two or three seasons on the Broughton Cricket Ground they changed their appellation to the Broughton Wasps, and soon played some of the strongest teams in the North. In 1877, the same year that Broughton Rangers
Broughton Rangers
Broughton Rangers was a British rugby football, and subsequently a rugby league club. It was based in Broughton, Salford.-History:Broughton Rangers was founded in 1877 as Broughton and added Rangers for its second season...
were formed, the Wasps amalgamated with another Broughton club known as Wellington, who it is reported "were the first club to introduce the passing game into Lancashire, and brought it to such perfection, that, in spite of their youth, they succeeded in beating many of the principal clubs of the district.".
Lancashire Football Union
Broughton also played a pivotal role in the formation of the Lancashire Football UnionLancashire County Rugby Football Union
The Lancashire County Rugby Football Union is the society responsible for rugby union in the county of Lancashire, England and is one of the constituent bodies of the national Rugby Football Union having been formed in 1881...
(later to be called the Lancashire County Rugby Football Union). From 1870 to 1881 the government and arrangement of county matches in Lancashire had been vested in Manchester Football Club. Though self-appointed, Manchester was recognised as the authority by the other great Lancashire club, Liverpool
Liverpool St Helens F.C.
Liverpool St Helens Football Club are a rugby union team formed from the merger of Liverpool Football Club and St. Helens RUFC. The club currently plays in North 1 West....
. However, a movement of emerging new clubs, headed by W. Bell, the honorary secretary of the Broughton Football Club, had an objective to secure a voice in the selection of county teams. In 1881 a general meeting of Lancashire clubs was called at which the following clubs were represented: Manchester Rangers; Free Wanderers; Broughton; Swinton; Walton; Rossendale; Oldham; Manchester Athletic; Rochdale Hornets; Chorley Birch; and Cheetham and a resolution to form the Lancashire Football Union was agreed. The initial committee had W. Bell as its honorary secretary and G. C. Lindsay as the honorary treasurer. Two county matches were arranged altogether versus the Midland Counties and Lanarkshire (Scotland). Manchester then decided to wrest control of the county back and on December 22, 1881, met with the new Union and a duly constituted and representative governing body, its club to be called The Lancashire County Football Club, was formed. Although the president, vice-presidents, the hon. secretary and treasurer were elected from the Manchester Football Club and the Liverpool Club, Broughton was represented by Bell on the committee.
The first floodlit match
Prior to the events leading to the formation of the Lancashire Union, Broughton was also the home side in the first ever rugby match under floodlightsFloodlights (sport)
Floodlights are broad-beamed, high-intensity artificial lights often used to illuminate outdoor playing fields while an outdoor sports event is being held during low-light conditions....
when they played Swinton
Swinton Lions
Swinton Lions is an English professional rugby league club from Swinton, Greater Manchester. The club has won the Championship six times and three Challenge Cups. They currently play in the Championship.-Early years:...
in Salford on 22 October, 1878. The match took place at Broughton's Yew Street ground in Salford and the floodlights used were two Gramme's lights, suspended from 30 foot poles. The match was comprehsively won by Broughton by two-goals, three tries, and three touchdowns to Swinton, nil. A report in the Salford Weekly News dated the 2nd November 1878, provided some details of the match: "C.Sawyer kicked one of the goals from the field of play. Mudie the other from a fine try by J.Sawyer, while the three unsuccessful tries were secured by Riley, A.Bowam and Shut". The report went on to detail that probably "8,000 to 10,000 persons were present when the time for kick-off arrived." Following the Broughton experiment with lights another match took place in Liverpool later that month under floodlights and very soon the practice became popular as the electric companies attempted to overturn the monopoly exercised by the gas companies.
Later history
In the 1880s Broughton began to produce some players of international standing including C.M. Sawyer, J. H. Payne, and F. Moss.Notable former players
- C. M. Sawyer (first capped 1880)
- J. H. Payne (first capped 1882)
- F. Moss (first capped 1885)