Leeds RUFC : A History

The origins of the formation process of Leeds RUFC go back to a letter sent by John Winterbottom, the Secretary of Headingley FC to Trevor Richmond of Morley RFC and John Hopkins, Chairman of Roundhay RUFC. This culminated in a meeting at the Hilton Hotel on Duncan Street in Leeds. The concept of the three clubs merging to form one much larger club was the only topic on the agenda.

The members of Roundhay left the meeting believing that the idea certainly had merit but were uneasy at the intentions of all. A few days later a company was formed called LEEDS RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB LTD on 6th June 1991. After further meeting, during which time the three clubs consulted their members, Morley withdrew from the discussions when it became apparent that the concept of selling the ground of all three clubs and starting afresh was not acceptable to their members, who would wish any merged club to be based at Scatcherd Lane.

Merger

Discussions were progressing smoothly when the RFU announced in February 1992 that the leagues were going to be re-organised at the end of the 1992-93 season. This precipitated a decision that the merger should take place sooner rather than later. Roundhay had just beaten Headingley at Chandos and the clubs finished the season level on points. The merger took place on 5th July 1992 and the first game was played at Kirkstall between Leeds RUFC and Hull Ionians on 1st September 1992.

Beginnings

In an interesting touch of equality the starting XV included 5 from Roundhay and 5 from Headingley plus 5 new recruits. Glynn Thompson scored the first try and Dan Eddie came off the bench on his 21st birthday.

The club enjoyed a slow start but recovered well but missed out by a point on the quest to be in the new 10 team National League Three where home and away fixtures would be played between participants for the first time. Promotion was eventually achieved and in May 1995, the club published a "Five year plan" that contained a very ambitious mission statement "To be in a position to make a challenge for the 1st Division in the year 2000" (on 1st January 2000 Leeds were top on National One).

In November of that year the club agreed to sell Kirkstall to Morrisson Supermarkets and signed a five year lease to play at Headingley Carnegie Stadium with the 'old board' of Leeds Cricket, Football and Athletic Company Ltd from the start of the 1996-97 season.

The Professional Era

Professionalism was introduced and Leeds had recruited Colin Stephens as their first Youth Development Officer. A pivotal signing was Phil Davies (pictured right), who was appointed Director of Rugby and commenced in post on 1st June 1996. The club moved to Headingley Carnegie Stadium and played a friendly against Swansea on 17th August 1996. Crowds were sparse to say the least in the early days, but in a surprise move Paul Caddick bought Leeds CF & A Ltd including Headingley Carnegie Stadium on 29th October 1996.

On the field the team was promoted at the second attempt in Phil Davies reign with some record breaking performance. Back to back home wins against Redruth in the cup and then the league by 96-0 and then 84-24 were memorable. Off the field, Leeds RUFC and Paul Caddick entered into a joint venture arrangement to trade as Leeds RUFC Ltd on 1st December 1997 taking over the company formed in June 1991.

Becoming Tykes

Leeds Rugby Union adopted the brand name of Leeds Tykes in July 1998. The funds from the sale of Kirkstall had been largely used and the joint venture arrangement between Leeds RUFC Ltd and Paul Caddick was terminated by mutual agreement on 8th January 2001 as the club strove for promotion to the top level.

Leeds RUFC retained ownership of the clubhouse and ground at Chandos Park. Back in 1997 outline planning permission had been sought for housing at Chandos but this was making insignificant progress in the first few years.

Leeds used Chandos as their training base and played all non 1st XV matches at the ground. Work on the planning and eventual sale of the ground never stopped and this came to pass in May 2007, following the merger with West Park Bramhope the previous year.