Barnsley RUFC Club Information

A Brief History of Barnsley R.U.F.C.

The present Barnsley Rugby Club was formed in the season 1902-1903 but there are records showing that organised rugby was played in the town as early as 1871.

The prime mover in the formation of the club was a solicitor; G. D. Gray, ably assisted by J. L. Nicholson (of peppermint fame), and then by the Rev. Richard Huggard, Vicar of Barnsley, who gave remarkable service to the club and Yorkshire rugby for 24 years, refereeing the very first game against Wakefield. In the early years a number of grounds were used but in 1926 through the help of Frank Wood (Wood Glass Co.), the Stairfoot ground was purchased. The Walker brothers were all actively associated with the scheme. Steven Walker and "Ted" Umbers were captains during this period and both played for Yorkshire. Changing facilities were at the Keel Inn and the club reached the semi final of the Yorkshire Challenge Cup.

After the 1939-45 war the club restarted,  a new clubhouse was built. 
In 1947 Laurie Stirling completed 25 years as Secretary and in 1955 was appointed President of the club J. L. Nicholson and "Ted" Umbers were made life members of the club. We remember too, the many ladies, wives, friends and sisters who have made their own personal contribution over the years to the club.

A special mention must go to Dick Endall, club President from 1968 to his death in 1989. Dick was an ambassador for Barnsley Rugby and collected a wealth of friends around the country.

Recently, the Club has moved into a wider role in the promotion of sport in Barnsley, with the purchase of Shaw Lane Cricket ground in 1995. Redevelopment is underway. A new clubhouse and an extra squash court have been built, and recently an all weather astroturf pitch has been opened, available for hire. There are plans for a new cricket pavilion, extra changing rooms, a larger gym, an indoor bowls and archery area and a new meeting room.

Rev. Richard Huggard M.B.E. M.A. B.A.

Reverend Richard R Huggard was perhaps the most important mover in the history of Barnsley Rugby Club. Rector of the St. Anne's Parish Church, Dungannon 1890-1899 and afterwards at St. John's Church, Barnsley he was one of the prolific characters in the game. This imposing Ulsterman, as a sideline to his vocation, had Rugby Football running through his veins. At the latter part of the 19th Century, Rev. Huggard was involved in the game in Ulster being President of Dungannon Football Club and President of the Ulster Branch of the R.F.U. from 1897 to 1898.

Whilst Secretary at Dungannon he would take no excuse for not turning out and if by some mischance Dungannon were a man short he would doff his clerical collar, roll up his trousers and make up the side. After a strenuous game, powdered chalk not infrequently disguised a black eye in the pulpit! He played his last game at the age of fifty, standing in for a younger man who had been taken ill...old habits die hard!

He arrived on these shores at the turn of the century and continued his passion for the game. Upon his reformation of the club from the old Barnsley St. Mary's, Rev. Huggard refereed the first ever game against Wakefield on 5th January 1903. He was President of Barnsley R.U.F.C. from 1905 to 1924 and President of the Yorkshire R.F.U. from 1910 to 1913.

In 1903, Rev Huggard was the Irish touch judge for the Ireland v England game.

Rev. Huggard and his wife Frances Marion had eight children. His eldest two sons were officers in the Army during the great war.

It was during the 1914-18 war that he was responsible for swearing in hundreds of Barnsley lads in the 13th and 14th York and Lancaster Regiments (the Barnsley Pals) and became known as "The Pals Chaplain".

His eldest son, Lieutenant Hewitt Huggard from the 6th battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, fell at Gallipoli on Monday 9th August 1915 aged 26 and is remembered with honour at the Helles Memorial in Turkey. In the dawn attack on the 9th August on the crest of Tekke Tepe, 7 officers and 140 men of the 6th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment were 'swept away' by an onrush of Turks and never seen again. ("Half way down a winding gully they were trapped and shot one by one..." P169 "Gallipoli. The Fading Vision", John North, 1936).

Lewis Dudley Richard Huggard, his youngest son, was a Captain in the 13th battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. He fell in France on Tuesday 26th June 1917, aged 23, and is remembered with honour at the Albuera Cemetery in Bailleul-Sire-Berthoult in the Pas de Calais. His commanding officer Lt. Col. Wauhope was anxious to tour the positions held by his battalion and with Lewis Huggard, his young intelligence officer of just two weeks, he set off to chart the lie of the land. Lewis was hit by fragments from a bursting shell and died instantly.

These two sons as well as another three of the eight children were born in Dungannon.

He took up an appointment at All Saint's Church, Hitcham, Suffolk and was rector there from 1926 to 1935. Through ill health he retired to Ramsgate in Kent.

Today we can boast a New Clubhouse and Superior Facilities, 

A long way from those early years!