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Old Brodleians RUFC · Est 1930

Founded 1930

The club

Ninety-six years of rugby in Hipperholme, from a converted stable behind a pub to twenty-four sides at Woodhead.

History

How Brods got here

  1. 1930

    Founded by former pupils of Hipperholme Grammar School, itself endowed in the will of Matthew Brodley, who died in 1649. First match on 20 September against Old Rishworthians at Southowram.

  2. 1934

    The club nearly folds. It survives on the chairman’s casting vote at an AGM.

  3. 1966

    New facilities open at Woodhead on 1 September, against Halifax. Still home today.

  4. 1970s

    A junior section is founded. It now runs from Brods Tots to Under 18s, boys and girls.

  5. 1980

    The Veterans’ team is formed.

  6. 1986

    League rugby arrives. Brods enter at North-East One.

  7. 2003

    Refurbished bar and social area opened by Charlie Hodgson, who learned his rugby here.

Produced at Woodhead

They started here

Charlie Hodgson

England fly-half, 38 caps

Jacob Umaga

England international

Zach Mercer

England back row

Eat · drink · celebrate

The clubhouse

One of the biggest bookable spaces in the area, with double doors straight onto a roomy patio and beer garden. The bar carries a great range of cask ales, lagers and ciders, all the branded spirits you'd expect, plus an extended range of gins. In-house caterers handle anything from a hot or cold buffet for a small gathering to a five-course sit-down meal for hundreds of guests.

The club is completely not-for-profit, so every booking puts money straight back into grassroots sport.

  • Huge off-road car park
  • Step-free entry via the patio
  • Accessible toilets and baby changing
  • Wi-Fi throughout
  • Performance stage
  • Full bar at clubhouse prices

Hire the clubhouse

Any occasion,
no silly prices

Parties, dinners, weddings, wakes, kids' parties, corporate away days and fundraising nights. No massive booking fees, and members get half price on room hire.

james@oldbrods.co.uk

07966 969591 · call or message James

Beyond the rugby

A club the town uses

Brodstock

The club's own music festival brings around 6,000 people onto the field and has raised more than £150,000 for Overgate Hospice and local causes.

brodstock.co.uk ↗

The big days

Emergency Services Day, the Big Bonfire and the family New Year's Eve party fill the calendar between seasons, and most of them sell out.

What's on →

Volunteer

The club's volunteers hold the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, and every age-grade role is a volunteer one. Speak to any coach or team manager, or ring the clubhouse.

Who to speak to →

One page, every number

Who to ring

A named contact for all sixteen age-grade teams, the senior sides, safeguarding and the clubhouse.

All club contacts