History of Billingham RUFC

Billingham Rugby Club was formed in 1924 as the Rugby Section of the Synthonia Sports Club at the Synthetic Ammonia and Nitrates Company, which later became I.C.I.  Once established, the club became a force in the Durham County Rugby Union, especially after the Second World War and the first team was very strong during the 1950’s and early 1960’s. 

The early 1970’s saw a downturn in the chemical industry and with the decline of I.C.I., the rugby club suffered. 1989 was an important year in the life of the club. The Youth section was founded and boys and girls from the age of eight upwards started playing mini-rugby. The 1990’s saw an upturn in the club’s fortunes and three teams were regularly playing each week with socialising based at the Synthonia Cricket Club. 

The club moved to play on Greenwood Road in 1996 although, until late 2000, there were no facilities whatsoever, just three pitches! For these years the club had a three-site existence, changing, playing and socialising in different locations. In December 2000 a £750,000 lottery grant facilitated the opening of the new clubhouse.

Billingham are currently 11th in National 2 North with 51 points, followed by Hull with 50 points, Preston with 49 points and Harrogate with 47 points.