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Sheffield Tigers RUFC
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(Established 1932)
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A North 1 Club
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Club History General:
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The Club was formed in 1932/33 and played their first season matches at Concord Park, on the eastern side of Sheffield. In 1933, a pitch was rented at the rear of the Dore Moor Inn and changing facilities were provided in the loft above the old stables. As the club developed, a permanent site was needed and the present grounds were rented from the Hollins Hospital Trust in 1938. A clubhouse was built, the nucleus of the present pavilion, and two pitches laid down in front of it. At that time, the club was intended to be Sheffield Tigers Rugby and Cricket Club, so a wicket was laid between the two rugby pitches.
War was declared in 1939, which prevented the use of these new facilities until 1947, by which time the cricket club idea had been abandoned. A further pitch was rented behind the clubhouse which was shared with Nether Congs Cricket Club. In the mid-sixties, Tigers took over sole use of this area, and the pitch was levelled, and laided out as the new First XV pitch. To compensate for the loss of one pitch while the levelling took place, a fourth pitch was rented from beside the Dore Moor Inn on a renewable short term lease.
This pitch came to be known as the ‘Eiger’ due to its slope, and was eventually purchased by Tigers in 1995. The remaing grounds were finally purchased from the Hollins Hospital Trust in 1998.
The clubhouse has been extended three times since 1947, and, at the end of 1999, we opened our present clubhouse and pitch redevelopment which was funded with a sports lottery grant of £570,000.
The First XV pitch is now located in front of the refurbished Clubhouse and this has given us playing and changing facilities second to none in the area.
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Club History:
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1932-33
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Sheffield Tigers RUFC Inaugural Season
President: Owen Lister 1st XV Captain:Eric Ward
On Saturday 10th September 1932 Tigers played their first ever match against Scunthorpe away but eventually lost by 3-13 (1 try to 3 tries & 2 conversions).
Tigers first victory was achieved 2 weeks later at their home ground at Concord Park with a 9-3 win over Atlas & Norfolk (a local works team).
Tigers played 24 matches in this first season and recorded 7 victories. They also had their first appearance in the Yorkshire Cup, losing to Barnsley in the 1st round.
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1933-34
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Sheffield Tigers Move to Dore Moor Inn
President: Owen Lister 1st XV Captain: Charlie Unsworth
At the start of this season, Tigers leased a field from the licensee of the Dore Moor Inn and changed in rooms above the pubs stable block.
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1938-39
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Sheffield Tigers Lease Dore Moor Ground
President: E.L.Raworth 1st XV Captain: Harry Bridger
During this season, Tigers signed a Lease for the present Dore Moor grounds and set about levelling and draining the pitches and building the first clubhouse.
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1939-45
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Sheffield Tigers Grounds Used for Agriculture During WWII
President: John Tregenza
No matches were played during the Second World War.
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1946-47
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Sheffield Tigers Use Dore Moor Facilities for the First Time
President: John Tregenza 1st XV Captain: M.Olshinetzki
Tigers used the present Dore Moor ground for the first time from the start of this season.
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1953-54
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Sheffield Tigers 21st Anniversary
President: Gordon Harris 1st XV Captain: K.G.Lissenden
Tigers held the 21st Anniversary Dinner and Reunion at the Grand Hotel in Sheffield on 23rd April 1954. Representatives included the Sheffield Lord Mayor, the President of the Yorkshire RFU and the Guest of Honour was RV Stirling, the current England captain and former pupil of Nether Edge Grammar School.
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1963-64
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Sheffield Tigers Extend Facilities to 4 Changing Rooms
President: Jack Curry 1st XV Captain: B.Stray
Tigers extended the Clubhouse to provide 2 extra Changing Rooms, an extra bath and a new full length verandah. This meant that the old railway coach could finally be removed as it was no longer required as changing rooms.
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1965-66
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Sheffield Tigers Extend Clubhouse with new Toilets and Kitchen
President: Norman Edge 1st XV Captain: M.W.Eldridge
Tigers extended the Clubhouse to increase the Club room area by building an extension for new Toilets and Kitchen. This work was mostly carried out by Club members as the club had little money.
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1971-72
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Sheffield Tigers New 1st Team Pitch Completed
President: Jack Curry 1st XV Captain: Derek Sherlock
Work had started in 1967 to create a new 1st Team pitch behind the Clubhouse. This was finally completed in 1971 and was christened by a game between Tigers and a full Staffordshire XV which included players from Moseley, Sale, Birkenhead Park, Wilmslow
and the like.
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1975-76
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Sheffield Tigers Field 5 Senior Teams for the 1st Time
President: Vic Grainger 1st XV Captain: Hugh Smith
Tigers fielded 5 Senior Teams for the first time for most of the season.
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1981-82
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Sheffield Tigers Buy Ground and first VPs v Perroquets D'Unieux Fixture
President: George Oxley 1st XV Captain: Roger Cordery
Tigers had finally raised enough money, and with a contribution from the Sports Council, were able buy the freehold of the grounds.
Vets XV Captain: John Knowles
Tigers VPs (Vets) played 1st fixture against the French Vets side Les Perroquets D'Unieux in France. Entente Cordiale prevailed with the match being drawn 10-10 courtesy of a Tigers last minute penalty miss from in front of the posts.
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1982-83
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Sheffield Tigers Reach Yorkshire Shield Semi-Final for First Time
President: Geoff Mawson 1st XV Captain: Roger Cordery
Tigers reached the semi-final of the Yorkshire Shield for the first time but were beaten by Bramley. This gave Tigers entry to the Yorkshire Cup and a home tie against Harrogate in which they rattled the Senior Club before going down by a margin of only 6 points.
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1983-84
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Sheffield Tigers Silver Jubilee Year
President: Geoff Mawson 1st XV Captain: Roger Cordery
The Silver Jubilee Dinner was held at Baldwins Omega in Nov 1983 with Guest Speaker Phil Bennett (Wales International & British Lion).
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1987-88
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Sheffield Tigers First Yorkshire League Season
President: Sam Blower 1st XV Captain: Mark Heaton
This was the first season in which the RFU introduced the League System for all clubs. Tigers were positioned in Yorkshire League 2. The League consisted of 11 clubs, who played each other only once.
Tigers first League fixture was against North Ribblesdale at home which Tigers lost to a
late try.
The League Teams were Doncaster, Huddersfield YMCA, Ilkley, Ionians, Leodiensians, Malton & Norton, North Ribblesdale, Old Otliensians, Sheffield Tigers, Wath,
Wheatley Hills.
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1989-90
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Sheffield Tigers Relegated from Yorkshire 2 to Yorkshire 2
President: Bill Anderson 1st XV Captain: Bob Taylor
Tigers were relegated from Yorkshire League 2 to a new Yorkshire League 2 due to National League reorganisation.
The League Teams were Goole, Ilkley, Malton & Norton, Moortown, Otliensians, Scarborough, Sheffield Tigers(R), Wath, Wheatley Hills, Yarnbury, York Railway Institute.
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1990-91
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Sheffield Tigers Finish Midtable in Yorkshire 2
President: Bill Anderson 1st XV Captain: Mark Heaton
Tigers finished midtable after a good start against teams playing in lower Leagues the previous season.
The League Teams were Airebronians, Bradford Salem, Hessle, Leeds CSSA, Marist, Old Modernians, Rodillians, Sheffield Oaks, Sheffield Tigers, West Leeds, Wibsey.
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1995-96
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Sheffield Tigers Remain in Yorkshire 2 as 7 Teams are Relegated
President: Andy Crosbee 1st XV Captain: Richard Senior
At the end of the season Tigers finished 6th and were one of only 4 sides who started in Yorkshire 2, to remain in Yorkshire 2 for the following season as the Leagues were to be reorganised on a Home and Away basis.
The League Teams were Aireborough (R), Dinnington, Hemsworth (R), Hessle (R), Huddersfield YMCA (R), Moortown (P), Northallerton (P), Old Modernians, Scarborough, Skipton (R), Sheffield Tigers, West Leeds (R), Wetherby (R).
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1996-97
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Sheffield Tigers Start in Yorkshire 2 as Leagues Move to Home and Away Matches
President: Andy Crosbee 1st XV Captain: John Goodman
Tigers finish in midtable in first season of Home and Away League matches.
The League Teams were Barnsley, Castleford, Dinnington, Halifax Vandals, Hullensians, Old Modernians, Pheonix Park, Scarborough, Sheffield Oaks, Sheffield Tigers.
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1999-2000
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Sheffield Tigers Open Refurbished Clubhouse & Grounds and Win RFU Tetley Junior Vase For 1st Time and Promotion from Yorkshire 2 to Yorkshire 2
President: Martin Caine 1st XV Captain: Chris Barrett
As a result of a £530,000 Sport England Lottery Fund Grant Tigers refurbished Clubhouse and 1st Team pitch was officially opened by Roy Manock (RFU Vice President) in November 1999. This was followed by a match between Tigers and Rotherham (from National League 1) on the new 1st Team pitch in front of the Clubhouse.
Tigers won the RFU Tetley Junior Vase Final at Twickenham with a 20-11 victory over the Bank of England.
Tigers were runners up to Dinnington in Yorkshire League 2 and were promoted to a new Yorkshire League 2 due to National League reorganisation.
The League Teams were Bramley Phoenix Park(R), Dinnington(C), Halifax Vandals, Heath, Hullensians(R), Malton & Norton, Old Otliensians, Sheffield Oaks, Sheffield Tigers(P), York Railway Institute.
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2000-01
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Sheffield Tigers win Yorkshire Shield For 1st Time and Promotion from Yorkshire 2
President: Roger Cordery 1st XV Captain: David Holmes
Tigers won the Yorkshire Shield Final at Ionians ground with a 20-3 victory over
Scarborough.
Tigers were runners up to Scarborough in Yorkshire League 2 and were promoted to Yorkshire League 1.
The League Teams were Bradford Salem, Castleford, Dinnington, Hemsworth, Ilkley, Leodiensians, Northallerton, Roundhegians, Scarborough(C), Sheffield Tigers(P), Wath,
West Leeds.
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2001-02
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Sheffield Tigers First Season in Yorkshire 1
President: Peter Gadsby 1st XV Captain: David Holmes
Tigers first season in Yorkshire 1 resulted in a mid-table position at the end of the season after heading the table upto Christmas.
The League Teams were Beverley(R), Hull(P), North Ribblesdale, Old Brodleians, Pontefract, Pocklington(R), Scarborough(C), Selby, Sheffield Tigers, West Park Bramhope(R), Yarnbury, York.
Tigers Vets win 20th anniversary of 1st fixture with Les Perroquets D'Unieux.
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2002-03
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Sheffield Tigers Relegated from Yorkshire 1
President: Peter Gadsby 1st XV Captain: David Holmes
Tigers second season in Yorkshire 1 resulted in bottom position and relegation to Yorkshire 2 together with North Ribblesdale.
The League Teams were Bridlington(C), Dinnington, Huddersfield YMCA, Old Brodleians, North Ribblesdale(R), Old Crossleyans, Pontefract, Selby, Sheffield Tigers(R), Wheatley Hills, Yarnbury, York(P).
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2003-04
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Sheffield Tigers Win South Yorkshire Trophy for 1st Time
President: Bill Anderson 1st XV Captain: Doug Trivella
Tigers won the South Yorkshire Trophy Final for the first time with a 13 - 3 victory over Barnsley at Dore Moor.
Tigers finished 4th in Yorkshire 2 after being 2nd for most of the season.
The League Teams were Beverley(C), Bradford Salem, Heath, Ilkley(P), Knottingley, Leodiensians, North Ribblesdale, Ripon, Sheffield Tigers, Skipton(R), West Leeds(R),
West Park Bramhope.
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2004-05
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Sheffield Tigers Triple Trophy Season - RFU PowerGen Junior Vase, Yorkshire Shield and Yorkshire League 2 Championship
President: Bill Anderson 1st XV Captain: Rob Pound
Tigers most successful season ever started with Tigers winning the RFU PowenGen Junior Vase by beating Solihull 30-13 at Twickenham. Followed by becoming Champions of Yorkshire League 2 without losing a game and then winning the Yorkshire Shield with a 26-19 victory over West Park Bramhope at Huddersfield YMCAs ground.
Tigers also won the South Yorkshire Trophy for the second time when the 2nd XV beat Doncaster Phoenix 1sts by 34-17 away at Doncaster.
The League Teams were Bradford Salem (P), Castleford (R), Heath (R), Knottingley, North Ribblesdale, Old Brodleians ,Pocklington, Ripon, Scarborough, Sheffield Tigers(C), West Park Bramhope.
Annual Players Dinner Awards:
The 'Ticker' Memorial Rose Bowl for the Top Try Scorer: Wayne Warren (1st XV)
3rd XV Player of the Year: Richard Joel & Phil Tomlinson
2nd XV Player of the Year: Rory McCall
1st XV Player of the Year: Harry Toews
The Fred Senior Memorial Trophy for the Young Player of the Year : John Storey (1st XV)
The Club Man of the Year : Rob Pound
Tigers hosted the Rugby Union 7s competition for the  8th World Firefighters Games
hosted in Sheffield in August 2004.
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2005-06
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Sheffield Tigers 2nd Consecutive League Promotion as Yorkshire League 1 Champions
President: Nigel Dakin 1st XV Captain: Harry Toews
Tigers achieved back-to-back promotions by winning Yorkshire League 1 with only one defeat to gain promotion to North 2 East for the first time. Tigers also progressed to the 2nd round of the RFU PowerGen Intermediate Cup and the 2nd round of the Yorkshire Cup before being narrowly beaten by teams from 2 Leagues above.
Tigers unbeaten run of 47 matches (starting on 03/04/04) was finally ended by Huddersfield winning 10-20 in the 2nd round of the RFU PowerGen Intermediate Cup on 15/09/05.
Tigers won the South Yorkshire Trophy for the third time in a row when the 2nd XV beat Stocksbridge by 27-13 at Dore Moor.
The League Teams were Bradford Salem, Bridlington, Goole (R), Huddersfield YMCA, Ilkley, Keighley, Old Crossleyans (P), Pontefract, Selby (R), Sheffield Tigers (C), Wheatley Hills, York.
Annual Players Dinner Awards:
The 'Ticker' Memorial Rose Bowl for the Top Try Scorer: Chris Abbishaw (2nd XV)
3rd XV Player of the Year: Ian Meyer
2nd XV Player of the Year: Paul Robinson
1st XV Player of the Year: Stuart Holes
The Fred Senior Memorial Trophy for the Young Player of the Year: Ian Cutts (1st XV)
The Club Man of the Year: Gerry Smith & Stuart Trueman
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2006-07
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Sheffield Tigers 3rd Consecutive League Promotion as North 2 East/West Play-Off Winners
President: Nigel Dakin 1st XV Captain: Harry Toews
Tigers achieved a 3rd successive promotion by finishing runners-up in North 2 East and then winning the North 2 East/West play-off to gain promotion to North 1 for the first time. Tigers also progressed to the 2nd round of the RFU PowerGen Intermediate Cup before losing out to Caldy (the eventual winners of North 1) but lost in the preliminary round of the Yorkshire Cup to Hull (also from North 1).
The League Teams were Driffield, Durham City, Hartlepool Rovers, Horden (R), Middlesbrough (C), Morpeth, Old Crossleyans, Percy Park (R), Rochdale, Sheffield (R), Sheffield Tigers (P), West Hartlepool.
A Gala Sports Dinner was held at The Marstons Suite (Sheffield United FC) to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the year of formation of Tigers. The compere was celebrity Malc Lord and the guest speaker was Gareth Chilcott (British Lions, England, Bath).
Tigers Vets win 25th anniversary of 1st fixture with Les Perroquets D'Unieux.
Annual Players Dinner Awards:
The 'Ticker' Memorial Rose Bowl for the Top Try Scorer:
3rd XV Player of the Year: Mick Sommers
2nd XV Player of the Year: Owen Evans
1st XV Player of the Year: Morgan Jones
The Fred Senior Memorial Trophy for the Young Player of the Year:Tom Denton (2nd XV)
The Club Man of the Year: Ann & Ray Kilby
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