Leeds Tykes
Full name | Leeds Tykes Rugby Union Football Club | ||
---|---|---|---|
Union | Yorkshire RFU | ||
Founded | 1991 | ||
Location | Bramhope, West Yorkshire, England | ||
Ground(s) | The Sycamores (Capacity: 1,500) | ||
Director of Rugby | Peter Seabourne | ||
Captain(s) | Adam Brown | ||
League(s) | National League 2 North | ||
2022–23 | 13th (relegated to National League 2 North) | ||
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Official website | |||
www |
Leeds Tykes (formerly Leeds RUFC, Leeds Carnegie and Yorkshire Carnegie) is an English rugby union club in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, playing in the National League 2 North.
The club was founded as Headingley FC, but renamed in 1991 when it joined with Roundhay RUFC to form Leeds RUFC. In 1998, the club merged with
Leeds have bounced between the Premiership and the second-level National Division One, now known as the
History
1877–1900s: Headingley and Roundhay
Headingley has a tradition of rugby that started back in 1877, when several youngsters became interested in rugby after watching Leeds St. John's, later to become the Leeds Rhinos rugby league team. Their first game was in November against the Saints second team. Union was centred around a church club. The original rugby union team was Leeds St John's and it played at the Militia Barracks ground before moving to Cardigan Fields. The Headingley name was adopted in 1878 and Cardigan Fields was used for both rugby and cricket. On 5 January 1884, England played Wales there and won 5–3 with a crowd in the region of 2,000 in attendance. The club playing there was then disbanded but was re-formed again in 1885 under the auspices of the Headingley Hill Chapel Sunday Class and played matches on local fields against local teams, including Roundhay.
In 1888, the Cardigan Estate was sold at auction and Lot 17a was purchased by a group of Leeds citizens, who intended to form the city's leading sports club. Lot 17a became what is now Headingley Stadium. Leeds St John's played their final season under that name in 1889–90, before becoming the football section of Leeds Cricket, Football and Athletic Company Ltd the following season. With Headingley still being completed, Leeds' first game was staged at Cardigan Fields, the home side defeating Otley. The first game at Headingley was played on 20 September 1890, when Manningham were beaten by one try and one dropped goal to nil. Leeds were founder members of the Northern Union when it broke away from the Rugby Football Union in 1895. Leeds' début in the Northern Union was a 6–3 victory at Leigh on 7 September 1895, the inaugural day of the new competition.
The development of the playing fields into the Headingley ground was down to
In 1889, Headingley was disbanded when Leeds St. John's moved into the area, built
Headingley honours
- Langholm Sevens
- Champions (2): 1968, 1971
Headingley was the first English team to win the Langholm Sevens.
1991–1997: Leeds RUFC
Leeds RUFC was founded in 1991 after the merger of Roundhay and Headingley; Morley RFC was also invited to join but declined. The new club played their first match on 1 September 1992 against Hull Ionians. The first try was scored by Glynn Thompson, previously of Roundhay. Richard Cardus, Bev Dovey, Denis Wilkins and Keith Smith all won international caps while in the Roundhay ranks. Smith featured in England's first full tour of Australia in 1975, but had to return home injured and Wilkins, who was also in the Royal Navy, won 13 caps, between 1951 and 1953. When they amalgamated in 1991–92, both clubs were in National Division Three.
In the first season in National Three, Leeds finished 6th, but League reorganisation put the club in National Division Four, with finishes of 6th, 6th and 5th in 1995–96. The following season, they finished 3rd, scoring 1,209 points in thirty games, with the former England 'A' outside-half Gerry Ainscough scoring 307 points, and the ex-Scotland 'A' utility back Mark Appleson scoring sixteen tries. In 1997–98, they were promoted from the newly formed Jewson One to Premiership Two, finishing runners-up to Worcester. The Tongan Sateki Tuipulotu scored a then club record 322 points.
1998–2006: Leeds Tykes
In 1998, the club amalgamated with Leeds Rhinos to form Leeds Rugby Limited. Leeds RUFC took on a new name when they entered the 1998 Premiership Two competition, Leeds Tykes.
The Tykes finished 6th in their first season in Premiership Two with the Tongan scoring 250 points and
In 2001, Tom Palmer became the first Leeds Tykes player to be capped for England when he appeared as a replacement against the United States. The Leeds Tykes team for their first game in the Premiership on 2 September 2001 against Bath was Shelley, Holt, Wring, C. Murphy, Palmer, Mather, Ponton, Fea'unati, Benton, Bachop, Emmerson, Woof, Mayer, Scarbrough, Benson. The replacements were Hogg for Mather (74), Davies for Fea'unati (75), Kerr for Fea'unati (26), O'Reilly for Mayer (73), Fea'unati for Kerr (33). Not used were Luffman, Clarke, Le Bas.
The Tykes survived their first season after finishing bottom of the league when the
In 2005, they were mid-table by early November, but at the turn of the year, following injuries to key players, they were bottom of the Zurich Premiership and some way adrift of their rivals. Despite the threat of relegation, they made it to their first
Following the cup win, they won five straight games and avoided the drop by finishing eighth. Phil Davies relinquished control of some coaching duties to concentrate on his role as Director of Rugby in 2005 following another poor start to the season which saw the Tykes lose their first eight games in three different competitions.
After losing three successive away matches in injury time to
The new players signed for the new season under Lancaster were
2007–2013: Leeds Carnegie RUFC
In 2007, the club was renamed as Leeds Carnegie in a deal with Leeds Metropolitan University, which took a 51% stake. Carnegie College is part of the university's sport department. Leeds director of rugby Stuart Lancaster said: "I am delighted by the announcement. This is another hugely significant step in our evolution."
In 2008, Lancaster left Leeds to take a job at the RFU, replaced by England World Cup winner Neil Back, and Andy Key, both of whom were previously on the coaching staff at Leicester Tigers.
In May 2009, Leeds Carnegie announced that it had restructured for the Premiership.
2014–2020: Yorkshire Carnegie
In 2014, the club was rebranded as Yorkshire Carnegie.[7][8] They also struck a two-year sponsorship deal with Satsuma Loans at a reported £300,000 per year.[9] In 2019 they announced that the club had lost key investors and that they were looking for new investments. On 9 April 2019 the players and staff were told that as of the start of the 2019–20 season the club would be returning to part-time status.[10] It was also confirmed the club would rebrand ahead of the 2020–21 season.[11]
2020– present: return to Leeds Tykes
In September 2020, it was confirmed that the club had reverted to the Leeds Tykes ahead of the (eventually cancelled) 2020–21 National League 1 season. They will also leave Headingley Stadium and base themselves at The Sycamores, home of West Park Leeds RUFC. However, they intend to still play some games at Headingley.[12]
Home ground
The Sycamores
The club based itself at The Sycamores, home of West Park Leeds RUFC ahead of the 2021–22 season.
Headingley Rugby Stadium
In July 1998 Leeds RUFC became part of the world's first dual-code rugby partnership, Leeds Rugby Limited and began playing at Headingley Stadium, home of Leeds Rhinos.
Leeds St. Johns, who were later to become Leeds Rugby League Football Club, then Leeds Rhinos, moved to Headingley in 1889 and built
On Saturday 13 August 2005, Headingley hosted back-to-back union and league games. The Tykes played Edinburgh in a friendly followed by a Super League game between the Rhinos and London. 2006 saw the construction of the Carnegie Stand. Built to replace the old eastern terrace, it was opened on 1 September 2006 for the Super League match between Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves. The ground now has a capacity of 22,250.
The record attendance at Headingley Rugby Stadium was 40,175 for the rugby league match between Leeds and Bradford Northern on 21 May 1947. The highest attendance for a Tykes match was against Newcastle Falcons on 27 December 2004, with a crowd of 14,293 at Headingley to see the Falcons take home a 15–11 victory. In 2006 a new sponsorship deal with Leeds Metropolitan University led to Headingley Stadium being renamed Headingley Carnegie Stadium. In November 2017 it again changed its name to Emerald Headingley Stadium, just after a major rebuilding project started to replace both main pitchside stands, completed in 2019.
Leeds Tykes moved out of the ground soon afterwards. It remains the home of the Rhinos.
Current standings
| |||||||||||||||||
Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Losing bonus | Points | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Rotherham Titans | 25 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 930 | 446 | 484 | 21 | 1 | 118 | ||||||
2 | Leeds Tykes | 25 | 23 | 0 | 2 | 1064 | 441 | 623 | 22 | 2 | 116 | ||||||
3 | Sheffield | 25 | 17 | 1 | 7 | 759 | 591 | 168 | 17 | 3 | 90 | ||||||
4 | Wharfedale | 25 | 16 | 0 | 9 | 614 | 473 | 141 | 12 | 3 | 79 | ||||||
5 | Fylde | 25 | 13 | 1 | 11 | 760 | 664 | 96 | 18 | 6 | 78 | ||||||
6 | Tynedale | 25 | 12 | 1 | 12 | 669 | 645 | 24 | 15 | 7 | 72 | ||||||
7 | Sheffield Tigers | 25 | 12 | 1 | 12 | 668 | 722 | -54 | 12 | 2 | 64 | ||||||
8 | Hull | 25 | 12 | 1 | 12 | 646 | 763 | -117 | 10 | 2 | 62 | ||||||
9 | Otley | 25 | 9 | 1 | 15 | 686 | 736 | -50 | 13 | 8 | 59 | ||||||
10 | Lymm | 25 | 9 | 1 | 15 | 693 | 843 | -150 | 11 | 5 | 54 | ||||||
11 | Preston Grasshoppers | 25 | 8 | 1 | 16 | 712 | 884 | -172 | 13 | 5 | 52 | ||||||
12 | Billingham | 25 | 7 | 2 | 16 | 550 | 747 | -197 | 8 | 3 | 43 | ||||||
13 | Hull Ionians | 25 | 5 | 1 | 19 | 636 | 890 | -254 | 10 | 7 | 39 | ||||||
14 | Huddersfield (R) | 25 | 2 | 1 | 22 | 548 | 1090 | -542 | 10 | 2 | 22 | ||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 20 April 2024 Source: National League 2 North RFU [13] |
Notable former players
British & Irish Lions
The following Leeds players have been selected for the Lions tours while at the club:
Rugby World Cup
The following are players which have represented their countries at the Rugby World Cup whilst playing for Leeds:
Tournament | Players selected | England players | Other national team players |
---|---|---|---|
1987 | 1 | Peter Winterbottom | |
1999 | 1 | ||
2003 | 7 | Mark Regan | Diego Albanese , Kees Lensing , Gordon Ross , Alix Popham , Aaron Persico , Winston Stanley |
2007 | 4 | Fosi Pala'amo, Anitele'a Tuilagi , Mike MacDonald , Martín Schusterman | |
2011 | 1 | Mike MacDonald |
Other notable former players
The following players have played for Leeds and have 10 or more caps for their national side or other significant accomplishments.
Personnel
Leeds Tykes Squad for the 2023-24 season[14] | ||
---|---|---|
HookersProp
Locks |
BackrowsScrum-halvesFly-halves |
CentresWingersFullbacks |
Coaching and medical staff
- Director of Rugby: Jon Callard
Honours
- Yorkshire Cup (3):
- Winners: 1998, 2006, 2009
- National Division One(3):
- Powergen Cup:
- Champions: 2005
- European Shield:
- Semi-finalists: 2004–05
- British and Irish Cup
- Runner-up: 2015–16
Statistics and records
- From Leedsrugby.com
|
|
Season summary
League
Season | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | BP | Pts | Pos | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021–22 National League 1 | 28 | 9 | 1 | 18 | 635 | 789 | −154 | 21 | 59 | 13th | |
2019–20 RFU Championship | 13[a] | 0 | 0 | 13 | 166 | 647 | −481 | 1 | 2.75 | 12th | Relegated |
2018–19 RFU Championship | 22 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 475 | 549 | −74 | 11 | 55 | 6th | |
2017–18 RFU Championship | 22 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 518 | 547 | −29 | 11 | 63 | 6th | |
2016–17 RFU Championship | 20 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 619 | 461 | 158 | 14 | 74 | 2nd | Finalist |
2015–16 RFU Championship | 22 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 655 | 466 | 189 | 22 | 78 | 3rd | Semi-finalist |
2014–15 RFU Championship | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 494 | 462 | 32 | 0 | 54 | 6th | |
2013–14 RFU Championship | 23 | 18 | 0 | 5 | 700 | 387 | 313 | 0 | 84 | 3rd | |
2012–13 RFU Championship | 22 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 585 | 480 | 105 | 0 | 67 | 4th | |
2011–12 RFU Championship | 22 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 470 | 505 | −35 | 0 | 60 | 6th | |
2010–11 Aviva Premiership
|
22 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 315 | 590 | −275 | 7 | 23 | 12th | Relegated |
2009–10 Guinness Premiership
|
22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 283 | 493 | −210 | 6 | 36 | 10th | |
2008–09 National Division One | 30 | 28 | 0 | 2 | 1238 | 376 | 863 | 21 | 133 | 1st | Promoted |
2007–08 Guinness Premiership
|
22 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 336 | 732 | −396 | 2 | 12 | 12th | Relegated |
2006–07 National Division One | 30 | 24 | 2 | 4 | 960 | 474 | 486 | 23 | 123 | 1st | Promoted |
2005–06 Guinness Premiership
|
22 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 363 | 573 | −210 | 8 | 28 | 12th | Relegated |
2004–05 Zurich Premiership
|
22 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 380 | 431 | −51 | 7 | 43 | 8th | |
2003–04 Zurich Premiership
|
22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 449 | 588 | −139 | 7 | 37 | 11th | |
2002–03 Zurich Premiership
|
22 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 478 | 435 | 43 | 6 | 58 | 5th | |
2001–02 Zurich Premiership
|
22 | 6 | 0 | 16 | 406 | 654 | −248 | 4 | 28 | 12th | |
2000–01 National Division One | 26 | 24 | 0 | 2 | 1,032 | 407 | 625 | 1 | 116 | 1st | Promoted |
1999–2000 National Division One
|
26 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 792 | 269 | 523 | 1 | 44 | 2nd | |
1998–1999 National Division One | 26 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 713 | 367 | 346 | 1 | 32 | 6th |
Cups
Competition | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Powergen Cup | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 297 | 274 | Winners 2005 |
Heineken Cup | 12 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 209 | 213 | |
European Challenge Cup | 31 | 18 | 2 | 11 | 832 | 601 | Quarter-finalists 2007/8 |
European Shield | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 324 | 106 | Semi-finalists 2004/5 |
Notes
- ^ Season ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and final points were awarded on a best playing record formula.
References
- ^ "University buys into Leeds Tykes". BBC Sport. 14 May 2007. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
- ^ "Ground Breaking Ownership for Leeds Rugby". Leeds Rugby Limited. 14 May 2007. Retrieved 14 May 2007.[dead link]
- ^ "Premiership survival better than World Cup – Neil Back". BBC Sport. 23 April 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
- ^ "News – Yorkshire Carnegie | Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds". Yorkshire Carnegie. Archived from the original on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Leeds restructure for Premiership". BBC News. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
- ^ Roberts, John; Ledger, John (15 May 2009). "Now Leeds Met pulls out of rugby club as jobs are axed". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
- ^ "Leeds Carnegie to change name to Yorkshire Carnegie from next season". The Guardian. Press Association. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
- ^ "New era dawns for Yorkshire Carnegie". rfu.com. Rugby Football Union. 10 July 2014. Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
- ^ "Loans agrees sponsorship deal with Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby". Yorkshire Carnegie. Archived from the original on 16 February 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Westby, Nick. "Yorkshire Carnegie to go part-time as cost of chasing the Premiership dream proves too much". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ "News – Yorkshire Carnegie | Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds". Yorkshire Carnegie. Archived from the original on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Yorkshire Carnegie renamed Leeds Tykes". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
- ^ "National League 2 North". England Rugby.
- ^ "coaches and players – Leeds Tykes RUFC". Retrieved 31 December 2023.