Chester Rugby Club’s centenary season is underway with plenty of exciting events planned for the coming months.
The highlight will be a marquee weekend at the club in May with three days of special celebrations.
The weekend will kick off with a Sportsman’s Lunch on Friday, May 16, at which 2003 World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson will be the guest speaker.
This is followed on Saturday 17th with the club’s Centenary Ball, while on Sunday 18th the marquee will play host to the club’s annual junior presentation day.
Cullimore Dutton is delighted to have become the club’s main sponsor with the centenary season coinciding with new look branding for the business. The new branding can be seen on the players’ shirts and elsewhere around the ground.
Dave Maloney, Chair of Chester Rugby Club, said: “We are really looking forward to marking this significant milestone in the history of our club.
“We’ve gone back to a special retro playing shirt for this season, a red and white shirt, white shorts and white socks and we’re delighted to have the Cullimore Dutton name front and centre.
“We couldn’t do what we do without the support of all our sponsors, which are responsible for around 25% of our turnover. Many of our sponsors, including Cullimore Dutton, have been supporting us for many years, something we are hugely grateful for.
“The financial contribution of our sponsors helps to pay for so many different things, including player match fees, improvements around the ground and clubhouse and various other projects.”
The support of sponsors was even more crucial last season when the 1st XV found themselves playing in National League 2 West with huge additional travel including two away matches against clubs in Cornwall.
Thankfully, the club is now back where it should be in National League 2 North which removes the requirement for the additional expense of overnight accommodation.
Dave said: “That season in the West put a real strain on the club, but we are now back in our rightful league, which is better on so many levels, not only financially but also we are back playing clubs where there is a lot of shared history.
“It’s also a season of change in other ways with a new coaching structure and players still bedding in.”
The club continues to run three Saturday men’s teams, a women’s team that goes from strength to strength and a thriving minis and junior section, with more than 600 youngsters regularly descending on the Hare Lane ground on Sunday mornings.
Other key achievements in recent years included the installation of a state-of-the-art artificial pitch, allowing players of all ages to train and play in all weather conditions, and new car parking facilities.
Dave added: “We have a lot to celebrate as a club and it will be wonderful to do this with current and past players and so many other volunteers, supporters, friends, families and sponsors who are the life blood of Chester Rugby.”
An updated History of Chester Rugby is being finalised and will be ready to buy in time for Christmas, while special centenary blazers, ties and pin badges have been in high demand.
For more information about Chester RUFC’s centenary, sponsors and upcoming fixtures, visit https://www.chesterrufc.com/
To find out more about getting involved with the club email chair@chester-rufc.com
