Hull RUFC was formed in July 1992 as a result of a merger between two local clubs, Old Hymerians RUFC and Hull & East Riding RUFC (1989) .
The formation of Hull RUFC was, at the time, another chapter of change in local rugby union history that in the previous few years had proved to be somewhat controversial.
Three years earlier, in the spring of 1989, the decision of the membership of Hull & East Riding RUFC to merge with Ionians RUFC to form Hull Ionians RUFC was not unanimous and effectively split the club.
The Riding membership who voted against the merger reformed the club as Hull & East Riding RUFC (1989) and were given membership of Yorkshire Division Six, the bottom tier of Yorkshire county rugby union. The new Hull Ionians club had taken Riding’s former league status in North One.
Hull & East Riding RUFC (1989) continued for three seasons before the merger with Old Hymerians RUFC in 1992 to form Hull RUFC. Old Hymerians RUFC was formed in 1925 while the Riding could trace their origins back to 1901.
On the formation of Hull RUFC it was decided that the colours of the club would be black, red and gold and the club badge would include the three crowns of Kingston-upon-Hull, the phoenix of Hull & East Riding and the hind of Old Hymerians. The club took Old Hymerians league status in North East Two for season 1992/93 and initially ran 6 senior sides including 2 veterans sides and an Under-21 side.
Hull RUFC played at the Old Hymerians ground at Haworth Park, Hull until 2008 when they moved to their current home the Ferens Ground located on Chanterlands Avenue, Hull. The club progressed up the rugby union pyramid beginning life in the old North East Two and won promotion to National Two North in 2009.
The club won the Yorkshire Cup for the first time in 2012 having been losing finalists the previous season and spent six seasons in National Two North before relegation at the end of season 2014-15 into National Three North (later redesignated as the Northern Premier Division ).
Hull celebrated their 25th Anniversary Season in 2017-18 by winning the Yorkshire Cup for the second time in their history and the following season 2018-19 the club won the Northern Premier Division title making a return to National Two North. Further success came at the end of season 2021-2022 when the club were crowned champions of National Two North and gained promotion to National One – the third tier of rugby union – for the first time in their history.
After just one season in National One Hull were relegated at the end of 2022/23 and currently play in National Two North.
SEASON BY SEASON:
1992/93: North East Two
The first coach was former England international Paul Huntsman and the first club captain was Zimbabwean international fly half David Walters. The first game at Haworth Park was a 51-12 victory over Hemsworth in a non-league game with the first try for the club scored by Mal Cressey. The first league game was at home to the eventual champions Doncaster who were defeated 8-6. Hull finished in 3rd place winning 9 and drawing 1 of their 12 league games. Richard Oliver was the leading try scorer with 15 and the leading goal kicker and points scorer was Andy Woods with 7 tries and 71 goals totalling 206 points.
1993/94: North East Two
Hull finished in 8th position winning 6 of the 12 league games played. Paul Huntsman had resigned for business reasons and was replaced by Jim Henderson. Darren Sapich was the leading try scorer with 9 and Paul Cook the top points scorer with 5 tries and 33 goals totalling 112 points.
1994/95: North East Two
An improvement in form resulted in a 5th place finish in the league. Mal Cressey was the leading try scorer with 13 while David Prescott set a then new club record with his 7 tries and 74 goals.
1995/96: North East Two
Alan Hunter took over as coach and the club finished 9th in a league of 13 but as a result of a nationwide RFU reorganisation of the league structure Hull were relocated to the newly formed North East Division Three. Mal Cressey was the leading try scorer with 8 and David Prescott the leading goal kicker with 36 goals. Lock Phil Lea became the first player to play 100 games for the club, a distinction that was to be recorded as a Centenarian for all such future achievements.
1996/97: North East Three
Alan Hunter left the club and was replaced by former Kelso RUFC, Great Britain, Wigan and Hull KR rugby league full back George Fairbairn. Hull won 14 of their 18 league games to ensure a swift return and gain promotion back to North East Two as runners-up to champions Darlington. The club set a new club record with 7 consecutive wins at the start of the season. The club also obtained permission from Hull FC to sign winger Leroy McKenzie for a four month period in the professional rugby league off season.
The home game with Sunderland on 7 September 1996 was played at Hull KR’s New Craven Park ground and was the first time two union sides had played on a professional league ground in Hull. Leading try scorers were Rob Moulds and Peter Hazleton with 11 each and David Prescott topped the points scorers with 167 points from 2 tries and 64 goals. Drew Clabby and Mark Lockton both made their 100th appearance for the club during the season.
1997/98: North East Two
Hull finished 4th winning 11 and losing 7 league games . Leroy McKenzie was the leading try scorer with 21 – a new club record – and David Prescott was the leading goal kicker and points scorer with 86 goals and 5 tries totalling 230 points – also a new club record. Both records would stand until the 2008/09 season. Neil Exley and David Prescott both made their 100th appearance for the club.
1998/99: North East Two
The following season saw Hull finish 4th again, winning 9 and losing 9 of their league games. The leading try scorer was former Harrogate and Hull KR centre Julian Barkworth with 12. David Prescott with 52 goals and 4 tries was the leading points scorer with 156. At the end of the season the club made its first overseas tour when 33 players and club members visited Raleigh in North Carolina, USA. Richard Beal made his 100th appearance in the penultimate game of the season.
1999/2000: North East Two
Hull only won 8 of their 18 league games, finished 7th in a league of 10 and at the end of the season were placed in an enlarged Yorkshire Division One as a result of another RFU league reorganisation. George Fairbairn left the club at the end of the season after 4 years as coach. Four players shared the leading try scorer list with 8 – Andy Barkworth, Julian Barkworth, Sean Botherway and Gareth Phillips. David Prescott was the leading points scorer with 63 points from his 24 goals. Peter Hazelton made his 100th appearance for the club.
2000/01: Yorkshire One
Samoan international Maea David joined the club from Hull FC. Chris Moore started the season as player-coach before in January 2001 former Llanelli and Wales, British Lions and Hull FC fly half Gary Pearce joined the club as playing Director of Rugby. Hull finished 9th in a league of 12 winning 6 and losing 14 of their 22 league games.
Leroy McKenzie was the leading try scorer with 12 and Gary Pearce kicked 39 goals for a total of 96 points. David Prescott retired from playing rugby after playing 150 games for the club and scoring 1,007 points including 352 goals. Both remained club records for 10 years. Simon Riseam made his 100th appearance for the club.
2001/02: Yorkshire One
Hull won Yorkshire One and promotion to North Two East finishing the season 9 points clear at the top, winning 19 and drawing 1 of their 22 league games. 14 consecutive games were won and the side was unbeaten at home all season. Former Hull FC player Brad Hepi joined the club. The leading try scorer was Leroy McKenzie with 17 tries. Guy Martinson was the leading points scorer with 126 points from just 14 games. Darren Booth made his 100th appearance for the club.
2002/03: North Two East
An excellent season saw Hull finish 3rd in the league, progress to the last 16 of the Powergen Intermediate Cup and reach the semi-final of the Yorkshire Cup, losing to Doncaster having beaten Pontefract, Old Crossleyans and Hull Ionians 15-11 in the quarter final. This was the first time Hull had beaten Hull Ionians who were always in a higher league and in fact played in National Three North during this season.
Leroy McKenzie again topped the try scoring with 25 and he was also the leading points scorer with 125. Gary Pearce was the leading goal kicker with 55. Adam Atkinson became the club’s highest forward try scorer in a season with 16, which remains a club record. Leroy McKenzie made his 100th appearance for the club.
2003/04: North Two East
The momentum continued as Hull won 21 consecutive league games and finished as champions with only a 23-22 defeat at Stockton with the final kick of the final game denying the club a 100% winning record. Nine club records were broken in a momentous season that ended in promotion to North One. Hull again progressed to the semi-final of the Yorkshire Cup losing to National Three side Halifax.
Leroy McKenzie was the leading try scorer for the 4th consecutive season with 24 and became the first player to score over 100 tries for the club. Carl Peterson was the leading points scorer with 217 comprising 75 goals and 10 tries. Guy Martinson kicked 24 goals and scored 20 tries for a points total of 154. Julian Barkworth made his 100th appearance for the club.
2004/05: North One
Following two promotions in three seasons Hull won their opening 7 games in North One and eventually finished 3rd winning 16 out of 22 league games. In October, in the first ever league meeting between the two local clubs, Hull Ionians recorded a 24-15 win at Haworth Park before Hull got their revenge with a 12-10 win at Brantingham Park four weeks later.
The three-way battle between Hull, Hull Ionians and Preston went right to the last game of the season with Hull never outside the top 3 all season. Danny Smith was the leading try scorer with 17 and Carl Paterson the leading points scorer with 74 goals and 4 tries totalling 207 points. Adam Atkinson, James Ward and Gareth Jackson all made their 100th appearance for the club.
2005/06: North One
Hull finished 6th winning 11 and losing 11 of their league games but progressed to the Yorkshire Cup semi-final for the third time in four seasons. Gary Pearce departed the club in March 2006 leaving Terry Garnett to lead the coaching. Winger Danny Smith created a new club record scoring 26 tries and Waylo Tangohau was the clubs top points scorer with 198. Mark Holness and Guy Martinson both made their 100th appearance for the club.
2006/07: North One
Prior to the start of the season former Leeds Tykes, West Hartlepool, Sale, Rotherham and Pau lock forward Chris Murphy joined the club. Under Head Coach Terry Garnett and backs coach Maea David a steady season of consolidation resulted in a 7th place finish after winning 10 and losing 12 of the 22 league games.
The leading try scorer was Movete Otoota with 9 tries and the leading points scorer was Guy Martinson whose 6 tries and 34 goals resulted in 113 points. Leroy McKenzie became Hull’s first double Centenarian as the first player to play 200 games for the club.
2007/08: North One
New Director of Rugby Geoff Wappett , former coach at Premiership club Rotherham, joined the club and with Head Coach Terry Garnett also in situ Hull enjoyed their best ever season in North One winning 10 and drawing 1 of the 22 league games to finish the season in 5th place. The signing in February of rugby union and rugby league dual Tongan international former Hull FC, Bradford Bulls, Saracens and Paris Racing Metro three-quarter Tevita Vaikona caused widespread news.
The leading try scorer was Matt White with 12 and the leading goal kicker and points scorer was Cameron Gray with 6 tries and 35 goals. During the season Maea David played his 100th game for the club and Leroy McKenzie played his 208th and final game for the club, scoring 135 tries, and he remains the club’s all-time leading try scorer.
This was also the final season for the club playing at Haworth Park and the last home game at the ground on 19 April 2008 saw Hull beat Westoe 27-25. The following season would see Hull playing at their new home, the Ferens Ground on Chanterlands Avenue.
2008/09 : North One
The opening match of the season at the new Ferens Ground on Chanterlands Avenue was ironically also against Westoe – the opponents for the last match at Haworth Park the previous season. New Director of Rugby Tevita Vaikona was delighted as Hull won 63-8 with Maea David scoring the first try at the new ground. Mateo Malupo created a new club record scoring 5 tries in the match.
Hull went on to win 18 of their 22 league games to finish as runners up to Westoe and secure a play-off match for the second promotion place against Midland One runners up Chester. Hull turned on the style to win emphatically by 40-15 and take their place in the newly created National Two North. The leading try scorer was Mateo Malupo with 16 tries from only 10 appearances. James Cameron broke both the goal kicking and points scoring records for the club, previously held by David Prescott, with 101 goals and 254 points in a season. Both remained club records for 15 years.
2009/10: National Two North
A final league position of 5th was a tremendous achievement for a newly promoted side together with reaching the semi-final of the Yorkshire Cup for the fourth time beating Driffield and Beverley before losing 26-7 at National One side Wharfedale. A seven try 48-31 win at Hull Ionians in September was followed up by a 27-7 home win in the reverse fixture in January as Hull completed a league double over their local rivals. Former Hull FC forward Lee Radford joined the coaching team.
Former New Zealand rugby league international Motu Tony also joined from Hull FC. Leading try scorer was Rob Devonshire with 11 and the leading points scorer was James Cameron whose 69 goals and 2 tries gave him a total of 180 points. Matthew White made his 100th appearance for the club and Guy Martinson made his 200th appearance and became Hull’s second double Centenarian.
2010/11: National Two North
Hull reached their first ever Yorkshire Cup Final with wins over Morley, Beverley and Cleckheaton before going down 25-18 in an epic final to Huddersfield at York’s Clifton Park ground. The final playing record was 16 wins and 2 draws from the 30 games and a final league position of 7th.
During the season two new club records were set which remain today – the clubs highest ever win beating Manchester 102-3 and scoring 16 tries in the match. The leading try scorers were Alex Piercy and James Greene with 17. James Cameron was the leading goal kicker with 90 goals. Chris Murphy and Alex Piercy both made their 100th appearance during the season and James Ward made his 200th appearance and became Hull’s third double Centenarian.
2011/12: National Two North
John Widdowson was appointed Director of Coaching and a tremendous season saw Hull win the Yorkshire Cup for the first time beating Wharfedale 20-10 at Clifton Park, York and finish 4th in the league. The leading try scorer was James Wigglesworth with 15. James Cameron kicked 90 goals and scored 249 points. In a unique occasion James Cameron, Scott Plevey and Rob Devonshire all made their 100th appearance for the club in the same home game against Bromsgrove on 14 April 2012. Guy Martinson played his final senior game for the club during the season having made 242 appearances which remained a club record for 13 years.
2012/13: National Two North
Hull had a dreadful start to the season losing their opening five games and although never in the bottom three in the league it was only thanks to a late run of form when they won six of the last seven matches that resulted in a creditable 7th placed position. Hull won 13 of the 29 league games played but lost 16. Full back James Wigglesworth was again the leading try scorer with 18 while young fly half Greg Lound stepped into the shoes of the injured James Cameron extremely well to land 89 goals for a total of 229 points. Kris Fullman made his 100th appearance for the club.
2013/14: National Two North
Hull under new player-coach Kerry Wood had a tough season as the club finished 13th with just 9 wins and 21 defeats from the 30 league games played. New back row Joe Stafford was the leading try scorer with 10. James Cameron kicked 62 goals for 154 points. Phil Murphy and Dan Cook both made their 100th appearance for the club.
2014/15: National Two North
During the summer Hull lost several prominent players including Chris Murphy who had played 190 games for the club and his brother Phil Murphy who had played 104 games. Shortly afterwards the club lost the services of James Cameron who relocated to London. James had played 150 games for the club and when he left he held 7 individual club records. James still remains Hull’s record points scorer (1,128), and the individual club record holder for most goals scored (445) and most points on debut (24).
Martin Webdale started the season as Head Coach. In December Gary Pearce returned to the club for a second spell as Director of Rugby. It was another difficult season on the pitch and having won 10 games from the 30 league games the club finished 15th and were relegated to National Three North. Jonny Matthews was the leading try scorer with 9 and Greg Lound kicked 43 goals for 126 points. Ollie Cook retired at the end of the season having played 105 games for the club.
2015/16: National Three North
After six seasons in National Two North Hull now faced life back in National Three North. Hull finished a creditable 5th in the league table winning 15 of the 26 league games played. Will Robinson was the leading try scorer with 12 and Josh Bragman kicked 64 goals for 167 points.
2016/17: National Three North
Another season of progress resulted in a 3rd place finish with 20 wins from 26 games and only 6 defeats. The club also reached the semi-final of the Yorkshire Cup losing 25-10 to Harrogate. Lee Birch was the leading try scorer with 19 and Tomasi Tunami the leading goal kicker with 53 for 148 points. Ali Heard and Joe Stafford both made their 100th appearance for the club during the season.
2017/18: Northern Premier Division
Hull celebrated their 25th Anniversary Season by finishing 2nd in the league and winning the Yorkshire Cup for the second time. Having won 20 and drawn 3 of the 26 games played Hull finished runners up to earn a home play-off game against Peterborough Lions from the Midlands Premier League for the promotion place to National Two North which the Lions won 31-22.
However Hull finished the season by winning the Yorkshire Cup for the second time beating Doncaster Phoenix 34-7 at York’s Clifton Park ground. Steve Hihetah set a new individual club record with 34 tries in the season and Steve Johnson kicked 74 goals for 180 points. Tom Rice, Tomasi Tanumi and Mike Jobling all made their 100th appearance for the club during the season.
2018/19: Northern Premier Division
An outstanding season finished with Hull crowned champions of the Northern Premier Division. The season actually began with an opening day defeat before twenty one consecutive wins followed. Hull completed twelve doubles on the way to the title and were confirmed as champions with four games remaining.
A final playing record read 24 wins and 2 defeats from 26 games. Steve Hihetah was again the leading try scorer with 32 tries. Simon Humberstone kicked 93 goals and amassed 200 points. His 12 goals against Kendall set a new individual club record. Keane Naylor also set two new individual club records with 7 tries and 35 points in the same match.
2019/20: National Two North
Playing back at a higher level Hull finished a very creditable 8th in a season curtailed in March 2020 with five games remaining due to the Covid 19 pandemic having won 12, drawn 2 and lost 11 of their 25 games played. Leading try scorers were Latu Makaafi and Tom O’Donnell with 7 each. Simon Humberstone landed 57 goals for a total of 148 points. Harvey Harding and Lee Birch both made their 100th appearance for the club during the season.
2020/21: Season Cancelled
Due to the ongoing pandemic the RFU cancelled all rugby for all clubs below Level Two for the 2020/21 season.
2021/22: National Two North
The finest season in the history of the club – Champions of National Two North and promotion to the third tier of rugby union for the first time. Director of Rugby Gary Pearce brought in former Doncaster Knights Head Coach Clive Griffiths as defence coach after Martin Webdale left the club to join Loughborough Students. By Christmas Hull were league leaders and in the second half of the season they proved unstoppable.
Promotion to National One was clinched with a 31-29 home win over Hull Ionians before a new record crowd of 950. Hull won 27 games and lost only 3 in the 30 games played. Mike Adlard was the top try scorer with 24 and Simon Humberstone kicked 73 goals for 178 points. Liam Regardsoe, Steve Johnson and Cameron Curry all made their 100th appearance for the club during this momentous season.
2022/23: National One
The huge difference in stepping up to the third tier of English rugby union was found to be far greater than any previous promotions experienced by the club and after just one season the club were relegated back to National Two North. A solitary home draw from the 26 games played was the only reward in a season that proved extremely challenging albeit the players never lost spirit and played some very good rugby gaining 10 bonus points.
In January, long standing Director of Rugby Gary Pearce left the club but was soon replaced by former Rotherham and Samoan rugby union and rugby league international Mike Umaga assisted by Tony Penn. Mike Adlard was the leading try scorer with 11 and Reece Dean kicked 42 goals for 117 points. Mike Adlard made his 100th appearance for the club while Alex Heard and Mike Jobling both played their 200th games during the season and became the clubs 4th and 5th double Centenarians. Mike Jobling also set a new individual club record for 93 consecutive appearances.
2023/24: National Two North
Following relegation Hull found themselves back in National Two North and at the start of the season the club had lost several prominent players including the retirement of Cameron Curry and Stephen Johnson due to injury. Cameron had played 118 games for the club and Stephen had played 124 games. A season of consolidation resulted in Hull finishing 8th having won 13, drawn 1 and lost 12 of their 26 games played.
The leading try scorer was former Hull FC and Castleford Tigers rugby league player Bureta Faraimo with 12 in his debut season. Reece Dean broke both the goal kicking and points scoring records in a season, both previously held by James Cameron since 2008/09, with 103 goals and 274 points respectively. Will Hall made his 100th appearance for the club.
Five players – props Jamie Major and Tom Bairstow, centre Ali Heard, winger Peter Hudson-Kowalewicz and full-back Harrison Astley, helped Yorkshire reach the final of the Bill Beaumont Cup final at Twickenham, where they were narrowly beaten 31-30 by Kent.
2024/25 : National Two North
Hull avoided relegation on the final day of the season having gained maximum point victories from the final three games of the season and finished 11th having won 10 and lost 16 of their 26 games played. The leading try scorer was back row Adam Brankley with 13 tries while Fynlay Hobson kicked 46 goals for 155 points. During the season the individual club appearance holder record was broken twice. First Ali Heard surpassed the previous record held by Guy Martinson since 2011, but then suffered a season ending injury and club captain Mike Jobling subsequently set a new club appearance record finishing the season with 252 appearances. At the end of the season Director of Rugby Mike Umaga and his assistant Tony Penn left the club whilst both Harvey Harding and Adam Brankley represented Yorkshire in the Bill Beaumont county championship.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 