The History of Milton Keynes RUFC
Milton Keynes RUFC was originally named Wolverton Rugby Club, and its forerunner was founded in the mid-1870s. They continued to play at Wolverton Park until going into hiatus at the beginning of the First World War. The Club was reformed on 22 January 1958, when the Scout Hall in Wolverton was hired and the first committee was formed. The suggestion to reform the Club initially came from John Cawthorne. In the first season, three games were arranged and shirts were found from various sources, which were dyed black by one Derek Haycock. This was to emulate the club’s original black strip, which had supposedly originated from dye used at Wolverton Railway Works.
The following season the local council supplied a pitch and goalposts at the Wolverton Recreation Ground, with changing and bath facilities in the Railway Works Baths. The Craufurd Arms became the Club's headquarters. Eventually proper black shirts with white collars were donated by Vice-Presidents after much fund-raising, and it was even possible to play away with fifteen players. White shorts and black socks completed the kit. A home game against Northampton Saints was played in 1959, ending in a 54-6 defeat.
In 1965 the allotments at the back of Windsor Street in Wolverton (Hodges Furze) were leased by the Club from the Radcliffe Trustees, and Marstons Brewery loaned the Club some money. The land was ploughed, seeded, mole drained and stones removed to make the new grounds. A second-hand hut was purchased and fitted up with changing rooms, bath, toilets and, of course, a bar. On 27 March 1968, the former England international Jeff Butterfield performed the official opening. Butterfield would later serve as club president from 1972 to 2004.
The following season the local council supplied a pitch and goalposts at the Wolverton Recreation Ground, with changing and bath facilities in the Railway Works Baths. The Craufurd Arms became the Club's headquarters. Eventually proper black shirts with white collars were donated by Vice-Presidents after much fund-raising, and it was even possible to play away with fifteen players. White shorts and black socks completed the kit. A home game against Northampton Saints was played in 1959, ending in a 54-6 defeat.
In 1965 the allotments at the back of Windsor Street in Wolverton (Hodges Furze) were leased by the Club from the Radcliffe Trustees, and Marstons Brewery loaned the Club some money. The land was ploughed, seeded, mole drained and stones removed to make the new grounds. A second-hand hut was purchased and fitted up with changing rooms, bath, toilets and, of course, a bar. On 27 March 1968, the former England international Jeff Butterfield performed the official opening. Butterfield would later serve as club president from 1972 to 2004.
The name of the Club was changed in 1974 to Milton Keynes RUFC in light of the development of the new city, and a new ground was provided in Greenleys at Field Lane. Once again Marstons Brewery came up with a loan to build the clubhouse, with help from a sponsored run to Twickenham, where the players were pictured on TV handing over the match ball for the All Blacks game in 1973. The first official game at Greenleys was played against a Former Internationals XV on 1 September 1974, ending in a 29-4 defeat.
Rumours circulated in the ‘80s of talks about a merger of MK with Bletchley rugby club. The Milton Keynes Development Corporation was apparently keen for the city to be represented by a single team. If there were any such meetings, however, they never came to anything.
One of MK’s most notable players in the ‘80s was Father Neville Kyrke-Smith: Oxford-educated Assistant Curate of St. Mary and St. Giles Church in Stony Stratford during the week, and six-foot-three-inch second row forward at weekends.
League competitions for rugby in Milton Keynes began in the 1987/88 season, but they proved challenging at first for MK, who narrowly avoided relegation from Division 1 in the late ‘80s.
In 1994, Paul Hull became the first former MK player to represent England. Hull had joined the club in the 1985/86 season, and then represented Buckinghamshire, the RAF and Bristol before graduating to full international duty. He earned four England caps, and was voted “player of the tour” for the 1994 trip to South Africa.
Rumours circulated in the ‘80s of talks about a merger of MK with Bletchley rugby club. The Milton Keynes Development Corporation was apparently keen for the city to be represented by a single team. If there were any such meetings, however, they never came to anything.
One of MK’s most notable players in the ‘80s was Father Neville Kyrke-Smith: Oxford-educated Assistant Curate of St. Mary and St. Giles Church in Stony Stratford during the week, and six-foot-three-inch second row forward at weekends.
League competitions for rugby in Milton Keynes began in the 1987/88 season, but they proved challenging at first for MK, who narrowly avoided relegation from Division 1 in the late ‘80s.
In 1994, Paul Hull became the first former MK player to represent England. Hull had joined the club in the 1985/86 season, and then represented Buckinghamshire, the RAF and Bristol before graduating to full international duty. He earned four England caps, and was voted “player of the tour” for the 1994 trip to South Africa.
In March 2006, Milton Keynes RUFC won the Bucks Plate against Slough RUFC, who were in the league above. Milton Keynes went on to finish as runners up in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier League and were promoted to Southern Counties North.
The Club has over 400 members, including a mini and junior section with players between the ages of 6 and 18.
Milton Keynes Under-15s were 2009/10 County Cup Champions and First Division Champions, with five players playing for Buckinghamshire. Two players play for Wasps Academy and one player was in action for the England Under-16s.
In April 2011, the club transferred to a new ground in Emerson Valley.
In 2014, Leicester’s Ed Slater was called up to the England squad ahead of the Six Nations. Slater had played for MK as a teenager, and hoped to become the second MK old boy to play for the full England team, but in the event he was not capped.
The Club has over 400 members, including a mini and junior section with players between the ages of 6 and 18.
Milton Keynes Under-15s were 2009/10 County Cup Champions and First Division Champions, with five players playing for Buckinghamshire. Two players play for Wasps Academy and one player was in action for the England Under-16s.
In April 2011, the club transferred to a new ground in Emerson Valley.
In 2014, Leicester’s Ed Slater was called up to the England squad ahead of the Six Nations. Slater had played for MK as a teenager, and hoped to become the second MK old boy to play for the full England team, but in the event he was not capped.