
HISTORY
DURFC HISTORY – HONOURS - FACTS & FIGURES
Durham University Rugby Football Club (founded 1875) is one of the oldest sporting clubs in the University, dating back to the foundation of the University in 1832, and has a proud tradition, with many successes in the UAU, BUSA and BUCS competitions.

Many International players have come through DURFC including England captains Phil de Glanville and Will Carling to name but a few. Since their separation from Newcastle in 1963, over thirty-five Durham players have won international honours including a number of British & Irish Lions and RFU Presidents.
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Pre-Split
Durham University Rugby Union Football club can find its roots at the very foundation of Durham University. When the University was established, in 1832, it consisted of the Durham colleges, located in Durham, and the College of Medicine and College of Science (later known as Armstrong College and then King’s College) based in Newcastle.
DURFC was formed in 1875 and became one of the strongest senior sides in the region. Owing to travel this side tended to consist of mostly Durham centered players. Throughout this time, they dominated the Northumberland Senior Challenge Cup and achieved four County finals in the 1920s. During this time three clubs emerged: Durham Colleges, College of Science and College of Medicine. They competed for over 60 years in a knockout competition called the Don’s Cup. This was established in the 1901/02 season by the Dean of the College of Medicine and was a huge event in the university Calendar. With The Northerner, the student paper, reporting at the time: “When our cup-ties do come around, it is imperative that men turn out and yell for all they are worth. Laboratories and lectures are no excuse, and, in fact, we do not see why the colleges should be open at all on these important days.” And despite a half dozen years of dominance by the College of Medicine following the World Wars, the title of the Don’s cup was shared relatively evenly between the three teams. DURFC is proud to have been at the forefront of university rugby since 1875.
Our impressive roster of alumni, who have gone on to achieve great things, both domestically and internationally, is a testament to the club's tradition of excellence. We continue to provide promising players with the training and opportunities necessary to contribute to the rich history of DURFC.
Durham University Rugby Club continue to develop more Premiership players than any other Academic University, with Josh Beaumont (Captain 2012-13) representing Sale Sharks and Simon Hammersley (Captain 2013-14) and Adam Brocklebank representing Newcastle Falcons in the B Premiership after studying and playing at Durham University.
Guy Pepper (2021-24), currently playing for Bath, has also represented England A against Portugal last year.
This trend continues for Durham with players such as Fitz Harding (2018-21) Bristol captain, Fred Davies (Captain 2021-22) playing for Doncaster Knights, Ewan Murphy (Captain 2022-23) playing for Sale Sharks, Paul Brown-Bampoe (2020-24), playing for Exeter Chiefs and Jamie Adamson (2018-22) (now NSW Waratahs and Max Pepper (2021-24) representing GB 7's.
CLUB HONOURS
University Champions : 1951, 1955, 1965, 1969, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 2004, 2011, 2013, 2020, 2022
BSR Champions : 2020, 2022
B.U.C.S. Champions : 2011, 2013
U.A.U. Champions :
1951, 1955, 1965, 1969, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987
B.U.S.A. Champions : 2004​
​B.U.C.S. Sevens Champions : 2011, 2012, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024
UAU 7s Champions : 1971, 1974, 1975
BUCS 7s Trophy Champions : 2018, 2022
British Lions : R.G. Henderson, P.J. Dixon, A. Old, J. Dee, W.D.C. Carling, T. Stimpson, W.Greenwood,
England : F. Allison, M. Armstrong, F.E. Chapman, J. Ellis, T. Danby, W.G.D. Morgan,
P.J. Dixon (Captain), M. Rose, P. Rossborough, M.D. Bailey, P. Warfield,
R. Hesford, R.C. Hannaford, A. Old, F.Clough, J. Dee, J. Phelan,
P. Knight, W.D.C. Carling (Captain), C. Oti, A. Mullins, P. De Glanville
(Captain), T. Stimpson, W. Greenwood, D. Walder, C. Hodgson
England Saxons/ A : R. Vickers, B.Woods , S. Hammersley, G. Pepper
England U23 : B. Anderson
England U21 : B. Woods, T. Jackson, A. Monaghan
England Counties : D. Cooper, A. Simmie
England U20 : J. Clegg, J. Basham, E. Murphy, A. Green, T.Thame
England 7s : O. Phillips (Captain), J. Adamson, M. Pepper, P.Brown
England Women : H. Kerr, N. Smith, C. McDonald, S.Lee, M.Ellery
Wales 7s : C. Devine
Wales U 20 : O. Thomas
Scotland : J. Campbell - Lamerton, D. Hodge, R. Breakey, R.G. Henderson, J.P.A Dunbar, E.D Kalman.
Scotland U21 : B. McKerchar
Scotland U20 : P. Loudon, D. Finnie, J. Hill, A. Clarke, J.Spurway,
Scotland Women : F. Cox
Japan U20 : H. Willard
Other Internationals : T. Danby (England Rugby League), J. Phelan (Canada), D. Bickle (Japan), M.Griffin (USA), S. Knowles (India), R. Keith (Hong Kong), D. Hasse-Ferreira (Portugal)
The following went on an international tour without playing in a test match: P. Lillington (Scotland),T. Cowell (England).
Played for England vs Japan : T. Allchurch (no caps awarded)
Played for England vs Barbarians :J. Beaumont (no caps awarded)
RFU Presidents : D.D. Serfontein, 1992 – 1993, W.G.D. Morgan, 2002 – 2003, C.R. Kelly 2018 - 19
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS & VICE PRESIDENTS
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
Mr. A. Keay, Mr. E.R. Wood, Mr. F. King MBE., Dr. G. Bromiley, Mr J. Kennedy, Dr. P.A. Warburton OBE, Mr P. Baty, Mr M. Woodley, Mr.J.Elliott, Mr. S.Colwell, Mr.R.Wilkinson, Mrs C.Wilkinson, Mr.M.Howard, Mr. N.Willings
VICE PRESIDENTS
Prof.C.Higgins, Prof. T. Burt, Dr.J.V.Armitage, Mr.P.C.Cummins, Mr. H. Nicholson, Mr. P. J. Dixon,
Mr. A.J. Tribe, Mr. M. McNeile,
Mr. M.P. Weston, Mr.D.Best, Mr. A. Macdonald, Prof. K. Bowler, Dr. M.J. Stacey, Mr. T. Yaxley, Mr. T. Atkinson, Mr J. Beaumont, Mr J. Clegg,
Mr. E. Manley, Mr C. Markham, Mr J. Burdis, Mr B. Fowles, Mr F. Hamilton, Mr D. Blackman, Mr R. Belcher, Mr. C. Hellier, Mr. F. Davies, Mr.B.Barratt , Mr.P.Bishop, Mr.E.Murphy, Mr.A.Radcliffe


