The Bishop Auckland Rugby Club family gathered on Saturday 15th May for a truly historic occasion: our 50th Anniversary and Senior Presentation Dinner. It was an evening filled with exceptional company, fantastic entertainment, and a shared reflection on half a century of rugby in our community.
To everyone who attended, raised a glass, and celebrated with us, thank you for making it an unforgettable night.
Words from our President
The evening was not just a celebration of where we are today, but a tribute to everyone who laid the foundations for our success. Our Club President, Peter Gallone, shared a powerful toast that perfectly captured the spirit of the milestone:
"To the past — that built us. To the present — that defines us. And to the future — that inspires us. To Bishop Auckland Rugby Club — 50 years strong, and many more to come."
50 Years of Passion, Commitment, and Achievement – Steve Errington for player and captain
The concept of creating a rugby club in Bishop Auckland was born by Mike Gill, a local businessman and furniture shop owner by trade. He was derided by his peers who advised him a rugby club would never be successful in such a staunch football town. Nevertheless, Mike was determined to give it a go.
In 1974, local government introduced an initiative whereby local school facilities could be made available to the public through the creation of a Community Association with fee-paying membership. Mike was involved with this and recognised the opportunity alongside Ted Robinson, the Community Association Warden, and Tony Howells, the then headmaster at King James School, to establish a rugby club with the key essentials of a pitch and changing facilities being available at the school.
All that was needed now was sufficient players to field a team.
There were three meetings called by the Community Association to seek support from the local community to establish the club. Two were in the music room at the school, and the third was in the back room of the Wear Valley Hotel, courtesy of the new owner and ex-player Paul Bomford.
The first meeting was poorly attended with just five members of the public together with Mike Gill, Ted Robinson, Tony Howells, and Rod Macleod. Nevertheless, the drive to move forward was such that it was agreed another meeting would be called and word would be spread to bolster interest.
The second meeting took place around one month after the first and was very well attended. It was clear there was sufficient support to move on with the establishment of the club and the appointment of a committee with the objective of fielding a team for the forthcoming 1976/77 season.
The first home game was a pre-season midweek game on Wednesday 18th August 1976 against a Durham City side which included Stan Hodgson, an 11-capped ex-England hooker and British Lion. At 47 years old, he still gave a masterclass in the art of hooking.
Defying the Odds: 1977 to Present Day
Fifty years is a remarkable milestone for any sports club, but it means even more when you look back at our early challenges. Former club member Paul Sowerby shared a poignant reminder of the club’s resilience, recalling a time in 1977 when a senior local club predicted that Bishop Auckland RUFC simply would not survive.
How wrong they were.
Our longevity is a testament to the dedication of our volunteers, players, committees, and supporters who refused to let this club be anything less than a success. As we celebrated, we also took a quiet moment to remember those who could only be there in spirit. Their contributions remain woven into the fabric of our shirts and our grounds.
The Next Generation of Leaders
While the night was a chance to reconnect with fellow elders and celebrate our rich history, the most exciting takeaway was looking at the room and seeing our future.
The presentation evening highlighted an incredible group of new players, families, and emerging leaders—both male and female—who possess the talent and character to steer BARUFC forward. The club is in safe hands, and the foundations for the next 50 years are already being built.
Congratulations to all of our award winners from the Senior Presentation. Your hard work on and off the pitch this season embodies everything this club stands for.
Have a Great Summer
As the rugby shirts are packed away for the off-season, we want to wish our entire community a fantastic, restful summer. Thank you for your unwavering support this year.
Here’s to the next 50 years of Bishop Auckland Rugby Club.
