Lancs/Cheshire Division One

Lancs/Cheshire Division 1 (usually referred to as Lancs/Cheshire 1) was a regional English Rugby Union league for teams from Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and Greater Manchester, ranked at tier 8 of the English league system. The top two clubs are promoted to North 2 West and the bottom two clubs are relegated to Lancs/Cheshire 2. Each season two teams from Lancs/Cheshire 1 are picked to take part in the RFU Senior Vase (a national competition for clubs at level 8) - one affiliated with the Cheshire RFU, the other with the Lancashire RFU.

Lancs/Cheshire Division 1
Current season or competition:
2019–20 Lancs/Cheshire Division 1
SportRugby union
Instituted1987 (1987)
Number of teams8
Country England,  Isle of Man
HoldersOrrell (1st title) (2019–20)
(promoted to North 2 West)
Most titlesAltrincham Kersal, Warrington (3 titles)
WebsiteEngland RFU

The division was initially known as North-West West 1 when it was created in 1987, and had a number of different names since with South Lancs/Cheshire 1 being the longest running. The division switched to its current name for the 2018–19 season due to the restructuring of the northern leagues by the RFU as a result of 19 Lancashire clubs withdrawing from RFU competitions across the leagues to form their own competitions. This would see the North Lancashire/Cumbria division abolished, with Lancashire-based sides from that league being transferred into Lancs/Cheshire 1, while the Cumbria sides were transferred into Cumbria 1.[1]

The introduction of North 2 West for the 2019–20 season at tier 7 of the north west leagues, meant that Lancs/Cheshire Division 1 dropped down to being a tier 8 league.

The after the cancellation of Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season[2] that due to the coronavirus pandemic the league was disbanded with teams transferred into the Lancashire Merit Table competitions or ADM Lancashire leagues.

Teams 2019–20

Teams 2018–19

Teams 2017–18

Participating Clubs 2016-17

Participating Clubs 2015-16

Participating Clubs 2014-15

Participating Clubs 2013-14

Participating Clubs 2012-13

Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams:

  • Aspull
  • Birchfield
  • Douglas
  • Eagle
  • Liverpool College
  • Mersey Police
  • Old Anselmians[lower-alpha 1]
  • Old Parkonians
  • Oldershaw
  • Ormskirk
  • St. Edward's Old Boys

Lancs/Cheshire 1 honours

North-West West 1 (1987–1992)

The original incarnation of Lancs/Cheshire 1 was known as North-West West 1, and was a tier 9 league with promotion up to North West 2 and relegation down to North-West West 2.

North-West West 1
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams
1987–8811Mersey PoliceLiverpool CollegeOld Anselmians, Oldershaw
1988–8911WarringtonOld ParkoniansBirchfield, Aspull
1989–9011St. Edward's Old BoysOldershawOld Parkonians
1990–9111South Liverpool Ruskin ParkVulcan
1991–9211OrmskirkOldershaw[lower-alpha 2]No relegation[lower-alpha 3]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Cheshire/Lancs South (1992–1996)

Restructuring of north-west leagues saw North-West West 1 renamed as Cheshire/Lancs South for the 1993–94 season. Promotion continued to be up to North West 2, while relegation was to either Cheshire or Lancashire South (new regional divisions of what was North-West West 2). The division was initially at tier 9 but the creation of National 5 North for the 1993–94 season meant that Cheshire/Lancs South dropped to become a tier 10 league.

Cheshire/Lancs South
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams
1992–9312Ruskin ParkKersalDouglas
1993–9413LeighAspullNewton-le-Willows, St Mark's Old Boy, Liverpool College
1994–9513AspullEagleVulcan, Old Anselmians, Southport
1995–9613Ruskin Park Newton-le-WillowsPort Sunlight, Sefton, Congelton, Crewe & Nantwich[lower-alpha 4]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

South Lancs/Cheshire 1 (1996–2000)

The league system was restructured from top to bottom by the Rugby Football Union for the start of the 1996–97 season. Firstly, as part of the reorganisation of the Cheshire and Lancashire leagues, Cheshire/Lancs South was renamed South Lancs/Cheshire 1. The cancellation of National 5 North and creation of North West 3 meant that South/Lancs Cheshire 1 remained a tier 10 league, with promotion to North West 3 and relegation to the newly named South/Lancs Cheshire 2 - now back to being a single division. From the 1998–99 season onward the league was known as EuroManx South Lancs/Cheshire 1 after its sponsor EuroManx.

South/Lancs Cheshire 1
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams
1996–9710Altrincham KersalWirralOld Parkonians, Birchfield
1997–989WarringtonSouthportNewton-le-Willows, South Liverpool
1998–99[3]10St. Edward's Old BoysWallaseyAnselmians, Ruskin Park
1999–00[4]9BirchfieldDukinfieldOld Salians, Eagle, Crewe & Nantwich
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

South Lancs/Cheshire 1 (2000–2018)

Northern league restructuring by the RFU at the end of the 1999–2000 season saw the cancellation of North West 1, North West 2 and North West 3 (tiers 7-9). This meant that South/Lancs Cheshire 1 became a tier 7 league, with promotion to North 2 West (currently North 1 West). The division would continue to be known as EuroManx South Lancs/Cheshire 1 until the 2007–08 season when EuroManx ceased operations. Relegation during this time continued to be to South Lancs/Cheshire 2 except for one season (2015–16) where teams dropped to Cheshire (South), Lancashire (North) or Merseyside (West).

South Lancs/Cheshire 1
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams
2000–01[5]12Birkenhead ParkWarringtonAshton-on-Mersey
2001–02[5]12WilmslowAspullSt Edward's Old Boys, Dukinfield
2002–03[6]12CaldyWidnesOrmskirk, Oldershaw
2003–04[7]12WidnesBowdonBirchfield, Anselmians
2004–05[8]12RochdaleLeighSouthport, Wigan
2005–06[9]12Broughton ParkWilmslowWarrington
2006–07[10]12NorthwichLeighOldershaw, Dukinfield
2007–08[11]12WilmslowBurnageRuskin Park, Anselmians, Aspull
2008–09[12]11BurnageWidnesNo relegation[lower-alpha 5]
2009–10[13]14WirralWidnesDukinfield, Warrington
2010–11[14]14AnselmiansWidnesOswestry, Vagabonds
2011–12[15]14Sale FCNew BrightonOrmskirk, Liverpool Collegiate
2012–13[16]14WarringtonBroughton ParkOrrell, Bowdon
2013–14[17]14New BrightonNorthwichAshton-on-Mersey, Tyldesley
2014–15[18]14Altrincham KersalLiverpool St HelensRuskin Park, Manchester Medics
2015–16[19]14NorthwichWest Park St HelensWinnington Park, Hoylake
2016–17[20]14ManchesterDouglasOswestry, Wigan
2017–18[21]14Broughton ParkAnselmiansNew Brighton[lower-alpha 6]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Lancs/Cheshire 1 (2018-present)

South Lancs/Cheshire 1 was renamed as Lancs/Cheshire 1 for the 2018–19 season continuing as a tier 7 league with promotion to North 1 West. The creation of North 2 West for the 2019–20 season meant that Lancs/Cheshire 1 dropped to being a tier 8 league with promotion into this new division. Relegation continued to Lancs/Cheshire 2 (formerly South Lancs/Cheshire 2).

Lancs/Cheshire 1
Season No of Teams Champions Runners–up Relegated Teams
2018–19[23]13Altrincham KersalBowdonFleetwood, Hoylake
2019–20[24]8[lower-alpha 7]OrrellHoylakeRamsey, Birchfield
2020–218
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Promotion play-offs

For the 2018–19 season there was play-off between the runners-up of Lancashire/Cheshire 1 and Cumbria 1 and for the third and final promotion place to North 1 West. Previously Lancs/Cheshire sides had faced teams from North Lancashire/Cumbria (see following subsection). As of 2019–20 Lancashire/Cheshire 1 sides have one win to Cumbria's zero; and the home side has one win to the away side's zero. The introduction of North 2 West for the 2019–20 and the subsequent demotion of both Lancashire/Cheshire 1 and Cumbria 1 to tier 8 divisions, means that if the playoff continues it will be in place in the newly introduced division.

Cumbria 1 v Lancs/Cheshire 1 promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance
2018–19[25]Bowdon (NW)HWO[27]Aspatria (C)Clay Lane, Timperley, Altrincham, Greater ManchesterN/A
Green background is the promoted team. C = Cumbria 1 and NW = North 2 West

Discontinued promotion play-offs

Between the 2000–01 and 2017–18 seasons there was a play-off between the runners-up of North Lancashire/Cumbria and South Lancs/Cheshire 1 for the third and final promotion place to North 1 West. The team with the superior league record had home advantage in the tie. This continued until the North Lancashire/Cumbria division was abolished due to RFU restructuring of the leagues.[1] At the end of the 2017–18 season the North Lancashire/Cumbria and South Lancs/Cheshire 1 team sides had nine wins apiece; and the home team had won promotion on thirteen occasions compared to the away teams five.

North Lancashire/Cumbria v South Lancs/Cheshire 1 promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance
2000–01[28]Warrington (SLC)HWO[lower-alpha 8]Carlisle (NLC)The Fortress, Walton, CheshireN/A
2001–02[29]Oldham (NLC)15-24Aspull (SLC)Manor Park, Oldham, Greater Manchester
2002–03[30]Penrith (NLC)25-10Widnes (SLC)Winters Park, Penrith, Cumbria
2003–04[31]Rossendale (NLC)24-28Bowdon (SLC)Marl Pits, Rawtenstall, Rossendale, Lancashire
2004–05[32]Leigh (SLC)13-15Tyldesley (NLC)Round Ash Park, Leigh, Greater Manchester
2005–06[33]Wilmslow (SLC)43-10St Benedicts (NLC)Memorial Ground, Wilmslow, Cheshire
2006–07[34]Leigh (SLC)40-15Blackburn (NLC)Round Ash Park, Leigh, Greater Manchester
2007–08[35]Rossendale (NLC)20-16Burnage (SLC)Marl Pits, Rawtenstall, Rossendale, Lancashire
2008–09[36]Widnes (SLC)41-52Vale of Lune (NLC)Heath Road, Widnes, Cheshire
2009–10[37]Kirkby Lonsdale (NLC)13-12Widnes (SLC)Underley Park, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
2010–11[38]Widnes (SLC)26-19Fleetwood (NLC)Heath Road, Widnes, Cheshire
2011–12[39]Kirkby Lonsdale (NLC)21-18 (aet)New Brighton (SLC)Underley Park, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
2012–13[40]Broughton Park (SLC)32-13Eccles (NLC)Hough End, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester
2013–14[41]Bolton (NLC)21-18Northwich (SLC)Avenue Street, Bolton, Greater Manchester500
2014–15[42]Leigh (NLC)34-26Liverpool St Helens (SLC)Leigh, Greater Manchester
2015–16[43]Bolton (NLC)20-27West Park St Helens (SLC)Avenue Street, Bolton, Greater Manchester
2016–17[44]Douglas (I.O.M.) (SLC)15-14De La Salle (Salford) (NLC)Port-E-Chee, Douglas, Isle of Man600
2017–18[45]Anselmians (SLC)65-14Aspatria (NLC)Malone Field, Eastham
Green background is the promoted team. NLC = North Lancashire/Cumbria and SLC = South Lancs/Cheshire 1

Number of league titles

See also

Notes
  1. Now known as Anselmians.
  2. 3rd place Vagabonds were also promoted.
  3. The restructure of the North-West leagues for the following season with North-West West 3 being discontinued and North-West West 2 splitting into two regional leagues - Cheshire and Lancashire South - meant that there was no relegation, although bottom side Old Intonians would merge with Old Rockferrians to form Prenton RUFC and would enter the Cheshire league for the 1992–93 season.
  4. Reorganisation of the Lancashire and Cheshire leagues for the 1996–97 season meant that four teams instead of three were relegated into the new look South/Lancs Cheshire 2 - now back to being a single division.
  5. No relegation as division due to increase from 11 to 14 teams for the following season.
  6. Only one team relegated from division as Manchester Medics dropped out of the league.[22]
  7. 3 teams from the newly restructured Lancs/Cheshire Division 1 dropped out of the RFU leagues to join the ADM Lancashire Leagues.
  8. Warrington won 2000-01 promotion playoff by default as Carlisle were unable to raise a team.

References
  1. "North West league restructuring (June 14 2018)". RFU North. 14 June 2018.
  2. "RFU Cancels Adult Competitive Leagues for the 2020/21 Season". RFU. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  3. "1998-1999 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  4. "1999-2000 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  5. "2000-2001 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  6. "2002-2003 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  7. "2003-2004 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  8. "2004-2005 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  9. "2005-2006 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  10. "2006-2007 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  11. "2007-2008 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  12. "2008-2009 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  13. "2009-2010 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  14. "2010-2011 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  15. "2011-2012 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  16. "2012-2013 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  17. "2013-2014 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  18. "2014-2015 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  19. "2015-2016 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  20. "2016-2017 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  21. "2017-18 Northern Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  22. "Club Weekly Roundup". Anselmians RUFC (Pitchero). Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  23. "2018-19 Northern Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  24. "Men's North Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  25. "North Play Offs". England Rugby. 27 April 2019.
  26. "North One West". Rolling Maul. 29 April 2019.
  27. Bowdon won the 2018–19 promotion playoff by default as Aspatria were unwilling to take part.[26]
  28. "2000-01 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 26 May 2001.
  29. "2001-02 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 27 April 2002.
  30. "2002-03 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 26 April 2003.
  31. "2003-04 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 24 April 2004.
  32. "2004-05 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 7 May 2005.
  33. "2005-06 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 29 April 2006.
  34. "2006-07 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 28 April 2007.
  35. "2007-08 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 26 April 2008.
  36. "2008-09 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 25 April 2009.
  37. "2009-10 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 1 May 2010.
  38. "2010-11 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 14 May 2011.
  39. "2011-12 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 28 April 2012.
  40. "2012-13 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 27 April 2013.
  41. "Bolton Make History". Bolton RUFC (Pitchero). 26 April 2014.
  42. "2014-15 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 25 April 2015.
  43. "2015-16 North Playoffs". England Rugby. 14 May 2016.
  44. "DOUGLAS EDGE IN PROMOTION THRILLER". Douglas (I.O.M.) RFC. 9 May 2017.
  45. "ANSELMIANS PROMOTED". Aspatria RUFC (Pitchero). 19 May 2018.
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