Macclesfield R.U.F.C.

Macclesfield RUFC is a rugby union team based in the Cheshire town of Macclesfield and operates three senior sides, senior and junior colts and ten mini/junior teams.^[3] The first XV currently play in the fourth tier of the English rugby union system, National League 2 West, following their promotion from Regional 1 North West at the end of the 2023–24 season. The second XV plays in the Cotton Traders Premier League and the third XV play in NOWIRUL division 3.

Macclesfield

Full name	Macclesfield Rugby Union Football Club
Union	Cheshire RFU
Nickname(s)	Blues
Founded	1874; 151 years ago (1874) (present club formed in 1927; 98 years ago (1927))
Location	Macclesfield, Cheshire, England
Ground(s)	Priory Park (Capacity: 1,250 (250 seats)[1][2])
Chairman	Robert Cooke
League(s)	National League 2 West
2023–24	Promoted from Regional 1 North West (champions)
Team kit
Official website
www.macclesfieldrufc.co.uk

History

Macclesfield RUFC was formed in 1877 although the present club was formed in 1927. After playing at several venues, the club moved to its present home in 1980. Five years later they participated in the forerunner to the launch of the national league system when they participated in the Girobank North West League. Over the last 25 years Macclesfield have climbed the pyramid spending one season in National One during the 2012–13 Season before being relegated but bouncing straight back after winning promotion during 2013–14 Season. However the 2014–15 saw the Blues relegated back to National 2 at the end of the campaign. They won the old North West 1 in 1991–92, North 2 in 1994–95 and entered the old National 3 North, then the fourth tier of club rugby, in 2002, winning the league in 2009–10, by which it had been restructured as National League 2 North.^[4]

Honours

• Cheshire Plate
  • Winners (2): 1981–82,^[5] 1993–94^[6]
• Cheshire Cup
  • Winners (8): 1991–92, 1994–95, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2015–16^[7]
  • Runners-up (2): 2004–05, 2007–08
• North West 1 (1): 1992–93
• North 2 (1): 1994–95
• North 1 v Midlands 1 promotion play-off winners (1): 2002–03^[8][9]
• National League 2 North (3): 2009–10, 2013–14, 2015–16
• National Division 2 Champions Cup (1): 2009–10
• Regional 1 North West: 2023–24^[10]

Current standings

2024–25 National League 2 West table

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TB	LB	Pts	Qualification
1	Clifton (C)	26	21	1	4	942	623	+319	23	3	112	Promotion place
2	Camborne	26	20	1	5	1037	672	+365	23	0	105
3	Taunton Titans	26	16	2	8	828	727	+101	18	3	89
4	Loughborough Students	26	13	1	12	926	817	+109	24	5	83
5	Luctonians	26	15	1	10	736	564	+172	13	4	79
6	Hornets	26	13	1	12	789	830	−41	20	5	79
7	Cinderford	26	14	1	11	779	708	+71	15	5	78
8	Redruth	26	14	1	11	709	666	+43	16	3	77
9	Hinckley	26	13	0	13	902	793	+109	15	5	72
10	Old Redcliffians	26	11	1	14	714	805	−91	17	6	69
11	Macclesfield	26	7	1	18	708	963	−255	17	7	54
12	Exeter University	26	9	1	16	770	873	−103	13	2	53
13	Bournville (R)	26	6	0	20	615	937	−322	11	6	41	Relegation place
14	Devonport Services (R)	26	4	0	22	569	1046	−477	14	4	34

Updated to match(es) played on 26 April 2025. Source: National League Rugby ^[11]
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:

1. Number of matches won
2. Number of matches drawn
3. Difference between points for and against
4. Total number of points for
5. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
6. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled