A Brief History of the Club

The earliest report of 'football' in Kirkby Lonsdale was in 1734, when mention was made of damage to the Church windows in persons playing football. No doubt some of our forbears were among those 'persons' but following the formation of our Club in 1877 no further damage to the Church windows has been blamed on football.

It appears the first match was against a mixed team of masters and boys from Heversham Grammar School in the Autumn of '77, which we lost, here at Underley Park, but we won the return match at Heversham in the following March.

It seems from 1877 to 1888, Kirkby and the RFU were blissfully unaware of one anothers existence but with an improving side with several players of county standard, Kirkby applied to join the Westmorland County Union - if the fee could be reduced! This resulted in a G Webster being picked for the County to play the touring Maoris. The Westmorland side narrowly lost by one try (3 points and 3 minors) to one drop goal (4 points and 3 minors). In 1889 and 90, more Kirkby players were picked and the RFU from 1890 to 1979 listed us as commencing in 1890. On our providing proof of the 1877 matches this was corrected and enabled us to hold our Centenary Season, a little late in 1980.

1890-1900 it began with a great side were robbed of the Westmorland Cup in 1890.
1896-1900 Things got rather confused and went downhill.
1900-1914 The Team got back on track and Kirkby had good results against mainly local sides. Shorts went from below to above knee.
1920-1939 with motorized transport fixtures went further afield. It was the era of Billie Walling our most capped county player (47) and two England trials. A good period in the clubs history.
1946-1952 The late forties saw play resume with in 1947 Jim Pickemell scored ten tries against Ambleside, a club record, and then signed for Barrow Rugby League.
1953-1958 A very difficult period with a shortage of players and only kept in existence by a determined few. Bravely they decide to build our first clubhouse, and this decision saved the club.
1958-1970 A great improvement in playing standards attracting players from a wider area, and the majority of Holme Wanderers joining us when they lost their playing field (their funds following them in 2009!).
1971-1980 The Westmorland Cup was won at last, with captain Terry Willan putting over the winning penality in the dying moments. The latter part of the decade saw a lighter team struggle.
1981-2000 A new clubhouse was built and this has given us the facilities we had only dreamed of. Standards again improved and with the introduction of the Leages, we had the honour of playing the very first Rugby Union league game in England, v Cockermouth in 1984. The Mini and Youth Section was set up and has proved a success beyond belief with up to 300 youngsters on the Park on most Sundays mornings. In this period we had Kiwi presence beginning with Tom Rostron and then two most influential 'first give eights' Mark Turfrey and Grant Angus.
2001-2010 We are now reaping the benefits of mini and youths progressing into the senior teams. Last season the Firsts were second in Cumbria/North Lancs League and gained promotion to Level 6, the Seconds ended the season in mid table in Miller Homes League 3 North, and the Thirds were in a mid table position in Miller Homes League 4 North.

We look forward to our 133rd season at Underley Park and trust we can offer all opponents wam hospitality and keenly contested matches.