A brief history of Kirkby Lonsdale RUFC

Compiled and published by James Thompson in 1980

Despite the fact that the Rugby Union handbook has listed the Kirkby Lonsdale Club as having been formed in 1890, there can now be no doubt that it was organised for the season 1877-1878, and played the first match at Underley Park in the early Winter of 1877 against Heversham School.

The first match resulted in a defeat by two goals and a try. This is perhaps not quite such a disaster as it sounds as Heversham included masters in their team and also Reverend J.H.Milne.

Kirkby gained their revenge later in the season as the following report from the Westmorland Gazette of 23 March 1878 shows:

23 March 1878 (to be continued . . .)