Historical tables
Printed From: National League Rugby Discussion Forum
Category: League Rugby - www.leaguerugby.co.uk
Forum Name: National 1
Forum Description: Discuss the 14 clubs in the third level of the English game
URL: http://www.leaguerugby.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=20665
Printed Date: 04 Mar 2025 at 19:03
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Historical tables
Posted By: Rothman2
Subject: Historical tables
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 03:17
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I thought you might be interested to see how National 1 shaped up when the leagues were first formed in 1987/88. The league being sponsored by Courage. There were 12 teams in the league who played each other once but the clubs had to arrange their own fixtures which meant a disparity for some teams in the number of home & away games played. Four points were awarded for a win, two for a draw & one for a loss. I have inserted the final tables below but here are a few factoids (as Steve Wright used to say) 1. Of the original level 3 teams, only Plymouth are at the same level. 2. Only Exeter have improved their standing (see current levels in the right hand column. They were promoted to the Premiership in 2010 and have been there ever since. 3. No teams were promoted in this season but two were relegated (brutal). 4. Birmingham in this case were Birmingham RFC who merged with Solihull RFC in 1989, so the comparative league they play in is for the merged entity. 5. Maidstone RFC currently play in Counties 2 Kent (level 8). Coincidentally they play in the same league as Old Elthamians (Remember them). Elthamians currently have a 25 point lead in the Division after 19 games If anyone is interested I can publish a few more tables going forward. For now the original Courage National 3 final table is below:
------------- Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. Groucho Marx |
Replies:
Posted By: Rabbie Burns
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 07:29
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I think Blackheath were the league above this ------------- So many Christians not enough Lions |
Posted By: Storty
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 07:51
| Very interesting. My fun fact to contribute is apparently Stortford are the only team to have never been relegated! I read that in a program once so must be true! |
Posted By: tigerburnie
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 09:50
Well no Leicester Lions have never been relegated.....................................up till now.............
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Storty wrote:Posted By: Rothman2
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 09:57
Rabbie:
------------- Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. Groucho Marx |
Posted By: Nat1
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 10:06
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This got me thinking about who was placed in the top league at the time, and why those clubs were chosen, anyone know? I never knew that Moseley and Nottingham had once been up there. It's interesting to see how few league points seperate the majority of the clubs at seasons end, perhaps because you used to get a point for losing from what I remember, and well before the advent of TBP etc.
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Posted By: Rothman2
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 10:10
Might as well put National 1 up now:
------------- Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. Groucho Marx |
Posted By: Rothman2
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 10:13
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The leagues were initially structured based on the perceived strength of the clubs at the time. The RFU used historical performance in competitions like the County Championship and other regional results to determine the seeding of clubs into different divisions. This aimed to create a competitive balance while reflecting the hierarchy of clubs as it was understood at the time. ------------- Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. Groucho Marx |