National 1 - Historical tables

Historical tables

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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 09:19
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Topic: Historical tables

Posted By: Rothman2
Subject: Historical tables
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 03:17

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:

1987–88 Courage League National Division Three table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts		Current level
1	https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakefield_RFC" rel="nofollow - Wakefield (C)	11	10	0	1	308	90	218	20	No promotion	Folded 2004
2	https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Hartlepool_R.F.C." rel="nofollow - West Hartlepool 11	10	0	1	249	105	144	20		6
3	https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Albion_R.F.C." rel="nofollow - Plymouth Albion 11	8	0	3	276	125	151	16		3
4	https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheffield_RUFC" rel="nofollow - Sheffield 11	7	1	3	134	161	-27	15		4
5	https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vale_of_Lune_RUFC" rel="nofollow - Vale of Lune 11	7	0	4	183	149	34	14		6
6	https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fylde_Rugby_Club" rel="nofollow - Fylde 11	6	0	5	269	170	99	12		4
7	https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Metropolitan_Police_RFC&action=edit&redlink=1" rel="nofollow - Metropolitan Police 11	5	0	6	130	128	2	10		8
8	https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maidstone_RFC" rel="nofollow - Maidstone 11	4	0	7	134	162	-28	8		8
9	https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exeter_Chiefs" rel="nofollow - Exeter 11	3	2	6	128	197	-69	1		6
10	https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuneaton_R.F.C." rel="nofollow - Nuneaton 11	2	1	8	94	157	-63	5		6
11	https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morley_R.F.C." rel="nofollow - Morley 11	1	1	9	109	235	-126	3	Relegated	6
12	https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_%26_Solihull_R.F.C." rel="nofollow - Birmingham 11	0	1	10	46	381	-335	1	Relegated	8

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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

I think Blackheath were the league above this

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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!