1988–89 Courage Area League North Explained

1988–89 Courage Area League North
Champions:Roundhay (1st title)
Runnersup:Broughton Park (not promoted)
Relegated:Birmingham
Matches:110
Prevseason:1987–88
Nextseason:1989–90

The 1988–89 Courage Area League North was the second full season of rugby union within the fourth tier of the English league system, currently known as National League 2 North, and was the counterpart to Courage Area League South (currently National League 2 South). By the end of the season Roundhay were crowned league champions, just 1 point ahead of runners up Broughton Park, gaining promotion to the 1989–90 National Division Three.

At the other end of the table Birmingham were easily the weakest team, failing to register a single point as they suffered a second successive relegation, dropping to Midlands 1.[1] It would be Birmingham's final season as a single entity as they would merge with Solihull (themselves relegated the previous campaign) to form Birmingham & Solihull RFC for the 1989–90 season.[2]

Structure

Each team played one match against each of the other teams, playing a total of ten matches each. The champions are promoted to National Division 3 and the bottom team was relegated to either North 1 or Midlands 1 depending on their locality.[3]

Participating teams and locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious Season
Portway Relegated from National 3 (12th)
Hough End 6th
Hollow Drift Runners up (not promoted)
Cooke Fields 8th
Scatcherd Lane Relegated from National 3 (11th)
1,000 5th
Lightfoot Green 5,000 4th
Chandos Park 3rd
Hartwell Lane Promoted from Midlands 1 (champions)
Stourton Park 3,000 7th
Burrows Hill Promoted from North 1 (champions)

Sponsorship

Area League North is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and was sponsored by Courage Brewery.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Area League 1988/89. The Rugby Archive. 25 December 2017. 30 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171230232916/http://www.rugbyarchive.net/Pagine/StagioneCompetizioni.aspx?ID=24. dead.
  2. Web site: Club History. Birmingham & Solihull RFC. 25 December 2017 .
  3. Web site: Leagues 1988/99. Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club. 18 January 2017.