Halifax Vandals RUFC is an amateur rugby union club based in Warley Town, Halifax. They currently run two senior sides. The 1st XV plays in Counties 2 Yorkshire while the 2nd XV plays in the AWW/Central/North Merit League.
History
Formation Halifax Vandals was formed in November 1923 when a group of college students met under a lamp post on Francis Street in Halifax to form a rugby club. The name "Vandal" is attributed to a warrior tribe who fought against the Roman Empire in 455 AD and came out victorious.
Modern History In the early days, their existence was somewhat nomadic, using the facilities in the village pub, The Maypole Inn, before acquiring the former school house opposite. With the formation of the national league system in 1987 Halifax Vandals was one of the original members of Yorkshire 5, being the first ever winners of the competition being promoted to Yorkshire 4.
In the 2003–04 season they were relegated back to Yorkshire 5 however was promoted back in Yorkshire 4 the following season. Once again in the 2007–08 season the Vandals were champions Yorkshire 5, this caused them to have the joint record for titles for the now defunct Yorkshire 5.
In 2015–16 they became champions of Yorkshire 4, and went onto go back to back becoming champions of Yorkshire 3. However they were relegated from Yorkshire 2 after only one season.
Rivalries The Warley-based club have a long-standing rivalry with Old Rishworthians and more recently, with Halifax RUFC. With Halifax RUFC joining the Vandals in Counties 3 Yorkshire for the 2023–24 season then led by former player coach Jamie Bloem the rivalry between the two clubs grew even more.
Recent Success Following promotion is 2023-24 season, Vandals cemented themselves as a club that belonged in Yorkshire 2, and will be joined by the local rivals Halifax RUFC in the 2025-26 season. Many former Vandals now play for Halifax RUFC.
Club honours
1st XV
Yorkshire Silver Trophy Champions: (2) 1991–92, 2023-24
Yorkshire 5 Champions: (3) 1987–88, 2004–05, 2007–08 Counties 4 Yorkshire Champions: (1) 2015–16 Runners-up: (1) 1991-92 Counties 3 Yorkshire Champions: (1) 2016–17 Runners-up: (1) 2023-24
Season summaries +Since 1998–99 seasonSeasonLeaguePositionWDLPtsNotesCaptain1998–99Yorkshire 23rd112524Tim Helliwell1999–00Yorkshire 24th120624Jon Isherwood2000–01Yorkshire 37th921120G A Pollard2001–02Yorkshire 37th901318Tim Helliwell2002–03Yorkshire 312th11202Relegated to Yorkshire 4Jon Isherwood2003–04Yorkshire 411th611513Relegated to Yorkshire 5 North WestB Holden2004–05Yorkshire 5 North West1st111223Champions, promoted to Yorkshire 4Jon Isherwood2005–06Yorkshire 412th10212Relegated to Yorkshire 5 North WestDamian Whiteley2006–07Yorkshire 5 North West3rd100620Rick Duffy2007–08Yorkshire 5A1st121125Promoted to Yorkshire 4Andy LyonYorkshire 5C2nd701162008–09Yorkshire 4 5th131827Promoted to Yorkshire Division ThreeM Lockwood2009–10Yorkshire Division Three8th711315Paul Knapping2010–11Yorkshire Division Three12th 411723Andrew Murray2011–12Yorkshire Division Three14th502124Relegated to Yorkshire Division Four2012–13Yorkshire Division Four8th9013422013–14Yorkshire Division Four5th131865Paul Jowett 2014–15Yorkshire Division Four6th1219582015–16Yorkshire Division Four1st190390Promoted to Yorkshire Division Three2016–17Yorkshire Division Three1st201595Promoted to Yorkshire Division Two2017–18Yorkshire Division Two14th312221Relegated to Yorkshire Division Three2018–19Yorkshire Division Three9th901745Jamie Richardson2019–20Yorkshire Division Three9th1111061Play was stopped on the 16/03/20 due to COVID-19Tony Curtis2020–21Yorkshire ThreeN/A0000No games were played due to the Pandemic2021–22Yorkshire Three6th1311264Paul Jowett2022–23Counties 3 Yorkshire 6th1101151Ben Burnside2023–24Counties 3 Yorkshire2nd200296Promoted to Counties 2 YorkshireDan Mitchell2024─25Counties 2 Yorkshire5th131867Reuben Pollard
Notable former players
Internationals
Chris Davies, former England Sevens international also played for Cambridge University and Saracens, Jamie Bloem, former South Africa Rugby League captain as well as playing internationally for Scotland Rugby League. Bloem joined in 2013 as a player coach. Rehan Mansoor, 16 Cap Pakistan international joined Vandals as a player in 2022 and named forwards coach in 2023,
References