Old Brodleians

Old Brodleians was founded in 1930 by former pupils of the Hipperholme Grammar School. As the school was endowed in the will of a local man, Matthew Brodley hence, the 'Old Brodleians' was chosen as the club's name. In the early years they struggled to raise a full team and almost went out of existence in 1934. By 1939 the Brods ran two teams and had established themselves as a prominent junior club with a reputation for scrappy rugby.

When league rugby was introduced in 1987, Brods were placed in North East One. They stayed in that league until they were placed in Yorkshire 1 when the 1998 restructuring took place.[http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/oldbrodleiansfirstxv/a/history-7430.html club website history page] They are back in Yorkshire 1 after a short spell in the North 1 East league, after achieving promotion from Yorkshire 1 at the end of the 2008–09 season. The club returned to North One East after coming top of Yorkshire 1 in 2019–20.

The club play their matches at Woodhead ground in Hipperholme. A gas decontamination centre behind the council offices at Hipperholme was transformed into changing rooms and clubhouse after the war. Whilst these facilities were adequate the aim was to own and develop the club's own facilities. The chance to purchase the 18 acre (later extended to 23 acre) Woodhead ground was taken, supported by an RFU loan, and in 1963 the old hut was erected. The hut was an old RAF hospital wooden structure purchased for £700. It took two years but club members beavered away and a homely clubhouse with changing rooms and bath was the result. Many members have fond memories of the old hut but 27 April 2003 marked the end of an era when Charlie Hodgson cut the ribbon to open the rebuilt clubhouse.[http://www.johnkett.myzen.co.uk/photos0607/Clubhouse2002/index.html Clubhouse development pictures]

The new clubhouse stands as a permanent memorial to Colin Green who wrote " Although it seemed obvious to me that the club must start to plan for gradual replacement of its timber framed clubhouse. I was quick to learn that the old building was very dear to the hearts of older members and much loved by current players. So I trod carefully."

• Yorkshire 2 champions: 2007–08
• Yorkshire 1 champions (2): 2008–09, 2019–20
• Yorkshire Shield Winners 2018–19

• {{Ruicon|CYP}} Dominic Georgiou – Cypriot international
• {{Ruicon|CYP}} Chris Georgiou – Cypriot international
• {{Ruicon|ENG}} Tom Inman – plays for Halifax Panthers{{cite web |title=Well done Tom! |url=https://www.oldbrodleians.co.uk/news/well-done-tom-2739643.html |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=www.oldbrodleians.co.uk }}
• {{Ruicon|ENG}} Tom Parkin – plays for Doncaster Knights{{cite web |title=Tom Parkin |url=https://www.drfc.co.uk/squad/tom-parkin/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=Doncaster Knights }}
• {{Ruicon|ENG}} Charlie Hodgson – Sale Sharks, Saracens and England international
• {{Ruicon|ENG}} Jacob Umaga – Wasps, Benetton and England international{{cite web |last=World |first=Rugby |date=2018-03-02 |title=Hotshot: Wasps centre Jacob Umaga |url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/in-the-mag/hotshot-wasps-centre-jacob-umaga-89987 |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Rugby World }}
• {{Ruicon|ENG}} Zach Mercer – Gloucester, Bath, Montpellier and England international{{cite web |last=World |first=Rugby |date=2017-01-25 |title=Hotshot: Bath No 8 Zach Mercer |url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/in-the-mag/hotshots/hotshot-bath-no8-zach-mercer-76241 |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Rugby World }}
• {{Ruicon|ENG}} Lee Imiolek – Sale Sharks, England under-20{{cite web |title=New Coach – Lee Imiolek |url=https://www.oldbrodleians.co.uk/news/new-coach--lee-imiolek-2315671.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=www.oldbrodleians.co.uk }}{{cite web |title=Brods 28 – 22 Malton & Norton |url=https://www.oldbrodleians.co.uk/teams/2307/match-centre/1-10558246/report |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=www.oldbrodleians.co.uk }}
• {{Ruicon|ENG}} Alan Rhodes – Bradford Northern, Halifax, Hudddersfield Giants{{cite web |title=RIP Alan Rhodes |url=https://www.oldbrodleians.co.uk/news/rip-alan-rhodes-2823860.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=www.oldbrodleians.co.uk }}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.oldbrods.co.uk/ Official club website]
• [https://www.facebook.com/OldBrods Brods Facebook Page]

{{Rugby union in England}}

Category:Rugby union teams in England

Category:Rugby clubs established in 1930

Category:1930 establishments in England

Category:Sport in Halifax, West Yorkshire

Category:Rugby union in Yorkshire