Waterloo Rugby Club (known as Firwood Waterloo for sponsorship reasons) is an English Rugby Union team based at St Anthony's Road, Blundellsands, Merseyside. Once a powerhouse of the English rugby union game, the men's 1st XV now play in North 1 West at the sixth level of English rugby union system, following their relegation from National League 3 North at the end of the 2016-17 season.
History
Waterloo Football Club celebrated its 125th season in 2007/08, having been founded in 1882 by brothers Sidney and Harry Hall and George Abercrombie. From 1882 until 1884 the club was known as Serpentine after the road near its original ground. In 1884 a dispute prompted a relocation to Waterloo and so the club's name was changed. The club returned to the Blundellsands area in 1892 and has remained there ever since. The team is currently known as Firwood Waterloo after its title sponsor.
They play in myrtle green, white and scarlet hooped shirts, green shorts and green socks. Their badge features a Lancastrian red rose with a black griffin in the centre. Former players include Dick Greenwood, Ben Kay, Will Greenwood, Andy Titterrell, Nicola Mazzucato, Watcyn Thomas, Kyran Bracken, Austin Healey, and Paul Grayson.
Notes
In 1977 they were the runners-up in the John Player Cup. In 1986 they won the Glengarth Sevens at Stockport R.U.F.C They competed in the top division of English rugby for the first two seasons after the league structure was introduced but were relegated in 1989. In Season 2003/04 the 1st XV gained promotion to National League Division 2, reached the final of the Powergen Shield at Twickenham and was Rugby World Magazine 'Team of the Year'. In 2005/06 they secured promotion to National League Division 1. In 2005 club president and former England women's rugby union international Gill Burns received an M.B.E. for services to sport. In 2008 the club won the Lancashire Cup for the 7th time in their history.
Club honours
Lancashire Cup winners (7 times): 1974, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1993, 1994, 2008
Lancashire Cup runners up: 2006, 2023
John Player Cup runners up: 1977
Glengarth Sevens winners: 1986
Merit Table B champions: 1986-87
National Division 3 North champions: 2003-04
Powergen Shield runners up: 2003-04
Ground move
At the 2008 AGM the prospect of selling their Blundellsands ground and relocation to a new purpose built facility was discussed.
MyWaterlooRugby.com
In mid-2009 in an attempt to create extra interest and revenue Waterloo embarked on an internet based fan management scheme allowing rugby enthusiasts to contribute to the running of the club by subscribing to a website and voted on club decisions.
Women's rugby
The women's first team currently play in Tyrells Premier 15s and the Development Team play in the Tyrells Premier 15's Development League. They are currently captained by Rachael Thomas, the section has produced numerous International players throughout their 30-year history and currently have Mhairi Greave (Scotland), Lisa Neumann (Wales), Lauren Delaney (Ireland) and Sarah Beckett (England), playing at International level.
Colts
Waterloo FC has a history of high success at Colts level. The most successful team, captained by Tom Benbow and featuring long serving veterans Tom White Jr, Matt Daley, Sean Miller, Martin Bell, Andrew Riley and Mike Bates won their League in the 2002/03 season, gaining promotion and then winning the Lancashire Cup the following season. The team has now largely disbanded and the majority of the members have moved on from the club. Martin Bell is still first team captain.
The Colts currently compete in the Senior B league of the Lancashire Colts section (a division also featuring Liverpool St Helens, Kirkby Lonsdale and Fylde). They are captained by Jack Weare who is deputising for the injury stricken Carl Nolan. The season started well with the team winning 6 out of 6 games leaving them top of the table but shortly after this injuries and player availability contributed to the team losing the majority of their matches within weeks of the season opening.
In 2022 the Senior colts won the Lancashire Cup in a fabulous 22-17 win over a very strong Warrington side at Fleetwood RUFC. This side was unbeaten in over 4 years and coached by former Waterloo men's Captain David Blyth.
Internationals
The full list of Waterloo players to earn international caps is as follows :