Riding Vikings

Riding Vikings :: A Brief History

In season 1901-02 the Hull and East Riding Rugby Union Football Club was formally established and joined the R.F.U. The club played at various West Hull locations before becoming firmly established in the 1920’s at Goddard Avenue. It enjoyed its most successful seasons in the 1960’s being widely regarded as one of the top club sides in the North of England. It moved to the Circle, Anlaby Rd (now the site of the K.C. Stadium) before disbanding in 1989 when local rugby pundits decided there was more opportunity for rugby union success in the area at the newly constituted Hull Ionians R.U.F.C. and Hull R.U.F.C. clubs.

The Vikings had previously been the name used by the club’s veteran side. Formed around the mid 1960’s by Trevor Cooper and fellow ageing stalwarts of ‘The Riding’ (as the club was familiarly known). As players passed the thirty years mark they graduated to be classed as a ‘veteran’ and many former first class players re-convened into a side which developed a strong reputation at second and third team level for outstanding skills commitment and results. This side was never far from conflict internally, however, with the age-old argument constantly hovering over the responsibilities of older players to play down through the club sides and help to ‘bring on’ youngsters with potential.

The Vikings preferred to respond by tackling the issue in a different direction – by inviting younger players to mix in with them and soak up the knowledge and ability of eons of rugby skill – while at the same time providing some younger legs to do the running! The approach proved a great success with younger players regularly preferring the atmosphere, ability and sheer joy of playing that has always been the hallmark of Vikings rugby.

When the decision to scrap ‘The Riding’ came along, it was eventually the Vikings players who held the casting votes as to whether they would agree to the proposals and generate the necessary mandatory majority. In unselfish fashion, they rightly recognised that their best days were behind them and they should not act in any way to hamper the next generation’s ambition. They cast their votes along the wishes of the club as a whole to complete the final merger thus formally closing the doors of the old Hull & East Riding RUFC.

The desire to turn out together remained strong, as was the passion invoked by the jersey and identity of the old ‘Riding’ club and the Vikings side. Uncomfortable as a part of the new set-up, the players determined to set up their own ‘club’ and maintain the tradition and activity of the Vikings. Legal challenges prevented the use of the name ‘Hull & East Riding RUFC, and so ‘Riding Vikings RFC’ was formed from former players, as a veteran’s side. The club, which has successfully maintained its financial viability alongside a playing record that has rarely seen a losing season (i.e. always more wins than losses each season since start-up) has since moved to its present home of the Police Sports Ground on Inglemire Lane, Hull, and still with a a predominantly veterans team, is cometing in the 2nd Division of the East Yorkshire Merit League.predominantly

History Contributed by Norman Court.