FOLLOWING the recent article, the “Rise and Fall” of Ilkley Rugby Club, the club's past history was examined in detail up until the modern times of 2011.
However history did not stop in 2011 and the following decade under the leadership of Sir David Jones, prior to his unfortunate death, was one of the most successful in the Club’s history.
Over this period all three senior teams succeeded in two league promotions, with the first X15 becoming one of the top amateur Clubs in the country and the Second X15 playing in the Northern Pilot league making it one of the top second X15’s in the North of England.
Furthermore, many Sevens Tournaments were won culminating in the winning of the national Amateur Sevens Competition at Bath in 2017.
The Junior section became one of the largest groups in Yorkshire achieving many successes and the Club sponsored coaching at Ilkley Grammar brought the school rugby honours starting almost from scratch.
On the financial front the Club generated approximately £600,000 on all activities including grants and donations of which £250,000 was spent on a myriad of projects including: – construction of the Fitness and Rehabilitation Suite and the kitting out of the new Gym; a Steam Room; Player Enclosures; Air Conditioning; Energy Conservation Project; Terrace improvements; Kitchen enhancements and Hard Standing at the coach entrance on Denton Road and expanded equipment storage facilities.
Furthermore, planning permission was obtained for the major Club Extension with £300.000 in reserve awaiting the commencement of the project.
Research took place on many other proposed projects including, pitch improvements on Drainage and Irrigation including a Borehole Project for free water; 1st XV pitch Floodlights and an Electronic Score Board, all ready for when financial resources became available.
A veritable decade of activity, excellent performance and outstanding growth and the club will hope the next decade turns out as good as the last. INFORMATION AND REPORT GATHERED/WRITTEN BY: MIKE HALLING
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