How to find us.
Furness Rugby Union Football Club was founded in 1902 and is one of only two Rugby Union Teams in Barrow in Furness. Even though we have a large ground it is not one of the easiest to find:-
Follow the A590 to Barrow, after passing the Golf Course on the right, take the first left on the roundabout and follow the sign for Furness Abbey, take the second exit on the next mini roundabout, follow the road past the Hospital, which is on the right, continue for a further half a mile (you are now on Abbey Road). Look for a standard Post box on the left (Ostley House on the right) and turn there into Croslands Park Road, continue for a further 200 yards and turn right along side the first bungalow down a very narrow driveway. This is the entrance to The Strawberry Grounds. The access is NOT large enough for buses so they will have to remain parked on Croslands Park Road.
The Club itself is entirely self supporting and depends on the Income from its members over the Clubhouse bar and sponsors to keep our Teams operating.
If you wish to become a member of the club, either a player supporter or Social member do not hesitate to turn up or contact any of the telephone numbers or email address on this web site.
Club Opening Hours
Monday -
Saturday:-
Tuesday 21st September
The club is very sorry to announce the death of former player John Benn, who passed away in his sleep on Sunday night. John played with distinction for Furness having joined the club after starting his career with his local club, Millom. John also represented Cumbria at senior level. Funeral details will be posted when known. RIP old friend.
Wednesday 1st September
Want to try something a little different! Then come along to Furness from 4pm Saturday for an eclectic mix of the finest cocktails courtesy of the Viking Cocktail Co., slow cooked lamb in pittas (Ragnar Ragnarsson's favourite -
Friday 20th August
Pre season training times have changed as the season fast approaches. Come down and join us at 6.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the club.
First game is 3 weeks tomorrow!
Friday 6th August
We’re delighted to announce that club captain Corne Els has been reappointed for the 2021-
Corne exemplifies the values and work ethic of our team consistently turning in outstanding performances on the pitch and working hard to lead our team. This season will see Corne reach 200 outings for the first team, a tremendous achievement and one we’ll be happy to celebrate with him.
Congratulations Corne
Wednesday 4th August
Pre season training is up and running with the season only 6 weeks away. If you’re looking to liven up the winter months ahead with some fun games of rugby and an excellent social scene please come along and join us. We play in the Cumbria league and offer a pathway for players over the age of 17 to get involved in representative rugby under the guidance of our fully qualified coaches. If you want to get involved in Rugby Union and are looking for a friendly, ambitious club then drop us a message or just turn up, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome.
Wednesday 28th July
Anticipation is building ahead of the second Lions test on Saturday not least because top Furness chefs Karlos and Corne, the Siegfreid and Roy of the kitchen, will be treating us to a hog roast. With many years of spit roasting under their belts it promises to be a day to remember. The club will be open from 2 with food served from about 3.30 onwards. The match kicks off at 5.
Friday 16th July
Click HERE for the New Club Shop
Thursday 8th July
Advance notice of the triumphant return to Furness of top ska punk band Broken 3 Ways on Saturday 30 October with support band to be confirmed. Their gig last Feb will be remembered for a long time by all those who were there. Tickets on sale soon on a first come first served basis. Likely cost £10, with any profit from ticket sales going to Furness Foodbank/Homeless
Friday 2nd July
Pre season training starts on Monday at 7pm.
A warm welcome awaits for old and new players alike and it will be great to catch up with everybody.
We’re an ambitious club and are always looking to recruit to add to our core of talented individuals. So if you’re a youngster looking to develop your rugby skills under the expert gaze of our experienced coaching team or an experienced player who wants to get a decent run out on a Saturday with a great bunch of lads. Come down and join us at Furness RUFC on Monday.
Friday 25th June
After an undefeated season last term and a great day out at Kendal 7’s, we have had some time off just recently.
So, just to get us in the mood for the Lions tour, pre season training starts on Monday 5th July at 7pm.
If you want to join us for next season or just come down to work on your fitness for a few weeks with a great bunch of lads, you’ll be welcomed with open arms.
Look forward to seeing you there.
Monday 14th June
Tickets now on sale for the first Lions Test South African BBQ on 24 July. Cost £20 for which you get a pint on arrival, entry into raffle and a plate of the finest South African cuisine. Any money left over will go into club coffers. If you were expecting Boerewors, forget it – we’ve got something even better courtesy of in-
Tickets from Club President John Mallinson who can be contacted on 07958334607 or at jmall53@hotmail.com
Sunday13th June
It’s with a sense of great sadness that we announce the death, on 8 June, of former player Shaun Foster, at the very young age of 55 after a long struggle against cancer. The Covid restricted funeral will take place at Barrow Crematorium on Thursday 17 June and afterwards in the clubhouse. RIP old friend
Thursday 10th June
A great sporting summer coming up starting with the Euros. All England’s games will be shown in the clubhouse starting on Sunday 13 June when they take on Croatia, kick off 2pm, followed by Scotland at 8pm on Friday 18 June and finally (hopefully not) Czech Republic Tuesday 22 June at 8pm.
In July and August we have the three Lions tests against South Africa, starting with the first test on Saturday 24 July, kick off 5pm our time. We’re still working on it, but the thinking is to make a bit of an effort and combine the game with an Old Farts day, starting with a few drinks and a South African braai with top South African chef Cornelius Gerhardus Els and Barrow’s finest export to the African sub-
Wednesday 9th June
200 Club Draw
£25 winners:
John Shields (2)
Tony Cockburn
Fred Drew
Andy Shuttleworth (2)
Gill Field (2)
Steve Liddicott
Eddie Northcott
Shaun McPoland
Robin Lee
£250 winner
Steph Hall
There are still some unclaimed cheques from previous draws. Details have been posted previously but if you think one (or more) of them is yours contact John Mallinson by email at jmall53@hotmail.com or texting/calling 07958334607.
Thursday 3rd June
After last Saturday's Industry 13 shots frenzy, it promises to be a bit quieter in the beer garden this weekend. Open Saturday and Sunday from 2pm. Lovegroove doubtful having recently converted to Judaism and awaiting, with a degree of trepidation, ritual circumcision. In the absence of Barrow's Chief Rabbi the minor procedure will be carried out by former club physio and GB rugby league legend Phil Hogan.
Monday 31st May
Well, we didn’t get amongst the trophies at Kendal 7s, but the squad put in a great performance and we were the minnows amongst the semi finalists, so we’re a happy club and eager to improve.
We’ll take a break from training for a few weeks before we get together for pre season
Thanks to the squad for some fantastic 7s play yesterday and let’s keep building on strong foundations.
If anyone wants to join us for pre season and become part of a club that’s keen to offer good quality rugby, and a fantastic social scene keep your eyes peeled for updates on this page
Friday 28th May
Most of the beer garden will be taken over tomorrow by Industry 13 for their summer social. There'll be a few spare tables so if you want one you'll need to be there early. We'll be open from around 2.
Lovegroove is off tag and having sold one of his kidneys in Istanbul has invested in a pair of Mackie Thumps which he says will be able to be heard in Roa Island. We've also got Viking Spice selling fresh pizzas from their mobile pizza oven. Who needs Dominos!! Champions League football in clubhouse from 8.
We're also open Sunday from about 2.30 -
Wednesday 26th May
After 15 months without any rugby, I can’t tell you how excited we are to be back! Even if it is 7s .
We’ve trained without playing for far too long so we’ll be taking part in the Kendal 7s comp on Sunday. Only 4 sleeps to go.
Friday 21st May
We’ve been blown away by our request for sponsors to sponsor our players for next season. It’s so heartwarming to know that we’re all part of a fantastic club.
A huge thank you to everyone who’s got in touch with offers of support, it’s greatly appreciated, so from myself (Dai) and the players....THANK YOU
Thursday 20th May It looks like there might be a gap between the showers on Saturday so the beer garden will be open from about 1pm. If you'd rather be inside, the bar will be open, where you'll find the European Challenge Cup final on the big screen. Lovegroove currently involved in High Court proceedings relating to passport violations and is currently rated as 'doubtful'.
Saturday 8th May
Furness Women’s rugby are holding their first training session this week! Thursday at 6.30pm at Furness Rugby club.
If you’re a complete newbie and want to try out a new fun team sport or you’ve played before and want to get back into our wonderful game please come along and join us.
The session will be run by qualified coaches and will introduce the basics principles of rugby with some touch rugby games thrown in, please come along changed and ready to go with boots or trainers. We’ll train for about an hour and our aim is to ensure everyone has fun, so come on your own or bring as many friends as you want because teamwork is what rugby’s all about.
Thursday 29th April
We might not have the biggest beer garden in town but we reckon it's the best. Still a few tables left for Saturday 1pm and Sunday 2pm. In the words of that late, great quiz show host Leslie Crowther 'come on down'
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Women and girls of Barrow and surrounds, want to get involved in one of the fastest growing sports in the UK?
Women’s rugby is great fun, it gets you active and, like all rugby, it’s good for the soul.
I’m trying to gauge interest by putting together a 7’s team to represent Furness over the summer.
So, if you’re 17 or over fancy getting involved, getting fit and having fun please get in touch. If we get enough interest I’ll arrange a training session,
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Saturday 24th April
All tables for today now reserved. There will be additional seating but it's going to be very much on a first come first served basis.
Tuesday 20th April
So busy was last Saturday that we've had to have a rethink about how we can remain open and still be Covid compliant. As a result we will be operating a table reservation system. Unlike some places, if you reserve a table it's yours for the day but we expect you to be there pretty much from the word go IE 1pm. Assuming we haven't sold out of beer we will close around 8-
Payment by card is preferred although cash will be accepted.
Neither Pablo nor Pedro Lovegroove are available this week, however, we are pleased to announce that their parasitic triplet brother, Delgado, a source of much pain to their long suffering mother, has been released from Guantanamo Bay and is raring to go.
Thursday 1st April
How much fun was that!! Great to be back to rugby, with the outrageous dummies, miraculous pick ups, coach killer kicking attempts and laughs all around, same again next we
Saturday 27th March
Hey everyone, as of Monday we’re able to commence rugby activities, WooHoo.
We’ll be up and running on Wednesday at 6pm for a friendly game of touch rugby.
If you want to catch up with some friends for a bit of a run out, or come down to the club for the first time, everyone is welcome provided you don’t have any COVID-
After the cancellation of rugby last year I can’t wait to get back on the pitch, please come along and lift the lockdown blues.
Tuesday 16th March
As the latest lockdown draws to a close our thoughts turn towards getting rugby underway again.
Training can start anytime from 29th March, so we’re holding a touch rugby session at 6pm on Wednesday 31st March.
We play in Cumbria division 1 and are looking for players for the 2021/22 season and also any rugby activity we can get underway this season.
As well as an excellent social scene, typified by the vibrant summer beer garden, we are ambitious on the rugby field. We’re building a team and environment that will help all players to improve and achieve their goals. So if you want to get involved in our exciting improvement journey please get in touch via fb or contact head coach Dai Humphreys
Friday 5th March
You need this date in your Diary:-
Wednesday 20th January 2021
I thought I would do a bit of a round up as to what has happened over the passed year those with a good enough memory will remember the last game played at the Strawberry Grounds was on the 7th March against Upper Eden.
Then we were hit with the Pandemic and lots of rules and regulations to follow depending what tier we were in. Thankfully the Rules and the weather allowed us to enjoy food and drinks outside until the weather and the rules changed.
We were given fixtures for the 2020 -
Arrangements were made to progress a limited Bonfire night, but this was rapidly given the no go.
Things seemed to be getting better until a full lock down was forced on the UK just after Christmas.
You will have noticed that the Six nations Forecast Draw whish we have held for years, had to be abandoned, with a lot of people not working, or on Furlough we were unsure who could sell the tickets or even those available to purchase them.
What next: Who knows, we may even see the return to using the grounds once again during the Summer, but I don’t think we will be given the go ahead for grass roots till at least the start of the 21 -
Visitors Book
League Fixtures 25th September
Creighton 7 -
Egremont P -
Hawcoat Park 27 -
Upper Eden 71 -
The Strawberry Grounds
Croslands Park Road
Barrow in Furness
Cumbria, LA13 9NH
Tel:-
Email:-
