Rotherham R.U.F.C.

Infobox_esl_club | clubname = The Earth Titans


fullname = "Rotherham Rugby Union Football Club"
emblem = Mitre
colours = Claret and blue
founded = 1923
sport = Rugby union
league = National Division One
ground = Clifton Lane
web = [http://www.rotherhamrugby.co.uk/ www.rotherhamrugby.co.uk]

Rotherham Rugby Union Football Club, or Rotherham Titans are a professional rugby union team from Rotherham, Yorkshire, currently playing in the English National Division One, having been relegated from the top-flight of professional rugby union in 2003-2004 after only one season, disappointingly without winning a single match.

At the end of that season, Mike Yarlett, the owner who had bankrolled the club's rise through the leagues, withdrew his backing, and extinction appeared to be a distinct possibility. The club was rescued by a local consortium using finance from businesses, supporters and Rotherham Council, and after a subsequent sponsorship from a finance company, took the name Earth Titans.

In the 2003-4 season, the Titans shared Millmoor stadium with Rotherham United Football Club, however they have now returned to their traditional Clifton Lane home (Shared with Rotherham Cricket Club).

The 2004-5 season started with five wins in a row for the Titans, but the reality of their financial situation, and vast scale of squad changes this had caused, soon kicked in. The Titans finished in a very respectable 8th position in the National Division One.

2005-6 saw Andre Bester take control of the club in the double role of Chief Executive and Head Coach. With attendances between 920 and 2250, the Titans managed to finish fourth in National Division One.

The next season (2006-7), the Titans lost the likes of David Strettle, an England star to Harlequin F.C., but brought in players which Bester felt had the potential to help the Titans win National Division One, such as Ireland U21 International Gareth Steenson and Scotland 7’s Andrew Turnbull.

The Titans still need to resolve issues surrounding facilities. They have been turned down for promotion before due to this, and require better facilities if they are to be promoted. As aforementioned The Titans have shared Millmoor stadium with Rotherham United Football Club in the past. Rotherham United Football Club’s Chairman, Dennis Coleman, has recently mentioned the possibility of sharing a new Community Stadium. The Titans are fully supportive of these developments, as a huge part of the clubs future may rest upon them.

Rotherham Titans made a good start to the 06-07 National Division One campaign. The most notable victory was beating Leeds 22-19 in a very close match which the Titans stole at the death with a penalty from Gareth Steenson. Rotherham finished in second place, five points behind Leeds Tykes.

The Titans signed a record sponsorship deal with Complete Technical Services and appointed Phil Werahiko as their Head Coach in June 2007.

External links

* [http://www.rotherhamrugby.co.uk Official site]