Halifax Vandals RUFC

Halifax Vandals RUFC is an amateur rugby union club based in Warley Town, Halifax. They currently run two senior sides. The 1st XV plays in Counties 3 Yorkshire while the 2nd XV plays in the AWW/Central/North Merit League.

Formation
Halifax Vandals was formed in November 1923 when a group of college students met under a lamp post on Francis Street in Halifax to form a rugby club. The name "Vandal" is attributed to a warrior tribe who fought against the Roman Empire in 455 AD and came out victorious.

Modern History
In the early days, their existence was somewhat nomadic, using the facilities in the village pub, The Maypole Inn, before acquiring the former school house opposite. With the formation of the national league system in 1987 Halifax Vandals was one of the original members of Yorkshire 5, being the first ever winners of the competition being promoted to Yorkshire 4.

In the 2003–04 season they were relegated back to Yorkshire 5 however was promoted back in Yorkshire 4 the following season. Once again in the 2007–08 season the Vandals were champions Yorkshire 5, this caused them to have the joint record for titles for the now defunct Yorkshire 5.

In 2015–16 they became champions of Yorkshire 4, and went onto go back to back becoming champions of Yorkshire 3. However they were relegated from Yorkshire 2 after only one season.

Rivalries
The Warley-based club have a long-standing rivalry with Old Rishworthians and more recently, with Halifax RUFC. With Halifax RUFC joining the Vandals in Counties 3 Yorkshire for the 2023–24 season now led by former player coach Jamie Bloem the rivalry between the two clubs grows even more.

1st XV

 * Yorkshire Silver Trophy
 * Champions: (1) 1991–92


 * Yorkshire 5
 * Champions: (3) 1987–88, 2004–05, 2007–08
 * Counties 4 Yorkshire
 * Champions: (1) 2015–16
 * Runners-up: (1) 1991-92
 * Counties 3 Yorkshire
 * Champions: (1) 2016–17
 * Runners-up: (1) 2023-24

Internationals

 * Chris Davies, former England Sevens international also played for Cambridge University and Saracens,
 * / Jamie Bloem, former South Africa Rugby League captain as well as playing internationally for Scotland Rugby League. Bloem joined in 2013 as a player coach.
 * Rehan Mansoor, 16 Cap Pakistan international joined Vandals as a player in 2022 and named forwards coach in 2023,