Burton RFC on the move

Peel Croft, which has been the home of Burton Rugby Club for more than a century, has been sold to a retailer for an undisclosed sum.
The club revealed it had completed the sale of the site exclusively to the Burton Mail today, but said that it was not yet in a position to name the retail developer involved at this stage for confidentiality reasons.
The deal agreed by Burton Rugby Club (BRFC) with the new owner won’t see it leave its longstanding home immediately, but will allow it to complete the season at Peel Croft in April 2020.
The Senior Teams will then relocate to BRFC’s new permanent location in Branston Road, Tatenhill, in readiness for the start of next season in September 2020.
Colin Grimsdell, Chairman of Development for BRFC, said: “For a long time, we have been working on this project to bring our fantastic club together on one site, with modern facilities that the ever-growing membership needs and deserves.
“The sale of Peel Croft has provided the majority of the funds needed to complete the development of the new location at Tatenhill and will enable men, women, boys and girls, of all abilities and ages, to play sport in a safe and supportive environment.”
In the last 18 months BRFC has spent around £2 million developing its new Tatenhill home, creating floodlit pitches, car parking, an “excellent” modular build clubhouse, bar and kitchen, and changing rooms, the latter having been kindly provided by local business LCS Containers Ltd.
The Minis, Juniors Boys and Girls Teams have already settled into the club’s Branston Road ground, having played all their games at the new site since September 2019.
Mr Grimsdell revealed that the money from the sale of Peel Croft will now be used to build a long-term clubhouse, which will consist of modern multi-changing facilities for boys and girls, a main bar, additional corporate function room and extensive kitchen facilities.
There are also plans for further car parking as the club “regularly exceeds the current 250 spaces most Sundays” as well as additional development of the top surface of its current pitches and two additional posts and pitches.
Completion of these new developments is expected to be towards the end of 2020.
“Because of the history at Peel Croft, leaving will be a wrench for members,” added Mr Grimsdell.
“But, if the development so far at Tatenhill has shown us anything, it is that BRFC, the Community Rugby Club, is far bigger than the physical building. And so, we are confident that the people of the club will take all that ‘Burton magic’ to the new location.”
He also went on to reveal that: “The Tatenhill site also has sufficient space and capacity for other sports to relocate which complement the facility usage and provide Burtonians with further sports.
“We have been in discussion with a cricket club and tennis club for some years now and next phase of development will allow that to become a reality.”
Peel Croft became the club’s permanent home in 1910, but it’s been playing games at the site since 1872. BRFC, one of the oldest clubs in the world, will mark its time at Peel Croft before it leaves followed by a big celebration of the club’s 150th anniversary later in 2020 at the new location.

Notes about BRFC
History
– Formed at the Swan Hotel on 5th October 1870
– One of the oldest Clubs in the world (25th oldest)
– The current kit (black diagonal stripe) was agreed at the AGM in 1877
– First game on Peel Croft 27th January 1872
– Peel Croft became the permanent home in 1910
– Ladies admitted at the club in 1889
– Colts team started 1961; Mini-Junior 1972; Veterans 1983; Ladies 1992

Current Teams
– 6 Senior teams including a Ladies team
– Mini-junior: 6-18 years, 14 age groups, over 500 participants
– Girls: U13, U15 and U18 age groups, over 100 participants

BRFC Mission Statement
‘Burton RFC aspires to be a successful playing, community and social rugby club providing opportunities for all in an atmosphere that is enjoyable, friendly, inclusive and safe; embracing the RFU’s Core Values.’