Durham City R.F.C., the second oldest club in the County, was founded in 1872 with navy and gold playing colours and Durham Cathedral's Sanctuary Knocker as the club’s crest.

City have a proud heritage and there Hollow Drift home has been developed into an excellent rugby facility which includes two floodlit pitches and a training area.

At present, City run four senior sides, a Veteran’s XV, a Ladies XV and mini and junior teams from aged 6 to 17.

The First XV have undergone a revival in recent years after being heavily depleted by the advent of professional rugby. Still defending amateur principals the First XV gained there first ever promotion to the North Two East League in 2005. The recent revival has seen City dominant in the Durham County Intermediate Cup, winning it for the fourth consecutive time this season.

After a consolidation season, City are keen to build on their North Two East League status and returning former players have aided the club’s revival in recent years. The return of former player and ex-England international Garath Archer to coach City in October has added to the feel good factor around the club. Garath has worked with all age groups within the club passing on the experience he gained during his 21 England appearances and the 1999 World Cup campaign.

Head Coach Mark McCreedy’s vision for the future is particularly encouraging as he sees local lads’ progression from the mini section to junior section onto the senior sides as key to the club’s continued success. Mark said: “The progression of players from the youth section to the seniors has been particularly encouraging this season as three have already made first team appearance on merit. The youth input has strengthened the Club in all manner of positions and is helping take the Durham City RFC onwards and upwards.”

Having already produced 32 schoolboy internationals the youth structure is all important. Twelve of the present starting First XV have graduated from the youth ranks and this continues to reinforce the need to support 250 strong youth section.  Five of the present First XV have played at England schoolboy levels.

Mini Section Fixture Secretary and Under 10s Coach Mark Berriman said: “We continue to be one of the best performing and largest youth sections within Durham County with kids travelling for up to 20 miles to play at Durham City. Our aim is to provide good quality rugby coaching and excellent facilities in safe surroundings for all kids in and around the Durham City area.”

Three England Captains have worn the City strip; Mike Weston and more recently Will Carling and Phil de Glanville. Numerous other international honours, from schoolboy to full international, have been attained by Durham City players.

Proceeds from the Sportsman’s Dinner and Summer Ball fundraising events taking place on the 22nd and 23rd June at Durham City’s Hollow Drift ground will help Durham City RFC in a number of ways. Existing facilities will be upgraded or modernised to benefit the entire club membership. New plans to extended present facilities will help accommodate the ever increasing senior and youth player base.

The 2007 Sportsman’s Dinner and Summer Ball events have already generated the same number of ticket sales as in 2006. This year, ex-England international Jeff Probyn and the hilarious Gary Skyner will be speaking at the Sportsman’s Dinner. The Summer Ball will include great live entertainment and disco. Event Organiser Gillian Rae, Top Gear Events, said: “Given the current number of confirmed bookings and sales, I am very confident that both events will be sell outs with 400 people attending on both nights.”

For further information on both events, contact Gillian Rae on (0191) 3780162 or e-mail her at: info@topgearevents.co.uk