Sale FC is a semi-professional rugby union club based at the Morson Group Stadium on Heywood Road in Sale, Greater Manchester. Founded in 1861, we are the fifth oldest surviving rugby club in the world and have a proud history of top-class rugby.

Our 1st XV plays in National League 1 following promotion in the 2017–18 season. We are proud to bridge the gap between the professional and amateur game, while the Premiership club Sale Sharks remains our professional offshoot, highlighting our deep roots in elite rugby.

Our Senior Teams

We field five senior teams providing rugby for all standards, comprising one semi-professional men's team, two men's amateur teams, and two women's amateur teams:

• Sale FC 1st XV

  National One (Men's Semi-Pro)

• Sale FC 1861

  Championship North 2 (Women's 1st Team)

• Sale FC 1861 Bees

  Women's NC 3 North (South) (Women's 2nd Team)

• Sale FC Vikings

  NOWIRUL Baines Plumbing Division 1 (Men's 2nd Team)

• Sale FC Norseman

  NOWIRUL J. Balshaw Carpets and Curtains Division 5 East (Men's 3rd Team)

We also have a full Minis & Juniors section and Senior & Junior Colts teams.

Our Facilities

Morson Group Stadium (Heywood Road)

Our main ground features outstanding hospitality facilities. The Suite @Sale FC, opened in 2017, overlooks the main pitch with sliding windows onto a balcony, seating 190 for meals and 24 in the Executive Suite. We also have "Smithy's," a bar named after club legend Steve Smith, a new gymnasium, and a martial arts facility.

Carrington Training Ground

Our high-performance facility on Carrington Lane has four pitches (one floodlit) and serves as the main training ground. It is also the home venue for Sale FC 1861, Sale FC Vikings, Sale FC Colts, and all our Minis and Juniors. The recently refurbished clubhouse includes a bar, cafe, performance analysis suite, and strength and conditioning facilities.

Our History & Legacy

Formed in 1861, Sale FC's rules were often made up on the spot. As the game evolved, the need for regulations became clear, and in 1865, the Minute Book was created—reputedly the world's oldest existing rugby rule book and a much-treasured possession. In 1905, the club bought the field at Heywood Road, which has been our home ever since. In 1936, Sale were invited to take part in the Middlesex Sevens Cup and went on to win the competition.

Sale FC has featured many prominent international and county players. Pat Davies became our first England international in 1927. The 1930s saw an international backline of Hal Sever (England), Claude Davey and Wilf Wooller (Wales), and Ken Fyfe (Scotland). This legacy continued with legends like Fran Cotton, Steve Smith, Dewi Morris, Richard Trickey, Jason Robinson, and England captain Eric Evans, who is immortalised in the name of one of our former stands.

Modern Times: Developing Talent

This tradition of developing elite talent continues today. The club plays a crucial role in the development of Sale Sharks academy players, with many recent internationals having worn the Sale FC shirt on their journey to the top. This includes England's Tom Curry, Ben Curry, Bevan Rodd, Joe Carpenter, and Rafi Quirke, as well as Scotland's Arron Reed and Italy's Paolo Odogwu.

Our Minis and Juniors section is another core part of the modern club, with over 350 children training every Sunday at Carrington. This includes a rapidly growing contingent of girls, who form the foundation of our Sale FC 1861 Girls teams and the future of women's rugby at the club.

Club Honours

Old Amateur Club (pre Sale Sharks)

• Middlesex Sevens winners: 1936
• Glengarth Sevens Davenport Plate winners (2): 1968, 1985
• Cheshire Cup winners (17): 1970–1987, 1997
• Glengarth Sevens Main Event Champions: 1978
• Courage League National Division Two champions: 1993–94

Modern Amateur Club (post Sale Sharks)

• South Lancs/Cheshire 4 champions: 2003–04
• South Lancs/Cheshire 3 champions: 2004–05
• South Lancs/Cheshire 2 champions: 2005–06
• Cheshire Plate winners: 2006
• South Lancs/Cheshire 1 champions: 2011–12
• Cheshire Bowl winners: 2012
• North Division 1 West champions: 2012–13
• Cheshire Vase winners: 2013
• Cheshire Cup winners: 2014, 2019
• National 3 North champions: 2014–15
• National League 2 North champions: 2017–18