Club History

Leeds Salem rugby club was part of the Salem Congregational church on Hunslet Road and the church institute ran and organized the church social activities with billiards, table tennis etc in addition to rugby.

As readers of thia website will probably appreciate, home entertainment with TV’s and videos was nothing like we know today and the church institute at Salem was for many of the people of South Leeds the centre of social activities.

Leeds Corinthians RUFC was formed in 1956 when the club decided to become “independent” of the church.Our club still has many links with Salem and David Bradford who has played at Corinthians for many years, including as 1st Xv. Captain and also at Salem and was present at the meeting , which became the inaugural meeting of Leeds Corinthians RUFC.

Other connections with Salem are Reg. Aylesbury (Life member), Geoff McBride who was the last captain of Salem and the first captain of Corinthians and Sid Hart who was another who played for Salem and then for many years with Corinthians.

Within the clubhouse too there are many links with Salem. There is a blazer and tie on display presented by Reg. Aylesbury and a Salem blazer in the lounge presented by Geoff McBride. There are also many photographs of the team when Salem won the Yorkshire Shield in 1952.

History of the club badge

The current club badge was designed by Norman Rawnsley who gave many years of sterling service to Corinthians, served as treasurer for some 25 years until he died tragically whilst running the touch at a 2nd Xv. Team game at home to Knottingley RUFC.

A close inspection of the badge indicates the white rose of Yorkshire, the Leeds coat of arms, a Corinthian helmet and 3 white doves of peace. Each dove is intended to represent 10 years to a total of 30 years that Leeds Salem rugby club. Why doves of peace? The Hebrew word for peace is ‘Shalom’ which translated into English is Salem.

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