Midlands 3 East (North)

Counties 2 Midlands East (North)
Current season or competition:
2024-25 Counties 2 Midlands East (North)
SportRugby union
Instituted1992; 32 years ago (1992) (as Midlands East 2)
Number of teams12
Country England
Most titlesAshbourne, Ashby, Grimsby, Oakham (2 titles)
WebsiteEngland RFU

Counties 2 Midlands East (North) (formerly Midlands 3 East (North)) is a level 8 English Rugby Union league and level 3 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the northern part of the East Midlands region including clubs from Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and the occasional team from Leicestershire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands East 2, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 4 East (North) and Midlands 4 East (South) ahead of the 2000–01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, led to the current name of Midlands 3 East (North) and post the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 it adopted its current name.

Promoted teams tend to move up to Counties 1 Midlands East (North) while demoted teams typically drop into Counties 3 Midlands East North West or Counties 3 Midlands East North East.

2024-25

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Departing were Kesteven and Nottingham Moderns, both promoted to Counties 1 Midlands East (North). Grimsby and Belper were relegated.

Joining were Boston and Birstall, relegated from Counties 1 Midlands East (North). Keyworth were promoted from Counties 3 Midlands East (Central) whilst Mosborough came up from Counties 3 Midlands East (North) (champions).

Participating teams & locations

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2023-24

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Departing were Boston and Mansfield, both promoted to Counties 1 Midlands East (North). Bakewell Mannerians (10th), East Retford (11th) and Sielby (12th) were relegated.

Joining were Asbourne and Ashby, relegated from Counties 1 Midlands East (North). Newark II were promoted from Counties 3 Midlands East (N) East whilst Derby II came up from Counties 3 Midlands East (N) West. Melton Mowbray joined on a level transfer from Counties 2 Midlands East (South).

Participating teams & locations

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2022-23

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This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review[1] with the league adopting its new name of Counties 2 Midlands East (North)).

Departing were Mellish and Birstall, both promoted to Counties 1 Milands East (North).

Joining were Gainsborough and Nottingham Moderns, both promoted.

Participating teams & locations

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2021–22

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The teams competing in 2021–22 achieved their places in the league based on performances in 2019–20, the 'previous season' column in the table below refers to that season not 2020-21.

Buxton (4th) in 2019-20 did not return for the new season.

Participating teams & locations

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2020–21

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

2019–20

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Participating teams & locations

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2018–19

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Participating teams & locations

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2017–18

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Participating teams & locations

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Teams 2016-17

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Teams 2015-16

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Teams 2014-15

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Teams 2013-14

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Teams 2012–13

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Teams 2011–12

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  • Amber Valley
  • Ashby
  • Belper
  • Dronfield
  • Grimsby
  • Kesteven
  • Lincoln
  • Melbourne
  • Mellish
  • Nottingham Boots Corsairs
  • Sleaford
  • Worksop

Teams 2010–11

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  • Amber Valley
  • Ashbourne
  • Ashfield
  • Dronfield (promoted from Midlands 4 East (North))
  • Grimsby
  • Kesteven
  • Melbourne
  • Mellish
  • Nottingham Casuals
  • Sleaford
  • Southwell
  • Worksop

Teams 2008–09

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Original teams

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Teams in Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South) were originally part of a single division called Midlands 2 East, which contained the following sides when it was introduced in 1992:

Midlands 3 East (North) honours

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Midlands East 2 (1992–1993)

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Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South) were originally part of a single tier 8 division called Midlands East 2. Promotion was to Midlands East 1 and relegation was to either East Midlands/Leicestershire 1 or Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1.

Midlands East 2
Season No. of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
1992–93 14 Kettering Northampton BBOB Glossop, Southwell, Market Rasen & Louth, Stamford [2]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands East 2 (1993–1996)

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The top six teams from Midlands 1 and the top six from North 1 were combined to create National 5 North, meaning that Midlands 2 East dropped to become a tier 9 league. Promotion continued to Midlands East 1 while relegation was to either East Midlands/Leicestershire 1 or Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1.

Midlands East 2
Season No. of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
1993–94 13 Long Buckby Wellingborough Dronfield, Kesteven [3]
1994–95 13 Ilkeston Huntingdon & District Worksop, Grimsby, Luton [4]
1995–96 13 Lutterworth Old Northamptonians[a] No relegation[b] [5]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands East 2 (1996–2000)

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At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands East 2 returned to being a tier 8 league. Promotion continued to Midlands East 1 while relegation was to either East Midlands/Leicestershire 1 or Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1.

Midlands East 2
Season No. of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
1996–97 17 Northampton Men's Own Northampton Old Scouts Chesterfield Panthers, East Retford, Mellish [6]
1997–98 17 Dunstablians Oadby Wyggestonian Bedford Queens, Northampton BBOB [7]
1998–99 17 Luton South Leicester Nottingham Casuals, Biggleswade
1999–2000 17 Market Bosworth[c] Long Eaton[d] No relegation[e]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 4 East (North) (2000–2006)

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Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands East 2 split into two tier 8 regional leagues - Midlands 4 East (North) and Midlands 4 East (South). Promotion was now to Midlands 3 East (North)[f] and relegation to either Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire/Leicestershire 1 East or Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire/Leicestershire 1 West[g].

Midlands East 4 East (North)
Season No. of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
2000–01 10 Matlock Market Rasen & Louth Worksop, Ashfield, Belper [8]
2001–02 10 Loughborough Students Paviors Melbourne, East Retford, Amber Valley [9]
2002–03 10 Mellish West Bridgford Ashfield, Long Eaton [10]
2003–04 10 Grimsby Lincoln Buxton [11]
2004–05 10 Oakham Ashfield Nottingham Casuals, East Leake [12]
2005–06 10 Ashbourne Sleaford No relegation[h] [13]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Midlands 4 East (North) (2006–2009)

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Midlands 4 East (North) continued to be a tier 8 league with promotion up into Midlands 3 East (North). However, the cancellation of Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire/Leicestershire 1 East and Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire/Leicestershire 1 West at the end of the 2005–06 season meant that relegation was now to the newly introduced Midlands 5 East (North).

Midlands East 4 East (North)
Season No. of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
2006–07 12 Grimsby West Bridgford Chesterfield Panthers, East Retford [14]
2007–08 12 Bakewell Mannerians Ashbourne Castle Donington [15]
2008–09 12 Market Rasen & Louth Belgrave No relegation[i] [16]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Midlands 3 East (North) (2009–present)

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League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 4 East (North) and Midlands 4 East (South) were renamed as Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South), with both leagues remaining at tier 8. Promotion was now to Midlands 2 East (North) (formerly Midlands 3 East (North)) and relegation to Midlands 4 East (North) (formerly Midlands 5 East (North)).

Midlands East 3 (North)
Season No. of teams Champions Runners-up Relegated teams Reference
2009–10 11 Oakham Ashby Boston [17]
2010–11 12 Ashbourne Nottingham Casuals Ashfield, Southwell [18]
2011–12 12 Dronfield Sleaford Nottingham Corsairs, Worksop [19]
2012–13 12 Melbourne Kesteven Amber Valley, Belper [20]
2013–14 12 Ashby West Bridgford Skegness, East Retford [21]
2014–15 12 Melton Mowbray Southwell Mellish, Amber Valley M[22]
2015–16 12 Kesteven Loughborough Nottingham Moderns, Boston [23]
2016–17 12 Lincoln Bakewell Mannerians Chesterfield Panthers, Ashfield [24]
2017–18 13 Long Eaton Ashby Grimsby, Sileby Town [25]
2018–19 12 Nottingham Casuals Ashfield Tupton, Sleaford [26]
2019–20 12 Ashby Southwell Rolls-Royce, Nottingham Moderns [27]
2020–21 12
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Number of league titles

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Notes

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  1. ^ Due to the cancellation of National 5 North at the end of the season, eight clubs were promoted including Lincoln, Wellingborough, Nottingham Moderns, Ashbourne, Northampton BBOB and Coalville.
  2. ^ Due to widespread restructuring caused by the cancellation of National 5 North there was no relegation.
  3. ^ Champions Market Bosworth would be promoted into the new Midlands 3 East (North).
  4. ^ Due to Midlands league restructuring five clubs would be promoted including Glossop (3rd) and Loughborough who would go up into Midlands 3 East (North), while Vipers (4th) would go up into Midlands 3 East (South).
  5. ^ As Midlands East 2 was due to split up into two regional leagues there was no relegation. Clubs that were not promoted were transferred into either Midlands 4 East (North) or Midlands 4 East (South).
  6. ^ Prior to the 2000–01 season Midlands 3 East (North) and Midlands 3 East (South) were part of a Midlands East 1.
  7. ^ Prior to the 2000–01 season, teams from Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire/Leicestershire 1 East and Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire/Leicestershire 1 West were part of either East Midlands/Leicestershire 1 or Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1.
  8. ^ No relegation as the division would be increased from 10 to 12 teams for the following season.
  9. ^ No relegation as the division would be increased from 11 to 12 teams for the following season.
  10. ^ Dunstablians title was when league was single division known as Midlands East 2.
  11. ^ Ilkeston's title was when league was single division known as Midlands East 2.
  12. ^ Kettering's title was when league was single division known as Midlands East 2.
  13. ^ Long Buckby's title was when league was single division known as Midlands East 2.
  14. ^ Lutterworth's title was when league was single division known as Midlands East 2.
  15. ^ Luton's title was when league was single division known as Midlands East 2.
  16. ^ Market Bosworth's title was when league was single division known as Midlands East 2.
  17. ^ Northampton Men's Own title was when league was single division known as Midlands East 2.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "RFU announce new men's community structure". RFU. 13 June 2022.
  2. ^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1993). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993-94. Headline. pp. 164–167. ISBN 0-7472-7891-1.
  3. ^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994-95. Headline. pp. 164–167. ISBN 0-7472-7891-1.
  4. ^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1995). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995-96. Headline. pp. 176–179. ISBN 0-7472-7850-4.
  5. ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. Headline. pp. 192–195. ISBN 0-7472-7816-4.
  6. ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997-98. Headline. pp. 156–159. ISBN 0-7472-7771-0.
  7. ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1998). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998-99. Headline. pp. 90–93. ISBN 0-7472-7653-6.
  8. ^ "2000-2001 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  9. ^ "2000-2001 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  10. ^ "2002-2003 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  11. ^ "2003-2004 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  12. ^ "2004-2005 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  13. ^ "2005-2006 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  14. ^ "2006-2007 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  15. ^ "2007-2008 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  16. ^ "2008-2009 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  17. ^ "2009-2010 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  18. ^ "2010-2011 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  19. ^ "2011-2012 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  20. ^ "2012-2013 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  21. ^ "2013-2014 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  22. ^ "2014-2015 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  23. ^ "2015-2016 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  24. ^ "2016-2017 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  25. ^ "2017-2018 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  26. ^ "2018-19 Midlands Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  27. ^ "Men's Midlands Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.