Midlands 3 East (North) Explained

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

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).

Participating teams & locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Ashbourne	Recreation Ground			3rd
Ashby	Nottingham Road			10th
Ashfield	Polly Bowls Sports Ground			7th
	Co-Op Sports Ground
	Princess Royal Sports Arena	2,000
	Haslams Lane			5th
Gainsborough	Roses Sports Fields			9th
	Willoughby Road			Promoted from Counties 3 Midlands East (Central) (champions)
Melton Mowbray	Melton Sports Village			4th
Mosborough	Mosborough Miners Welfare Club			Promoted from Counties 3 Midlands East (North) (champions)
Newark II	The Rugby Ground	1,000 (60 seats)		8th
Nottingham Casuals	Weir Field Recreation Ground			6th

2023-24

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

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Ashbourne	Recreation Ground
Ashby	Nottingham Road
Ashfield	Polly Bowls Sports Ground			7th
Belper	Strutts Playing Field			9th
	Haslams Lane			Promoted from Counties 3 Midlands East (N) West (champions)
Gainsborough	Roses Sports Fields			6th
	Springfield			8th
Kesteven	Woodnook			4th
Melton Mowbray	Melton Sports Village			Level transfer from Counties 2 Midlands East (South) (6th)
Newark II	The Rugby Ground	1,000 (60 seats)		Promoted from Counties 3 Midlands East (N) East (champions)
Nottingham Casuals	Weir Field Recreation Ground			3th
	Ferryfields			5th

2022-23

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

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Ashfield	Polly Bowls Sports Ground			9th
Bakewell Mannerians	Lady Manners School			8th
Belper	Strutts Playing Field			10th
	Princess Royal Sports Arena	2,000		5th
East Retford	Ordsall Road			12th
Gainsborough	Roses Sports Fields			Promoted from Midlands 4 EN (East)
	Springfield			7th
Kesteven	Woodnook			4th
	Eakring Road	1,000		6th
Nottingham Casuals	Weir Field Recreation Ground			3rd
	Ferryfields			Promoted from Midlands 4 EN (West)
Sileby	Platts Lane			11th

2021–22

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

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Ashfield	Polly Bowls Sports Ground			Relegated from Midlands 2 EN (12th)
Bakewell Mannerians	Lady Manners School			8th
Belper	Strutts Playing Field			7th
	Co-Op Sports Ground			Promoted from Midlands 4 ES (champions)
	Princess Royal Sports Arena	2,000		Promoted from Midlands 4 EN (champions)
East Retford	Ordsall Road			Promoted from Midlands 4 EN (runners-up)
	Springfield			5th
Kesteven	Woodnook			6th
	Eakring Road	1,000		9th
Mellish	War Memorial Ground			3rd
Nottingham Casuals	Weir Field Recreation Ground			Relegated from Midlands 2 EN (11th)
Sileby	Platts Lane			10th

2020–21

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

2019–20

Participating teams & locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Ashby	Nottingham Road			Relegated from Midlands 2 EN (12th)
Bakewell Mannerians	Lady Manners School			10th
Belper	Strutts Playing Field			4th
Buxton	Sunnyfields			6th
	Springfield			Promoted from Midlands 4 EN (champions)
Kesteven	Woodnook			5th
	Eakring Road	1,000		9th
Mellish	War Memorial Ground			Promoted from Midlands 4 EN (runners up)
	Ferryfields			7th
	Moor Lane			8th
Sileby	Platts Lane			Promoted from Midlands 4 ES (runners up)
Southwell	Pentelowes			Relegated from Midlands 2 EN (11th)

2018–19

Participating teams & locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Ashfield	Polly Bowls Sports Ground			Promoted from Midlands 4 East (North) (champions)
Bakewell Mannerians	Lady Manners School			Relegated from Midlands 2 East (North) (12th)
Belper	Strutts Playing Field			9th
Buxton	Sunnyfields			10th
Kesteven	Woodnook			5th
	Eakring Road	1,000		3rd
Nottingham Casuals	Weir Field Recreation Ground			Relegated from Midlands 2 East (North) (11th)
	Ferryfields			11th
	Moor Lane			4th
Sleaford	David Williams Pavilion			6th
Spalding	Memorial Field			8th
Tupton	North Side			Promoted from Midlands 4 East (North) (runners up)

2017–18

Participating teams & locations

Team	Ground	Capacity	City/Area	Previous season
Ashby	Nottingham Road			5th
Belper	Strutts Playing Field			3rd
	Co-Op Sports Ground			9th
Buxton	Sunnyfields			4th
	Springfield			10th
Kesteven	Woodnook			Relegated from Midlands 2 East (North) (11th)
	West Park	1,000		Promoted from Midlands 4 East (North) (champions)
	Eakring Road	1,000		7th
	Ferryfields			Promoted from Midlands 4 East (North) (runners up)
	Moor Lane			8th
Sileby Town	Platts Lane			Level transfer from Midlands 3 East (South)
Sleaford	David Williams Pavilion			5th
Spalding	Memorial Field			Relegated from Midlands 2 East (North) (12th)

Teams 2016-17

• Ashby
• Ashfield
• Bakewell Mannerians (relegated from Midlands 2 East)
• Belper
• Birstall (promoted from Midlands 4 East (North))
• Buxton (promoted from Midlands 4 East (North))
• Chesterfield Panthers
• Grimsby
• Lincoln
• Mansfield (relegated from Midlands 2 East)
• Rolls-Royce (promoted from Midlands 4 East (North))
• Sleaford

Teams 2015-16

• Ashby (relegated from Midlands 2 East (North))
• Ashfield (promoted from Midlands 4 East (North))
• Aylestone St James
• Belper (promoted from Midlands 4 East (North))
• Boston
• Chesterfield Panthers
• Grimsby
• Kesteven
• Lincoln
• Loughborough (relegated from Midlands 2 East (North))
• Nottingham Moderns
• Sleaford

Teams 2014-15

• Amber Valley (promoted from Midlands 4 East (North))
• Aylestone St James
  • Boston Chesterfield Panthers (promoted from Midlands 4 East (North))
  • Grimsby Kesteven (relegated from Midlands 2 East (North))
• Lincoln
• Mellish
• Melton Mowbray
• Nottingham Moderns RFC
• Sleaford
• Southwell

Teams 2013-14

• Ashby
• Aylestone St James (relegated from Midlands 2 East (North))
• Boston (promoted from Midlands 4 East (North))
• East Retford
• Grimsby
• Lincoln
• Mellish
• Nottingham Moderns
• Skegness (promoted from Midlands 4 East (North))
• Sleaford (relegated from Midlands 2 East (North))
• Southwell
• West Bridgford

Teams 2012–13

• Amber Valley
• Ashby
• Belper
• East Retford (promoted from Midlands 4 East (North))
• Grimsby
• Kesteven
• Lincoln
• Melbourne
• Mellish
• Nottingham Moderns (relegated from Midlands 2 East (North))
• Southwell (promoted from Midlands 4 East (North))
• West Bridgford RFC (relegated from Midlands 2 East (North))

Teams 2011–12

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

Teams 2010–11

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

Teams 2008–09

• Ashbourne
• Bakewell Mannerians
• Coalville
  • Grimsby Ilkeston
• Lincoln
• Loughborough
• Melton Mowbray
• Nottingham Moderns
• Sleaford
• Spalding
• West Bridgford

Original teams

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:

• Coalville - promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire (6th)
• Glossop - promoted from Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 (6th)
• Kesteven - promoted from Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 (9th)
• Kettering - promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire (7th)
• Lincoln - promoted from Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 (10th)
• Long Buckby - promoted from East Midlands 1 (champions)
• Lutterworth - promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire (10th)
• Market Rasen & Louth - promoted from Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 2 (runners up)
• Northampton BBOB - promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire (9th)
• South Leicester - promoted from Leicestershire 1 (champions)
• Southwell - promoted from Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 (7th)
• Stamford - promoted from Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 1 (8th)
• Wellingborough - promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire (8th)
• Worksop - promoted from Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire 2 (champions)

Midlands 3 East (North) honours

Midlands East 2 (1992–1993)

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			[2]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands East 2 (1993–1996)

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			[3]
1994–95	13	Ilkeston			[4]
1995–96	13	Lutterworth		No relegation	[5]
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands East 2 (1996–2000)

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			[6]
1997–98	17	Dunstablians			[7]
1998–99	17	Luton
1999–2000	17	Market Bosworth		No relegation
Green backgrounds are the promotion places.

Midlands 4 East (North) (2000–2006)

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) and relegation to either Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire/Leicestershire 1 East or Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire/Leicestershire 1 West.

Midlands East 4 East (North)
Season	No. of teams	Champions	Runners-up	Relegated teams	Reference
2000–01	10	Matlock			[8]
2001–02	10	Loughborough Students			[9]
2002–03	10	Mellish			[10]
2003–04	10	Grimsby			[11]
2004–05	10	Oakham			[12]
2005–06	10	Ashbourne		No relegation	[13]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Midlands 4 East (North) (2006–2009)

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			[14]
2007–08	12	Bakewell Mannerians			[15]
2008–09	12	Market Rasen & Louth		No relegation	[16]
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Midlands 3 East (North) (2009–present)

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			[17]
2010–11	12	Ashbourne			[18]
2011–12	12	Dronfield			[19]
2012–13	12	Melbourne			[20]
2013–14	12	Ashby			[21]
2014–15	12	Melton Mowbray			M[22]
2015–16	12	Kesteven			[23]
2016–17	12	Lincoln			[24]
2017–18	13	Long Eaton			[25]
2018–19	12	Nottingham Casuals			[26]
2019–20	12	Ashby			[27]
2020–21	12
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Number of league titles

• Ashbourne (2)
• Ashby (2)
• Grimsby (2)
• Oakham (2)
• Bakewell Mannerians (1)
• Dronfield (1)
• Dunstablians (1)
• Ilkeston (1)
• Kesteven (1)
• Kettering (1)
• Lincoln (1)
• Long Buckby (1)
• Long Eaton (1)
• Loughborough Students (1)
• Lutterworth (1)
• Luton (1)
• Market Bosworth (1)
• Market Rasen & Louth (1)
• Matlock (1)
• Melbourne (1)
• Mellish (1)
• Melton Mowbray (1)
• Northampton Men's Own (1)
• Nottingham Casuals (1)

See also

• Midlands RFU
• Leicestershire RU
• Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire RFU
• English rugby union system
• Rugby union in England

Notes and References

1. Web site: RFU announce new men's community structure . RFU . 2022-06-13.
2. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993-94. 1993. Headline. 0-7472-7891-1. 164–167.
3. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994-95. 1994. Headline. 0-7472-7891-1. 164–167.
4. Book: Jones. Stephen. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1995-96. 1995. Headline. 0-7472-7850-4. 176–179.
5. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996-97. 1996. Headline. 0-7472-7816-4. 192–195.
6. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997-98. 1997. Headline. 0-7472-7771-0. 156–159.
7. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998-99. 1998. Headline. 0-7472-7653-6. 90–93.
8. Web site: 2000-2001 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
9. Web site: 2000-2001 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
10. Web site: 2002-2003 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
11. Web site: 2003-2004 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
12. Web site: 2004-2005 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
13. Web site: 2005-2006 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
14. Web site: 2006-2007 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
15. Web site: 2007-2008 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
16. Web site: 2008-2009 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
17. Web site: 2009-2010 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
18. Web site: 2010-2011 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
19. Web site: 2011-2012 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
20. Web site: 2012-2013 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
21. Web site: 2013-2014 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 7 March 2015.
22. Web site: 2014-2015 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2015.
23. Web site: 2015-2016 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 2 May 2016.
24. Web site: 2016-2017 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 22 April 2017.
25. Web site: 2017-2018 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 28 April 2018.
26. Web site: 2018-19 Midlands Division. England Rugby. RFU. 13 April 2019.
27. Web site: Men's Midlands Level 8 and below leagues 2019–20. England Rugby. 25 April 2020.