One of our legends & favourite sons Steve Kerry was taken ill last Wednesday. Whilst the initial situation was incredibly serious, like the true warrior he is, Steve pulled through & is now stable in hospital. We’ve received many many best wishes which we will pass to the family.
Huge congratulations to Club Captain Ally Murray who is set to join the record books tomorrow when he makes his 229th league appearance which will draw him level with Dave Chadwick with the most league appearances in the club's history.
Well done Ally, a true Hopper!
Then and now!
Huge congratulations to Club Captain Ally Murray who makes his 250th league appearance for the club tomorrow. A massive achievement of which Ally should be very proud.
Go well Ally!
PGRFC are saddened to announce the death of 1st XV coach Donny Sutherland. DoR Gareth Dyer “We’ve lost an integral part of the Hoppers family. Much respected & much loved his passing leaves a hole in the lives of so many”
Head Coach
@arnie_4
is amongst the substitutes tomorrow for 1 final appearance which will take him to a total of 450 competitive senior games. We caught up with Paul to ask him about his career and talk about his teammates. Superb career, well done Arnie!
A fitting way for Arnie to end his last league season with Hoppers!
Thanks for everything mate. 2 promotions and hopefully a Lancashire Cup to finish! You'll be missed and you and family are always welcome at Lightfoot Green.
#OnceAHopperAlwaysAHopper
PGRFC Head Coach Paul Arnold is to step down from his role at the completion of the current 2021/22 playing season. Arnold, who took over the role at the start of the 2017/18 season, is stepping away from the club for personal reasons.
More >>>>
We're honoured to be hosting a
@LancsPolice
vs Yorks match tomorrow which is being played in memory of PC Andrew Harper who sadly lost his life in the line of duty last month. Kick off is at 6. All money raised from a raffle and bucket collection will go to PC Harper’s family.
PGRFC is delighted to announce the return of former DOR and Head Coach Alex Keay to Lightfoot Green. Alex led Hoppers for several seasons from the 2002/3 season and is remembered for leading the club to its first ever Lancs Cup win during his first spell.
Outstanding from Hoppers this afternoon to beat third placed Otely 28-25 at Lightfoot Green. What a way to celebrate our 800th league appearance. Get in!
#UpTheHoppers
#WeArePreston
Hoppers is set to open its doors on July 4th for food and drink. Management staff have followed government guidance and implemented stringent social distancing measures meaning the public will be able to visit the club’s pop-up bar, situated outside.
GET IN! PROMOTION CONFIRMED!
A win for the 1st XV at Alnwick and results elsewhere in the league mean the lads can’t be caught and are guaranteed a top 2 finish.
#UpTheHoppers
#WeArePreston
#NorthPremier
Hoppers once again named County Senior Club of the Year. Just reward for all aspects of the club as 6 Senior Mens Teams competed this season, Ladies XV went unbeaten & 500 M&Y players took part in the game. Unparalleled levels of participation & achievement on & off the field.
Rugby is a sport for all! Together we are a rugby family & a big part of that is nurturing our young players to give them confidence. We’re all part of Team Alfie!
To all our Hoppers players, coaches, members, supporters, sponsors, their families and the wider rugby family, have a safe, healthy and enjoyable Christmas. Till we all meet again, once a Hopper, always a Hopper!
Ever popular prop forward Oga Mabaya (
@CRAZYMABAYA
) is in line to make his 100th start for Hoppers 1st XV on Saturday. A great achievement for Oga who is a great example of what hard work can achieve.
As we pause all of our activity for the impending lockdown period we’d like to thank everyone who’s supported us since we reopened back in the Sunmer. Stay safe and we’ll see you soon!
Massive congratulations to Hoppers centre Sam Stott who has been named in the England Counties U20s squad having already captained the North of England U20s this season.
Tremendous gesture this evening from 1st XV shirt sleeve sponsor Noblett's Fish and Chips who treated the lads to fish and chips after training. Over £100 that the lads would have paid has instead been donated to the player's chosen charity for the season which is
@bebravebears
.
PGRFC is delighted to announce the appointments of Joel Unsworth (Head Coach) and Dan Orwin (Assistant Coach) to lead the 1st XV Senior Squad coaching for the 2022/23 season.
More here >
Oga Mabaya will take to the field representing the 1st XV for the 175th and last time tomorrow as he announces his retirement.
They don't make many like Oga. A club man who is honest, determined and loyal.
Thank you Oga, enjoy retirement.
Once a Hopper, always a Hopper.
After 2 weeks in hospital and a major operation later the Boss is finally home and on the road to recovery. True warrior. The best to ever do it. My old man
@stevekerryworld
❤️
We lost a great man and a great Hopper yesterday.
Les Anson passed away peacefully in the early morning. He will be remembered as one of the great people of Preston Grasshoppers RFC.
Sleep well 'El Presidente'.
RIP Les Anson
“The RFU is so proud that Bill’s unwavering support for and contribution to rugby has been honoured with a Knighthood. For over 40 years, Bill has worked tirelessly for the game, captaining his club, his country and the British & Irish Lions.”
Congratulations to
@BillBeaumont
🌹
As a club we are devastated to hear of Joe Moxham's passing. Joe was a big part of our club and will be sorely missed. Our condolences go to Joe's family and friends.
Once a Hopper, always a Hopper.
Today we remember Donny Sutherland with a minutes silence. Donny's family will then lay blue roses in the home dug out. The funeral yesterday showed that he made a difference in the lives of so many. Today is for you Donny.
#ForDonny
#NOBS
#OnceAHopperAlwaysAHopper
We caught up with former Hopper Mike Haley and his dad Tim following Munster's superb victory in the URC Final in Cape Town on Saturday. Well done Mike from all at Hoppers!
Visitors to the club in the past couple of weeks may have noticed the plaque that has been dedicated to Michael 'Mick' Smith which sits proudly at the back gate. A fitting tribute to a great man and a true Hopper. Rest peacefully Mick. Once a Hopper, always a Hopper.
A fantastic afternoon for the staff at The Terrace Bar this afternoon trying all of the dishes ready for our opening tomorrow! Some old favourites return from last summer as well as plenty of new dishes! We can’t wait for you all to try them!
Take a look at this! Our own Dr Lucy Bacon wins the People’s Choice Award for helping save the life of
@stevekerryworld
during a Hoppers Sloggers cricket match this summer. Superstar!
The winner of our People's Choice Award is Dr Lucy Bacon!
Lucy saved the life of Steve who was playing cricket when he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest.
Steve is here today to present the award!
#TimeToShineAwards
Congratulations
@peteraltham
@ScottJo15
on helping Lancashire to their County Championship win over Hertfordshire. Commiserations to
@SeanyTaylor15
who was part of the Herts team.
GET IN!!!
Hoppers start the season with a bang winning 38-43 on the road at Tynedale scoring 6 tries!
Enjoy the bus trip home boys!
#UpTheHoppers
#WeArePreston
#GetIn
We're delighted to be hosting a Hoppers vs Fylde U23s game on Good Friday in memory of our Coach Donny Sutherland who recently passed away. The £5 entry fee and raffle proceeds will go to the mental health charity Mind. Hospitality can be booked on our website.
Captain
@pjmillea
announces his retirement from rugby after a fine career. Thanks for coming back and leading us to promotion PJ. Great player, top captain and an even better bloke. All the best form everyone at Hoppers!
We are thrilled that our new digital scoreboard will be in operation from this weekend. Our strong relationships with
@KirkhamGrammar
&
@BowkerBMW
were key to delivering this superb facility. As ever we are indebted to their excellent support of the club.
We're delighted that Sale Sharks and Scotland intentional
@ByronMacG
is joining our coaching team next season. We caught up with Byron to get his thoughts on joining the club.
Brilliant performance from the lads this afternoon as they see off Rotherham 21-16 in bracing conditions at Lightfoot Green. Thank you to all those who came to support the team.
#UpTheHoppers
#WeArePreston
Get in! Last play of the game sees Hoppers go over in the corner and secure the bonus point try and a 34-17 win over Harrogate.
#UpTheHoppers
#WeArePreston
The club is devastated to hear of the passing of club stalwart Mick Smith. Hugely respected and much admired member of Hoppers for decades. Our sincere condolences go to the Smith family.
The club will be holding a minutes silence before tomorrow’s kick off in our 1st XV game to remember the late Mick Smith, Sep Cooper and Steve Mawdsley who have all sadly left us since our last 1st XV home fixture. May then Rest in Peace.
So today, two of our backroom boys were the special guests of former Hopper, Alex Sanderson at
@Saracens
! Craig & Ade had a fantastic day and were truly blown away by the experience. The players are a credit to Alex and the D.O.R Mark McCall. Thank you Sarries.
PGRFC are delighted to announce that Head Coach Paul Arnold has signed a contract extension to remain at Lightfoot Green until the end of the 2020/21 season.
To all our members, supporters, players and team behind the scenes, may we wish you and your families all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2019. It’s certainly been a year to remember.
#Hoppersfamily
#onceahopper
Well it doesn't get much better than that!
A bonus point win on the road at Billingham with no points conceded. We'll settle for that!
#GetIn
#UpTheHoppers
#WeArePreston
We wish to clarify we welcome the visit of
@PrestonPolice
at our ground. Over the last 6 months we have experienced a number of instances of anti-social behaviour and have requested police patrols to prevent these events. We thank them for their continued support
@neilfissler
Super performance from the U15s to win the Lancashire Cup beating Leigh 38-12. A brilliant game at West Park from both sides.
Well done lads!
#UpTheHoppers
Work started on pitch 2 this morning to install new drains as well as improve the soil quality by using the earth that was dug out of pitch 1 when the AGP was installed. Hopefully ready for the Autumn!
We’re delighted to announce our partnership with
@_blOKes
. A safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment for men to open up about their
#MentalHealth
.
Tremendous victory for
@RugbyHoppers
on the road at
@SheffTigersRUFC
who produced a dogged second half comeback but were ultimately denied. Some real character shown by all of
@arnie_4
’s players today but this tweeter’s personal MOM was Ryan Carlson who was outstanding.
WOW!
We've had an incredible response to our Salvation Army Foodbank appeal with enough items donated to fill 7 vehicles from front to back! Also over £1,000 donated which will allow the foodbank to fill up their supplies to help families across Preston.
Thank you all so much!
On the 28th September 1869 a meeting was held at the Bull Hotel, Preston at which the following resolution was passed: ‘That a club be at once formed in Preston to play football with the Rugby Rules of the game but without hacking. The club be called ‘The Preston Grasshoppers’.
A very major milestone will be reached this Saturday when Pete Altham takes the field for his 150th appearance in a Hoppers First Fifteen jersey.
Well done Pete, a great servant to the club!
Just 4 days to go until the Good Friday Charity Match against
@FyldeRugby
in memory of our Coach Donny Sutherland. Kick off is 2:30pm and it's £5 on the gate with all proceeds going to the mental health charity Mind.
Well how about that!
Hoppers storm back from 0-14 down at halftime to beat Blackburn 21-19 and leapfrog them into 2nd place in the Northern Premier!
#UpTheHoppers
#GetIn
#WeArePreston
FULL TIME
Hoppers score and convert to make it 31-31. As the away side, Hoppers progress to the
@lancashirerugby
Cup Final. Well played
@BlackburnRugby
.
So here we are! After 18 months, competitive rugby returns to Lightfoot Green this Saturday.
Here is the side that Head Coach Paul Arnold has picked to face
@NorthwichRUFC
.
Kick off 2:30pm, free entry for all!