Counties 1 Midlands East (North)


Counties 1 Midlands East is a level 7 English rugby union league and at 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. When this division began in 1992 it was known as Midlands East 1, until it was split into two regional divisions called Midlands 3 East and Midlands 3 East ahead of the 2000–01 season. Further restructuring of the Midlands leagues ahead of the 2009–10 season, saw it changed to Midlands 2 East and post the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022–23 it adopted its current name
The current champions are Belgrave, who are promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North.

Format

The first-placed team is promoted to Regional 2 North Midlands. Teams are relegated to either Counties 2 Midlands East (North) or Counties 2 Midlands West (West), depending on location; with the number of teams relegated depending on feedback following promotion and relegation in the leagues above.
The season runs from September to April and comprises twenty-two rounds of matches, with each club playing each of its rivals, home and away. The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows:
  • 4 points are awarded for a win
  • 2 points are awarded for a draw
  • 0 points are awarded for a loss, however
  • 1 losing point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
  • 1 additional point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match.

2025–26

Departing were Belgrave, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North while Burton 2XV were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands West (West) together with Loughborough and Mansfield, both relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (North). Also leaving were Manor Park who returned on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands West (South), together with Nuneaton Old Edwardians and Hinckley 2XV who both moved on a level transfer to Counties 1 Midlands East (South).

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AshbyNottingham RoadAshby-de-la-Zouch, LeicestershirePromoted from Counties 2 Midlands East (North)
BourneMilking Nook DroveBourne, LincolnshireLevel transfer from Counties 1 Midlands East (South)
KestevenWoodnookGrantham, Lincolnshire7th
KeyworthWilloughby RoadWidmerpool, NottinghamshirePromoted from Counties 2 Midlands East (North)
LincolnLongdales ParkLincoln, Lincolnshire5th
Loughborough Students IIEast Park1,000Loughborough, LeicestershireNew entry
Market Rasen & LouthWillingham RoadMarket Rasen, Lincolnshire3rd
MellishWar Memorial GroundArnold, Nottingham, NottinghamshireRelegated from Regional 2 Midlands (North)
Nottingham ModernsFerryfieldsWilford, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire9th
Nottingham UniversityLady Bay Sports GroundWest Bridgford, Nottingham, NottinghamshireNew entry
SouthwellPentelowesSouthwell, Nottinghamshire4th
SpaldingMemorial FieldSpalding, LincolnshireLevel transfer from Counties 1 Midlands East (South)

2024–25

Departing were Ilkeston, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North as runners-up; Hinckley Staghounds (2XV) finished top but were not permitted to be promoted to level 6, owing to the league rules on reserve teams in the RFU leagues. Boston and Birstall were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (North). Joining were Kesteven and Nottingham Moderns promoted from Counties 2 Midlands East (North), whilst Manor Park moved on a level transfer from Counties 1 Midlands West (South).

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BelgraveBelgrave PasturesBelgrave, Leicester, Leicestershire4th
Burton 2XVBattlestead Croft, Tatenhill5,500
KestevenWoodnookGrantham, LincolnshirePromoted from Midlands 3 East (North)
LincolnLongdales ParkLincoln, Lincolnshire3rd
LoughboroughDerby Road Playing FieldsLoughborough, Leicestershire6th
Manor ParkGriff & CotonNuneaton, WarwickshireLevel transfer from Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
MansfieldEakring Road1,000Mansfield, Nottinghamshire8th
Market Rasen & LouthWillingham RoadMarket Rasen, Lincolnshire5th
Nottingham ModernsFerryfieldsWilford, Nottingham, NottinghamshirePromoted from Midlands 3 East (North)
Nuneaton Old EdwardiansWeddington RoadNuneaton, Warwickshire7th
SouthwellPentelowesSouthwell, Nottinghamshire9th

2023–24

Departing were Mellish, promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North as runners-up. Ashbourne and Ashby and were relegated to Counties 2 Midlands East (North) whilst Coalville dropped to Counties 2 Midlands West (East).
Joining were Belgrave and Nuneaton Old Edwardians, both relegated from Regional 2 Midlands North, whilst Boston and Mansfield were both promoted from Counties 2 Midlands East (North).

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BelgraveBelgrave PasturesBelgrave, Leicester, LeicestershireRelegated from Regional 2 Midlands North
BirstallCo-Op Sports GroundBirstall, Leicestershire9th
BostonPrincess Royal Sports Arena2,000Boston, LincolnshirePromoted from Midlands 3 East (North)
Burton 2XVBattlestead Croft, Tatenhill5,500
IlkestonThe StuteIlkeston, Derbyshire5th
LincolnLongdales ParkLincoln, Lincolnshire4th
LoughboroughDerby Road Playing FieldsLoughborough, Leicestershire3rd
MansfieldEakring Road1,000Mansfield, NottinghamshirePromoted from Midlands 3 East (North)
Market Rasen & LouthWillingham RoadMarket Rasen, Lincolnshire6th
Nuneaton Old EdwardiansWeddington RoadNuneaton, WarwickshireRelegated from Regional 2 Midlands North
SouthwellPentelowesSouthwell, Nottinghamshire7th

2022–23

This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 1 Midlands East.
Departing were Long Eaton, Melbourne, Matlock and Newark – all promoted to Regional 2 Midlands North. Joining were Mellish and Birstall, both promoted from Midlands 3 East (North), together with Burton 2XV and Hinckley 2XV, both new entries.

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AshbourneRecreation GroundAshbourne, Derbyshire10th
AshbyNottingham RoadAshby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire11th
BirstallCo-Op Sports GroundBirstall, LeicestershirePromoted from Midlands 3 East (North)
Burton 2XVBattlestead Croft, Tatenhill5,500
SouthwellPentelowesSouthwell, Nottinghamshire8th

2021–22

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AshbourneRecreation GroundAshbourne, Derbyshire9th
AshbyNottingham RoadAshby-de-la-Zouch, LeicestershirePromoted from Midlands 2 EN
CoalvilleMemorial GroundCoalville, Leicestershire3rd
IlkestonThe StuteIlkeston, Derbyshire7th
LincolnLongdales ParkLincoln, Lincolnshire10th
Long EatonWest Park1,000Long Eaton, Derbyshire5th
LoughboroughDerby Road Playing FieldsLoughborough, Leicestershire8th
Market Rasen & LouthWillingham RoadMarket Rasen, Lincolnshire4th
MatlockCromford MeadowsCromford, Matlock, Derbyshire2nd
MelbourneCockshut Lane2,000Melbourne, DerbyshireRelegated from Midlands 1 East
NewarkThe Rugby Ground1,000 Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire6th
SouthwellPentelowesSouthwell, NottinghamshirePromoted from Midlands 2 EN

2020–21

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

2019–20

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AshbourneRecreation GroundAshbourne, Derbyshire4th
AshfieldPolly Bowls Sports GroundSutton in Ashfield, NottinghamshirePromoted from Midlands 3 EN
CoalvilleMemorial GroundCoalville, LeicestershireTransferred from Midlands 2 East (South)
DronfieldGosforth FieldsDronfield Woodhouse, Dronfield, DerbyshireRunners up
IlkestonThe StuteIlkeston, Derbyshire10th
LincolnLongdales ParkLincoln, Lincolnshire7th
Long EatonWest Park1,000Long Eaton, Derbyshire3rd
LoughboroughDerby Road Playing FieldsLoughborough, Leicestershire6th
Market Rasen & LouthWillingham RoadMarket Rasen, Lincolnshire5th
MatlockCromford MeadowsCromford, Matlock, Derbyshire9th
NewarkThe Rugby Ground1,000 Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire8th
Nottingham CasualsWeir Field Recreation GroundBeeston, Nottingham, NottinghamshirePromoted from Midlands 3 EN

2018–19

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AshbourneRecreation GroundAshbourne, Derbyshire7th
AshbyNottingham RoadAshby-de-la-Zouch, LeicestershirePromoted from Midlands 3 East (North)
DronfieldGosforth FieldsDronfield Woodhouse, Dronfield, Derbyshire5th
IlkestonThe StuteIlkeston, Derbyshire9th
LincolnLongdales ParkLincoln, Lincolnshire6th
Long EatonWest Park1,000Long Eaton, DerbyshirePromoted from Midlands 3 East (North)
LoughboroughDerby Road Playing FieldsLoughborough, Leicestershire10th
Market Rasen & LouthWillingham RoadMarket Rasen, LincolnshireRelegated from Midlands 1 East
MatlockCromford MeadowsCromford, Matlock, Derbyshire2nd
MelbourneCockshut Lane2,000Melbourne, DerbyshireRelegated from Midlands 1 West
NewarkThe Rugby Ground1,000 Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire4th
SouthwellPentelowesSouthwell, Nottinghamshire8th

2017–18

Participating teams & locations

TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
AshbourneRecreation GroundAshbourne, Derbyshire3rd
Bakewell ManneriansLady Manners SchoolBakewell, DerbyshirePromoted from Midlands 3 East (North)
CoalvilleMemorial GroundCoalville, Leicestershire2nd
DronfieldGosforth FieldsDronfield Woodhouse, Dronfield, DerbyshireRelegated from Midlands 1 East
IlkestonThe StuteIlkeston, DerbyshireRelegated from Midlands 1 East
LincolnLongdales ParkLincoln, LincolnshirePromoted from Midlands 3 East (North)
LoughboroughDerby Road Playing FieldsLoughborough, Leicestershire7th
MatlockCromford MeadowsCromford, Matlock, Derbyshire4th
NewarkThe Rugby Ground1,000 Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire6th
Nottingham CasualsWeir Field Recreation GroundBeeston, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire10th
SouthwellPentelowesSouthwell, Nottinghamshire5th
West BridgfordThe Memorial GroundWest Bridgford, Nottinghamshire8th

2016–17 teams

*

2015–16 teams

2014–15 teams

2013–14 teams

  • Ashbourne
  • Bakewell Mannerians
  • Belgrave
  • Dronfield
  • Kesteven '
  • Loughborough '
  • Melbourne
  • Melton Mowbray
  • Nottingham Casuals
  • Oakham
  • Spalding
  • Stamford

2012–13 teams

  • Ashbourne
  • Aylestone St James
  • Bakewell Mannerians
  • Belgrave
  • Coalville
  • Dronfield
  • Kesteven
  • Leicester Forest
  • Melton Mowbray
  • Nottingham Casuals
  • Nuneaton Old Edwardians
  • Oakham
  • Sleaford

2011–12 teams

2010–11 teams

Market Rasen and Louth have won the league this season and are promoted to Midlands 1 East as champions for the season 2011–12. Loughborough finished second and also gained promotion by beating Peterborough Lions, who placed 2nd in Midlands 2 East (South) in the promotion play-off.
Lincoln and Ashby finished in the bottom two positions and have therefore been relegated for the coming season.

Original teams

Teams in Midlands 2 East and Midlands 2 East (South) were originally part of a single division called Midlands 1 East, which contained the following sides when it was introduced in 1992:
  • Amber Valley – relegated from Midlands 2 East
  • Ampthill – promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire
  • Belgrave – promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire
  • Chesterfield Panthers – promoted from Nott, Lincs & Derbyshire 1
  • Dronfield – promoted from Nott, Lincs & Derbyshire 1
  • Hinckley – promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire
  • Luton – promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire
  • Mellish – promoted from Nott, Lincs & Derbyshire 1
  • Scunthorpe – relegated from Midlands 2 East
  • Spalding – promoted from Nott, Lincs & Derbyshire 1
  • Stewarts & Lloyds – relegated from Midlands 2 East
  • Stoneygate – promoted from East Midlands/Leicestershire
  • West Bridgford – promoted from Nott, Lincs & Derbyshire 1

Midlands 2 East (North) honours

Midlands East 1 (1992–1993)

Midlands 2 East and Midlands 2 East (South) were originally part of a single tier 7 division called Midlands East 1. Promotion was to Midlands 2 and relegation to Midlands East 2.

Midlands East 1 (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 1 East became a tier 8 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands 2 and Midlands East 2.

Midlands East 1 (1996–2000)

At the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and Midlands East 1 returned to being a tier 7 league. Promotion and relegation continued to Midlands 2 and Midlands East 2.

Midlands 3 East (North) (2000–2009)

Restructuring ahead of the 2000–01 season saw Midlands East 1 split into two tier 7 regional leagues – Midlands 3 East and Midlands 3 East (South). Promotion was now to Midlands 2 East and relegation to Midlands 4 East (North).

Midlands 2 East (North) (2009–present)

League restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 3 East and Midlands 3 East were renamed as Midlands 2 East and Midlands 2 East (South), with both leagues remaining at tier 7. Promotion was now to Midlands 1 East and relegation to Midlands 3 East (North).

Counties 1 Midlands East (North) (2022– )

Following league reorganisation, Midland 2 East is renamed Counties 1 Midlands East and continues to be a tier 7 league. Promotion is to Regional 2 North Midlands and relegation to either Counties 2 Midlands East (North) or Counties 2 Midlands West (West), depending on location.

Promotion play-offs

Since the 2000–01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Midlands 2 East and Midlands 2 East (South) for the third and final promotion place to Midlands 1 East and Midlands 2 East. The team with the superior league record had home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019–20 season the Midlands 2 East teams have ten wins to the Midlands 2 East teams eight; and the home team won promotion on thirteen occasions compared to the away teams five.

2008–09 promotion play-off

As mentioned above the 2008–09 promotion play-off in Midlands 3 were different due to RFU restructuring for the following season. The two runners-up with the worst league records in the four regional divisions at this level played each other for the final promotion spot, with the team with the superior league record having home advantage.

Number of league titles