Cleckheaton first played rugby in 1888 and elected to say within the brotherhood of the Union during the schism of 1895. It is thought that play was suspended at the start of the First World War but Cleckheaton RUFC reformed in 1926 and from then has continued the great tradition.

Notable old boys who have played for the club have been England centre and Captain Jeff Butterfield, England scrum half Roger Pickering, England and Lions winger John Bentley and England 2nd team centre Steve Burnhill.

The club has regularly turned out four senior teams for many years. Season 2009/10 sees the 1st XV playing in National Three North. In 2007/8 the first team will play in North

The Club is an automonous section of Cleckheaton Sports Club together with a Cricket section that play in the Bradford League and a Bowling section. All sections and their players/supporters are members and owners of Cleckheaton Sports Club.

The club benefited from a substantial grant in 2005 from Sport England through the RFU to install match quality floodlights which has allowed the club to offer these facilities to Yorkshire u17s and Colts league matches, referees and coaches training courses, Yorkshire Junior training sessions and junior County representational matches.

In a joint financial venture, with Whitcliffe Mount School and Wyke Wanders FC, a long term tenure of two pitches with substantial changing facilities has been secured at Whitcliffe (approx 1.5 miles away). This, together with our Moorend facilities, provides an excellent environment for Junior Rugby training and playing.

Cleckheaton Rugby Club and Cleckheaton Sports Club are integral in the fabric of the local community