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Club History
The Memphis Blues Rugby Club has a history dating back to the fall of 1968 when Scotsman, Malcomb Williams, originally founded
the Club as the Memphis Wanderers. In 1973 the Club changed its name to the Memphis Bulls reflecting a sponsorship by Schlitz
Brewery. Two years later, in 1975, the Club again changed its name, this time to Memphis Old No.7 after affiliating with Jack
Daniel’s Distillery. Over time the sponsorship with Jack Daniel’s diminished, yet the Club maintained the name Old No.7.
Meanwhile, in 1985 the Rugby Club at the University of Memphis was established with the assistance of Old No.7 in order to create
a college team in Memphis. Both Old No.7 and the University enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship over the years with the
college side benefiting from having experienced Old No.7 players as coaches and Old No.7 enjoyed a pool of younger talent joining
the team when their eligibility expired or they graduated from the University.
In the Fall of 1998, Memphis Old No.7 and the Rugby Club at the University of Memphis elected to merge and form the Memphis
Blues Rugby Club. The impact of the merger had an immediate positive impact on the level of play and has distinguished the
Memphis Blues as the premiere rugby club in Memphis as well as reestablishing Memphis, and specifically the Memphis Blues, as a
formidable opponent.
The Memphis Blues are a Division 2 team, fielding 2 sides and competing in the Mid –South Local Area Union along with Nashville,
Chattanooga, Huntsville, Johnson City, and Knoxville. In addition the Memphis Blues compete in South Territorial Union that is
comprised of teams from the Deep South, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Palmetto Rugby Unions.
The Blues also sponsor a men’s college side called the Memphis Blues Rugby Club at the University of Memphis. Plans are being
developed to also create a woman’s team in Memphis.
The Blues home field is located at Tobey Park (located on N. Hollywood between Central and Park). Practices are held Tuesdays
and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30. Home games are also played at Tobey Park with a start time of around 1:00.
The Club has a number of sponsors, which aids in defraying costs associated with running the Club. The Club greatly appreciates
the support of the sponsors and encourages players as well as patrons to visit our sponsors and to thank them for their support. We
proudly salute DBI Distributing, Inc., Sunrise Pontiac GMC Hummer, Southern Scapes Landscaping, Vicki Blackwell of Crye-Leike
Realtors, D. Canale, Newby’s Bar & Grill, Horseshoe Casino, Old No7 Old Boys.
The Memphis Blues Rugby Club has a history dating back to the fall of 1968 when Scotsman, Malcomb Williams, originally founded
the Club as the Memphis Wanderers. In 1973 the Club changed its name to the Memphis Bulls reflecting a sponsorship by Schlitz
Brewery. Two years later, in 1975, the Club again changed its name, this time to Memphis Old No.7 after affiliating with Jack
Daniel’s Distillery. Over time the sponsorship with Jack Daniel’s diminished, yet the Club maintained the name Old No.7.
Meanwhile, in 1985 the Rugby Club at the University of Memphis was established with the assistance of Old No.7 in order to create
a college team in Memphis. Both Old No.7 and the University enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship over the years with the
college side benefiting from having experienced Old No.7 players as coaches and Old No.7 enjoyed a pool of younger talent joining
the team when their eligibility expired or they graduated from the University.
In the Fall of 1998, Memphis Old No.7 and the Rugby Club at the University of Memphis elected to merge and form the Memphis
Blues Rugby Club. The impact of the merger had an immediate positive impact on the level of play and has distinguished the
Memphis Blues as the premiere rugby club in Memphis as well as reestablishing Memphis, and specifically the Memphis Blues, as a
formidable opponent.
The Memphis Blues are a Division 2 team, fielding 2 sides and competing in the Mid –South Local Area Union along with Nashville,
Chattanooga, Huntsville, Johnson City, and Knoxville. In addition the Memphis Blues compete in South Territorial Union that is
comprised of teams from the Deep South, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Palmetto Rugby Unions.
The Blues also sponsor a men’s college side called the Memphis Blues Rugby Club at the University of Memphis. Plans are being
developed to also create a woman’s team in Memphis.
The Blues home field is located at Tobey Park (located on N. Hollywood between Central and Park). Practices are held Tuesdays
and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30. Home games are also played at Tobey Park with a start time of around 1:00.
The Club has a number of sponsors, which aids in defraying costs associated with running the Club. The Club greatly appreciates
the support of the sponsors and encourages players as well as patrons to visit our sponsors and to thank them for their support. We
proudly salute DBI Distributing, Inc., Sunrise Pontiac GMC Hummer, Southern Scapes Landscaping, Vicki Blackwell of Crye-Leike
Realtors, D. Canale, Newby’s Bar & Grill, Horseshoe Casino, Old No7 Old Boys.