Rugby Borough FC's new STANLEY® Stand opens at fan takeover day
Rugby Borough FC supporters have a new place to watch their team after a stand built by the club’s own players, coaches and volunteers was officially opened at Kilsby Lane.
The new Stanley Stand was unveiled on Saturday (October 17) ahead of the club’s Northern Premier League Division One Midlands match against Boldmere St Michaels. The home side marked the occasion with a 1–0 win.
Club captain Ellis Myles, a kitchen fitter and designer, and teammate Cameron Collins, a roofer, led the project alongside club coaches and volunteers, all of them tradespeople. The stand was funded by tool brand Stanley as part of its Built to Support campaign, which celebrates tradespeople who give their skills and time to their local clubs and communities.
The covered terrace gives fans somewhere to stay dry through the winter, and the club hopes it will help it keep growing its matchday crowds.
Ellis said: “For me, it’s about having pride and driving the standards, like you do at a football club. You want to build to the highest standard and make sure everything’s done right.”
Cameron added: “Beyond the job site, it’s really nice to come down here, not worry about work or the stress that work brings, and just come and see the lads and enjoy playing football – doing what you love.”
Kate Madia, chair of Rugby Borough FC, said: “It’s incredible that these tradespeople, who are part of our club and part of our community, are able to use their skills to improve things for our community. We’re increasingly getting bigger crowds, and this country is very rainy, so having a stand like this is vital. I want everyone to be comfortable and dry and to want to stay for an entire match.”
Before kick-off, fans took on a Beat the Robokeeper challenge and tool challenges in a fan zone, with former Soccer AM presenter Curly among those having a go. Supporters also posed in a photobooth, and 500 free matchday scarves were given out.
A raffle offered prizes including tools, tickets to a Premier League match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and an England shirt signed by the men’s squad. Every penny raised went back into the club.
Supporter Megan Gibson, from Rugby, said: “As a Rugby Borough family, it’s been fantastic to see Stanley bring the whole club and community together. From the fan zone activities to the giveaways, it’s created a brilliant atmosphere and made the day even more memorable.”
Darren Barber, senior brand marketing director at Stanley, said: “Seeing the community come together in a stand that Ellis, Cameron and the club’s volunteers built with their own hands is what Built to Support is all about. On and off the job site, tradespeople hold clubs like Rugby Borough together, often without anyone noticing, and we’re proud to have backed them.”
Rugby Borough was founded in 1994 as Rugby Town Juniors with a single youth team. It now runs around 70 teams for players from 18 months old to its men’s and women’s first teams, with more than 1,000 junior players supported by nearly 200 volunteers. The fully inclusive club has no waiting list and has been named Community Club of the Year three times, in 2001, 2005 and 2018.