Old Salts RFC break ground in Water Orton
Relocation of the 84-Year-Old Saltleians RFC Confirmed as the Rugby Club sign up ‘O’Brien Contractors Ltd’.
An 84-year-old North Warwickshire rugby club has taken the first big step in securing its long-term future with the acquisition of a new site, after its current ground was secured by HS2 for the planned London to Birmingham route.
From left to right: Dave Reilly N.Warks councillor, (nod to local support) Mick Lee & Mal Richards. 
From left to right: The club president and the consultants who got us there. Ken Fairbairn, Peter Grace (project manager), Mick Lee, Jules Harradence, Mal Richards (President), Ian Mercer (Bruton Knowles)
Old Saltleians RFC, more widely known as ‘Old Salts’, will move from their current, temporary, site in Shard End to a new purpose-built ground at Water Orton in time for the new season start in September 2022 – with contractors O’Brien Contractors Ltd breaking ground in November 2021 for completion September 2022.
Founded in 1933 by Saltley Grammar School players, the club drifted between playing fields until 1954 when they established a home base in Water Orton on Watton Lane where the M42 now lies. They opened their membership to the community and soon built a substantial club membership with homegrown youth forming the backbone of its 1st XV for many years.
Relocated onto Gilson Road to facilitate the M42 in 1982 and later losing the first team pitch to accommodate the M6 Toll in 2001 Old Salts are no strangers to government land acquisitions and disturbance.
However, the HS2 relocation process has been a significant test on Old Salts HS2 Development Team of Jules Harradence, Mick Lee, Colin Gardner, and Ken Fairbairn who have negotiated for 11 years to retain the rugby club and, following eviction, to relocate them.
In 2018 the club were temporarily relocated to Shard End. A fine Birmingham City Council facility, pavilion and decent pitches but no kitchen or bar for the members to entertain and bond. The resulting decline in players, especially youth, has been nothing short of catastrophic. Once complete, The ‘Old Salts’ new home will cover some 17 acres, boast a new clubhouse equivalent in modern standards of significant size (with facilities planned for use by the local community as well as the club) extensive car and coach parking to serve the entire site, 3 senior pitches with state-of-the-art floodlighting to one, 3 junior and 2 dedicated mini-rugby pitches.
Mick Lee, Club Chairman at The Old Saltleians explains: “Old Salts has always been a community rugby club, providing a strong, vibrant identity in the local area for youth and adult players and spectators. The intention now is to break out of ‘survival mode’ and kick on, provide a home that we can all grow into, open the doors wide, inviting players of all ages and all skill levels to enjoy, whilst developing the women’s and girls’ section. Thus, continuing to introduce new generations to the sport and to the family environment it offers.”
“We also believe that investment made at our temporary home in Shard End will leave a useful legacy for another club to use, expand into or relocate to. We are grateful to Birmingham City Council for their support, in our exile, since 2018”
“We must thank the club members, partners and professional advisors RLF, the RFU for their guidance, North Warwickshire Borough Council for their governance and O’Brien Contractors for their support, hard work and belief in the project. This will mark a new era for the club, its players, supporters and the community. Rugby! A game for life!”
Join us on this incredible journey and expansion in this fabulous facility. New members are always welcome. We are proud to be open and inclusive, also seeking to form a ladies section in 2022. Contacts on the website. https://www.oldsaltleians.com/contact
The CGI overview of proposed plans for the new ground can be found here: https://player.vimeo.com/video/470496877
