The History

Ruardean Hill Rangers play their football on the highest point in the Forest of Dean, 920 feet above sea level.

Founded in 1919, Ruardean Hill Rangers originally played in the historic Forest of Dean League, competing there until the league’s dissolution in the late 1950s. The club then joined the North Gloucestershire League, where it has maintained a presence ever since.

Ruardean Hill achieved its first promotion to the Northern Senior League in the 1994-95 season, remaining competitive until a relegation in 2001. The team swiftly regained promotion the following year but faced another relegation in 2004. In a thrilling 2011-12 season, Ruardean Hill celebrated a last-day promotion back to the senior league, complemented by a place in the final of the Amateur Cup.

Milestones

The 2012-13 season marked a turning point, as the club secured back-to-back promotions and reached the Northern Senior League Division 1 for the first time. ‘The Hill’ solidified their position in Division 1 with top-eight finishes in the next three seasons, culminating in a landmark title win in 2016-17. That season, the club scored an astonishing 125 goals and conceded only 34 over 35 games, a testament to both their offensive and defensive strength.

The Team Today

Ruardean Hill’s first team boasts a well-balanced mix of youth talent from our development squads and seasoned experience from a core group of players who have been with the club for nearly a decade. This continuity has strengthened the team, now supported by three senior squads, providing a depth that has been crucial in driving recent successes.

The club is currently in its fifth season in the Marcliff County League, having achieved solid 9th and 5th place finishes in their initial two seasons. Now firmly established in the County League, Ruardean Hill is focused on advancing further and achieving the highest possible league position.