The historic York Groves amateur rugby league name has been revived for the 1998/9 season.

Officials of Clifton Moor have decided on a change of name following their move back into the Groves area of the city, adopting the 100-year-old title.

Moor, who recently celebrated their 30th anniversary, are no strangers to a new identity having previously switched from Burton Stone Inn to Punch Bowl before moving out to Clifton Moor.

However, the club have returned to their old Groves stamping ground and are now based at the Castle Howard Ox pub in Townend Street.

The Yorkshire League side, who play at Burdyke, will next year be known as York Groves ARLFC, with the nickname of the Terriers.

Said spokesman Paul Boyne: "It was decided, due to the club having now returned to the Groves area of York in which it had previously enjoyed 20 years as the Punch Bowl, that the club should no longer retain the Clifton Moor name.

"The club are now based at the Castle Howard Ox and are receiving great support from the community. The Groves area has had an affinity with rugby league for more than a century."

Boyne revealed that Groves Clarence were turning out a team in 1895 and Groves Athletic were formed in 1900.

And York Groves United played their home games at Clarence Street from 1906 to around 1911, reaching the first round proper of the Challenge Cup before losing at Dewsbury.

Boyne added: "Clarence WMC, the Reindeer and Punch Bowl had teams over many years. Of course York RL played at Clarence Street for more than 100 years and it was a great blow to the area when they left for pastures new.

"This did indirectly play a part in the Punch Bowl club deciding to up root, due to less rugby league clientele in the pub, less income and less chance of new players.

"But to leave the Groves has been realised as an error. Now the club is back where it belongs and once more wishes to be a part of a community that refuses to play dead.

"And as the York Groves, along with the nickname the Terriers, the club can relate to the community which may be relatively small but has a big heart and will never give in."

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