The History of Poulton Exiles
The idea of Poulton exiles came together when players from mulitple clubs were frustrated by the lack of tours and good times being planned. So those players from Thornton-Cleveleys RUFC, Douglas RFC and Fylde RFC took fate into their own hands and created Poulton Exiles. A super club ready for some super times in some super locations.
Tour 1: Isle of Man 2016
The first tour was kept simple, the boys were heading to the Isle of Man! With some of the players already living there and it only being a short flight away, it was a perfect location to test the waters (and behaviour) of the newly formed group.
The Exiles played their first ever game against Douglas RFC. Douglas had a very strong and skillful side but they could not match the strength, speed, creativity and good looks of the mighty Exiles.
The Exlies came away from this conflict victorius, a trend that will become all too familiar in future years.
Tour 2: Lloret de Mar 2017
Tour number two was a step up in terms of the distance and the size of the club. Finally with our very own kit and some new recruits we travlled out to Spain, to take on CF Navata, the very best that some small town in the middle of nowhere had to offer.
The second game for the Exiles went even better than the first, another victory running up a score of 100-12. With prop Simon Hoddinott raking up 4 tries and getting MOTM in the process.
Two games down and the boys looking mighty strong. All eyes look towards what challenges and hurdles the next tour will provide.
Tour 3: Budapest 2018
On paper, the Exiles faced their most formidable opponents yet. The Budapest Exiles, one of the top teams in Hungary, containing a few players that play for the Hungarian international team. It's an Exile off!
However Poulton Exiles clearly kept their form from the previous year, proving too strong for the Budapest Exiles. Winning 78-7. Three tours, three games, three victories, three big parties.
Three out of three, Exlies are on a roll and feeling indestructable. Is there anything that can slow them down?
Tour 4: Shelford 7s 2021
Turns out yes, there is something that can stop the Exiles. Scheduling conflicts in 2019 and a worldwide pandemic the following year put a stop to touring, much to the disapointment of the players and many fans all over the world.
Next opputunity came on the form of Shelford 7s. Dirty Mikes hometown club Shelford RUFC were putting on a big tournament which seemed like the perfect comeback tour. However the luck of the exiles seemed like it has ran out.
Entering the "social" leagues expecting some fun, lighthearted, entertaining rugby the exiles were met with anything but that. The teams they faced were serious, in shape and no where near as hungover. This meant losing all but two of our games and taking home the wooden spoon.
