Dings Crusaders
Dings Crusaders are a men's rugby club founded in 1897 who play in the National League 1 (Tier 3). Their home ground is Shaftesbury Park, which holds 1,500.
Last updated May 2026
Key facts
| Founded | 1897 |
|---|---|
| League | National League 1 |
| Tier | Tier 3 |
| Home ground | Shaftesbury Park |
| Capacity | 1,500 |
| Nearest station | Filton Abbey Wood |
| Local derby | Clifton |
| Matchday pub | Clubhouse bar at Shaftesbury Park |
| Official website | https://www.dingscrusaders.com/ |
Club history
Dings Crusaders was founded in 1897 by H W Rudge as part of the Dings Boys Club within the Shaftesbury Crusade Christian mission in the impoverished St Philip's area of Bristol.
The club is one of only two remaining members of the original Bristol Combination set up in 1901 alongside Bristol Saracens.
Jack Steadman instigated the club's move to its long-time home in Lockleaze in 1948.
In 2018 the club moved to its new £8 million ground in Frenchay named Shaftesbury Park in honour of the crusade that founded it.
Recent seasons
Won the 2023-24 National League 2 West title on 13 April 2024 after beating Redruth with a game to spare to secure promotion to National League 1 for the first time in the club's history.
Lost 45-10 away to Rosslyn Park in their opening 2025-26 National League 1 fixture on 5 September 2025.
Finished their first season at tier 3 in 2024-25 with their highest-ever league finish at level 3 having begun the campaign away at Birmingham Moseley.
Notable players
Club legends
- Arthur Payne
- Luke Arscott
Turning Dings Crusaders footage into insight
Every match Dings Crusaders play holds a goldmine of detail. Framesports turns rugby footage into the analytics that actually matter and data that builds smarter game plans, collected by analysts and checked by humans. See how it works on the Framesports features page.
Frequently asked questions
When were Dings Crusaders founded?
Dings Crusaders were founded in 1897.
Where do Dings Crusaders play?
Dings Crusaders play at Shaftesbury Park, which holds 1,500. The nearest station is Filton Abbey Wood.
What league do Dings Crusaders play in?
Dings Crusaders compete in the National League 1, tier 3 of English rugby's league structure.
Who are Dings Crusaders's local rivals?
Dings Crusaders's local derby is against Clifton.
Other National League 1 clubs
Spot something wrong, or want this page updated? Email support@framesports.ai and we’ll fix it.
Framesports is an independent rugby platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dings Crusaders.