Est. 1892
A record kept
since 1892.
One of Belfast's oldest rugby clubs, formed in a front room in Malone Park and still going strong more than 130 years on.
In 1892, eighteen years after the foundation of the Rugby Football Union, a group of young men gathered in the home of one of them in Malone Park — one of Belfast's most exclusive addresses — to form a rugby club. The result of that meeting was Malone Football Club, as it was originally called.
On 7 November 1893 the club affiliated to the Ulster Branch, which had itself been formed only seven years earlier. In the two seasons following affiliation Malone won the Junior League, and in 1896 the club was granted senior status. The first senior match was against Belfast Collegians.
The years 1903–08 were the most successful in the club's history: Malone won the Senior League for four successive years, took the Charity Cup — now defunct — three times, and in 1904 lifted the Ulster Senior Cup.
A club through the decades
From a single pitch and a communal bath to a senior club in the All-Ireland League.
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1892
The founding
Malone Football Club is formed at a gathering in a home in Malone Park, Belfast.
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1893
Affiliation
On 7 November the club affiliates to the Ulster Branch, formed seven years earlier.
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1896
Senior status
After winning the Junior League, Malone is granted senior status. The first senior match is against Belfast Collegians.
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1903–08
The golden years
The most successful period in the club's history — the Senior League four years running, the Charity Cup three times, and the Ulster Senior Cup in 1904.
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1936
Home at Gibson Park
Malone moves to Gibson Park, previously the home of Willowfield Football Club. There is a single pitch — running at right angles to the present two — surrounded by a cinder track, with an old timber pavilion of two changing rooms, each with a communal bath.
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1960s
Ten teams every week
After less distinguished playing records in the late forties and early fifties, by the early and mid-sixties the club is regularly fielding ten teams.
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1967
A new pavilion
In the club's 75th year a new pavilion — complete with showers — is officially opened, giving Malone facilities befitting a senior club. Further alterations follow, reopening in September 1977.
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1984–91
The Ulster years
During Ulster's remarkable run of seven consecutive Inter-Provincial Championships, Malone provides nine of the forty players selected for the province.
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1990/91
Into the All-Ireland League
With the arrival of professional rugby, the senior clubs of all four provinces begin competing in the All-Ireland League. Since its inception, Malone has maintained an unbroken presence in the league.