Saracens F.C. facts for kids
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| Full name | Saracens Rugby Club | ||
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| Union | Middlesex RFU | ||
| Nickname(s) | Sarries, Men in Black, Wolf Pack, Fez Boys | ||
| Founded | 1876 | ||
| Location | Hendon, Greater London, England | ||
| Ground(s) | StoneX Stadium (Capacity: 10,500) | ||
| Chairman |  Neil Golding |
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| CEO | Lucy Wray |
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| Director of Rugby |  Mark McCall |
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| Coach(es) | Joe Shaw |
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| Captain(s) | Owen Farrell |
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| Most appearances | Alex Goode 343 (All Competitions) |
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| Top scorer | Owen Farrell 1,548 (All Competitions) |
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| Most tries |  Chris Wyles74 (All Competitions) |
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| League(s) | Premiership Rugby | ||
| 2021–22 | 2nd (Runners-up) | ||
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| Official website | |||
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The Saracens Rugby Club is a professional rugby union team from North London, England. They play in Premiership Rugby, which is the top league for rugby in England. They also compete in the Premiership Rugby Cup and the European Rugby Champions Cup.
The club started in 1876. For many years, they played in the Southgate area. Since 2012, Saracens have played their home games at StoneX Stadium in Hendon. Before that, they played at Vicarage Road in Watford for 15 years. Their home kit colours are black and red. Saracens also have a women's team, Saracens Women, which plays in the top Premier 15s league.
Saracens have won 10 big trophies. They won the European Champions Cup three times (2016, 2017, and 2019). They have also won the English Premiership five times, most recently in 2019. They won the domestic cup twice (1998 and 2015). The team has also won the second division title three times (1989, 1995, and 2021).
Contents
Club History
How Saracens Started
Saracens was founded in 1876 by former students of the Philological School in Marylebone, London. The club's name is thought to come from the "endurance and strength" of Saladin's desert warriors. It might also be because their local rivals were called the "Crusaders". The Crescent and Star on their logo are similar to those on the flag of Tunisia.
In 1878, Saracens joined with a nearby club called Crusaders. Over the years, Saracens moved grounds many times. They finally settled at Bramley Road in Southgate for the 1939–40 season. However, World War II stopped them from playing there until 1945.
It was hard for Saracens to get games against top teams because their facilities at Bramley Road were not very good. Despite this, some players from the club played for the England team. These included John Steeds (1949–1950), Vic Harding (1961–1962), and George Sheriff (1966–1967).
The club had a very good period in the 1970s. They reached the semi-finals of the National Cup. A special game at Bramley Road in 1971 saw 5,000 fans watch a thrilling match against an International XV team. The game ended in a 34–34 draw. This Saracens team also won the 1972 Middlesex Cup.
Moving Up in the Leagues
After some tough years in the early 1980s, Saracens improved. With Floyd Steadman as captain and Tony Russ as coach, they won the second division in 1989 without losing a single game. The next year, in the first division, they surprised many by finishing fourth.
However, Saracens struggled to keep their best players. Many left for bigger clubs. In the 1992–93 season, Saracens were moved down to the second division. But they quickly bounced back. In 1994–95, they won the second division championship and returned to the top league.
In 1995–96, Saracens were again at the bottom of the table. But they were saved by their new CEO, Mike Smith. He convinced the RFU (Rugby Football Union) that no teams should be moved down in the first season of professional rugby.
The Professional Era Begins
1996–2000: New Backing and First Trophy
In November 1995, Nigel Wray started to financially support Saracens. This allowed the club to sign famous players like Michael Lynagh, Philippe Sella, Francois Pienaar, and Kyran Bracken. Saracens moved to Enfield F.C.'s ground, Southbury Road. They started the new season with a win against Leicester.
The 1997–98 season was a big year for the club. They started sharing Vicarage Road Stadium with Watford FC. This stadium had 22,000 seats. The club became very popular, and their fans started wearing fezzes, leading to "the year of the Fez."
New players like Danny Grewcock and Roberto Diego Grau joined the team. They combined with talented local players like Tony Diprose and Richard Hill. The team finished second in the Premiership, just missing out on the title.
However, they won their first major trophy! Saracens beat Wasps 48–18 in the Tetley Bitter Cup final at Twickenham. This was a historic win for the club. It was also the last game for legends Lynagh and Sella, who later became the first members of Saracens' Hall of Fame.
The next season (1998–99) was a bit up and down. Saracens finished third, becoming London's top club. In 1999–2000, more big players joined. However, many players were away for the World Cup or injured. This meant their first try at the Heineken Cup wasn't successful. But Kyran Bracken returned from injury to help Saracens finish fourth and qualify for the Heineken Cup again.
2000–2006: Challenges and Changes
The early 2000s were tough for Saracens. They often started seasons well but then struggled, especially when international players were away. In 2001, Thomas Castaignède suffered a serious injury, and results went downhill. The club missed out on a Heineken Cup spot.
In 2001–02, many experienced players left. Francois Pienaar, who was in charge of coaching, decided to use younger players. But the team's performance was still weak, and Pienaar stepped down.
Wayne Shelford, a famous player from New Zealand, became coach for the 2002–03 season. New players like Andy Goode and Christian Califano joined. Again, Saracens started strong but then lost confidence. They ended up close to the relegation zone. They did well in the European Challenge Cup, reaching the semi-finals. They also had a very close final against Leicester, losing in extra time.
Shelford was replaced by Rod Kafer for the 2003–04 season. More international players joined. But the team continued to be inconsistent. They struggled when players were away for the 2003 World Cup.
In 2004–05, Saracens signed more English players. They started the season with a big win against Wasps. After some inconsistent games, Steve Diamond took over coaching. The team improved and finished fifth. They won a play-off to get a spot in the next season's Heineken Cup.
In 2005–06, Diamond became Director of Rugby. The team had a good start but then struggled again. Diamond left, and Mike Ford took over, with Eddie Jones helping as a consultant. Results got better, but Saracens finished 10th. This season also marked the end of Kyran Bracken's playing career.
2006–2008: Improving Performance
In 2006, Alan Gaffney became coach. New players like Neil de Kock joined and made a big impact. Saracens had a strong season, losing only three times between October and March. Richard Hill made a great comeback after a long injury. Andy Farrell, a famous rugby league player, also joined the team.
Saracens reached the Premiership play-offs for the first time, finishing fourth. They also made it to the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup. Although they lost in the play-offs, it was a much better season. Glen Jackson won the Player of the Year award for his amazing performance. Thomas Castaignède also retired after many great years with the club.
For the 2007–08 season, Saracens signed Chris Jack, a top player from New Zealand. They also signed Gordon Ross and Brent Russell. The season started well with a win against Wasps. Saracens did well in the EDF Energy Cup and reached the semi-finals. They also had a strong start in the Heineken Cup.
However, the team's defence was often weak. In early 2008, Eddie Jones took over as head coach.
2009–2011: Rise to Champions
In 2009, Brendan Venter became the head coach. He made big changes, bringing in many South African players. This led to some criticism, with people calling the club "Saffracens." However, Saracens started the 2009–10 season with a 10-match unbeaten run. They even beat South Africa in a special match at Wembley.
After Christmas, Saracens had a tough period with several losses. But they found a new attacking style and started winning again. They secured a spot in the Guinness Premiership Semi-Finals. They beat Northampton 21–19 in a very close game, reaching their first final since 1998.
In the 2010 Premiership Final, Saracens faced Leicester. It was a thrilling game, but Leicester won 33–27 with a late try. It was a heartbreaking loss but a great season for Saracens. This was the last game for several players, including Glen Jackson.
The 2010–11 season started with a loss, but Saracens quickly improved. They won ten games in a row and secured a home semi-final. They beat Gloucester 12–10 with a late penalty from young player Owen Farrell.
In the Final, they again played Leicester Tigers. Saracens played very well, leading 16–9 at half-time. They defended strongly, especially in a nine-minute period of extra time. They finally won 22–18, becoming English champions for the first time! Schalk Brits was named Man of the Match.
During this season, Saracens also announced plans to move to a new home. Their old stadium landlord, Watford FC, ended their agreement. Saracens decided to redevelop the Barnet Copthall athletics stadium. This new stadium, called StoneX Stadium, would have 3,000 permanent seats and temporary stands for 10,000 fans. It would also have the first artificial pitch in English rugby.
2014–2015: Double Champions
Saracens had a strong start to the 2014–15 season. They finished fourth in the regular season, which qualified them for the play-offs. They beat first-placed Northampton in the semi-final. In the final, Saracens played Bath. They scored three tries in the first half and won the game 28–16. This made them the first team to win the Premiership from a fourth-place finish.
They also won the Anglo-Welsh Cup, beating Exeter 23–20 with a last-minute penalty. Saracens reached the semi-finals of the European Rugby Champions Cup but lost to ASM Clermont.
Salary Cap Issue and Relegation
In March 2019, there were claims that Saracens might have broken the salary cap rules. The salary cap is a limit on how much money clubs can spend on player salaries. It was found that Saracens had not told Premiership Rugby about certain payments to players. These payments meant the club had spent more than the £7 million salary cap in the 2016–17, 2017–18, and 2018–19 seasons.
As a result, Saracens were given a 35-point deduction for the 2019–20 Premiership Rugby season. They were also fined £5.3 million. The club was found to have been "reckless" in how they handled these payments.
On January 18, 2020, Premiership Rugby announced that Saracens would be moved down to the RFU Championship for the 2020–21 season. This was because Saracens did not fully cooperate with an audit to check their spending for the 2019–20 season. Later, a report showed that the club had overspent by large amounts in previous seasons. On January 28, 2020, a further 70-point deduction was applied to ensure Saracens finished last in the league.
International Connections
Saracens has built strong relationships with rugby clubs around the world. After a tour of Japan, they connected with Fukuoka Sanix Blues. They also played against Suntory Sungoliath in Tokyo.
In 2008–09, a group of South African investors bought half of the club. This led to Brendan Venter becoming the new Director of Rugby. He made big changes to the team, which caused some controversy but also led to a dramatic improvement in the club's performance. They won their first eight games in the 2009–10 season.
Saracens now have partner clubs in many countries, including Georgia, Seattle, Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, Amman, Moscow, Kenya, São Paulo, and Tonga. The club aims to have many Saracens players representing different countries at major events like the Olympics.
Matches in Other Countries
In 2013, Saracens played two international matches. They beat the South African Barbarians in London. They also toured the island of Bermuda to help promote rugby there. They visited schools and held coaching workshops. They played against a Bermuda International Select XV team, which included famous international players.
Saracens have also played Premiership matches in the United States. On March 12, 2016, they played against London Irish at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. This was the first time a Premiership match was held outside of England. Saracens won 26–16. They returned to the US in 2017 to play the Newcastle Falcons in Philadelphia, winning 29–7.
Team Kit
The Saracens team kit is currently made by Castore. This started from the 2021–22 season. The main sponsor of the club is City Index. This company is owned by Saracens' main partner, StoneX. The replica kit also features the logo of the Saracens Foundation. This is a charity run by the club, and £5 from each jersey sale goes to the foundation.
Club Honours
Saracens has won many important titles:
- Premiership Rugby
- Champions: 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
- Runners–Up: 1998, 2010, 2014, 2022
- RFU Championship (Second Division)
- Champions: 1989, 1995, 2021
- European Rugby Champions Cup
- Champions: 2016, 2017, 2019
- Runners–Up: 2014
- Anglo–Welsh Cup
- Champions: 1998, 2015
- Premiership Rugby Cup
- Runners–Up: 2019
- Middlesex Senior Cup
- Champions: 1972, 1976, 1980, 1986
Saracens also have successful reserve and sevens teams:
- Saracens Storm Reserves
- Premiership Rugby Shield Champions: 2015, 2019
- Saracens Sevens
- Premiership Rugby Sevens Series Champions: 2010, 2018, 2019
- Melrose Sevens Champions: 2012, 2013
Current Team Squad
The Saracens senior squad for the 2022–23 season includes:
Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.
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Note: Players listed in bold have played for their national teams.
Academy Squad
The Saracens academy squad is:
Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.
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Club Staff
Coaching and Leadership Team
The main coaches and leaders at Saracens are:
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Famous Players and Awards
British & Irish Lions Players
Some Saracens players have been chosen to play for the British & Irish Lions. This is a special team made up of the best players from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
- 1997: Kyran Bracken, Tony Diprose, Richard Hill, Paul Wallace
- 2001: Danny Grewcock, Richard Hill, Dan Luger, Scott Murray
- 2005: Richard Hill, Shane Byrne
- 2013: Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell, Matt Stevens, Mako Vunipola
- 2017: Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Liam Williams
- 2021: Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Mako Vunipola
Rugby World Cup Players
Many Saracens players have also played for their national teams in the Rugby World Cup.
- 1999 World Cup: 9 players, including Kyran Bracken and Richard Hill for England.
- 2003 World Cup: 7 players, including Kyran Bracken and Richard Hill who were part of the winning England team.
- 2007 World Cup: 5 players, including Andy Farrell for England.
- 2011 World Cup: 8 players, including Matt Stevens and Richard Wigglesworth for England.
- 2015 World Cup: 18 players, including Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Alex Goode, George Kruis, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, and Richard Wigglesworth for England.
- 2019 World Cup: 16 players, including Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Jack Singleton, Ben Spencer, Billy Vunipola, and Mako Vunipola for England. Vincent Koch was part of the winning South Africa team.
Saracens Hall of Fame
The Saracens Hall of Fame honors players who have made a huge impact on the club. Some famous players in the Hall of Fame include:
- John Steeds
- Vic Harding
- George Sherriff
- Floyd Steadman
- Michael Lynagh
- Philippe Sella
Club Captains
Many players have been captain of Saracens over the years. The current captain is Owen Farrell. Other notable captains include Tony Diprose, Francois Pienaar, Kyran Bracken, Simon Raiwalui, Hugh Vyvyan, Neil de Kock, Steve Borthwick, and Brad Barritt.
Most Appearances
These players have played the most games for Saracens:
- Alex Goode (343 games)
- Kris Chesney (338 games)
- John Buckton (319 games)
- Kevin Sorrell (304 games)
- Richard Hill (275 games)
- Jackson Wray (257 games)
- Neil de Kock (257 games)
- Chris Wyles (254 games)
- Brad Barritt (252 games)
- Richard Wigglesworth (240 games)
Player Awards
Saracens players have won many awards for their great performances:
- World Rugby Awards:
- Maro Itoje won the Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2016.
- Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, and Billy Vunipola have been nominated for Men's 15s Player of the Year multiple times.
- European Player of the Year:
- Maro Itoje won in 2016.
- Owen Farrell won in 2017.
- Alex Goode won in 2019.
- Premiership Player of the Year:
- Alex Goode won in 2016.
- Ben Earl won in 2022.
- Premiership Young Player of the Year:
- Owen Farrell won in 2012.
- Billy Vunipola won in 2014.
- Maro Itoje won in 2016.
- Premiership Golden Boot (most points):
- Michael Lynagh (1998), Glen Jackson (2007, 2009), and Owen Farrell (2018) have won this award.
- Premiership Top Try Scorer:
- Ben Earl (2020) and Max Malins (2022) have won this award.
Images for kids
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Saracens at a home match
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The redeveloped Copthall Stadium
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Saracens mascot Sarrie the Camel
See also
In Spanish: Saracens para niños
