In the early days of the club, rules were usually deemed unnecessary and those that were enforced were often made up on the spot.

As the game began to evolve, however, the need for specified regulations became apparent and in 1865 the Minute Book was created stipulating the ten rules to be followed by all players.

This is reputedly world's oldest existing rugby rule book[citation needed] and a much treasured possession.

Games were originally played on either a rented portion of Sale Cricket Club or on fields owned by local farmers.

Initially this was meant to be a training ground for the junior team, but there were talks to eventually relocate the rest of the club there too, but when war was over it was instead decided to focus efforts on the redevelopment of Heywood Road.

A new clubhouse was built, the old bath house replaced by squash courts, changing facilities improved, floodlights installed and the commemorative Jim Birtles Stand erected.