In the next season, Manchester Village Spartans RUFC competed in the Miller Homes Division 5 East. In an attempt to raise the standard of rugby skills and give the team a more competitive focus, the Spartans looked to bring in some professional coaches and several were hired at various times. Phil Leck (from Sale Sharks Academy) was one such coach and for a while was paid to run a monthly session. His son, Chris Leck (professional player from Sale Sharks) helped out as well. Towards the end of the season David Smyth left the Club and Chris Leck became the main coach for the team.

It was around this time that Elaine Vassie attended a few training sessions with a friend of hers. She had played a lot of rugby herself and was working as a fitness instructor so the Spartans asked her if she could run some sessions to help improve the team's fitness and conditioning levels. The team still struggled in their second season in the league and ended it in 13th place. They knew that they needed new players, particularly towards the end of the season when injuries had taken their toll and everyone was very tired.

For their end-of-season tour, the Spartans had the option of participating in the second Union Cup which was held in Copenhagen, however they decided to travel to Cologne, Germany and compete in the Hurth Rugby Sevens tournament again. After such a tough season, the lads primarily went to have a good time and their focus on this was increased once they discovered that awaiting them in their group was the team from the British Army, made up of Samoans and Fijians. Even though they were thrashed by the British Army team who went on to win the tournament, the Spartans enjoyed the experience and it was possibly the first match between a gay rugby team and one from the military.