Having gained promotion to Miller Homes Division 4 East, Manchester Village Spartans RUFC was hoping they could cope with the higher standard of rugby. Well what a torrid season it turned out to be. The team suffered a devastating loss of experienced players, about 10 in total, who were no longer available to play regularly due to retirement, injuries, or a change in their work patterns.

In the new year some Spartans were hoping for some light relief with a trip to Newcastle and the Hadrians Cup, hosted by the Newcastle Ravens. They had won the Cup the previous year and it would be a chance to temporarily forget about their tough season back home. However, due to the freezing weather that weekend, it made any rugby playing impossible and the tournament was cancelled.

When the season was eventually over they had come 14th and last place in the league and were demoted to Miller Homes Division 5 East. The mere fact that the team battled on and completed the season with their heads held high was testament to their bond and fighting spirit.

Before the season was fully over the team held their 10th Annual Dinner and celebrated the existence of the club after so many remarkable years. The following week the team went on their end-of-season tour and competed in the third Union Cup, run by EUGRA and hosted by the Kings Cross Steelers in London. In what was an incredibly hard-fought match, with a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters, the Spartans were narrowly beaten by the Steelers (3-0) in the final. After 10 years the spirit of this unique and special club was very much alive.