AFTER 130 years in Parramatta, the Two Blues rugby club is set to take its ball and wander off over the horizon.

First grade captain Andrew Cox walks from Granville Park. PICTURE: JOHN APPLEYARD

The club that produced internationals such as Ray Price, Tony Melrose, Andrew Leeds and current Wallaby Tatafu Polota-Nau hopes to announce soon that it will relocate to the Hills Shire.

The Two Blues has battled financially and on the field since Parramatta Leagues Club withdrew its sponsorship last year. The Shute Shield first-grade team finished second last this season, and regularly conceded 60 points or more.

Two Blues president Alan Hyam said he was hopeful of an agreement with the Hills Shire Council in a few weeks.

“The Hills is more conducive to promoting and staging rugby and attracting players than where we are,’’ he said.

“If we move, we’ll be the only first-grade club in the area.’’

While the club is closely bound to the area, Hyam said moving was a matter of survival.

“It’s not an easy decision as we have 130 years of history in Parramatta,’’ he said.

“You can’t lightly leave your heritage behind. But after the collapse of sponsorship from the Leagues Club, which meant the loss of our licensed club, we’ve struggled for sponsors.

“We’ve come to the conclusion from all the evidence that if we stayed at Granville Park for another year, we wouldn’t survive.’’

Hyam said the club was unable to pay its players this year and had to rely on subsidies from NSW Rugby Union.

Two of the great Two Blues players, Andrew Leeds and Michael Martin, are disappointed.

“It’s a real shame,’’ Leeds said. “It’s almost not Parramatta any more. I know they were looking to play at Castle Hill Showground but that’s a good 25 minutes from Parramatta.’’

Like Leeds, Martin was disappointed, but said the game had changed.

“It’s not about values any more, it’s about money,’’ he said. “It’s a shame, but with the demographics, they’ve got to do it.’’

The club began as Cumberland in 1879 and played at Cumberland Oval. They became Parramatta in 1934 and won three first grade premierships, the last in 1986.