The move to Tregorrick Park coincided with a pivotal period for the game of rugby. Since the formation of the RFU in 1871, the amateur ethos was so enshrined in rugby that leagues and payment of players was steadfastly shunned by the Union game. The change started with the adoption of a league structure for the 1989-90 season and St Austell RFC started life in Cornwall Division One. Despite some near misses it took six years for the Saints to gain their first ever promotion into the Cornwall and Devon League.

The next sea change occurred after the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa which saw a wider acceptance of professionalism across a previously predominantly amateur game. A bandwagon started rolling and St Austell RFC joined it using some of the “windfall” from the sale of Cromwell Road to Asda to recruit players. Under the tutelage of former county coach Terry Pryor the club began to climb the leagues gaining three promotions in five years to reach South West Two (now known as South West One). The Saints remained in SW2 for three seasons but it was proving increasingly hard going in a fiercely competitive league. St Austell finished ninth out of 12 for the first two seasons before a 10th place finish in 2000-01 saw the Saints relegated back into the Western Counties.

Relegation brought an increasing realisation that the payment of players and coaches for a club like St Austell was not sustainable. The committee of the day decided that as custodians of St Austell RFC they were duty bound to protect the interest of future generations of rugby players. The brave decision was made to revert back to a completely amateur status to protect an ever dwindling bank balance. The stopping of payments inevitably triggered a player exodus and the club tumbled through the leagues before landing back in Cornwall Division One in 2003-04. These were difficult times for the club, in the three seasons from 2000 to end of 2003 the Saints played 62 games and won just 13, conceding 1,928 points and scoring just 855.

Far from being disheartening, the period proved an inspiration as a loyal group of players and members worked tirelessly to put sides out and turn the club around. In many ways it restored the spirit of the club that many felt had been diminished with the move from Cromwell Road and the advent of league rugby. St Austell RFC continued to fulfil its fixtures no matter the results; the pride and the passion of representing the club and providing rugby for the St Austell community was burning brighter than ever. The present day members owe this group a debt of gratitude, it is thanks to their efforts that St Austell RFC is still a going concern.