On the field it was realised that season 2016 was going to be extremely tough and so it proved. In May 2007, Swinton Lions went into administration for about 48 hours to restructure the club from top to bottom. Off the field Damian Ridpath arrived as Director of Development and is in the process of revolutionising the clubs off-field operations, which in 2021 included the launch of the Swinton Lionesses female team, and Manchester Lions junior teams. Player . However, after racing into an early 8-0 lead the Lions eventually went down in searing heat to North Wales Crusaders by 14-8. 15 Macauley Hallett Appearances: 91, Tries: 10, Goals: 94, Appearances:152, Tries:12, Goals:0 In the Lions' last season at Station Road they were drawing crowds of 3,000 but this sudden move caused the club to lose many supporters.[2]. 6 Ben Stead 21 Dan Coates This rise in stature was surprising because Swinton and Pendlebury was a tiny colliery village with a few cotton mills, but it had a large number of local junior teams from which the club drew its talent. steve wild, In July 2017 after a very poor season on the field and serious financial problems off it, coach John Duffy departed and took a new coaching post with Featherstone Rovers after their man in charge, Jon Sharp left his post. IAN RIGG Heywood Road, Sunday Appearances:198, Tries:24, Goals:0 Bedfordshire Bronco The Lions step-up into the championship proved as difficult as imagined but many creditable performances keep the fans hopeful for 2013. They topped both the Championship and the Lancashire League, having already defeated Wigan in the Lancashire Cup. However, what it also had was a staggering number of local junior teams from which the club drew its talent. 21 Jonny Openshaw Tries: M.Welham (28), Appiah-Kubi (56) The Lions are in the process of offering a trial to Joe Lowe who is set to get some game time in our upcoming pre-season friendlies. Swinton's 6th Championship was retained in style 12 months later (196364). Dyne then added his second before the break after another good passing movement and Gregson converted to give his side a good lead at the break. Calum is 27 years old and has been a stand-out performer for the Ince Rosebridge club in the National Conference League Division 1 over recent seasons. Swinton Lions are in the process of giving winger Calum Hughes a trial period at Heywood Road. Started January 11, By Started 52 minutes ago, By Please note that the numbers below are based on data contained in the RLP database, and may not be accurate. Although born at Wigan 21 years ago, Joe has spent the latter half of his life growing up in Australia, and for the past three years has been playing his rugby league with the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Tony Sullivan - St Helens #67 Rugby League 1991 Merlin Trading Card. However, some critics saw this as an apology for overlooking him when the previous tourists were chosen in 1962, when many believe he was easily the most outstanding player to wear a full-back's jersey in the British game. However, the predicted return date of spring 2012 proved to be a somewhat optimistic and premature forecast. Also in the 'swinging 1960s' years the Lions fielded real top class performers such as GB internationals Ken Gowers at full-back, Alan Buckley at left-centre plus his wing partner, John Stopford. Ken Gowers, John Speed, Bobby Fleet, Alan Buckley, Johnny Stopford, George Parkinson and Graham Williams. Why can't we discuss Leighs rebrand? The Swinton Supporters' Trust began life on 14 February 2002 in the White Lion public house and set about raising funds for the club. Welham then scored the Hurricanes opener when Richard Wilkinson sent out a looping pass for him to score in the corner and Ben Stead converted. Here we feature 15 of the best, but who would be in your line-up? 6 days ago News Lions mourn loss of Stan Laing 2 weeks ago News Hooker Josh Eaves joins the Lions! 1 Dan Abram (NU) made a try-scoring dbut at Wilderspool to Swinton 494: Jack Atherton: 21 August 1948: 3 September 1951: Forward: 21: 5: 1: 0: 17: signed from St Helens Recs . Bedfordshire Bronco Once given approval by Salford Council it was envisaged that construction could be completed quickly. Wales World Cup star makes Championship switch for 2023 Love Rugby League 09:24 21-Dec-22. It's easy! In October 2014 the club announced its intention to return to Park Lane, home of Sedgley Park RUFC as its home base for season 2015. Covid then intervened, and upon the resumption of play in 2021 a history hit team suffered relegation to League 1. Started December 20, 2022, By He previously played for Folly Lane ARLFC [1] (in Pendlebury), and Salford City Reds in the Super League, his choice of position is either Prop, or Second-row. Explore. Even in an era where the rules of the game ensured much tighter matches, these players could create a try from any position on the field. Appearances:216, Tries:49, Goals:3 This record would stand for ninety years but three months later when the Lions visited Pontefract they lost 50. However, what it also had was a staggering number of local junior teams from which the club drew its talent. 10 Kieran Moran LIONS 6 Ben Stead Rugby union (pre-2 June 1896), and rugby league footballers who have played for Swinton Lions (Swinton 18661996). MATCHFACTS Started October 13, 2022, By Appearances:68, Tries:11, Goals:0 At last they won the Lancashire County Cup in 1925 before recapturing the Challenge Cup in 1926. Started 2 hours ago, By By the time Britain emerged from the storm clouds Swinton had apparently lost their way. 23 Joe Lowe 14 Jack Dawson Welham then scored the Hurricanes opener when Richard Wilkinson sent out a looping pass for him to score in the corner and Ben Stead converted. In a tense Challenge Cup Final they squeezed past Warrington 53, and three weeks later the Holy Grail was achieved when they comfortably eased past Featherstone Rovers 110 to take the Rugby Football League Championship. 2 Mike Butt Shortly afterwards, Swinton were forced out of Gigg Lane by the financial problems of their landlords, Bury F.C.[4]. However, in October 1871, the club decided to join the recently formed Rugby Football Union under the title Swinton & Pendlebury FC. The following 4 files are in this category, out of 4 total. toowooba been breeding ground both here in toowooba and nationally . This week we are looking at the 1960s. As of March 2016 the club has re-engaged with the project to establish a community stadium in the Agecroft district of Pendlebury. All Matches. Such was the Lions' success that by the mid-1880s Swinton had become recognised as a national force and unquestionably they were the strongest team in Lancashire. We're really keen to promote links with our past players, as in doing so it respects the history of the club, AND promotes the future of the club in a positive light. Financial crisis followed financial crisis and only the sale of the main stand saved the club from closure during 1917. Bryn Evans (25 November 1899 10 July 1975) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s and 1930s. Dyne then added his second before the break after another good passing movement and Gregson converted to give his side a good lead at the break. The foundation of Swinton Rugby Club can be traced back to 1866. Hurricanes were playing some exciting rugby and they added their second try four minutes later when a nice kick by Wilkinson was finished off well by winger Desmond Appiah-Kubi in the right corner, but Stead was unable to convert. Martyn Sadler What constitutes being a supporter of a club ? Valentines finest hour came when he led his Lions to a Challenge Cup Final success over bitter rivals Salford at Fallowfield in 1900. Welham then scored the Hurricanes opener when Richard Wilkinson sent out a looping pass for him to score in the corner and Ben Stead converted. Concentrating on a youth policy and training methods beyond his era, Evans began to model an exiting, young Swinton team. In 1878 came the club's first ventures into Yorkshire, and fairly soon the club was traveling the length of breadth of the country taking on such illustrious opponents as Oxford University. 24 Jacob Beer Losses. Louis Brogan was held up on ten minutes but on the next tackle Gregson put in a measured kick for Josh Eaves to chase and score and Gregson converted this one too. Joe still has family in the Wigan area, and was looking to develop his immediate rugby career in England, and having done his research felt that the Lions were a potential fit for both himself and the club. The club came under the stewardship of chairman, John Kidd and fellow directors Paul Kidd (chairman's son), Dave Roberts and Ben Jones. is a professional rugby league club in St Helens, . The 192728 season saw the Lions sweep all before them. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. This week we look at the 1980s. All Matches. Moor Lane, Salford (2002-2004) Do you agree with our selection? The 1980s, the decade when we emerged from the doldrums to become a top end Second Division side, inter-dispersed with a fair share of memorable triumphs! Fortunately the club found a friend in Sedgley Park RUFC an ambitious and successful club in Division One of the RFU, which has meant from 2004 to 2010Swintonplayed their home matches at Park Lane, Whitefield the home of Sedgley Park. 18 Dominic Flanagan 39.99. Although Peter Roe coached the Lions to promotion to the middle tier in 1996, subsequent significant investment by Bury FC owner, Hugh Eaves, in 1997 achieved only a disappointing play-off defeat, and eventually the football club forced the Lions out in 2002. 8 Brad Clavering Under captain, Hector Halsall, the Lions were a side with a strong Welsh presence, with players like Billo Rees as well as the Cumbrian goal-kicking second row forward, Martin Hodgson who signed for Swinton in January 1927. The most famous of these Victorian sportsmen was Jim Valentine - still arguably the most famous "Lion" that ever lived and who served Swinton for the best part of 20 years. Looking back, although the club did spend a season at the highest level in 1991-92, Swinton's last real moment in the spotlight was their Second Division Premiership final win at Old Trafford in 1987. Started November 18, 2022, By They have been known as the Lions ever since. Goals: Stead 103 : Danny Wilson: List: 2. Not to mention a second promotion and a Divisional Premiership title at Old Trafford under the guidance of Bill Holliday and Mike Peers.