Runcorn RFC
Full name | Runcorn RFC |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | unknown |
Founded | some time before 1876 |
Ground | Canal Street |
Runcorn RFC was a (semi) professional rugby league club. They joined the Northern Union in 1895, just several days after it was founded and played in the league system from season 1895–96 to season 1917–18 inclusive.
The club was based in Runcorn (population approximately 62,000 in 2010[1]), an industrial town and cargo port within the borough of Halton in the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The town is situated on the southern bank of the River Mersey opposite Widnes
History
Rugby Union days
Very little is known of the club in the early days.
in the Summer of 1885 the club carried out a tour of South Wales
However In 1886, Runcorn played Warrington in the semi-final of the South West Lancashire and Border Towns Trophy. A fight between players on the pitch resulted in a player from each side being sent off. Some time later during the match, a Runcorn player was injured and when the referee refused to allow this injured player to be replaced by the previously sent off player, the Runcorn team walked off the field.
At this point the referee abandoned the match.
The Cup competition committee decided that the match should be replayed. Warrington duly won this match at Southport. It was 1891 before the animosity between the clubs subsided sufficiently for them to recommence playing each other.[2]
In March 1889 Runcorn, at the time Cheshire champions, played the touring New Zealand Maoris team before a crowd of about 9,000 at Canal Street. Runcorn were led at the time by regular captain Hughie Hughes.
Runcorn join the Northern Union
Leading up to the “Great Schism “, twelve of the top Yorkshire clubs held a meeting on Tuesday, 20 August 1895, at the Mitre Hotel,[3] Leeds, at which they agreed that they should meet with the Rugby Union to put forward the idea of forming a Northern Union, not as a complete breakaway, but a suggestion which the Union immediately rejected out of hand.
On 27 August 1895 an emergency meeting of nine Lancashire clubs agreed to support their Yorkshire counterparts if they decided to break away. Runcorn was not among the nine.
Two days later on the 29 August, the representatives of these 21 clubs (by this time, Stockport had joined the others, but their representative, being unable to attend, had telegraphed the meeting requesting his club’s admission to the new organisation) met in The George Hotel, Huddersfield in the West Riding of Yorkshire, a setting which was to become famous (or infamous) in the world of rugby. And all but Dewsbury agreed to the break-away.
A further meeting was held several days later, to formalise the agreement, at which Runcorn applied to join the Northern Union, and was admitted, becoming the twenty-second member in the inaugural season's league
Northern Union
The first Northern Union season (1895–96) started on Sat,7 September and Runcorn’s first match was a home game against Widnes which they won 15–4. All 22 clubs played in a combined league, yet games against clubs in the same county were also used to provide the two separate county leagues. Runcorn finished in a very creditable third position overall, and in addition also won the Lancashire league title (Manningham won the Rugby League title and were also Yorkshire Champions, with Halifax finishing in second positions in both these competitions).
For the following five seasons (1896–97 to 1900–01 inclusive), the two counties were kept apart, each having their own Senior Competition; this after comments/complaints from several clubs about the expenses in travelling long(ish) distances. Runcorn finished in 4th, 10th, 7th, 1st and 3rd positions respectively. At the end of the 1900–01 season, the top seven clubs in each of the county leagues decided to break away and form a single division, and Runcorn, after finishing in 3rd position were among this group of clubs. In season 1901–02, Runcorn finished again in 3rd position.
This formulae was successful and for the following season, a second division was also formed. Runcorn remained in the top league (Division 1) of the competition which ran in this format for the next three seasons (1902–03 to 1904–05) after which the two divisions were combined. In these seasons Runcorn finishing in 4th, 16th and 18th (bottom) position.
The following season (1905–06) one single division operated, a format which would continue for many years, thus removing the possibility of Runcorn being relegated. As it was impossible for all the clubs to play each other both home and away, clubs from the same county played each other home and away, and arranged inter-county matches as and when they could. Because not all clubs played the same number of matches, positions were decided on percentage basis. Runcorn finished 10th out of the 31 clubs.
In season 1906–07 Runcorn finished in 3rd position, their highest placing for several years, and a position, which history would show, was the start of a rapid decline in the club’s playing fortunes.
In the next eight seasons (1907–08 to 1914–15) Runcorn finished 13th, 11th, 16th, 22nd, 24th, 19th, 21st and 25th respectively. In this last season (1914–15) Runcorn finished in a very poor bottom position with no win, only one draw and 1 point from 27 matches.
By this time the country was involved in the First World War and sporting competitions were being cancelled/abandoned. Rugby League was no exception, yet managed to organise a “friendly” series of Wartime Emergency Leagues”. Several clubs withdrew for the duration, and some later re-joined; but those competing did so on a very limited scale, all organising their own fixtures, usually against local rivals to cut down on the travelling. Runcorn had a very poor return for their efforts finishing in 23rd out of 24 (1915–16), 22nd out of 26 (1916–17) and 21st out of 22 (1917–18). In these three seasons Runcorn struggled winning only 5 matches and drawing 0 matches out of a total of 51.
The following season started in the summer of 1918, results for this period are very scarce, but Runcorn do not appeared to have joined the league system. In late 1918, the First World War ended, and the Rugby League decided to hold a limited “Victory” competition starting early in 1919 and lasting only into the Spring, in which Runcorn did not take part. It is thought that the club folded after the end of the 1917–18 season.
With the full resumption of the league competition in 1919–20 Warrington signed many of the players from the recently disbanded Runcorn club.[4]
Players of Note
These include :-
- Samuel "Sam" Houghton (b in Runcorn — d 1920 in Runcorn) played for Runcorn at both rugby union and professional rugby league, and for England, and Cheshire at Rugby Union
- James "Jim" Jolley was an English professional rugby league footballer playing for Runcorn (and later Warrington as a Stand-off/Five-eighth at club level and Great Britain, and England circa 1908–1909 at international level
- Richard "Dick" Padbury (b 1886 in Runcorn district) played for Runcorn RFC, as a Prop, or Hooker, i.e. number 8 or 10, or, 9, and England
- Harry Speakman (b 1864 in Runcorn – d 1915 Townsville, Australia) was a fine player who never played for his country. He took part in the first (unofficial) tour of Australia and New Zealand, from which he never returned, instead choosing to stay, and in doing so, help to develop the game over there.
In addditon, three Runcorn players also played for England, though their forenames at not known, they were; J. Butterworth,[5] A. Kennedy,[6] and S. Walker.[7]
Club Colours
Unknown, but possibly some combination of Yellow, Green and white, these being the colours favoured later by both the Association Football Club and the amateur rugby league club.
Can anyone help with this item?
Grounds
The Rugby club played at Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn[8]
When the Runcorn RFC failed to survive the ravages of the First World War, the ground was purchased by a Mr. R H Posnett, the owner of Highfield and Camden Tannery, and the works recreation club founded as Runcorn Football Club in 1918.
Coincidentally, Huyton Rugby League Club, seeking to relocate from their ground in Liverpool, moved to Canal Street under a ground sharing agreement with Runcorn F C, changing their name to Runcorn Highfield RLFC, from season 1985–86 to 1989–90 inclusive
At the end of the 1999–2000 season, the football club, struggling with massive debts and dwindling attendances, sold the ground and moved to Stobart Stadium, home of Widnes Vikings Rugby League Club, for several years before finally closing after season 2005–06.[9]
The ground itself, by now in a dilapidated and a dangerous condition, was sold to developers and is now a housing development, the Linnets Park housing estate
Successor clubs
As mentioned above, Huyton RLFC changed their name to Runcorn Highfield and played in Runcorn between seasons 1985–86 to 1989–90 inclusive, ground sharing with Runcorn FC, using the same Canal Street ground
Runcorn ARLFC played in Runcorn in the early 2000s, moving from the start of the 2009–10 summer season (their 5th in the Summer Conference) to the Pavilions ground, on the Eastern end of Sandy Lane (between Western Point Expressway and Picow Farm Road), Runcorn. Before that they had played at various grounds including at Moore, and for the previous season (2008–09) on the fields to the rear of The Heath School, off Clifton Road. The club website became static during season 2009–10 and the club appeared to fold.
Records
Club Scoring Record
In a Match | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Record | Date | Score | Opponent | Competition | Notes | Ref |
Record victory | ||||||
Record defeat | ||||||
highest score in a match |
In a Season | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Details | Season | Competition | Notes | Ref | |
Highest League Position | 1 | 1895–96 | RL | out of 22 clubs | |
Also finished top of the Lancashire section during the very first season (1895–96), but only third overall out of 22 clubs | |||||
Lowest League Position | 25 | 1914–15 | RL | out of 25 clubs | |
and | 18 | 1904–05 | Div 1 | out of 18 clubs | |
Most League Points (actual) | 28 | 1987–88 | Div 2 | out of possible 56 | |
and as a % of possible | 46 (88.46%) | 1899–1900 | LSC | out of possible 52 | |
Least League Points | 1 (1.85%) | 1914–15 | RL | out of possible 54 | |
Most Points Scored (PF) | 546 | 1906–07 | RL | in 30 games | |
Most Points Conceded (PA) | 590 | 1914–15 | RL | in 27 games | |
Least Points Scored (PF) | 37 | 1915–16 | WEL | in 23 games | |
Least Points Conceded (PA) | 33 | 1899–1900 | LSC | in 26 games | |
Best Points Difference | 330 | 1906–07 | RL | in 30 games | |
Worst Points Difference | −506 | 1914–15 | RL | in 25 games |
Club Trophies
- Lancashire Senior Competition – winners 1899–1900
- Lancashire League (within the Rugby League) – winners 1895–96
- Rugby League table – 3rd place 1895–96, 1900–01 and 1906–07
- Championship play-off – losing semi-finalist 1906–07 (to Oldham 11–3)
Players Records
No records available
Club League Record
Season | Competition | Pos | Team Name | Pl | W | D | L | PF | PA | Diff | Pts | % | No in league | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1895–96 | RL | 3 | Runcorn | 42 | 24 | 8 | 10 | 314 | 143 | 171 | 56 | 22 | 1 | ||
1896–97 | LSC | 4 | Runcorn | 26 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 134 | 62 | 72 | 31 | 14 | |||
1897–98 | LSC | 10 | Runcorn | 26 | 9 | 2 | 15 | 142 | 184 | −42 | 20 | 14 | |||
1898–99 | LSC | 7 | Runcorn | 26 | 15 | 2 | 9 | 193 | 113 | 80 | 32 | 14 | |||
1899-00 | LSC | 1 | Runcorn | 26 | 22 | 2 | 2 | 232 | 33 | 199 | 46 | 14 | 1 | ||
1900–01 | LSC | 3 | Runcorn | 26 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 240 | 100 | 140 | 40 | 14 | |||
1901–02 | RL | 3 | Runcorn | 26 | 15 | 2 | 9 | 185 | 101 | 84 | 30 | * | 14 | 2,3 | |
1902–03 | Div 1 | 4 | Runcorn | 34 | 19 | 4 | 11 | 239 | 139 | 100 | 42 | 18 | |||
1903–04 | Div 1 | 16 | Runcorn | 34 | 11 | 2 | 21 | 151 | 245 | −94 | 24 | 18 | |||
1904–05 | Div 1 | 18 | Runcorn | 34 | 7 | 1 | 26 | 133 | 301 | −168 | 15 | 18 | |||
1905–06 | RL | 10 | Runcorn | 30 | 17 | 3 | 10 | 264 | 136 | 128 | 37 | 61.66 | 31 | ||
1906–07 | RL | 3 | Runcorn | 30 | 23 | 0 | 7 | 546 | 216 | 330 | 46 | 76.66 | 26 | 4 | |
1907–08 | RL | 13 | Runcorn | 30 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 255 | 219 | 36 | 30 | 50 | 27 | ||
1908–09 | RL | 11 | Runcorn | 28 | 16 | 1 | 11 | 271 | 191 | 80 | 33 | 58.92 | 31 | ||
1909–10 | RL | 16 | Runcorn | 30 | 14 | 1 | 15 | 232 | 317 | −85 | 29 | 48.33 | 28 | ||
1910–11 | RL | 22 | Runcorn | 30 | 9 | 3 | 18 | 230 | 331 | −101 | 21 | 35 | 28 | ||
1911–12 | RL | 24 | Runcorn | 28 | 5 | 1 | 22 | 147 | 369 | −222 | 11 | 19.64 | 27 | ||
1912–13 | RL | 19 | Runcorn | 30 | 11 | 0 | 19 | 209 | 347 | −138 | 22 | 36.66 | 26 | ||
1913–14 | RL | 21 | Runcorn | 30 | 10 | 0 | 20 | 165 | 442 | −277 | 20 | 33.33 | 25 | ||
1914–15 | RL | 25 | Runcorn | 27 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 84 | 590 | −506 | 1 | 1.85 | 25 | ||
1915–16 | WEL | 23 | Runcorn | 14 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 37 | 192 | −155 | 4 | 14.29 | 24 | ||
1916–17 | WEL | 22 | Runcorn | 18 | 5 | 0 | 13 | 56 | 265 | −209 | 10 | 27.78 | 26 | ||
1917–18 | WEL | 21 | Runcorn | 19 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 51 | 277 | −226 | 2 | 5.26 | 22 | ||
1918–(Sep–Dec) | WEL | unknown | |||||||||||||
1919–(Jan–Apr) | DNC |
Heading Abbreviations
Pl = Games Played: W = Win; D = Draw; L = Lose; PF = Points For; PA = Points Against; Diff = Points Difference (+ or -); Pts = League Points
League points: for win = 2; for draw = 1; for loss = 0.
Notes
- 1 – Runcorn were Lancashire League Winners
- 2 – Salford, Runcorn, Bradford and Warrington each had 2 points deducted for a breach of the professional rules.
- 3 – 1901–02 also saw the introduction of the South West Lancashire League which ran until 1906–07. Only six teams competed (Wigan, Warrington, St Helens, Widnes, Leigh and Runcorn). They met home & away but if they met in the league that result counted towards the South West Lancashire League (indicated with SWLL on the List) – The SWLL was replaced by a full scale Lancashire league in 1907–08
- 4 – Championship Play-Off – Semifinals: Oldham (2nd) beat Runcorn (3rd) 11–3
Several fixtures & results
The following are a selection of Runcorn’s fixtures from the seasons in which they played (semi) professional Rugby League :- [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]
Season | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1895–96 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
1895–96 | Sat 7-9-1895 | RL | Widnes | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Win | 15–4 | 1 | [11] | |
Sat 14-9-1895 | RL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 0–5 | [12] | |||
Sat 5-10-1895 | RL | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Win | 8–0 | [14] | |||
Sat 9-11-1895 | RL | Wigan | Folly Fields | Away | Draw | 0–0 | 2 | [10] | ||
Sat 22-2-1896 | RL | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Win | 3–0 | 4000 | [12] | ||
Wed 11-3-1896 | RL | Hull | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 4–5 | [13] | |||
Sat 28-3-1896 | RL | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 0–6 | [10] | |||
Fri 3-4-1896 | RL | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Win | 12–0 | [14] | |||
Sat 4-4-1896 | RL | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Win | 9–0 | 3 | [11] | ||
Sat 25-4-1896 | RL | Hull | Boulevard | Away | Win | 8–4 | 6500 | [13] | ||
1896–97 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 19-9-1896 | LSC | Wigan | Folly Fields | Away | Win | 0–3 | 2 | [10] | ||
Sat 26-9-1896 | LSC | Warrington | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Win | 14–0 | [14] | |||
Sat 3-10-1896 | LSC | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Lose | 3–4 | 3 | [11] | ||
Sat 31-10-1896 | LSC | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Win | 7–3 | [12] | |||
Sat 26-12-1896 | LSC | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Draw | 0–0 | [10] | |||
Sat 2-1-1897 | LSC | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Win | 20–0 | [12] | |||
Sat 6-3-1897 | LSC | Widnes | Canal Street | Home | Win | 11–0 | [11] | |||
Sat 13-3-1897 | LSC | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Draw | 0–0 | [14] | |||
Sat 20-3-1897 | CC R1 | Warrington Loco | Canal Street | Home | Win | 65–0 | 4,5 | |||
Sat 27-3-1897 | CC R2 | Thornton Rangers | Canal Street | Home | Win | 52–4 | 6,7 | [15] | ||
Sat 3-4-1897 | CC R3 | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Lose | 6–14 | 3, 6 | [11][15] | ||
Mon 12-4-1897 | ?? | Hull | Boulevard | Away | Win | 5–0 | 8 | [13] | ||
1897–98 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 2-10-1897 | LSC | Widnes | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Win | 2–0 | [11] | |||
Sat 3-10-1897 | LSC | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Win | 11–0 | [12] | |||
Sat 13-11-1897 | LSC | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Win | 5–3 | [14] | |||
Sat 5-2-1898 | LSC | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 13–12 | [10] | |||
Sat 19-2-1898 | LSC | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Lose | 2–8 | 3 | [11] | ||
Sat 12-3-1898 | LSC | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Win | 2–0 | [14] | |||
Sat 26-3-1898 | LSC | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 0–11 | [12] | |||
Sat 16-6-1898 | LSC | Wigan | Folly Fields | Away | Lose | 13–0 | 2 | [10] | ||
1898–99 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 3-9-1898 | LSC | Wigan | Folly Fields | Away | Win | 3–4 | 2 | [10] | ||
Sat 8-10-1898 | LSC | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Lose | 0–10 | 3 | [11] | ||
Mon 26-12-1898 | LSC | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Win | 5–3 | [14] | |||
Mon 2-1-1899 | LSC | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Draw | 0–0 | [12] | |||
Sat 14-1-1899 | LSC | Wigan | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Win | 0–25 | [10] | |||
Sat 18-2-1899 | LSC | Widnes | Canal Street | Home | Win | 11–0 | [11] | |||
Sat 4-3-1899 | LSC | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Win | 33–5 | [14] | |||
sat 15-4-1899 | LSC | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Win | 11–8 | [12] | |||
1899–1900 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 2-9-1899 | LSC | Wigan | Folly Fields | Away | Win | 0–9 | 2 | [10] | ||
Sat 16-9-1899 | LSC | Widnes | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Win | 5–0 | [11] | |||
Mon 25-12-1899 | LSC | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Win | 3–0 | [14] | |||
Sun 28-1-1900 | LSC | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Win | 11–0 | [14] | |||
Sat 3-2-1900 | LSC | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Win | 0–24 | [10] | |||
Sat 17-2-1900 | LSC | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Win | 9–0 | [12] | |||
Sat 24-2-1900 | LSC | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 2–3 | [12] | |||
Sat 3-3-1900 | LSC | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Draw | 5–5 | 3 | [11] | ||
Mon 30-4-1900 | BTCF | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 0–6 | 9 | [12] | ||
1900–01 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 22-9-1900 | LSC | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Win | 11–0 | [12] | |||
Sat 13-10-1900 | LSC | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Lose | 0–10 | 3 | [11] | ||
Sat 27-10-1900 | LSC | Warrington | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Win | 10–8 | [14] | |||
Sat 17-11-1900 | LSC | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Win | 5–34 | [10] | |||
Sat 22-12-1900 | LSC | Wigan | Folly Fields | Away | Win | 0–5 | 2 | [10] | ||
Wed 26-12-1900 | LSC | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Win | 2–0 | [14] | |||
Sat 16-2-1901 | LSC | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Win | 6–0 | [12] | |||
Sat 2-3-1901 | CC R1 | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Win | 0–18 | [10] | |||
Sat 9-3-1901 | CC R2 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | 10 | |||
Sat 6-4-1901 | LSC | Widnes | Canal Street | Home | Win | 13–3 | [11] | |||
1901–02 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 7-9-1901 | RL | Hull | Boulevard | Away | Lose | 6–8 | [13] | |||
Sat 28-9-1901 | RL | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Lose | 3–10 | [14] | |||
Sat 19-10-1901 | RL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Win | 2–0 | 11 | [12] | ||
Wed 25-12-1901 | SWLL | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Lose | 7–12 | 3 | [11] | ||
Thu 26-12-1901 | RL | Warrington | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Lose | 2–5 | [14] | |||
Wed 1-1-1902 | RL | Hull | Canal Street | Home | Win | 19–5 | [13] | |||
Sat 11-1-1902 | RL | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Win | 5–8 | 11 | [10] | ||
Fri 28-3-1902 | SWLL | Widnes | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 6–13 | [11] | |||
Mon 31-3-1902 | RL | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Win | 11–3 | [12] | |||
Sat 19-4-1902 | RL | Wigan | Springfield Park | Away | Win | 0–2 | 12 | [10] | ||
1902–03 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 6-9-1902 | Div 1 | Widnes | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Win | 10–0 | [11] | |||
Wed 27-9-1902 | Div 1 | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Draw | 0–0 | [14] | |||
Sat 11-10-1902 | Div 1 | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Draw | 0–0 | [12] | |||
Sat 22-11-1902 | Div 1 | Hull | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 2–7 | [13] | |||
Sat 27-12-1902 | Div 1 | Wigan | Central Park | Away | Win | 2–3 | 11 | [10] | ||
Sat 3-1-1903 | Div 1 | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Lose | 0–3 | 3 | [11] | ||
Sat 24-1-1903 | Div 1 | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Win | 18–0 | [14] | |||
Sat 7-2-1903 | Div 1 | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Win | 19–0 | [12] | |||
Sat 14-2-1903 | CC R1 | Widnes | Canal Street | Home | Win | 7–2 | [11] | |||
Sat 21-2-1903 | CC R2 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | 10 | |||
Fri 10-4-1903 | Div 1 | Hull | Boulevard | Away | Lose | 6–21 | [13] | |||
Sat 25-4-1903 | Div 1 | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Win | 3–8 | 11 | [10] | ||
1903–04 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sun 20-9-1903 | Div 1 | Widnes | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Win | 13–7 | [11] | |||
Sat 14-11-1903 | Div 1 | Wigan | Central Park | Away | Lose | 5–2 | 11 | [10] | ||
Sat 28-11-1903 | Div 1 | Hull | Canal Street | Home | Win | 6–3 | [13] | |||
Sat 19-12-1903 | Div 1 | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Lose | 5–18 | [14] | |||
Sat 23-1-1904 | Div 1 | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Lose | 0–4 | 3 | [11] | ||
Sat 26-3-1904 | Div 1 | Hull | Boulevard | Away | Lose | 3–11 | [13] | |||
Sat 2-4-1904 | SWLL | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Draw | 3–3 | [12] | |||
Thu 21-4-1904 | Div 1 | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 0–19 | [14] | |||
Sat 30-4-1904 | Div 1 | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Draw | 5–5 | 11 | [10] | ||
1904–05 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 24-9-1904 | Div 1 | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Lose | 0–10 | 3 | [11] | ||
sat 8-10-1904 | Div 1 | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Lose | 3–5 | [14] | |||
Sat 5-11-1904 | Div 1 | Hull | Boulevard | Away | Lose | 10–22 | [13] | |||
Sat 10-12-1904 | Div 1 | Wigan | Central Park | Away | Lose | 10–7 | 11 | [10] | ||
Sat 24-12-1904 | Div 1 | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 6–9 | [12] | |||
Mon 2-1-1905 | Div 1 | Hull | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Win | 3–0 | [13] | |||
Sat 4-2-1905 | Div 1 | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 3–5 | [14] | |||
Sat 18-3-1905 | Div 1 | Widnes | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 2–7 | [11] | |||
Sat 8-4-1905 | Div 1 | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 13–3 | 11 | [10] | ||
Mon 24-4-1905 | Div 1 | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 0–9 | [12] | |||
1905–06 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 23-9-1905 | RL | Widnes | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Win | 5–0 | [11] | |||
Sat 21-10-1905 | RL | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Win | 12–3 | [12] | |||
Sat 4-11-1905 | RL | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Win | 5–2 | [14] | |||
Sat 9-12-1905 | RL | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Lose | 0–6 | [14] | |||
Sat 16-12-1905 | RL | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 14–0 | 11 | [10] | ||
Sat 17-2-1906 | CC INT | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Win | 3–0 | 13 | [12] | ||
Sat 3-3-1906 | CC R1 | Hull | Boulevard | Away | Lose | 0–6 | [13] | |||
Sat 31-3-1906 | RL | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Lose | 3–13 | 3 | [11] | ||
Sat 7-4-1906 | RL | Wigan | Central Park | Away | Lose | 19–13 | 11 | [10] | ||
1906–07 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 8-9-1906 | RL | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Lose | 3–11 | 3 | [11] | ||
Sat 15-9-1906 | RL | Widnes | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Win | 23–6 | [11] | |||
Sat 6-10-1906 | RL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Win | 22–8 | [12] | |||
Sat 13-10-1906 | LC R1 | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | W | 14–5 | 3 | [11] | ||
Sat 27-10-1906 | LC R2 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | 10 | |||
Sat 10-11-1906 | RL | Wigan | Central Park | Away | Win | 13–18 | 11 | [10] | ||
Sat 22-12-1906 | RL | Hull | Canal Street | Home | Win | 30–2 | [13] | |||
Mon 25-12-1906 | RL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 0–7 | [12] | |||
Tue 1-1-1907 | RL | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Lose | 9–14 | [14] | |||
Sat 2-2-1907 | RL | Hull | Boulevard | Away | Lose | 11–16 | [13] | |||
Sat 23-2-1907 | RL | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Win | 14–8 | [12] | |||
Mon 25-3-1907 | RL | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Win | 10–3 | [14] | |||
Sat 30-3-1907 | RL | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Win | 8–15 | 11 | [10] | ||
Sat ??-4-1907 | PO SF | Oldham | Watersheddings | Away | Lose | 3–11 | ||||
1907–08 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 21-9-1907 | RL | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Lose | 0–14 | [14] | |||
Sat 28-9-1907 | RL | Wigan | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Lose | 9–0 | [10] | |||
Sat 12-10-1907 | LC R1 | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 2–15 | [14] | |||
Sat 19-10-1907 | RL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 11–17 | [12] | |||
Sat 23-11-1907 | RL | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Win | 11–5 | 3 | [11] | ||
Sat 14-12-1907 | RL | Widnes | Canal Street | Home | Win | 12–0 | [11] | |||
Wed 25-12-1907 | RL | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Win | 19–0 | [12] | |||
Wed 1-1-1908 | RL | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Win | 5–3 | [14] | |||
Sat 18-1-1908 | RL | Wigan | Central Park | Away | Win | 3–9 | [10] | |||
Tue 25-2-1908 | RL | Hull | Canal Street | Home | Win | 8–3 | [13] | |||
Sat 29-2-1908 | CC R1 | ?? | ?? | Win | ?-? | 14 | ||||
Sat 14-3-1908 | CC R2 | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 3–6 | [14] | |||
Mon 17-8-1908 | RL | Hull | Boulevard | Away | Lose | 3–20 | [13] | |||
1908–09 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 12-9-1908 | RL | St Helens | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Win | 21–5 | [12] | |||
Tue 29-9-1908 | RL | Widnes | Canal Street | Home | Win | 13–7 | [11] | |||
Sat 24-10-1908 | RL | Wigan | Central Park | Away | Lose | 13–2 | [10] | |||
Sat 28-11-1908 | RL | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 3–5 | [14] | |||
Sat 19-12-1908 | RL | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Draw | 3–3 | 3 | [11] | ||
Fri 25-12-1908 | RL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 0–6 | [12] | |||
Fri 1-1-1909 | RL | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Lose | 8–12 | [14] | |||
Sat 20-2-1909 | RL | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 17–11 | [10] | |||
Sat 27-2-1909 | CC R1 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | 14 | |||
Sat 13-3-1909 | CC R2 | Hull | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 9–11 | [13] | |||
1909–10 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 11-9-1909 | RL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Draw | 5–5 | 10000 | [12] | ||
Sat 23-10-1909 | RL | Wigan | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Win | 2–7 | [10] | |||
Mon 22-11-1909 | RL | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Lose | 0–27 | [14] | |||
Sat 4-12-1909 | RL | Widnes | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 6–14 | [11] | |||
Sat 25-12-1909 | RL | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 0–13 | [12] | |||
Mon 27-12-1909 | RL | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Lose | 0–3 | 3 | [11] | ||
Sat 1-1-1910 | RL | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 0–3 | [14] | |||
Sat 19-2-1910 | RL | Wigan | Central Park | Away | Lose | 26–5 | [10] | |||
Fri 25-3-1910 | RL | Hull | Boulevard | Away | Lose | 5–37 | [13] | |||
Sat 23-4-1910 | RL | Hull | Canal Street | Home | Win | 13–0 | [13] | |||
1910–11 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 10-9-1910 | RL | St Helens | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Win | 8–4 | [12] | |||
Sat 17-9-1910 | RL | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Draw | 3–3 | 3 | [11] | ||
Sat 8-10-1910 | RL | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 3–14 | [14] | |||
Sat 5-11-1910 | RL | Wigan | Central Park | Away | Lose | 31–3 | [10] | |||
Sat 24-12-1910 | RL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 3–25 | [12] | |||
Mon 26-12-1910 | RL | Widnes | Canal Street | Home | Draw | 0–0 | [11] | |||
Mon 2-1-1911 | RL | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Lose | 3–15 | [14] | |||
Wed 8-3-1911 | RL | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 13–0 | [10] | |||
1911–12 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 23-9-1911 | RL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 0–25 | [12] | |||
Thu 16-11-1911 | RL | Widnes | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Lose | 0–10 | [11] | |||
Sat 25-11-1911 | RL | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 21–5 | [10] | |||
Sun 26-11-1911 | RL | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Lose | 2–7 | 3 | [11] | ||
Sat 23-12-1911 | RL | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 0–9 | [12] | |||
Mon 1-1-1912 | RL | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Win | 11–8 | [14] | |||
Sat 6-1-1912 | RL | Wigan | Central Park | Away | Lose | 16–5 | [10] | |||
Sat 10-2-1912 | RL | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Lose | 6–18 | [14] | |||
Sat 2-3-1912 | Fr | St Helens | ??? | ??? | Lose | 8–27 | [12] | |||
1912–13 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 14-9-1912 | RL | St Helens | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Lose | 8–11 | [12] | |||
Sat 21-9-1912 | RL | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Lose | 0–13 | 3 | [11] | ||
Sat 28-9-1912 | RL | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 7–13 | [14] | |||
Sat 26-10-1912 | RL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Win | 12–6 | [12] | |||
Sat 23-11-1912 | RL | Wigan | Central Park | Away | Lose | 41–4 | [10] | |||
Thu 26-12-1912 | RL | Widnes | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 0–8 | [11] | |||
Wed 1-1-1913 | RL | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Lose | 5–21 | [14] | |||
Sat 18-1-1913 | RL | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 25–5 | [10] | |||
1913–14 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 6-9-1913 | RL | St Helens | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Lose | 5–10 | [12] | |||
Sat 20-9-1913 | RL | Widnes | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 2–10 | [11] | |||
Sat 4-10-1913 | RL | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 36–9 | [10] | |||
Sat 1-11-1913 | LC R1 | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 6–26 | [12] | |||
Sat 13-12-1913 | RL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 5–19 | [12] | |||
Fri 26-12-1913 | RL | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Lose | 0–9 | 3 | [11] | ||
Sat 27-12-1913 | RL | Wigan | Central Park | Away | Lose | 30–0 | [10] | |||
Sat 24-1-1914 | RL | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Lose | 7–27 | [14] | |||
Sat 28-2-1914 | CC R1 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | 14 | |||
Sat 14-3-1914 | CC R2 | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 13–2 | [10] | |||
Wed 18-3-1914 | RL | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Win | 10–3 | [14] | |||
1914–15 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 5-9-1914 | RL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 0–26 | [12] | |||
Sat 19-9-1914 | RL | Widnes | Lowerhouse Lane | Away | Lose | 0–24 | 3 | [11] | ||
Sat 10-10-1914 | RL | Warrington | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Lose | 7–20 | [14] | |||
Sat 26-12-1914 | RL | Widnes | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 3–17 | [11] | |||
Fri 1-1-1915 | RL | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 4–10 | [12] | |||
Sat 30-1-1915 | RL | Wigan | Central Park | Away | Lose | 73–5 | [10] | |||
Wed 10-3-1915 | RL | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 26–5 | [10] | |||
Fri 2-4-1915 | RL | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Lose | 5–29 | [14] | |||
1915–16 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 25-9-1915 | WEL | Wigan | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Lose | 4–3 | 15, 16 | [10] | ||
Sun 7-11-1915 | WEL | St Helens | Canal Street | Home | Draw | 0–0 | [12] | |||
Sat 11-12-1915 | WEL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 2–6 | [12] | |||
Sat 4-3-1916 | WEL | Wigan | Central Park | Away | Lose | 34–0 | [10] | |||
Fri 17-3-1916 | WEL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 11–19 | [12] | |||
Sat 15-4-1916 | WEL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 2–12 | [12] | |||
1916–17 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
Sat 23-9-1916 | WEL | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Lose | 0–20 | 16 | [14] | ||
Sat 14-10-1916 | WEL | Warrington | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Lose | 5–18 | [14] | |||
Sat 4-11-1916 | WEL | Wigan | Central Park | Away | Lose | 29–0 | [10] | |||
Sat 9-12-1916 | WEL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Win | 7–6 | [12] | |||
Mon 1-1-1917 | WEL | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Win | 6–0 | [14] | |||
Sat 24-2-1917 | WEL | Wigan | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 6–3 | [10] | |||
1917–18 | Date | Competition | Opponent | Venue | H/A | Result | Score | Att | Notes | Ref |
1917–18 | Sat 15-9-1917 | WEL | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Lose | 8–18 | 16 | [14] | |
1917–18 | Sat 20-10-1917 | WEL | Wigan | Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn | Home | Lose | 14–3 | [10] | ||
1917–18 | Sat 3-11-1917 | WEL | St Helens | Knowsley Rd | Away | Lose | 0–30 | [12] | ||
1917–18 | Sat 29-12-1917 | WEL | Wigan | Central Park | Away | Lose | 8–2 | [10] | ||
1917–18 | Tue 1-1-1918 | WEL | Warrington | Wilderspool | Away | Lose | 0–3 | [14] | ||
1917–18 | Mon 1-4-1918 | WEL | Warrington | Canal Street | Home | Lose | 2–10 | [14] |
Competition Abbreviations
RL = Rugby League competition; Div 1 = Division 1 of the Rugby League completion; LSC = Lancashire Senior League Competition; WEL = Wartime Emergency League
SWLL = South West Lancashire League (a forerunner to the Lancashire League; F = Friendly match; ? = Competition unknown
CC Rx = Challenge Cup Round x; LC Rx = Lancashire Cup Competition Round x; BTCF = South West Lancashire and Border Towns Cup-Final
Notes and Comments
- 1 – 1st game under the new Northern Union Organisation
- 2 – Folly Fields is the stadium used by Wigan at the time until 1901. They then became sub-tenants of Springfield Park See below – Note 12.
- 3 – Lowerhouse Lane is the original site of the current ground used by Widnes. It was renamed Naughton Park in 1932 in honour of club secretary, Tom Naughton – and later renamed Halton Stadium after being completely rebuilt in 1997.
- 4 – Warrington Loco were a Warrington junior side
- 5 – Described in a report as "Runcorn demolished Warrington Loco"
- 6 – fixture and results from the book "Rugby League Challenge Cup – An illustrated history by Les Hoole"
- 7 – Thornton Rangers were a junior or amateur club in Bradford
- 8 – comp = ??? Possibly end of season friendly
- 9 – South West Lancashire and Border Towns Cup – Final
- 10 – Assume Runcorn played in this round after a win in previous round – opponent and other details unknown
- 11 – also counted to SWLL championship (South West Lancashire League)
- 12 – Wigan became sub-tenants of Springfield Park, which they shared with Wigan United AFC, playing their first game there on 14 September 1901 at which a crowd of 4,000 saw them beat Morecambe 12–0, and the last game on 28 April 1902 when Wigan beat the Rest of Lancashire Senior Competition. A temporary ground was necessary to span the period between moving from Folly Fields and the new ground at Central Park being constructed.
- 13 – Intermediate Round in the Challenge Cup
- 14 – Assume Runcorn played and won in this round to progress into round 2 – opponent and other details unknown
- 15 – Widnes did not compete during seasons 1915–16 to 1918 (Sept–Dec)
- 16 – Warrington did not compete during season 1915–16
- 17 – Runcorn – no records after end of 1917–18 season
See also
British rugby league system
1895-96 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1896-97 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1897-98 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1898-99 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1899-1900 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1900-01 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1901-02 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1902-03 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1903-04 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1904-05 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1905-06 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1906-07 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1907-08 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1908-09 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1909-10 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1910-11 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1911-12 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1912-13 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1913-14 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1914-15 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1915-16 Northern Rugby Football Union Wartime Emergency League season
1916-17 Northern Rugby Football Union Wartime Emergency League season
1917-18 Northern Rugby Football Union Wartime Emergency League season
1918-19 (January) Northern Rugby Football Union Wartime Emergency League season
1919 (Feb-May) Northern Rugby Football Union Victory season
Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn
The Great Schism – Rugby League View
The Great Schism – Rugby Union View
Rugby league county leagues
List of defunct rugby league clubs
Runcorn Highfield RLFC
Runcorn F.C. Halton
Runcorn Linnets F.C.
References
- ↑ Halton Population, Halton Borough Council, retrieved 15 January 2011
- ↑ "Warrington Wolves – history, Part of the Union – 1879 to 1895".
- ↑ "Rugby Football History, the great schism".
- ↑ "Warrington Wolves – History, Northern Union – 1895 to 1922".
- ↑ England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk, RFL, retrieved 6 April 2009
- ↑ England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk, RFL, retrieved 6 April 2009
- ↑ England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk, RFL, retrieved 6 April 2009
- ↑ Darlington, Chris. "Gone But Not Forgotten: Memories of Canal Street".
- ↑ "Runcorn FC".
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 324 "Cherry and White" Check
|url=
value (help). - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 "Widnes History".
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 "Saints Heritage Society".
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 aspx "Hull&Proud" Check
|url=
value (help). - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 "Warrington History".
- 1 2 Hoole, Les. Rugby League Challenge Cup – An illustrated history by Les Hoole.
External links
- 1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season at wigan.rlfans.com
- Hull&Proud Fixtures & Results 1896/1897
- Widnes Vikings – One team, one passion Season In Review – 1896–97
- Saints Heritage Society
- Warrington History
- report in Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News