Swinton
Lions Rugby League Club
by Stephen Wild
Images of Sport Series
from Tempus Publishing UK
Swinton
- a name famous in the annals of both 19th century rugby and the game
of rugby league.
The
Lions were masters of the Victorian era prior to the great schism (split)
of 1895, and they soon became one of the most celebrated names under
the auspices of the Northern Union and Rugby Football League.
As a Rugby Union club, Swinton had few peers during the 1880s, an era
that spawned the legendary Jim Valentine, arguably the greatest player
of them all. Swinton were trailblazers, often seeking opponents outside
of their local county to match their talents.
They
soon achieved a national recognition as travelled around England, including
in London where they took on the all powerful Oxford University side.
Swinton
was a representative club that could call upon the best players from
its numerous feeder clubs. Four of their players were in the England
team that toured Australia in 1888, including the tour's captain Robert
Seddon.
Seddon
tragically drowned in the Hunter River in New South Wales while on the
tour.
The
Lions resisted the move to the Northern Union in 1895, but with all
their crowd-pulling opponents gone, Swinton joined the rugby league
game in 1896.
The
Swinton team of 1928 team became the most famous of them all as it captured
'All Four Cups' - an achievement not equalled or bettered by any club
since. Although only a few miles from Manchester, Swinton had a population
of 30,000 at the time. Yet the Lions home ground of Chorley Road was
often seen holding crowds near 20,000.
Other
triumphs were enjoyed in the 1920s and 1930s and then came the renaissance
period of the 1960s, featuring Alan Buckley, Albert Blan and Ken Gowers.
These golden periods are detailed in the book amongst the 220 illustrations.
Sadly,
however, little of this success has extended to the most recent thirty
years. But this beautifully illustrated volume will take you through
the many highs and lows and confirm Swinton's premier place in the history
of rugby league in England.
Written
by life-long supporter Stephen Wild, a prime mover behind the recently
formed Swinton Supporters
Trust, this is an essential purchase for anyone inteterested in
the heritage of rugby league - whether your in Swinton, Sydney or Auckland.
Published
by Tempus Publishing - ISBN 0 7524 2708 3
