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SWINTON LIONS GREATEST TEAM: THE 20S

08 May 2020

In search of crowning the greatest Swinton Lions team ever, we delve into the history books to look at some of the greatest players to play for the club.

As part as of a new series to crown Swinton Lions’ greatest ever team, we delve into the history books to take a look at the best players from each era to wear the famous blue shirt. This week we look at the 1920s.

The 1920s

‘The Roaring 20s” were exactly that for the Lions. A decade which saw the opening of Station Road and Swinton sweeping all before them – culminating in the historic ‘Five Cups’ success of 1927/28.

Between 1923 and 1929 the Lions collected two League Championships, two Challenge Cups, two Lancashire Cups and three Lancashire Leagues.

In the same period they finished as runners-up on a further five occasions. The men who achieved these honours have rightly carved their names in the folklore of the club, and in terms of honours won represent the most successful Swinton team of all time.

Check out our greatest team of the 1980s

Check out our greatest team of the 1990s

Do you agree with our selection? Or who else who you place in your own team of the 90s? Join the conversation on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

No. 1, Jack Pearson
Appearances:
207  Tries:5 Goals: 132
First choice Swinton full-back throughout the glory years of the 1920s

 

No. 2, Frank Evans
Appearances:
341 Tries:195 Goals: 1
Top RL try scorer in the club’s history, and Swinton’s first Ashes Tourist

 

No. 3, Hector Halsall
Appearances:
369 Tries:55 Goals: 17
Legendary captain of Swinton’s “5 Cups” team and a GB international

 

No. 4, Jack Evans
Appearances:
276 Tries:99 Goals: 27
A GB international, and said to be the brains behind the Lions’ ‘5 Cups’ team

 

No. 5, Chris Brockbank
Appearances:
283 Tries:139 Goals: 28
Scorer of many big match tries, and an England international

 

No. 6, Billo Rees
Appearances:
360 Tries:38 Goals: 2
GB and Welsh international, and winner of multiple honours for Swinton

 

No. 7, Bryn Rees
Appearances:
467 Tries:102 Goals: 0
Twice captained the Lions to the Championship, and twice an Ashes Tourist

 

No. 8, Miller Strong
Appearances:
348 Tries:12 Goals: 1
Towering Cumbrian prop, and winner of ten major honours with Swinton

 

No. 9, Henry Blewer
Appearances:
443 Tries:21 Goals: 2
First choice hooker throughout the 20s, and winner of multiple club honours

 

No. 10, Bert Morris
Appearances:
301 Tries:16 Goals: 377
Goal-kicking prop and winner of eight major honours with the Lions

 

No. 11, Martin Hodgson
Appearances:
473 Tries:39 Goals: 870
Twice a GB Ashes Tourist, and multiple winner of club and personal honours

 

No. 12, Fred Beswick
Appearances:
396 Tries:83 Goals: 6
Winner of 12 major honours with the Lions over 11 years

 

No. 13, Fred Butters
Appearances:
351 Tries:70 Goals: 0
Pendlebury born GB international, and pivotal figure for the Lions for 13 years

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