News — Swinton Lions RLFC

The Red Devils came out on top as the two local rivals gave the crowd a good game on a freezing cold afternoon. Paul Rowley had quite a few injury worries in the build up to the game but fielded a strong side which worked well together and provided some good rugby and slick moves. Lions coach Allan Coleman fielded all but three of his squad and they all had good minutes on the field.

The Lions started very strongly and asked quite a few questions of the Red Devils defence and Lewis Hatton and Mitch Cox both went close before the home side took the lead on twelve minutes when a good move down the left was finished off when Brodie Croft scored near the corner and his half back partner Marc Sneyd added the conversion from the touchline. Three minutes later they were in again when some slick passing sent Ryan Brierley away to score in the corner, but this went unconverted, and it got even better a couple of minutes later when the prolific Deon Cross went over for the third try but again no conversion for this one.

Sam Luckley and Jack Hansen then had good chances for there respective sides but they came to nothing before Ken Sio wasn’t going to be stopped on a run to the line knocking off four defenders on his way scoring in the right corner and Sneyd converted from the touchline and with five minutes left of the half former Lion Andy Ackers sold a nice dummy to score under the posts and this was again converted by Sneyd giving his side a nice lead at the break.

As in the first half the Lions made a great start to the second half forcing two goal line dropouts in the space of a couple of minutes and on fifty-two minutes substitute Ben Heyes almost set up a try for Mike Butt when he put in a nice kick towards the corner, but the bounce of the ball evaded the chasing winger and ran dead. The Lions opened their account on fifty-five minutes when a hanging kick towards the Red Devils left side defence was not dealt with and Butt raced onto the loose ball to score near the corner and this was converted by Jack Hansen. Matt Costello hit back for the Red Devils virtually from the restart when he raced away down the right to score and this was converted by Chris Atkin.

Will Hope added the Lions second try just after the hour when some good passing saw him score between the sticks and this was converted again by Hansen and the noisy Lions fans were making themselves known getting behind their side. Again the Red Devils hit back quickly and a couple of minutes late Shane Wright exploited a large overlap on the left to score but the conversion from Atkin sailed wide and missed. Ackers added his second of the afternoon with fourteen minutes left and Atkin added the conversion to this one and five minutes later Rhys Williams finished off the scoring for the afternoon having been sent clear by Cross and Atkin converted to complete the impressive victory.

GAMESTAR: Brodie Croft – The new halfback was in the engine room for many of the tries.

GAMEBREAKER: Three Red Devils tries in a six-minute period gave them a good platform.

MATCHFACTS

RED DEVILS

1 Ryan Brierley

22 Rhys Williams

23 Deon Cross

24 Matt Costello

2 Ken Sio

6 Brodie Croft

7 Marc Sneyd

15 King Vuniyayawa

9 Andy Ackers

8 Sita Akauola

11 Shane Wright

13 Elijah Taylor

26 Sam Luckley

Subs (all used)

25 Morgan Escare

18 Chris Atkin

30 Jack Stevens

10 Greg Burke

21 Josh Johnson

29 Alex Gerrard

Tries: Croft (12), Brierley (15), Cross (18), Sio (29),

Ackers (35,66), Costello (58), Wright (64), Williams (71)

Goals: Sneyd 3/5 , Atkin 3/4

LIONS

1 Dan Abram

2 Mike Butt

4 Max Roberts

11 Rhodri Lloyd

5 Richard Lepori

6 Lewis Else

7 Jack Hansen

8 Will Hope

9 Luke Waterworth

10 Lewis Hatton

13 Nick Gregson

12 Mitch Cox

20 Deane Meadows

Subs (all used)

18 Paddy Jones

17 Jack Spencer

25 Lewis Charnock

24 Jordan Brown

23 Jordan Case

22 Ben Heyes

16 Louis Brogan

15 Billy Brickhill

19 Jose Kenga

Tries: Butt (55), Hope (62)

Goals: Hansen 2/2

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0,10-0,14-0,20-0,26-0,26-6,32-6, 32-12,36-12,42-12,48-12.

Penalty count: 2-6 Half-time: 26-0

Referee: James Jones Attendance: 1688

News

Lions re-unite Stan with long lost medal !

Swinton Lions CEO Steve Wild and fellow Director Andy Unwin were recently joined by the RFL’s CEO Ralph Rimmer, as they held a catch up with Glossop Caravan’s Stan Laing, who was also joined by his son’s Paul, Rob and Stanley.

Glossop Caravans, as well as being the UK’s biggest caravan dealership, is of course the Lions’ principal sponsor and commercial club partner. Managing Director Stan Laing is himself a former Lion, having played for the club in the late 60s and early 70s when legends such as Ken Gowers and Alan Buckley were still at Station Road.

Stan’s most treasured memory of his time at Swinton was when the Lions defeated Salford in the 1970 Lancashire Shield Final, but sadly his winner’s medal was to go permanently missing in a subsequent house move. Steve Wild takes up the story, “Stan and his family team at Glossop Caravans have been fantastic supporters of the Lions for a number of years, so when we heard Stan’s account of the missing medal we were determined to do something about it. First of all we tracked down an original medal from the game in question, and for that we need to thank Gary Robinson, whose dad Brian captained the Swinton team when the final was won 51 years ago. We then engaged a specialist jeweller to make an exact copy in solid silver, and finally with the assistance of Ralph Rimmer, we were able to “re-unite” Stan with his lost medal! It was a fantastic feeling to be able to give something back to Stan as a token of our appreciation.”

Ralph Rimmer, CEO of the RFL, said, “I have been a resident of Glossop for a long time, and Stan and I have come across each other several times and discussed our mutual love of the sport over a brew. He is a proper character, and I was delighted when Steve at Swinton Lions contacted me to ask if I could pop down and help out. It was a privilege to do so. Medals are hard earned in rugby league, and Stan will have fought hard for this one and it’s another piece of the rich tapestry of the sport.”

Stan Laing responded “Glossop Caravans have supported Swinton Lions for the past 5 or 6 years and as a proud ex-Lion myself it’s something we’ve been very happy do do. It was a lovely gesture by Steve and the club to replace my medal . It was very hard won and It was a very proud moment in my career.”

News

LIONS AND LJM IN PARTNERSHIP FOR 2022!

As we approach the start of the 2022 season, we are delighted to welcome our latest commercial partners, LJM Security and Investigations, to Swinton Lions. The LJM Security and Investigations logo will be proudly displayed on the breast of our new 2022 playing kit.

LJM Security and Investigations Ltd is an investigating agency for both the corporate and domestic sectors. LJM Security and Investigations Ltd has woven its experiences into a formidable professional and effective operation based in the United Kingdom but with global accomplishments. LJM Security and Investigations Ltd employ highly skilled field operatives who work discreetly to provide compelling legal evidence for appropriate client action or to set minds at rest.

Managing Director Mark Ireland said, “LJM Security and Investigations Ltd is thrilled to be partnering with Swinton Lions RLFC for the 2022 season. The Rugby League ethos mirrors that of our company; respect, discipline, determination and success. Our excitement was cemented when we attended the season launch night – what a professional and passionate team! The enthusiasm of the Board, Head Coach and fanbase was simply contagious and we are looking forward to joining them on their journey to win back promotion. We hope that this is the start of a successful, long term relationship with the club.”

Lions’ Director, Daman Ridpath, added, “On behalf of Swinton Lions I would like to formally thank our new partners LJM Security and Investigations Ltd for their trust in our club ahead of the 2022 season. I’m aware that Managing Director and company founder Mark Ireland has a background in rugby league, having played at community level for many years, and therefore he already has a firm understanding of the culture of the sport. Mark has confirmed that he is impressed with the family ethos and culture of the club, and particularly the strong links between the parent club, the Lions foundation, and the wider community.”

A big welcome to Mark and his team from LJM Security and Investigations into the Lions’ family!

News

BARTON CIVIL ENGINEERS WELCOMED INTO THE LIONS’ FAMILY!

A new addition to the Swinton Lions playing kit for season 2022 will be the logo of Barton Civil Engineers Ltd.

Barton Civil Engineers undertake a wide range of projects for major national housebuilders to commercial works within the pharmaceutical and industrial sector. With over 25 years of experience within all sectors of the construction industry, Barton Civil Engineers have built a reputation for reliability, efficiency and dedication to its long standing clients. http://www.bce.uk.com/

Swinton Lions Director Steve Parker said, “I’m absolutely delighted to bring BCE into the Lions’ family as one of our main sponsors for the upcoming 2022 season, a year in which Swinton will be battling hard on all fronts to get back into the Championship. Knowing that BCE are a family run business ties in with our own family ethos and knowing that they are massive rugby league fans as well means that this is a great partnership. We look forward to sharing a successful 2022 together.”

Chris Sims, Director of BCE, added, “We at BCE are excited for the new season to start and are proud to be sponsoring Swinton Lions. It’s great to be involved with a brilliant club who have a long history in rugby league – a brilliant sport which I am very passionate about myself. We wish the team all the best for 2022. I am sure they will do very well in the new division and be fighting for promotion at the end of the season.”

We are sure that Lions fans will join all of us at the club in welcoming BCE to Swinton, as we look forward to what we hope will be a mutually beneficial relationship, with hopefully some excitement and success along the journey!

News

LIONS AND FOLLY LANE ANNOUNCE EXCITING UNDER 18s JOINT VENTURE

Swinton Lions and Folly Lane ARLFC are delighted to reveal a new and exciting development in their blossoming partnership, with the launch of a new Under 18s team, playing under the title Folly Lane Lions, for the forthcoming 2022 season.

Swinton Lions will the support the new team in a variety of ways, including the purchase of kit and helping to cover other key costs, as well as helping to develop training programmes and coaching sessions under the guidance of Dougie Owen, the Lions’ Head of Youth Development.

Swinton’s Director of Development Damian Ridpath said, “This is the next step in our relationship with Folly Lane, through which we will not only support the development of players but Folly’s coaches as well. It was only natural to engage Folly Lane with this programme, who are of course the traditional community club in our historical home town of Swinton. Since its inception in 1946, Folly has developed more players who have gone on to play professionally with Swinton than any other community club, including of course current Lions Will Hope and Jack Spencer. This joint venture will strengthen the strong ties between our clubs, as well as enhance the development of Rugby League in the town of Swinton & Pendlebury and its surrounding area.”

On behalf of Folly Lane, Gary Woodward added, “Folly Lane sees great benefits in this partnership for both clubs in respect of players coming through our youth system. It will also be a good grounding for young players to continue their development to play community rugby league with Folly Lane at open age and with the chance to play future amateur representative rugby league. We can’t wait to get started.”

Swinton Lions’ Head of Youth Development, Dougie Owen, was equally as enthusiastic. He said, “It’s fantastic to be able to work with the Folly Lane coaches and their players. Not just to help develop the local talent, but to make sure everyone involved gets the opportunity to become the best they can be.”

The first session will take place at 12noon, Saturday 8th January, at Folly Lane ARLFC, Blue Ribbon Fields, Fraser Street, Pendlebury M27 4DH.

Existing Folly Lane players, or players that are currently not attached to other community clubs, and who wish to attend, should please complete the attached Expression of Interest Form.

https://forms.gle/FbTqsoXtEvTWQABW6

News

A packed night for Swinton Lions 2022 Season Launch!

On Friday night at a packed Swinton British Legion , Swinton RLFC and team wear partners Supro proudly launched the Lions’ new playing kits for 2022. In a highly successful evening, club updates were also presented by the Board, whilst head coach Allan Coleman introduced his squad which will be aiming to win promotion back to the BetFred Championship at the first attempt.

Lionesses Maddie Higson and Catherine Sweeney unveil the Lions’ 2022 home kit, a classic interpretation of the Swinton’s royal blue with double white “V”.

Swinton forward Lewis Hatton introduces the club’s away shirt for 2022. A striking black design complete with lion claw marks. “We bleed blue!”

Replica shirts can be ordered up to 20 December for Christmas delivery (provided size is still available in stock). Personalised shirts must be ordered by close of business on Monday 13th December.

Replica Shirts

News

Lions and Santini 7 launch innovative partnership!

As we step up our training regime in preparation for the 2022 league campaign, Swinton Lions RLFC is proud to announce a partnership with Santini 7, who are leaders in the field of sports supplements and nutrition.

On behalf of the Lions, CEO Steve Wild, said, “This is a fantastic arrangement for the club in partnering with an excellent company and product. Dougie Owen, our Head of Youth Development, together with Damian Ridpath our Development Director, did some great work behind the scenes with Santini 7’s Dominic Bohannan to get the partnership off the ground, and we are now eagerly looking forward to working with Dominic and his team throughout 2022 and hopefully beyond.”

Dominic Bohannan of Santini 7 added, “We are absolutely thrilled to become partners with Swinton Lions RLFC – our first in professional rugby, either league or union. We are looking forward to supporting the club and its supporters on the promotion campaign this coming season. Out of the many professional sports clubs I have spoken with over the years Steve, Damian, Dougie and the team are one of the most honest, professional and trustworthy I have ever spoken with – a true credit to the club and Swinton supporters.”