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“Dougie” ends on a high!

It is with much regret that we have to reveal the imminent retirement of Lewis Charnock, who played such an influential part in our recent promotion to the Championship.

“Dougie” came to us from Oldham ahead of the 2022 season, and soon established himself as a key “middle”. Excellent in defence, fearless in attack and with good hands, he contributed 5 tries in 19 appearances in a Swinton shirt. Prior to his spell with Oldham he had also played with distinction at St Helens and Barrow.

Lewis had this message for Swinton supporters after he had reluctantly taken the tough decision to call an end to his career. “I would like to thank everyone at the Swinton club and all of the fans for welcoming me, and for making my last year of rugby so enjoyable. I’m so glad that my final season was with the Lions, and gaining promotion meant I could end on a special high. Hopefully I will be able to get down next season and join the fans in supporting the lads, and I wish them all the best in the Championship.”

Lions’ Head Coach, Allan Coleman, added, “I would like to thank Lewis for the last twelve months he’s spent at Swinton. He has been brilliant both on and off the field, and a real leader for us.  Lewis has had a fantastic career, and we are so glad that he spent part of that career with us. Lewis is one of the toughest players I have worked with and is a real team player. It makes it all the more special the way in which he left the game, by winning the promotion play-offs with us. He has recently become a father and I know it’s a special time in his life where he has to put that first, and so we wish Lewis and his family all the very best for the future.”

News

SCOTT PARNABY RELISHING LIONS’ CHALLENGE

We are delighted to announce the signing of the highly promising and versatile Scott Parnaby.

Scott is a native of Oldham and was most recently with Waterhead Warriors ARLFC, but he also gained some experience in League 1 last season with Rochdale Hornets.

Scott won’t be 19 until January, but having represented the England Lions Community side he is already well known to Lions’ Head Coach Allan Coleman. Allan believes Scott has bags of potential, and is looking forward to seeing him challenge for a place in next year’s first choice 17.

Hear Scott’s thoughts on joining the Lions, following his recent interview at the AJ Bell Stadium when he called in to view our training base.

News

KENNY BAKER JOINS THE LIONS’ PRIDE!

We are delighted to officially welcome the former Widnes Vikings forward, Kenny Baker, to Swinton Lions!

A native of Wigan, Kenny progressed through the various age groups at the Ince Rose Bridge club before signing his first professional contract with North Wales Crusaders. He then moved to Widnes Vikings in 2020 where he proved to be a big hit with the home supporters.

Kenny turned 30 years old last March, and plays primarily as a middle or loose-forward. In his three years with Widnes he built a solid Championship class reputation, and we are sure that he will provide much of the extra guile and steel that we will require next season.

Swinton Lions RLFC once again wishes to acknowledge the members of our fantastic Pride Builder organisation, for helping to make Kenny’s signing a reality.

Look out for Kenny’s interview and his thoughts on playing for Swinton Lions in 2023!

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Gavin Rodden – from Crusader to Lion!

We are thrilled to announce the signing of the former North Wales Crusaders second-rower, Gavin Rodden. Wigan-based Gavin came through the ranks at Wigan St Jude’s before entering the professional game with Crusaders.

Gavin has been one of League 1’s stand-out performers in recent seasons, and was a transfer target for a number of other clubs as well as the Lions. Although a forward, he has the pace of a back and boasts a prolific try-scoring record, and we feel sure he will become a big favourite with the Swinton faithful in 2023!

Look out for the interview we conducted with Gavin when he recently called in to take a look around our AJ Bell Stadium training base.

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JORDAN CASE LATEST TO RENEW LIONS’ DEAL

Jordan Case was arguably one of our promotion campaign’s unsung heroes, and at Swinton Lions we are delighted that he has signed a new contract to keep him at Heywood Road for season 2023!

After arriving at the club in pre-season, the versatile forward was a consistent performer throughout 2022, combining solid defence with a fine off-load game. Jordan also had an eye for a try, and contributed a total of nine during our promotion campaign, including a vital effort in the play-off final win against Doncaster!

After signing his contract renewal, Jordan said, “I’m really happy to be staying with the group for another year. There’s a great team spirit and buzz at Swinton after what we achieved last season. In fact it was one of the most enjoyable seasons I’ve experienced so far in my career. I’m now looking forward to meeting the new lads in the squad when we start back for pre-season training.”

News

LOUIS BROGAN CAN’T WAIT FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP!

We are delighted to confirm that our young forward Louis Brogan, who had an outstanding season for the Lions in 2022, has agreed a new contract at Swinton!

A product of the Leigh Miners Rangers club, Louis made his Swinton debut early in 2020 just ahead of the pandemic. However, despite the early disruption to his career, Louis’s next appearance for Swinton will be his 50^th. So far he has scored six tries in a Lions shirt, perhaps the most important of which came in the recent promotion semi-final victory over Doncaster. That try alone was symptomatic of Louis’s quick feet and balance for a big man, not to mention his strength, skill and determination.

Louis’s contract renewal has been significantly assisted by Pride Builder, to whose members the club extends yet another massive vote of thanks. Pride Builder has therefore clearly played an instrumental part in our ability to retain one of our most popular and talented players.

Louis said, “I’m really pleased to be re-signing again at Swinton. In fact it was a no brainer for me, because last year personally was the best season of rugby I’ve ever had. Then to also gain promotion really topped it off! The coaches, the staff, team mates and the fans, including of course Pride Builder members, all played a massive part in last year’s success, so hopefully next year it will be the same again and we can have a really good crack at the Championship!”

News

LIAM COOPER JOINS THE LIONS’ CHAMPIONSHIP ADVENTURE!

We are delighted to officially announce the signing of second-row forward, Liam Cooper.

Liam (or “Ronnie” as he prefers to be called) came through the ranks at St Helens, from where he spent loan periods with Sheffield Eagles, Whitehaven and Halifax. He subsequently signed for Widnes, but following the Covid-19 pandemic he moved to Whitehaven where he made a tremendous impact.

The 6 foot, 26 years old forward is a determined runner and solid defender, whose confident attitude fits in well with Head Coach Allan Coleman’s squad building ethos for 2023.

You can hear from “Ronnie” himself, as he was interviewed wearing his new club colours when recently calling in at our AJ Bell Stadium training base!

News

Billy Brickhill looks forward to another year with the Lions!

Billy Brickhill has signed a further contract extension that will keep him at Swinton Lions to at least the end of the 2023 season!

Billy joined the club in 2019, and has now made 57 appearances for the Lions, during which time he has scored seven tries. One of Billy’s greatest assets is his versatility amongst the forward positions, and he’ll be looking to play his part in whatever role is required of him in the Championship next season. Certainly he’ll be looking for better luck in 2023, having suffered a couple of freak injuries during our promotion campaign.

Billy said, “I’m very happy to sign again for this great club after an amazing season winning promotion back to the Championship!

“I’m really looking forward to get back playing for Swinton in front of the fans after what was a bit of an on and off year for me personally. We will be aiming to have a good year and to consolidate our place in the Championship.”

News

Ever-present Mitch to stay at Swinton!

Mitch Cox is the latest Lion to commit to the club for 2023!

Since joining the club in early 2020, Mitch hasn’t missed a single game for the club – an impressive tally of 55 consecutive appearances. The Swinton Lions 2021 Man of Steel has also contributed 22 tries, the most recent of which being the match winner against Doncaster in the promotion play-off final.

Mitch has proved equally effective at both centre and second-row, and has been a tremendously consistent performer for Lions.

Upon signing his contract renewal, Mitch said, “I’m over the moon to sign another year with Swinton. After the success we achieved last year and getting promoted back into the Championship, staying with the club was an easy decision. I enjoyed the last 12 months playing for Swinton as much as I’ve ever enjoyed playing rugby.

“Next season will be my fourth year with the club and hopefully the best yet. We’ll have a lot to prove to people in 2023, but I know with this team both on and off the field we can have a really positive year back in the Championship. I am looking forward to more good times next year at Heywood Road with this brilliant club.”