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SWINTON LIONS GREATEST TEAM: THE 80s

05 April 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 1980s.

The 1980s

The 1980s, the decade when we emerged from the doldrums to become a top end Second Division side, inter-dispersed with a fair share of memorable triumphs! Kick-started by Frank Myler, and continued by Jim Crellin, we soon rose from also rans to Champions! Not to mention a second promotion and a Divisional Premiership title at Old Trafford under the guidance of Bill Holliday and Mike Peers.

An era of new optimism and new confidence, fast entertaining rugby league and an abundance of rising stars! A favourite decade for many of us of a certain age!

Picking a team of the 1980s is not easy, but after applying a minimum of 40 appearances to qualify for selection, we’ve suggested the following as a starter for debate:

 

No. 1, Paul Mellor
Appearances: 91, Tries: 10, Goals: 94,
Note: Earned 1 GB Colts cap

 

No. 2, Scott Ranson
Appearances: 129, Tries: 69, Goals: 0
Note: Part of the team to earn promotion in 1991

 

No. 3, Paul Topping
Appearances: 138, Tries: 28, Goals: 270
Note: Won promotion & premiership double in 1987

 

No.4, Steve Snape
Appearances: 216, Tries: 49, Goals: 3
Note: Twice promoted 1985 & 1987 & Division 2 Premiership 1987

 

No.5, Derek Bate
Appearances: 185, Tries: 119, Goals: 0
Note: Twice promoted 1985 & 1987 & Div 2 Premiership 1987

 

No.6, Danny Wilson
Appearances: 180, Tries: 62, Goals: 49
Note: 4 Wales caps; Div 2 Championship 1985

 

No.7, Martin Lee
Appearances: 148, Tries: 75, Goals: 3
Note: Twice promoted 1985 & 1987 & Div 2 Premiership 1987

 

No. 8, Joe Grima
Appearances: 47, Tries: 6, Goals: 0
Note: Promotion & Premiership double 1987

 

No. 9, Gary Ainsworth
Appearances: 100, Tries: 38, Goals: 0
Note: Man of Match 1987 Premiership Final

 

No. 10, Roby Muller
Appearances: 52, Tries: 8, Goals: 0
Note: Promotion & Premiership double 1987

 

No. 11, Mark Rowbottom
Appearances: 68, Tries: 11, Goals: 0
Note: Won 2nd Division Championship 1985

 

No. 12, John Allen
Appearances: 152, Tries: 12, Goals: 0
Note: Promoted three times in 1985, 1987, 1991 & won Div 2 Premiership 1987

 

No. 13, Les Holliday
Appearances: 182, Tries: 39, Goals: 28
Note: 1 Cumbria cap; Captained Div 2 Premiership team 1987

 

No. 14, Jeff Brown
Appearances: 99, Tries: 26, Goals: 0
Note: Twice promoted in 1985 & 1987 & won Div 2 Premiership 1987

 

No. 15, Alex Melling
Appearances: 198, Tries: 24, Goals: 0
Note: Promoted 3 times in 1985, 1987, 1991

 

No. 16, Shane Tupaea
Appearances: 60, Tries: 2, Goals: 0
Note: Won promotion in 1991

 

No. 17, Alan Derbyshire
Appearances: 198, Tries: 26, Goals: 5
Note: Captained Div 2 Championship team in 1985

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