Runcorn RFC

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Not to be confused with Runcorn RLC.

Runcorn RFC
Club information
Full nameRuncorn RFC
Nickname(s)Sprinch.
Foundedsome time before 1876
Exited1918
Former details
Ground(s)

Runcorn RFC was a rugby league club. They joined the Northern Union in 1895, just several days after it was founded, and played in the league from 1895–96 to 1917–18.

The club was based in Runcorn, an industrial town and cargo port in Cheshire, England, on the southern bank of the River Mersey opposite Widnes.

History[]

Rugby Union days[]

In the summer of 1885, the club carried out a tour of South Wales.

In 1886, Runcorn played Warrington in the semi-final of the South West Lancashire and Border Towns Trophy. A fight between players on the pitch resulted in a player from each side being sent off. Some time later during the match, a Runcorn player was injured and when the referee refused to allow this injured player to be replaced by the previously sent off player, the Runcorn team walked off the field. At this point, the referee abandoned the match. The Cup competition committee decided that the match should be replayed. Warrington duly won this match at Southport. It was 1891 before the animosity between the clubs subsided sufficiently for them to recommence playing each other.[1]

In March 1889, Runcorn, at the time Cheshire champions, played the touring New Zealand Maoris team before a crowd of about 9,000 at .[2] Runcorn were led at the time by regular captain Hughie Hughes.

Club Colours Amber & Black (1876-1884)[3] Myrtle Green (1884-1918)[3]

Ground Irwell Lane Enclosure [2]

Runcorn join the Northern Union[]

Leading up to the "Great Schism", twelve of the top Yorkshire clubs held a meeting on Tuesday, 20 August 1895, at the Mitre Hotel,[4] Leeds, at which they agreed that they should meet with the Rugby Union to put forward the idea of forming a Northern Union, not as a complete breakaway, but a suggestion which the Union immediately rejected out of hand.

On 27 August 1895 an emergency meeting of nine Lancashire clubs agreed to support their Yorkshire counterparts if they decided to break away. Runcorn was not among the nine.

Two days later on the 29 August, the representatives of these 21 clubs (by this time, Stockport had joined the others, but their representative, being unable to attend, had telegraphed the meeting requesting his club’s admission to the new organisation) met in The George Hotel, Huddersfield in the West Riding of Yorkshire, a setting which was to become famous (or infamous) in the world of rugby. And all but Dewsbury agreed to the break-away.

A further meeting was held several days later, to formalise the agreement, at which Runcorn applied to join the Northern Union, and was admitted, becoming the twenty-second member in the inaugural season's league

Northern Union[]

The first Northern Union season (1895–96) started on Saturday, 7 September, and Runcorn’s first match was a home game against Widnes which they won, 15–4. All 22 clubs played in a combined league, yet games against clubs in the same county were also used to provide the two separate county leagues. Runcorn finished in third position overall, and also won the Lancashire league title (Manningham won the Rugby League title and were also Yorkshire Champions, with Halifax finishing in second positions in both these competitions).

For the following five seasons (1896–97 to 1900–01 inclusive), the two counties were kept apart, each having their own Senior Competition; this after comments or complaints from several clubs about the expenses in travelling long(ish) distances. Runcorn finished in 4th, 10th, 7th, 1st and 3rd positions respectively. At the end of the 1900–01 season, the top seven clubs in each of the county leagues decided to break away and form a single division, and Runcorn, after finishing in 3rd position, were among this group of clubs. In season 1901–02, Runcorn finished again in 3rd position.

This formula was successful and for the following season, a second division was also formed. Runcorn remained in the top league (Division 1) of the competition which ran in this format for the next three seasons (1902–03 to 1904–05) after which the two divisions were combined. In these seasons Runcorn finishing in 4th, 16th and 18th (bottom) position.

The following season (1905–06) one single division operated, a format which would continue for many years, thus removing the possibility of Runcorn being relegated. As it was impossible for all the clubs to play each other both home and away, clubs from the same county played each other home and away, and arranged inter-county matches as and when they could. Because not all clubs played the same number of matches, positions were decided on percentage basis. Runcorn finished 10th out of the 31 clubs.

In 1906–07, Runcorn finished in 3rd position, their highest placing for several years, and a position, which history would show, was the start of a rapid decline in the club’s playing fortunes. Although in 1907, Runcorn defeated the New Zealand All Golds [5] 9-0 in a famous game played in driving rain.

In the next eight seasons (1907–08 to 1914–15) Runcorn finished 13th, 11th, 16th, 22nd, 24th, 19th, 21st and 25th respectively. In this last season (1914–15) Runcorn finished in a very poor bottom position with no wins, only one draw and 1 point from 27 matches.

By this time the country was involved in the First World War and sporting competitions were being cancelled/abandoned. Rugby League was no exception, yet managed to organise a friendly series of Wartime Emergency Leagues. Several clubs withdrew for the duration, and some later re-joined; but those competing did so on a very limited scale, all organising their own fixtures, usually against local rivals to cut down on the travelling. Runcorn had a very poor return for their efforts finishing in 23rd out of 24 (1915–16), 22nd out of 26 (1916–17) and 21st out of 22 (1917–18). In these three seasons, Runcorn struggled, winning only five matches out of 51.

The club folded in August 1918 season.[3]

With the full resumption of the league competition in 1919–20 Warrington signed many of the players from the recently disbanded Runcorn club.[6]

Players of note[]

These include :

  • ,[7] England international
  • Sam Houghton (b in Runcorn – d 1920 in Runcorn) played for Runcorn at both rugby union, and professional rugby league, and for England, and Cheshire at Rugby Union
  • Jim Jolley was an English professional rugby league footballer playing for Runcorn and later Warrington as a stand-off at club level and Great Britain, and England circa 1908–1909 at international level)
  • ,[8] England international
  • Dick Padbury (b 1886 in Runcorn district) played for Runcorn RFC, as a prop, or hooker and England
  • Joe Richardson (b circa 1877 - d November 1904) halfback who also played for
  • Harry Speakman (b 1864 in Runcorn – d 1915 Townsville, Australia) was a fine player who never played for his country. He took part in the first (unofficial) 1888 British Lions (rugby union) tour to New Zealand, and Australia, from which he never returned, instead choosing to stay, and in doing so, help to develop the game in Australia.
  • Sam Walker.[9] England international
  • Edgar Wrigley (b 1886 in Masterton, New Zealand - d 1958 (aged 71) in Huddersfield, England) dual-code international rugby union, and rugby league footballer

Club colours[]

Myrtle Green.[10]

Grounds[]

The Rugby club played at Canal Street (also known as Irwell Lane)[3]

When the Runcorn RFC failed to survive the ravages of the First World War, the ground was purchased by a Mr. R H Posnett, the owner of Highfield and Camden Tannery, and the works recreation club founded as Runcorn Football Club in 1918.

Coincidentally, Huyton Rugby League Club, seeking to relocate from their ground in Liverpool, moved to Canal Street under a ground sharing agreement with Runcorn F C, changing their name to Runcorn Highfield RLFC, from season 1985–86 to 1989–90 inclusive

At the end of the 1999–2000 season, the football club, struggling with massive debts and dwindling attendances, sold the ground and moved to Stobart Stadium, home of Widnes Vikings Rugby League Club, for several years before finally closing after season 2005–06.[11]

The ground itself, by now in a dilapidated and a dangerous condition, was sold to developers and is now a housing development, the Linnets Park housing estate

Successor clubs[]

As mentioned above, Huyton RLFC changed their name to Runcorn Highfield and played in Runcorn between seasons 1985–86 to 1989–90 inclusive, ground sharing with Runcorn FC, using the same Canal Street ground

Runcorn ARLFC played in Runcorn in the early 2000s, moving from the start of the 2009–10 summer season (their 5th in the Summer Conference) to the Pavilions ground, on the Eastern end of Sandy Lane (between Western Point Expressway and Picow Farm Road), Runcorn. Before that they had played at various grounds including at Moore, they currently play at the heath playing fields. They currently play in the 4th division of the North West counties league.

Records[]

Club Scoring Record[]


In a Match
Record Date Score Opponent Competition Notes Ref
Record victory
Record defeat
highest score in a match
In a Season
Details Season Competition Notes Ref
Highest League Position 1 1895–96 RL out of 22 clubs
Also finished top of the Lancashire section during the very first season (1895–96), but only third overall out of 22 clubs
Lowest League Position 25 1914–15 RL out of 25 clubs
and 18 1904–05 Div 1 out of 18 clubs
Most League Points (actual) 28 1987–88 Div 2 out of possible 56
and as a % of possible 46 (88.46%) 1899–1900 LSC out of possible 52
Least League Points 1 (1.85%) 1914–15 RL out of possible 54
Most Points Scored (PF) 546 1906–07 RL in 30 games
Most Points Conceded (PA) 590 1914–15 RL in 27 games
Least Points Scored (PF) 37 1915–16 WEL in 23 games
Least Points Conceded (PA) 33 1899–1900 LSC in 26 games
Best Points Difference 330 1906–07 RL in 30 games
Worst Points Difference −506 1914–15 RL in 25 games

Club Trophies[]

  • Lancashire Senior Competition – winners 1899–1900
  • Lancashire League (within the Rugby League) – winners 1895–96
  • Rugby League table – 3rd place 1895–96, 1900–01 and 1906–07
  • Championship play-off – losing semi-finalist 1906–07 (to Oldham 11–3)

Players Records[]

No records available

Club League Record[]

Season Competition Pos Team Name Pl W D L PF PA Diff Pts % No in league Notes Ref
1895–96 RL 3 Runcorn 42 24 8 10 314 143 171 56 22 1
1896–97 LSC 4 Runcorn 26 13 5 8 134 62 72 31 14
1897–98 LSC 10 Runcorn 26 9 2 15 142 184 −42 20 14
1898–99 LSC 7 Runcorn 26 15 2 9 193 113 80 32 14
1899–00 LSC 1 Runcorn 26 22 2 2 232 33 199 46 14 1
1900–01 LSC 3 Runcorn 26 20 0 6 240 100 140 40 14
1901–02 RL 3 Runcorn 26 15 2 9 185 101 84 30 * 14 2,3
1902–03 Div 1 4 Runcorn 34 19 4 11 239 139 100 42 18
1903–04 Div 1 16 Runcorn 34 11 2 21 151 245 −94 24 18
1904–05 Div 1 18 Runcorn 34 7 1 26 133 301 −168 15 18
1905–06 RL 10 Runcorn 30 17 3 10 264 136 128 37 61.66 31
1906–07 RL 3 Runcorn 30 23 0 7 546 216 330 46 76.66 26 4
1907–08 RL 13 Runcorn 30 15 0 15 255 219 36 30 50 27
1908–09 RL 11 Runcorn 28 16 1 11 271 191 80 33 58.92 31
1909–10 RL 16 Runcorn 30 14 1 15 232 317 −85 29 48.33 28
1910–11 RL 22 Runcorn 30 9 3 18 230 331 −101 21 35 28
1911–12 RL 24 Runcorn 28 5 1 22 147 369 −222 11 19.64 27
1912–13 RL 19 Runcorn 30 11 0 19 209 347 −138 22 36.66 26
1913–14 RL 21 Runcorn 30 10 0 20 165 442 −277 20 33.33 25
1914–15 RL 25 Runcorn 27 0 1 26 84 590 −506 1 1.85 25
1915–16 WEL 23 Runcorn 14 1 2 11 37 192 −155 4 14.29 24
1916–17 WEL 22 Runcorn 18 5 0 13 56 265 −209 10 27.78 26
1917–18 WEL 21 Runcorn 19 1 0 18 51 277 −226 2 5.26 22
1918–(Sep–Dec) WEL unknown
1919–(Jan–Apr) DNC

Heading Abbreviations
Pl = Games Played: W = Win; D = Draw; L = Lose; PF = Points For; PA = Points Against; Diff = Points Difference (+ or -); Pts = League Points
League points: for win = 2; for draw = 1; for loss = 0.


Notes

  • 1 – Runcorn were Lancashire League Winners
  • 2 – Salford, Runcorn, Bradford and Warrington each had 2 points deducted for a breach of the professional rules.
  • 3 – 1901–02 also saw the introduction of the South West Lancashire League which ran until 1906–07. Only six teams competed (Wigan, Warrington, St Helens, Widnes, Leigh and Runcorn). They met home & away but if they met in the league that result counted towards the South West Lancashire League (indicated with SWLL on the List) – The SWLL was replaced by a full scale Lancashire league in 1907–08
  • 4 – Championship Play-Off – Semifinals: Oldham (2nd) beat Runcorn (3rd) 11–3


Several fixtures & results[]

The following are a selection of Runcorn’s fixtures from the seasons in which they played (semi) professional Rugby League :- [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

Season Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
1895–96 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
1895–96 Sat 7 September 1895 RL Widnes Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Win 15–4 1 [13]
Sat 14 September 1895 RL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 0–5 [14]
Sat 5 October 1895 RL Warrington Canal Street Home Win 8–0 [16]
Sat 9 November 1895 RL Wigan Folly Fields Away Draw 0–0 2 [12]
Sat 22 February 1896 RL St. Helens Canal Street Home Win 3–0 4000 [14]
Wed 11 March 1896 RL Hull Canal Street Home Lose 4–5 [15]
Sat 28 March 1896 RL Wigan Canal Street Home Lose 0–6 [12]
Fri 3 April 1896 RL Warrington Wilderspool Away Win 12–0 [16]
Sat 4 April 1896 RL Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Win 9–0 3 [13]
Sat 25 April 1896 RL Hull Boulevard Away Win 8–4 6500 [15]
1896–97 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 19 September 1896 LSC Wigan Folly Fields Away Win 0–3 2 [12]
Sat 26 September 1896 LSC Warrington Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Win 14–0 [16]
Sat 3 October 1896 LSC Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Lose 3–4 3 [13]
Sat 31 October 1896 LSC St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Win 7–3 [14]
Sat 26 December 1896 LSC Wigan Canal Street Home Draw 0–0 [12]
Sat 2 January 1897 LSC St. Helens Canal Street Home Win 20–0 [14]
Sat 6 March 1897 LSC Widnes Canal Street Home Win 11–0 [13]
Sat 13 March 1897 LSC Warrington Wilderspool Away Draw 0–0 [16]
Sat 20 March 1897 CC R1 Canal Street Home Win 65–0 4,5
Sat 27 March 1897 CC R2 Canal Street Home Win 52–4 6,7 [17]
Sat 3 April 1897 CC R3 Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Lose 6–14 3, 6 [13][17]
Mon 12 April 1897 ?? Hull Boulevard Away Win 5–0 8 [15]
1897–98 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 2 October 1897 LSC Widnes Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Win 2–0 [13]
Sat 3 October 1897 LSC St. Helens Canal Street Home Win 11–0 [14]
Sat 13 November 1897 LSC Warrington Canal Street Home Win 5–3 [16]
Sat 5 February 1898 LSC Wigan Canal Street Home Lose 13–12 [12]
Sat 19 February 1898 LSC Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Lose 2–8 3 [13]
Sat 12 March 1898 LSC Warrington Wilderspool Away Win 2–0 [16]
Sat 26 March 1898 LSC St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 0–11 [14]
Sat 16 June 1898 LSC Wigan Folly Fields Away Lose 13–0 2 [12]
1898–99 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 3 September 1898 LSC Wigan Folly Fields Away Win 3–4 2 [12]
Sat 8 October 1898 LSC Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Lose 0–10 3 [13]
Mon 26 December 1898 LSC Warrington Wilderspool Away Win 5–3 [16]
Mon 2 January 1899 LSC St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Draw 0–0 [14]
Sat 14 January 1899 LSC Wigan Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Win 0–25 [12]
Sat 18 February 1899 LSC Widnes Canal Street Home Win 11–0 [13]
Sat 4 March 1899 LSC Warrington Canal Street Home Win 33–5 [16]
sat 15 April 1899 LSC St. Helens Canal Street Home Win 11–8 [14]
1899–1900 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 2 September 1899 LSC Wigan Folly Fields Away Win 0–9 2 [12]
Sat 16 September 1899 LSC Widnes Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Win 5–0 [13]
Mon 25 December 1899 LSC Warrington Canal Street Home Win 3–0 [16]
Sun 28 January 1900 LSC Warrington Wilderspool Away Win 11–0 [16]
Sat 3 February 1900 LSC Wigan Canal Street Home Win 0–24 [12]
Sat 17 February 1900 LSC St. Helens Canal Street Home Win 9–0 [14]
Sat 24 February 1900 LSC St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 2–3 [14]
Sat 3 March 1900 LSC Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Draw 5–5 3 [13]
Mon 30 April 1900 BTCF St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 0–6 9 [14]
1900–01 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 22 September 1900 LSC St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Win 11–0 [14]
Sat 13 October 1900 LSC Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Lose 0–10 3 [13]
Sat 27 October 1900 LSC Warrington Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Win 10–8 [16]
Sat 17 November 1900 LSC Wigan Canal Street Home Win 5–34 [12]
Sat 22 December 1900 LSC Wigan Folly Fields Away Win 0–5 2 [12]
Wed 26 December 1900 LSC Warrington Wilderspool Away Win 2–0 [16]
Sat 16 February 1901 LSC St. Helens Canal Street Home Win 6–0 [14]
Sat 2 March 1901 CC R1 Wigan Canal Street Home Win 0–18 [12]
Sat 9 March 1901 CC R2 ? ? ? ? ? 10
Sat 6 April 1901 LSC Widnes Canal Street Home Win 13–3 [13]
1901–02 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 7 September 1901 RL Hull Boulevard Away Lose 6–8 [15]
Sat 28 September 1901 RL Warrington Wilderspool Away Lose 3–10 [16]
Sat 19 October 1901 RL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Win 2–0 11 [14]
Wed 25 December 1901 SWLL Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Lose 7–12 3 [13]
Thu 26 December 1901 RL Warrington Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Lose 2–5 [16]
Wed 1 January 1902 RL Hull Canal Street Home Win 19–5 [15]
Sat 11 January 1902 RL Wigan Canal Street Home Win 5–8 11 [12]
Fri 28 March 1902 SWLL Widnes Canal Street Home Lose 6–13 [13]
Mon 31 March 1902 RL St. Helens Canal Street Home Win 11–3 [14]
Sat 19 April 1902 RL Wigan Springfield Park Away Win 0–2 12 [12]
1902–03 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 6 September 1902 Div 1 Widnes Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Win 10–0 [13]
Wed 27 September 1902 Div 1 Warrington Wilderspool Away Draw 0–0 [16]
Sat 11 October 1902 Div 1 St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Draw 0–0 [14]
Sat 22 November 1902 Div 1 Hull Canal Street Home Lose 2–7 [15]
Sat 27 December 1902 Div 1 Wigan Central Park Away Win 2–3 11 [12]
Sat 3 January 1903 Div 1 Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Lose 0–3 3 [13]
Sat 24 January 1903 Div 1 Warrington Canal Street Home Win 18–0 [16]
Sat 7 February 1903 Div 1 St. Helens Canal Street Home Win 19–0 [14]
Sat 14 February 1903 CC R1 Widnes Canal Street Home Win 7–2 [13]
Sat 21 February 1903 CC R2 ? ? ? ? ? 10
Fri 10 April 1903 Div 1 Hull Boulevard Away Lose 6–21 [15]
Sat 25 April 1903 Div 1 Wigan Canal Street Home Win 3–8 11 [12]
1903–04 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sun 20 September 1903 Div 1 Widnes Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Win 13–7 [13]
Sat 14 November 1903 Div 1 Wigan Central Park Away Lose 5–2 11 [12]
Sat 28 November 1903 Div 1 Hull Canal Street Home Win 6–3 [15]
Sat 19 December 1903 Div 1 Warrington Wilderspool Away Lose 5–18 [16]
Sat 23 January 1904 Div 1 Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Lose 0–4 3 [13]
Sat 26 March 1904 Div 1 Hull Boulevard Away Lose 3–11 [15]
Sat 2 April 1904 SWLL St. Helens Canal Street Home Draw 3–3 [14]
Thu 21 April 1904 Div 1 Warrington Canal Street Home Lose 0–19 [16]
Sat 30 April 1904 Div 1 Wigan Canal Street Home Draw 5–5 11 [12]
1904–05 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 24 September 1904 Div 1 Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Lose 0–10 3 [13]
sat 8 October 1904 Div 1 Warrington Wilderspool Away Lose 3–5 [16]
Sat 5 November 1904 Div 1 Hull Boulevard Away Lose 10–22 [15]
Sat 10 December 1904 Div 1 Wigan Central Park Away Lose 10–7 11 [12]
Sat 24 December 1904 Div 1 St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 6–9 [14]
Mon 2 January 1905 Div 1 Hull Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Win 3–0 [15]
Sat 4 February 1905 Div 1 Warrington Canal Street Home Lose 3–5 [16]
Sat 18 March 1905 Div 1 Widnes Canal Street Home Lose 2–7 [13]
Sat 8 April 1905 Div 1 Wigan Canal Street Home Lose 13–3 11 [12]
Mon 24 April 1905 Div 1 St. Helens Canal Street Home Lose 0–9 [14]
1905–06 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 23 September 1905 RL Widnes Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Win 5–0 [13]
Sat 21 October 1905 RL St. Helens Canal Street Home Win 12–3 [14]
Sat 4 November 1905 RL Warrington Canal Street Home Win 5–2 [16]
Sat 9 December 1905 RL Warrington Wilderspool Away Lose 0–6 [16]
Sat 16 December 1905 RL Wigan Canal Street Home Lose 14–0 11 [12]
Sat 17 February 1906 CC INT St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Win 3–0 13 [14]
Sat 3 March 1906 CC R1 Hull Boulevard Away Lose 0–6 [15]
Sat 31 March 1906 RL Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Lose 3–13 3 [13]
Sat 7 April 1906 RL Wigan Central Park Away Lose 19–13 11 [12]
1906–07 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 8 September 1906 RL Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Lose 3–11 3 [13]
Sat 15 September 1906 RL Widnes Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Win 23–6 [13]
Sat 6 October 1906 RL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Win 22–8 [14]
Sat 13 October 1906 LC R1 Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away W 14–5 3 [13]
Sat 27 October 1906 LC R2 ? ? ? ? ? 10
Sat 10 November 1906 RL Wigan Central Park Away Win 13–18 11 [12]
Sat 22 December 1906 RL Hull Canal Street Home Win 30–2 [15]
Mon 25 December 1906 RL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 0–7 [14]
Tue 1 January 1907 RL Warrington Wilderspool Away Lose 9–14 [16]
Sat 2 February 1907 RL Hull Boulevard Away Lose 11–16 [15]
Sat 23 February 1907 RL St. Helens Canal Street Home Win 14–8 [14]
Mon 25 March 1907 RL Warrington Canal Street Home Win 10–3 [16]
Sat 30 March 1907 RL Wigan Canal Street Home Win 8–15 11 [12]
Sat ?? April 1907 PO SF Oldham Watersheddings Away Lose 3–11
1907–08 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 21 September 1907 RL Warrington Wilderspool Away Lose 0–14 [16]
Sat 28 September 1907 RL Wigan Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Lose 9–0 [12]
Sat 12 October 1907 LC R1 Warrington Canal Street Home Lose 2–15 [16]
Sat 19 October 1907 RL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 11–17 [14]
Sat 23 November 1907 RL Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Win 11–5 3 [13]
Sat 14 December 1907 RL Widnes Canal Street Home Win 12–0 [13]
Wed 25 December 1907 RL St. Helens Canal Street Home Win 19–0 [14]
Wed 1 January 1908 RL Warrington Canal Street Home Win 5–3 [16]
Sat 18 January 1908 RL Wigan Central Park Away Win 3–9 [12]
Tue 25 February 1908 RL Hull Canal Street Home Win 8–3 [15]
Sat 29 February 1908 CC R1 ?? ?? Win ?-? 14
Sat 14 March 1908 CC R2 Warrington Canal Street Home Lose 3–6 [16]
Mon 17 August 1908 RL Hull Boulevard Away Lose 3–20 [15]
1908–09 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 12 September 1908 RL St. Helens Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Win 21–5 [14]
Tue 29 September 1908 RL Widnes Canal Street Home Win 13–7 [13]
Sat 24 October 1908 RL Wigan Central Park Away Lose 13–2 [12]
Sat 28 November 1908 RL Warrington Canal Street Home Lose 3–5 [16]
Sat 19 December 1908 RL Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Draw 3–3 3 [13]
Fri 25 December 1908 RL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 0–6 [14]
Fri 1 January 1909 RL Warrington Wilderspool Away Lose 8–12 [16]
Sat 20 February 1909 RL Wigan Canal Street Home Lose 17–11 [12]
Sat 27 February 1909 CC R1 ? ? ? ? ? 14
Sat 13 March 1909 CC R2 Hull Canal Street Home Lose 9–11 [15]
1909–10 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 11 September 1909 RL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Draw 5–5 10000 [14]
Sat 23 October 1909 RL Wigan Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Win 2–7 [12]
Mon 22 November 1909 RL Warrington Wilderspool Away Lose 0–27 [16]
Sat 4 December 1909 RL Widnes Canal Street Home Lose 6–14 [13]
Sat 25 December 1909 RL St. Helens Canal Street Home Lose 0–13 [14]
Mon 27 December 1909 RL Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Lose 0–3 3 [13]
Sat 1 January 1910 RL Warrington Canal Street Home Lose 0–3 [16]
Sat 19 February 1910 RL Wigan Central Park Away Lose 26–5 [12]
Fri 25 March 1910 RL Hull Boulevard Away Lose 5–37 [15]
Sat 23 April 1910 RL Hull Canal Street Home Win 13–0 [15]
1910–11 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 10 September 1910 RL St. Helens Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Win 8–4 [14]
Sat 17 September 1910 RL Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Draw 3–3 3 [13]
Sat 8 October 1910 RL Warrington Canal Street Home Lose 3–14 [16]
Sat 5 November 1910 RL Wigan Central Park Away Lose 31–3 [12]
Sat 24 December 1910 RL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 3–25 [14]
Mon 26 December 1910 RL Widnes Canal Street Home Draw 0–0 [13]
Mon 2 January 1911 RL Warrington Wilderspool Away Lose 3–15 [16]
Wed 8 March 1911 RL Wigan Canal Street Home Lose 13–0 [12]
1911–12 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 23 September 1911 RL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 0–25 [14]
Thu 16 November 1911 RL Widnes Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Lose 0–10 [13]
Sat 25 November 1911 RL Wigan Canal Street Home Lose 21–5 [12]
Sun 26 November 1911 RL Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Lose 2–7 3 [13]
Sat 23 December 1911 RL St. Helens Canal Street Home Lose 0–9 [14]
Mon 1 January 1912 RL Warrington Canal Street Home Win 11–8 [16]
Sat 6 January 1912 RL Wigan Central Park Away Lose 16–5 [12]
Sat 10 February 1912 RL Warrington Wilderspool Away Lose 6–18 [16]
Sat 2 March 1912 Fr St. Helens ??? ??? Lose 8–27 [14]
1912–13 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 14 September 1912 RL St. Helens Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Lose 8–11 [14]
Sat 21 September 1912 RL Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Lose 0–13 3 [13]
Sat 28 September 1912 RL Warrington Canal Street Home Lose 7–13 [16]
Sat 26 October 1912 RL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Win 12–6 [14]
Sat 23 November 1912 RL Wigan Central Park Away Lose 41–4 [12]
Thu 26 December 1912 RL Widnes Canal Street Home Lose 0–8 [13]
Wed 1 January 1913 RL Warrington Wilderspool Away Lose 5–21 [16]
Sat 18 January 1913 RL Wigan Canal Street Home Lose 25–5 [12]
1913–14 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 6 September 1913 RL St. Helens Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Lose 5–10 [14]
Sat 20 September 1913 RL Widnes Canal Street Home Lose 2–10 [13]
Sat 4 October 1913 RL Wigan Canal Street Home Lose 36–9 [12]
Sat 1 November 1913 LC R1 St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 6–26 [14]
Sat 13 December 1913 RL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 5–19 [14]
Fri 26 December 1913 RL Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Lose 0–9 3 [13]
Sat 27 December 1913 RL Wigan Central Park Away Lose 30–0 [12]
Sat 24 January 1914 RL Warrington Wilderspool Away Lose 7–27 [16]
Sat 28 February 1914 CC R1 ? ? ? ? ? 14
Sat 14 March 1914 CC R2 Wigan Canal Street Home Lose 13–2 [12]
Wed 18 March 1914 RL Warrington Canal Street Home Win 10–3 [16]
1914–15 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 5 September 1914 RL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 0–26 [14]
Sat 19 September 1914 RL Widnes Lowerhouse Lane Away Lose 0–24 3 [13]
Sat 10 October 1914 RL Warrington Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Lose 7–20 [16]
Sat 26 December 1914 RL Widnes Canal Street Home Lose 3–17 [13]
Fri 1 January 1915 RL St. Helens Canal Street Home Lose 4–10 [14]
Sat 30 January 1915 RL Wigan Central Park Away Lose 73–5 [12]
Wed 10 March 1915 RL Wigan Canal Street Home Lose 26–5 [12]
Fri 2 April 1915 RL Warrington Wilderspool Away Lose 5–29 [16]
1915–16 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 25 September 1915 WEL Wigan Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Lose 4–3 15, 16 [12]
Sun 7 November 1915 WEL St. Helens Canal Street Home Draw 0–0 [14]
Sat 11 December 1915 WEL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 2–6 [14]
Sat 4 March 1916 WEL Wigan Central Park Away Lose 34–0 [12]
Fri 17 March 1916 WEL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 11–19 [14]
Sat 15 April 1916 WEL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 2–12 [14]
1916–17 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
Sat 23 September 1916 WEL Warrington Wilderspool Away Lose 0–20 16 [16]
Sat 14 October 1916 WEL Warrington Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Lose 5–18 [16]
Sat 4 November 1916 WEL Wigan Central Park Away Lose 29–0 [12]
Sat 9 December 1916 WEL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Win 7–6 [14]
Mon 1 January 1917 WEL Warrington Wilderspool Away Win 6–0 [16]
Sat 24 February 1917 WEL Wigan Canal Street Home Lose 6–3 [12]
1917–18 Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
1917–18 Sat 15 September 1917 WEL Warrington Wilderspool Away Lose 8–18 16 [16]
1917–18 Sat 20 October 1917 WEL Wigan Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn Home Lose 14–3 [12]
1917–18 Sat 3 November 1917 WEL St. Helens Knowsley Rd Away Lose 0–30 [14]
1917–18 Sat 29 December 1917 WEL Wigan Central Park Away Lose 8–2 [12]
1917–18 Tue 1 January 1918 WEL Warrington Wilderspool Away Lose 0–3 [16]
1917–18 Mon 1 April 1918 WEL Warrington Canal Street Home Lose 2–10 [16]

Competition Abbreviations
RL = Rugby League competition; Div 1 = Division 1 of the Rugby League completion; LSC = Lancashire Senior League Competition; WEL = Wartime Emergency League

SWLL = South West Lancashire League (a forerunner to the Lancashire League; F = Friendly match; ? = Competition unknown

CC Rx = Challenge Cup Round x; LC Rx = Lancashire Cup Competition Round x; BTCF = South West Lancashire and Border Towns Cup-Final

Notes and comments[]

  • 1 – 1st game under the new Northern Union Organisation
  • 2 – Folly Fields is the stadium used by Wigan at the time until 1901. They then became sub-tenants of Springfield Park See below – Note 12.
  • 3 – Lowerhouse Lane is the original site of the current ground used by Widnes. It was renamed Naughton Park in 1932 in honour of club secretary, Tom Naughton – and later renamed Halton Stadium after being completely rebuilt in 1997.
  • 4 – Warrington Loco were a Warrington junior side
  • 5 – Described in a report as "Runcorn demolished Warrington Loco"
  • 6 – fixture and results from the book "Rugby League Challenge Cup – An illustrated history by Les Hoole"
  • 7 – Thornton Rangers were a junior or amateur club in Bradford
  • 8 – comp = ??? Possibly end of season friendly
  • 9 – South West Lancashire and Border Towns Cup – Final
  • 10 – Assume Runcorn played in this round after a win in previous round – opponent and other details unknown
  • 11 – also counted to SWLL championship (South West Lancashire League)
  • 12 – Wigan became sub-tenants of Springfield Park, which they shared with Wigan United AFC, playing their first game there on 14 September 1901 at which a crowd of 4,000 saw them beat Morecambe 12–0, and the last game on 28 April 1902 when Wigan beat the Rest of Lancashire Senior Competition. A temporary ground was necessary to span the period between moving from Folly Fields and the new ground at Central Park being constructed.
  • 13 – Intermediate Round in the Challenge Cup
  • 14 – Assume Runcorn played and won in this round to progress into round 2 – opponent and other details unknown
  • 15 – Widnes did not compete during seasons 1915–16 to 1918 (Sept–Dec)
  • 16 – Warrington did not compete during season 1915–16
  • 17 – Runcorn – no records after end of 1917–18 season

See also[]

British rugby league system
1895–96 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1897–98 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1898–99 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1899–1900 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1900–01 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1901–02 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1902–03 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1903–04 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1904–05 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1905–06 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1906–07 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1907–08 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1908–09 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1909–10 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1910–11 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1911–12 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1912–13 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1913–14 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1914–15 Northern Rugby Football Union season
1915–16 Northern Rugby Football Union Wartime Emergency League season
1916–17 Northern Rugby Football Union Wartime Emergency League season
1917–18 Northern Rugby Football Union Wartime Emergency League season
1918–19 (January) Northern Rugby Football Union Wartime Emergency League season
1919 (Feb-May) Northern Rugby Football Union Victory season
Canal Street Stadium, Runcorn
The Great Schism – Rugby League View
The Great Schism – Rugby Union View
Rugby league county leagues
List of defunct rugby league clubs
Runcorn Highfield RLFC
Runcorn F.C. Halton
Runcorn Linnets F.C.

References[]

  1. ^ "Warrington Wolves – history, Part of the Union – 1879 to 1895".
  2. ^ a b 1887-88 Club Member's Ticket
  3. ^ a b c d "Runcorn F.C. Disbanding of the old institution". Runcorn Guardian. 9 August 1918. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "Rugby Football History, the great schism".
  5. ^ All Golds
  6. ^ "Warrington Wolves – History, Northern Union – 1895 to 1922".
  7. ^ England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk, RFL, retrieved 6 April 2009
  8. ^ England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk, RFL, retrieved 6 April 2009
  9. ^ England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk, RFL, retrieved 6 April 2009
  10. ^ Season 1887-88 Member's Ticket
  11. ^ "Runcorn FC".
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw 324 "Cherry and White" Check |url= value (help).
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar "Widnes History".
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax "Saints Heritage Society".
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t aspx "Hull&Proud" Check |url= value (help).
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw "Warrington History". Archived from the original on 6 July 2010.
  17. ^ a b Hoole, Les. Rugby League Challenge Cup – An illustrated history by Les Hoole.

External links[]

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