Birmingham Bulldogs
Encyclopedia
Birmingham RLFC are a rugby league
team based in Birmingham
. They play in the Midlands Premier
division of the Rugby League Conference
.
In the 1990 - 91 season the team was reinforced by a number of rugby union recruits. The club won their first silverware with the MASWARLA Challenge Plate in a final played at Worcester RUFC. The 1991-92 season saw Birmingham just fail to retain the Challenge Plate against the West Midlands Police RLFC, despite retaining the core of the successful team from the previous season.
The side began to flourish in 1994/5, winning the Heart of England Nines trophy in 1995 and notching up a notable cup win over established Doncaster side Bentley-Yarborough in 1996. The 1995 - 96 season brought more success as Birmingham captured the East Midlands League title, were runners up in the League’s Cup final, won the Brennan Trophy in most dramatic fashion, had their first ever win in the National Cup and then hosted the Yorkshire Cup holders Queens, from Leeds.
The Southern Conference was launched in 1997 and was aimed at areas relatively new to the game. Birmingham played in the very first fixture in this new competition away at Leicester Phoenix
and scored the first ever points, a drop-goal from Tony Williams, and the first ever try, from James Brabin. The game eventually finished 36 –23 to Leicester but Birmingham went on to the play-offs after finishing second in the Central Division, behind Leicester. The semi-final saw Birmingham play the winners of the Eastern division, North London Skolars
in London. Skolars took an 18 point lead before Birmingham came back and the game eventually finished with Skolars holding on to win the semi-final 18 – 16.
In 1998, Birmingham adopted the name Birmingham Bulls as they had a connection with the Super League side Bradford Bulls
. They rebranded again in 2000 to become Birmingham Bulldogs to avoid a legal challenge by Birmingham Bulls
American football team.
The 2000 Rugby league Conference season saw the club finish top of their division. They then went on to reach the quarter finals of the competition where they were defeated 29-27 points by Rotherham Giants
.
The 2003 season saw the club finish top of their division and after pay-off wins against Nottingham and Mansfield traveled to the semi-final against Carlisle Centurions. The Bulldogs eventually found their match in a Carlisle side and went down 44 – 2.
Following the success of the previous season the club applied to join National league 3
in 2004 and were successful. The clubs first fixture in National League 3 was a repeat of the previous years semi-final with an away trip to Carlisle Centurions. The Bulldogs set down a marker for the rest of the season and scored a 30 – 20 win. This set the tone for the rest of the season and the Bulldogs eventually finished eighth and progressed to the play-offs where they were just pipped by Coventry Bears.
Midway through the 2005 season, the club had to withdraw from the competition and revert to playing in the Midlands Regional division of the Rugby League Conference. In 2006, the club re-established itself in the Rugby League Conference Midlands Premier
Division.
Russell Parker was appointed as a full-time Community Rugby League Coach for Birmingham in 2007. This significant stride forward for the sport in the city matched equivalent appointments throughout the Midlands. Following the work in local schools a junior section was soon established at the club, with teams at various age groups competing at numerous festivals throughout the Midlands during the season. The club saw much improved performances during the season in the RLC Midlands Premier but missed out on the end of season play-offs.
Russell Parker’s appointment as Senior Head Coach in 2008, the club’s development continued with the formation of a second open-age team early in the RL Merit League which reached the semi-final play-offs where they narrowly lost to Sheffield Forgers. The club also worked hard behind the scenes at its development work and successfully applied for Clubmark status.
In a major close-season change, the club relocated from its Moor Lane home of many years to nearby Aston Old Edwardians rugby union in 2009. The club continued with two Open Age teams competing in the RLC Midlands Premier and the renamed Midlands Rugby League
. The RLC Midlands competition came down to four teams competing for top spot in the final round of the season. In a 'winner takes all' clash against Coventry Bears, the Bulldogs lost narrowly to the eventual winners and missed out on the play-offs. The Bulldogs second team topped the Midlands Rugby League after the regular season. The club had its revenge against Coventry Bears in the semi-final to set up a final against North Derbyshire Chargers
. Following an early deficit they fought back to win the game and win the club's first silverware since 1996. At junior level the Bulldogs competed at under-12, under-14 and under-16 level in the newly established Midlands Junior League
.
In 2010, the club linked up with Super League side Hull.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
team based in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
. They play in the Midlands Premier
Rugby League Conference Midlands Premier
The Rugby League Conference Midlands Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference. It is the highest level of amateur rugby league in the English Midlands.It was first contested in 2006. Many of the clubs run juniors in the Midlands Junior League....
division of the Rugby League Conference
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
.
History
Birmingham Bulldogs were founded in 1989. The club’s first season was in 1989–90 in the Midlands and South West Amateur Rugby League Association (MASWARLA) competition; a runners-up spot in the Heart of England Nines was followed by a programme of fixtures against local rivals such as Redditch Halcyon and West Midlands Police. The season culminated in a nail-biting encounter against Redditch in the MASWARLA Cup Final in Stroud, Gloucestershire. Birmingham were edged out 12-8 with a try in the dying minutes.In the 1990 - 91 season the team was reinforced by a number of rugby union recruits. The club won their first silverware with the MASWARLA Challenge Plate in a final played at Worcester RUFC. The 1991-92 season saw Birmingham just fail to retain the Challenge Plate against the West Midlands Police RLFC, despite retaining the core of the successful team from the previous season.
The side began to flourish in 1994/5, winning the Heart of England Nines trophy in 1995 and notching up a notable cup win over established Doncaster side Bentley-Yarborough in 1996. The 1995 - 96 season brought more success as Birmingham captured the East Midlands League title, were runners up in the League’s Cup final, won the Brennan Trophy in most dramatic fashion, had their first ever win in the National Cup and then hosted the Yorkshire Cup holders Queens, from Leeds.
The Southern Conference was launched in 1997 and was aimed at areas relatively new to the game. Birmingham played in the very first fixture in this new competition away at Leicester Phoenix
Leicester Phoenix Rugby League Football Club
Leicester Storm are an amateur community rugby league football club based in Leicester, England. They compete in Midlands Premier division of the Rugby League Conference and their Academy Team compete in the 3v SportMidlands Rugby League. The club's home is Phoenix Park which is in the suburb of...
and scored the first ever points, a drop-goal from Tony Williams, and the first ever try, from James Brabin. The game eventually finished 36 –23 to Leicester but Birmingham went on to the play-offs after finishing second in the Central Division, behind Leicester. The semi-final saw Birmingham play the winners of the Eastern division, North London Skolars
London Skolars
London Skolars are a rugby league club based at the New River Stadium, Wood Green, Haringey in North London. They were founded in 1995 and have been semi-professional since 2003, operating in Championship One...
in London. Skolars took an 18 point lead before Birmingham came back and the game eventually finished with Skolars holding on to win the semi-final 18 – 16.
In 1998, Birmingham adopted the name Birmingham Bulls as they had a connection with the Super League side Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
. They rebranded again in 2000 to become Birmingham Bulldogs to avoid a legal challenge by Birmingham Bulls
Birmingham Bulls (American football)
Birmingham Bulls is a British American football team based in the West Midlands, England at the ground of Walsall Rugby Club.-Overview:The Bulls is one of the longer established American football teams playing in the United Kingdom, having been founded in 1983...
American football team.
The 2000 Rugby league Conference season saw the club finish top of their division. They then went on to reach the quarter finals of the competition where they were defeated 29-27 points by Rotherham Giants
Rotherham Giants
Rotherham Giants are a rugby league team based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, playing in the Yorkshire Premier of the Rugby League Conference. They play their home matches at Herringthorpe Stadium...
.
The 2003 season saw the club finish top of their division and after pay-off wins against Nottingham and Mansfield traveled to the semi-final against Carlisle Centurions. The Bulldogs eventually found their match in a Carlisle side and went down 44 – 2.
Following the success of the previous season the club applied to join National league 3
Rugby League Conference National Division
The Rugby League Conference National Division is the highest division in the Rugby League Conference. Between 2003 and 2006, it was known as National League Three.-National League Three:...
in 2004 and were successful. The clubs first fixture in National League 3 was a repeat of the previous years semi-final with an away trip to Carlisle Centurions. The Bulldogs set down a marker for the rest of the season and scored a 30 – 20 win. This set the tone for the rest of the season and the Bulldogs eventually finished eighth and progressed to the play-offs where they were just pipped by Coventry Bears.
Midway through the 2005 season, the club had to withdraw from the competition and revert to playing in the Midlands Regional division of the Rugby League Conference. In 2006, the club re-established itself in the Rugby League Conference Midlands Premier
Rugby League Conference Midlands Premier
The Rugby League Conference Midlands Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference. It is the highest level of amateur rugby league in the English Midlands.It was first contested in 2006. Many of the clubs run juniors in the Midlands Junior League....
Division.
Russell Parker was appointed as a full-time Community Rugby League Coach for Birmingham in 2007. This significant stride forward for the sport in the city matched equivalent appointments throughout the Midlands. Following the work in local schools a junior section was soon established at the club, with teams at various age groups competing at numerous festivals throughout the Midlands during the season. The club saw much improved performances during the season in the RLC Midlands Premier but missed out on the end of season play-offs.
Russell Parker’s appointment as Senior Head Coach in 2008, the club’s development continued with the formation of a second open-age team early in the RL Merit League which reached the semi-final play-offs where they narrowly lost to Sheffield Forgers. The club also worked hard behind the scenes at its development work and successfully applied for Clubmark status.
In a major close-season change, the club relocated from its Moor Lane home of many years to nearby Aston Old Edwardians rugby union in 2009. The club continued with two Open Age teams competing in the RLC Midlands Premier and the renamed Midlands Rugby League
Midlands Rugby League
The 3vSport.com Midlands Rugby League is a summer rugby league tournament in the Midlands region of England. It is a feeder league to the Rugby League Conference and a successor league to the Midlands Merit League...
. The RLC Midlands competition came down to four teams competing for top spot in the final round of the season. In a 'winner takes all' clash against Coventry Bears, the Bulldogs lost narrowly to the eventual winners and missed out on the play-offs. The Bulldogs second team topped the Midlands Rugby League after the regular season. The club had its revenge against Coventry Bears in the semi-final to set up a final against North Derbyshire Chargers
North Derbyshire Chargers
North Derbyshire Chargers RLFC are a rugby league club who play in the Midlands Rugby League at open age and junior level. Shortly after formation a merger was agreed with the Chesterfield Spires club.-History of rugby league in North Derbyshire:...
. Following an early deficit they fought back to win the game and win the club's first silverware since 1996. At junior level the Bulldogs competed at under-12, under-14 and under-16 level in the newly established Midlands Junior League
Midlands Junior League
The Midlands Junior League is an age group rugby league competition for club in the English Midlands. It is run by the Midlands Rugby League.Many of the teams taking part also run open-age sides in the Rugby League Conference or Midlands Rugby League....
.
In 2010, the club linked up with Super League side Hull.
Club honours
- RLC Western Division: 2000
- RLC Midlands Division: 2003
- Midlands Rugby League: 2009