History of the Rugby League Conference
Encyclopedia
The Rugby League Conference
(RLC), also known as the Co-operative Rugby League Conference as a result of sponsorship from The Co-operative Group
, was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league
teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
It was founded in 1997 as the Southern Conference League.
(RFU), the governing body of rugby football
in England, over the issue of player expenses.
This led to the great schism which resulted in rugby becoming two separate sports: rugby union
administered by the RFU and rugby league
administered by the Rugby Football League
as the two games evolved different sets of rules.
Although rugby league spread overseas, sanctions by the RFU made it more difficult for the sport to expand beyond its "heartlands" in the traditional counties of Yorkshire
, Lancashire
and Cumberland
.
(BARLA); the most recent ones being the London Amateur Rugby League
, the Midlands and South West Amateur Rugby League Association (MASWARLA), the East Midlands Amateur Rugby League Association (EMARLA), the Eastern Counties Amateur Rugby League and the North Eastern Amateur Rugby League Association (NEARLA).
The Eastern Counties and the MASWARLA competitions folded in 1995 (as did the Welsh Amateur League of the time) The few remaining teams were absorbed by the London ARL and the EMARLA. The London League initially regionalised its division 2 to cope with the increased travel pressures this caused, but they were unable to keep up numbers for this. While their leagues at the time survived (albeit at a low level) teams in the North East of England
and the East Midlands
were looking at playing in Yorkshire
-based heartland leagues. However teams in the South of England had no such option, London Skolars
were even rejected from BARLA's National Conference League
for the 1996-97 season.
A further major factor leading to the creation of the Southern Conference League was the fact that the professional clubs had switched to a summer season the previous year and thus interest in the sport in the winter was decreased. The abandonment of amateurism by the rival sport of rugby union
in 1995 meant that it was now possible for rugby union players to play rugby league during their off-season without risking a ban from rugby union whilst adding an element of competition for players in the winter. This gave non-heartland clubs a larger player pool but only if they switched to summer.
were outside the league until 2003).
The initial line-up was as follows:
Birmingham and Leicester Phoenix had been playing in the EMARLA (the former since the demise of the MASWARLA).
Among the newly formed clubs were Bedford Swifts, the first ever cross-code club (i.e. playing both rugby union
and rugby league
), West London
(formed from a merger of two of the more successful London ARL teams Brent-Ealing and London Colonials), Oxford Cavaliers and Worcester Royals (though the latter 2 had played friendlies the preceding summer). The other clubs joined from the London ARL including North London Skolars
who were based on the student old boys network.
However, before the season started Reading Raiders announced that they would remain in the London ARL, the tenth place being offered to fellow London ARL club Cambridge Eagles
, a club that missed out at the first stage of applications. As a result of Cambridge Eagles being more geographically suited to the Eastern Division, Bedford Swifts were switched to the Central Division.
Kingston were to resign from the league after only playing one game, but besides this and a forfeited semi-final this pilot season was generally successful, resulting in an increase of RFL funding to allow further expansion. North London Skolars
were the winners of the first and only Southern Conference defeating Leicester Phoenix in the final.
The Scottish Conference
was also founded in 1997 with five teams and had its first season. However, it would remain outside the Rugby League Conference structure until 2006.
had previously been playing in the London ARL and Cheltenham had had two clubs in the MASWARLA when that existed. Another new twist was the addition of the monikers of Super League
clubs by many clubs, with Worcester becoming the Saints, Birmingham
the Bulls and West London the Sharks; some Super League clubs also gave support to the new clubs.
North London Skolars joined the National Conference League
after the first season, while retaining a team in the Rugby League Conference.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
In an all new team final Crawley Jets beat South Norfolk Saints at the Prince of Wales Stadium in Cheltenham.
were admitted to the East division to fill the gap originally intended for Northampton the previous season after their Northern Ford Premiership application was rejected and the Alliance (reserve grade) was scrapped. However, a change of decision and the collapse of the EMARLA saw this changed. Derby City were welcomed as the final champions of the EMARLA and the other 4 new sides were formed from the ashes of defunct winter clubs. Worcester Saints became Worcestershire Saints after moving to Redditch in the first relocation. For the first time all starting teams finished the season.
Team line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
The title was won by Chester Wolves who defeated Crawley Jets in the final.
league but saw it reform as a summer based merit league with a combination of reserve teams and new clubs (though South London Storm and Kingston Warriors joined the Rugby League Conference). In a second relocation Cheltenham Warriors moved to Gloucester and became Gloucestershire Warriors. Another rebranding was had by Birmingham Bulls, who became Birmingham Bulldogs to avoid a legal challenge by the Birmingham Bulls
American football team.
This season also saw a test of summer rugby league in the North East of England, with a Northern Rugby League Summer Conference with teams from various BARLA leagues won by Teesside Steelers, also featuring Gateshead Panthers, Bridlington Bulls, West Craven Warriors and Wetherby Bulldogs.
Team line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
The league was won by Crawley Jets who defeated Rotherham Giants
in the final.
for the first time in 2001 when Cardiff Demons
, who had formerly ran a young team in the Academy competition, joined the league. Along with the new North East Division
this left the Rugby League Conference with 30 teams in the 2001 season.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
However, Gateshead Panthers merged into Newcastle Knights before the season started leaving a gap in the North East Division which was filled by Durham Phoenix, who after this one season returned to their former name of Durham Tigers
.
Teesside beat Coventry Bears
by a narrow margin in the grand final at Webb Ellis Road, Rugby.
with a Glasgow team in 2002 on the Cardiff model failed to materialise, and the Conference had to wait until 2007 to have Scottish full members for the first time. Another plan to expand to 32 teams with the addition of teams based in Bolton and Telford also fell through with Telford withdrawing their application.
This season saw a controversial format change, with two sets of three second round groups, both for the top three teams in each group but also for the bottom teams. These provided four extra fixtures, giving 14 guaranteed games, but the extra fixtures were poorly scheduled, seeing Manchester Knights eliminated despite winning all four extra games. This format was ditched after this season, though the idea of tiered competition was to return with the advent of premier divisions.
Team line-ups as follows (new club in italics):
In 2002 London Skolars were accepted into National League Two, from the following season the first club in over fifty years to make the transition from the amateur ranks to the professional leagues (the previous club to do so being Cardiff who unsuccessfully had stepped up from the Welsh League in 1951) and the first to step up successfully from a non-league competition since Castleford's elevation from the Yorkshire Senior League in 1926 (from which league Featherstone Rovers had also successfully stepped up a few years previously), though this league was theoretically semi-professional.
In September, last year's losing finalist Coventry Bears beat Hemel Stags
in the grand final held at Cheltenham.
, St Albans Centurions
, Coventry Bears
, Manchester Knights, South London Storm
(their position initially given to Crawley Jets, who later turned it down) and Teesside Steelers joined the newly formed National League Three
in 2003, where they were joined by BARLA clubs Warrington Woolston Rovers, Bradford Dudley Hill
, Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks
and Huddersfield Underbank Rangers
. The inaugural winners were Warrington Woolston Rovers who defeated surprise finalists Teesside Steelers in the final.
The conference made the leap from 30 to 52 teams with the main growth areas being Wales
and the North West of England
, both of which gained their own division for the first time, but also in the South East
with the addition of no fewer than 5 teams from the London League (North London Skolars 'A', South London Storm 'A', Greenwich Admirals
, St Ives Roosters
and the returning South Norfolk Saints). Also for the first time two teams further southwest than Gloucester participated: the Bristol Sonics
and Somerset Vikings
.
This rapid expansion was in part possible due to the lowering of the strict minimum criteria which were considered less necessary due to National League Three allowing a higher standard of play for the teams more suited to it. However, despite this, the only team to fail to complete the season was founder member Bedford Swifts. More controversial at the time was the inclusion in a development competition of Leeds Akademiks
, a team based on the student old boys model very successfully used by the North London Skolars, in the largely rugby league free northern part of Leeds, but still nonetheless in a city known for rugby league. This was to pave the way for a huge influx of truly heartland teams the following season, drastically changing the face of the competition.
Team line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
Bedford Swifts failed to complete the season.
Bridgend Blue Bulls
won the 2003 title defeating Carlisle Centurions
in the final.
, Carlisle Centurions
, Gateshead Storm
(late replacements after Teesside Steelers surprisingly announced they were folding after being runners-up the previous season) and Essex Eels leave the Conference to join National League Three, which also gained the reformed Bramley Buffaloes. National league three was won by expansion club Coventry Bears, whose team featured professional rugby union
players from Coventry RFC and Australian semi-pros including NRL reserve graders. They defeated Warrington Woolston Rovers 48-24 at Widnes's Halton Stadium
, the first time the NL3 final had been held on the same bill as the other National League finals.
This season saw major expansion in the heartlands resulting in new Yorkshire and Cumbria divisions. The decision to include them has been much criticised, especially since many (though by no means all) are uncommitted to summer rugby league, seeing British Amateur Rugby League Association
as their priority. However, only through the inclusion of heartland teams was it possible to create some of the premier divisions the following season, and a few of the heartland clubs were needed by National League Three over the years to keep it going when teams resigned from it. Furthermore allowing heartland teams in meant all National League Three teams could run a reserve team in the summer if they so chose
Unlike the previous season only one team (St Albans Centurions 'A') was admitted from the London ARL.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
The start of the season was marred by the withdrawal of twice former champions Crawley Jets, whose proposed replacements Reigate Crusaders never materialised. The only team to withdraw mid-season was Carlisle Centurions 'A', the last time this number was so few.
New team Widnes Saints
defeated West London Sharks
in the final.
who saw summer as their future. In fact the National League Three season saw both Carlisle Centurions
and Birmingham Bulldogs fail to complete the season (Birmingham took over their reserve teams' fixtures) showing that the expansionist bubble had seemingly burst with Bradford Dudley Hill
defeating Bramley Buffaloes
in an all-heartland final and both Coventry Bears and Essex Eels resigning at the end of the season.
The RLC Premier divisions were set up in 2005 to include the stronger teams in those areas who were able to travel further to play away games. The North and Central divisions were largely dominated by heartland teams that had been part of the influx the previous two seasons, the former of which incorporated all remaining Cumbria
n division teams, while the Welsh Premier
Division was the same teams as the regional division en masse promoted in status for pragmatic reasons. The South Premier
offered the best hope for expanding rugby league into new areas.
New teams Redditch Ravens
and Scarborough Pirates
were formed from the ashes of the Worcestershire Saints and Yorkshire Coast Tigers clubs respectively. Leeds Akademiks had to change their moniker to the Akkies due to a legal challenge from an American clothing brand named Akademik. The ever fruitful London League
provided three more teams this year: Bedford Tigers
(formed the previous year from the ashes of Bedford Swifts), Haringey Hornets (effectively London Skolars' third team) and Luton Vipers 'A'.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
It was felt that this season saw too many unstable teams admitted to make up the gaps left by teams joining the Premier Division. This was supported by the unprecedented number of midseason withdrawals, though a couple of these were more due to the increasing standards created by the influx of heartland teams. Aside from the aforementioned NL3 withdrawals and Manchester's replacement by Dewsbury Celtic in the Premier Division there were many Regional Division withdrawals. This started with the pre-season withdrawal of Lancaster (replaced by Rochdale Spotland Rangers), Chester Wolves (replaced by Wigan & Leigh Cavaliers), Rugby Raiders and Thames Valley. This continued with mid-season withdrawals of Oxford Cavaliers (who were to return), Luton Vipers 'A', Middlesex Lions, Gosport & Fareham Vikings and most surprisingly Rotherham Giants.
The Premier divisions saw Bridgend Blue Bulls
defeat Leeds Akkies
in the final, while Wetherby Bulldogs defeated Gloucestershire Warriors
in the regional final.
and Featherstone Lions
, who had recently resigned from the BARLA National Conference League
. Though Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks
soon resigned from NL3 leaving their reserves as their first team.
The Premier divisions saw a change in boundaries leaving the North Premier division covering a larger area to give the English Midlands
clubs their own premier division without having to face heartland teams, though this left the West Midlands division with too few teams to run, forcing it into a merger with the South West division. The Welsh premier division was split into two divisions, though this decision was reversed for the following season.
The London League provided three more clubs in Broadstairs Bulldogs, Kent Ravens
and Colchester Romans. Two further relocations were Bolton Le Moors moving to Darwen to become East Lancashire Lions
and Hull Phoenix moving to Cottingham. Furthermore London Skolars 'A' had a one season rebrand as Haringey Hornets, leaving the regional team of that name to become their reserves. The new Chester Wolves team were unconnected to the former team and in fact a summer team for Widnes based BARLA club West Bank Bears.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
As with the previous season there were many drop-outs with Winlaton Vulcans (replaced by Gateshead Storm 'A'), Pembrokeshire Panthers and Northampton failing to make the starting gate and West Cumbria Crusaders, Huddersfield Sharks, Luton Vipers, Essex Eels, Catterick Panthers and Mansfield Storm subsequently resigned. Also while they withdrew before the fixtures were finalised South Wakefield Sharks were expected to play in the North Midlands & South Yorkshire division. Furthermore Haringey Hornets 'A' were allowed to remain in the competition despite scratching 7 out of their 10 fixtures. However, unlike the previous season the withdrawals were less to do with unsuitable teams being let into the regionals and more to do with regional division standard teams being forced into the premier divisions to make up the numbers there.
The 2006 Premier division saw South London defeat East Lancashire in the final, while Liverpool beat Thorne Moor in the regionals final.
In 2006 a new league was founded as a feeder league to the RLC in the Midlands and South Yorkshire. The Midlands RL Merit League (now known as RL Merit League) was based on the principles of the successful London League
and consisted of new clubs who are not ready for the full commitment of the Conference season together with RLC clubs' 'A' teams.
The Rugby League Conference provided administrative and promotional support to the Scottish Conference
as a pilot scheme with a view to integrating the Scottish league as a full part of the Conference for the 2007 season. The six teams being Glasgow Bulls, Easterhouse Panthers
, Paisley Hurricanes
, Edinburgh Eagles
, Fife Lions
and Moray Eels.
Gloucestershire Warriors
became the first Conference side to beat a 'traditional' amateur side when they beat Pennine League
team Illingworth 25-24 away from home in the 2006 Challenge Cup
. South London Storm were crowned RLC National Champions after beating East Lancashire Lions
30-0 in the final at Broadstreet RUFC.
in a six figure deal. http://www.rugbyleagueconference.co.uk/news/story.php?news_id=175 Following United's merger with the larger The Co-operative Group
, the league was named the Co-operative Rugby League Conference for sponsorship purposes.
In 2007, Bradford Dudley Hill
withdrew from National League Three to return to the National Conference League
and St Albans Centurions
decided to join the RLC Premier South. Hemel Stags
were left as the only southern team and National League Three was absorbed into the Rugby League Conference as the Rugby League Conference National Division
with the addition of three teams from the Premier North Division: Leeds Akkies, Cottingham Phoenix and East Lancashire Lions. Cottingham Phoenix were subsequently expelled about half-way through the season for forfeiting three fixtures. The inaugural RLC National Division was won by Featherstone Lions who defeated Bramley Buffaloes in the final.
The promotion of three teams to the RLC National left the already depleted Premier North unviable and an artificial North Premier was created out of the North East and North regional divisions so that a league of this name could still exist.
The Midlands Premier Division gained Gloucestershire and Somerset in place of struggling Wolverhampton, who returned to the regionals. This season was a new South West division created for teams from the deep South West
. While this was rather artificially created it was necessary due to the unique circumstances of the region to reduce travelling costs for what are ultimately amateur clubs. There was also already local interest for more teams, but intervention was needed to make sure this was a full division.
For the first time in several years no London League teams were promoted, but Farnborough Falcons and London Griffins had intended to enter before receiving call-ups (to form the short lived South Division intended to replace the failed South East division) and still played a small number of fixtures in it. The Midlands Merit League produced new club South Humber Rabbitohs
and also helped provide Scunthorpe Barbarians
partly based on former MML club Scunthorpe Braves. Aberavon Fighting Irish rebranded as Neath Port Talbot Steelers
and South Norfolk Saints as Thetford Titans. Worksop Sharks relocated to Rossington, Doncaster controversially as Doncaster already had a team - Thorne Moor Marauders and this broke the one club, one town policy theoretically in place. Thorne Moor Marauders merged with BARLA club Moorends to become the Moorends & Thorne Marauders.
The Scottish affiliated division of 2006 became a full member division with all six teams admitted, though Glasgow never completed the season.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
Broadstairs Bulldogs failed to start the season and were replaced by London Griffins. Cottingham Phoenix, Gateshead Storm 'A', Ormskirk Heelers
, North Wales Coasters and Glasgow Bulls all failed to complete the season, which while less than in the previous two seasons was still far from ideal, especially in the North West and Cheshire divisions which were both left with just four teams.
The Premier division was won by St Albans Centurions
who defeated Coventry Bears
in the final. The Regional division was won by Widnes Saints
who defeated Bedford Tigers
in the final.
to the National Division. Also notably for the first time no RLC National clubs ran a reserve team in the RLC, in fact Hemel were the only club to run one at all, in the London League.
There were multiple rebrandings: Crewe Wolves became Lymm Wolves, Winnington Park became Northwich Stags, the returning North Wales Coasters became Rhyl Coasters
, Kingston Warriors became Elmbridge and Gosport & Fareham Vikings became Portsmouth Navy Seahawks
.
The Midlands Merit League, renamed RL Merit League this season, produced East Riding and Sheffield Forgers for the Conference but South Humber Rabbitohs
stepped back down. The London League provided Northampton Casuals
and Hainault Bulldogs
but regained London Griffins
and Farnborough Falcons with the scrapping of the unviable South Division. 2008 also the saw the creation of the
Women's Rugby League Conference
.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
Glasgow Bulls, Manchester Jets and Macclesfield Titans all failed to start the season, with Kent Ravens
having their fixtures stopped after one game, joined the London League. Established club Durham Tigers failed to complete the season in the North East division. Also while they withdrew before the fixtures were finalised Copeland Athletic were expected to play in the North West division.
and the Yorkshire Premier
though the bulk of its membership joined the newly reformed North East Division. The heartland winter league the National Conference League
launched a series of Summer Divisions in 2009 similar to the Conference.
The National Division lost Celtic Crusaders Colts to the Super League Reserve Grade but regained Carlisle Centurions from the North Premier Division and gained Nottingham Outlaws from the Midlands Premier Division
West Wales Sharks relocated and became Dinefwr Sharks. Thetford Titans moved to Bury St Edmunds and became Bury Titans. The North East saw established club Durham Tigers
fail to return, but saw the return of rugby league to Winlaton in the name of Winlanton Warriors (Winlaton had previously not only had its own team in 2005 but had also hosted Gateshead Storm and Whitley Bay Barbarians). Victoria Knights were formed from the ashes of Paisley Hurricanes though could barely raise a team.
Nottingham Outlaws A, Moorends-Thorne Marauders A and Wigan Riversiders joined the Rugby League Conference from the RL Merit League. The Midlands Rugby League
was formed out of the RL Merit League giving the Conference a new feeder competition with the RL Merit League being split into North West and Yorkshire divisions. Norwich City Saxons
, Hainault Bulldogs
'A', Kent Ravens
, Farnborough Falcons and Southampton Spitfires
all moved up from the London ARL
, this influx of new teams allowing the re-separation of the two Regional divisions in the South East (East and London & South).
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
Bridlington Bulls failed to start the season in the Yorkshire Premier division. Guildford Giants replaced Farnborough Falcons in the London & South division. Kent Ravens failed to complete the season in the London & South division. Moorends & Thorne Marauders 'A' failed to start the season in the North Midlands Division and were replaced by Parkside Hawks. Redditch Ravens failed to complete the season in the Midlands Premier Division and entered the Midlands Merit League. Telford Raiders also failed to complete the season in the Midlands Premier Division. However, their results stood. Cambridge Eagles and Hainault Bulldogs 'A' failed to complete the season in the Eastern Division. Plymouth Titans failed to complete the season in the South West division, but the results stood. Hartlepool failed to complete the season in the North East but the results stood.
These new divisions saw many teams step up from the merit leagues: Coventry Bears A, Birmingham Bulldogs A, North East Worcestershire Ravens (formerly Redditch Ravens) and Leamington Royals either joined or rejoined from the Midlands Rugby League; Chester Gladiators, Crewe & Nantwich Steamers, Wigan Riversiders Eels, Mancunians RL, Victoria Rangers and Barnsley Broncos (formerly called Barnsley) stepped up from the RL Merit League and Hammersmith Hills Hoists, St Albans Centurions A, South London Storm A and Sussex Merlins moved up from the London League. The National Conference League failed to repeat its summer experiment leading three clubs: East Leeds, Milford Marlins and Shaw Cross Sharks to join the Rugby League Conference.
2010 also saw an expansion of the Merit Leagues as the rump RL Merit League split into the Yorkshire & Humber Merit League
and the North West Merit League
. A plan to form a North Wales League failed, but a five team 9s
tournament was played.
Gateshead Storm and Newcastle Knights merged to form Newcastle Storm, Ipswich Rhinos and Colchester Romans merged to form Eastern Rhinos. Leicester Phoenix became Leicester Storm. Northampton Casuals became Northampton Demons.
This season had a much higher rate of teams dropping out or forfeiting games than usual with for example the North West Premier division losing three out of five initial teams and the Welsh Regional Division having four out of the original seven teams fail to play a game.
The inaugural Rugby League Conference Regional Championships took place at Derby's Haslams Lane ground, with six representative teams representing different English regions. The event was won by the Midlands.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
Carlisle Centurions withdrew from the National Division mid-season and their results were expunged, Liverpool Buccaneers withdrew from the National Division and their results stood.
Jordanhill Phoenix and Kirkcaldy failed to start the season in the Scottish division, Forth & Clyde Nomads were brought in as replacements.
Runcorn and Widnes Saints withdrew from the North West Premier Division pre-season to be replaced by Widnes West Bank and Wirral Warriors. New Broughton Rangers folded midseason in the North West Premier Division.
Haworth Park failed to complete the season in the Yorkshire Premier Division but their results stood.
Bradford Salem withdrew from the Yorkshire Regional Division to be replaced by Shaw Cross Sharks. Wetherby Bulldogs and Scunthorpe Barbarians failed to complete the season in the Yorkshire Regional division but their results stood.
Derby City withdrew mid-season from the Midlands Premier but their results stood. North East Worcestershire Ravens failed to complete the season in the Midlands Regional division but the results stood.
Blackwood Bulldogs failed to complete the season in the Welsh Premier division. Amman Valley Rhinos, Dinefwr Sharks, Wildboars (St Clears) and Swansea-Llanelli Dragons were all excluded from the Welsh Regional division after not fulfilling any fixtures and replaced by Dyffryn Devils.
St Albans Centurions A withdrew from the East Regional division but their fixtures stood.
but failed to start the season.
2011 also saw more new divisions with Scotland and North East gaining a Premier Division and a new Regional Division being formed in the West of England with clubs from various divisions to reduce the travel burden. The Midlands Premier and Regional Divisions merged with a split season format. Yorkshire replaced its Premier and Regional Divisions with two geographically split divisions (west and east) that would have premier and regional division playoffs.
The only clubs moving up from feeder leagues were Northampton Demons A and Bristol Sonics A from the Midlands Rugby League
and East Lancashire Vikings from the North West Merit League
. A new feeder league was created the Eastern Merit League which split off from the London League. The Yorkshire & Humber Merit League
split into a North division and a Midlands division.
The plans for 2012 saw a several winter sides switching to summer with Cadishead Rhinos, Chorley Panthers and Rochdale Cobras joining the North West Regional division; Walton Warriors, Knottingley Rockware Stolze and Cutsyke Raiders in the Yorkshire East division and Doncaster Toll Bar, Guiseley Rangers and Lindley Swifts in the Yorkshire West (which also gained new side Prospect Pirates). There were also numerous BARLA clubs entering teams in the North West Merit League.
Northallerton Stallions moved to Catterick
and became North Yorkshire Stallions. Newcastle Storm became Gateshead Storm
. Newport Titans became Titans with a relocation to Machen.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
Gateshead Lightning failed to start the season in the National Division. Guiseley Rangers and East Leeds failed to start the season in the Yorkshire Premier (West). Doncaster Toll Bar failed to complete the season in the Yorkshire Premier Division (West) and their results stood. Moray Eels failed to start the season in the Scottish Premier division Falkirk failed to start the season in the Scottish 1st Division. Ayr Knights failed to complete the season in the Scottish 1st Division and their results stood. South Somerset Warriors failed to complete the season in the South West Division. CPC Bears failed to complete the season in the Welsh Premier and their results stood. Blackwood Bulldogs failed to start the season in the South Wales Championship. Hainault Bulldogs failed to complete the season in the Premier South division and had London Skolars A take over their fixtures midseason. Birmingham Bulldogs A failed to complete the season in the Midlands Division (East). Mancunians, Widnes West Bank and East Lancashire Vikings failed to complete the season in the North West Premier division and their results stood. Crewe & Nantwich Steamers failed to complete the season in the North West Regional division and their results stood. Norwich City Knights and Northampton Demons A failed to complete the season in the East division and their resutls stood
that switched from winter). These plans were later amended to have three National Conference League divisions staying as they were underpinned by a separate division 3 based on the Rugby League Conference National division, at least for 2012.
Tier 4 will consist of a series of regional leagues where Rugby League Conference clubs will be joined by some BARLA clubs switching to summer. It is not yet clarified where the Scottish and Welsh leagues will fit into the new pyramid structure. These regional leagues will include the Yorkshire Men's League
, North West Men's League
and Midlands Rugby League
and cover the length and breadth of the country.
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...
(RLC), also known as the Co-operative Rugby League Conference as a result of sponsorship from The Co-operative Group
The Co-operative Group
The Co-operative Group Ltd. is a United Kingdom consumer cooperative with a diverse range of business interests. It is co-operatively run and owned by its members. It is the largest organisation of this type in the world, with over 5.5 million members, who all have a say in how the business is...
, was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league
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...
teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
It was founded in 1997 as the Southern Conference League.
Background
In 1895, several clubs in the North of England broke away from the Rugby Football UnionRugby Football Union
The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886...
(RFU), the governing body of rugby football
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
in England, over the issue of player expenses.
This led to the great schism which resulted in rugby becoming two separate sports: rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
administered by the RFU and rugby league
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...
administered by the Rugby Football League
Rugby Football League
The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...
as the two games evolved different sets of rules.
Although rugby league spread overseas, sanctions by the RFU made it more difficult for the sport to expand beyond its "heartlands" in the traditional counties of Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
and Cumberland
Cumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
.
Earlier non-heartland competitions
Prior to the Rugby League Conference, there were several non-heartland leagues throughout England run by the British Amateur Rugby League AssociationBritish Amateur Rugby League Association
The British Amateur Rugby League Association is the governing body for social and recreational rugby league in the United Kingdom...
(BARLA); the most recent ones being the London Amateur Rugby League
London League (rugby league)
The London, South and East Merit League is a rugby league competition founded in 1965. It is also known as the London League , London & South East Merit League, London Amateur Rugby League and London Merit League ....
, the Midlands and South West Amateur Rugby League Association (MASWARLA), the East Midlands Amateur Rugby League Association (EMARLA), the Eastern Counties Amateur Rugby League and the North Eastern Amateur Rugby League Association (NEARLA).
The Eastern Counties and the MASWARLA competitions folded in 1995 (as did the Welsh Amateur League of the time) The few remaining teams were absorbed by the London ARL and the EMARLA. The London League initially regionalised its division 2 to cope with the increased travel pressures this caused, but they were unable to keep up numbers for this. While their leagues at the time survived (albeit at a low level) teams in the North East of England
North East England
North East England is one of the nine official regions of England. It covers Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Teesside . The only cities in the region are Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland...
and the East Midlands
East Midlands
The East Midlands is one of the regions of England, consisting of most of the eastern half of the traditional region of the Midlands. It encompasses the combined area of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and most of Lincolnshire...
were looking at playing in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
-based heartland leagues. However teams in the South of England had no such option, 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...
were even rejected from BARLA's National Conference League
National Conference League
The National Conference League is the top league in the pyramid of amateur rugby leagues run by the British Amateur Rugby League Association...
for the 1996-97 season.
A further major factor leading to the creation of the Southern Conference League was the fact that the professional clubs had switched to a summer season the previous year and thus interest in the sport in the winter was decreased. The abandonment of amateurism by the rival sport of rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
in 1995 meant that it was now possible for rugby union players to play rugby league during their off-season without risking a ban from rugby union whilst adding an element of competition for players in the winter. This gave non-heartland clubs a larger player pool but only if they switched to summer.
1997
The Southern Conference League began as a 10-team pilot league in 1997. The teams selected were not necessarily those with the highest playing standard, as off-field factors were initially considered very important. Furthermore teams were selected to represent medium to large-sized towns and thus some clubs were considered undesirable, either due to being pub teams or due to being in small towns based too near a large town with a club (the latter being one of the reasons St Ives RoostersSt Ives Roosters
St Ives Roosters are a rugby league club from St Ives in Cambridgeshire. They were founded in 1991 as one of the first rugby league clubs in East Anglia. Currently they play in the Rugby League Conference East Division.-History:...
were outside the league until 2003).
The initial line-up was as follows:
- Central Division: Birmingham, Leicester Phoenix, Oxford Cavaliers, Reading Raiders, Worcester Royals
- Eastern Division: Bedford Swifts, Ipswich Rhinos, Kingston, North London Skolars, West London
Birmingham and Leicester Phoenix had been playing in the EMARLA (the former since the demise of the MASWARLA).
Among the newly formed clubs were Bedford Swifts, the first ever cross-code club (i.e. playing both rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
and rugby league
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...
), West London
West London Sharks
West London Sharks RLFC is a rugby league team based in Chiswick, Hounslow, Middlesex. West London Sharks are now playing out of Chiswick RFU, Dukes Medow in Chiswick. They compete in the South Premier Division of the Rugby League Conference...
(formed from a merger of two of the more successful London ARL teams Brent-Ealing and London Colonials), Oxford Cavaliers and Worcester Royals (though the latter 2 had played friendlies the preceding summer). The other clubs joined from the London ARL including 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...
who were based on the student old boys network.
However, before the season started Reading Raiders announced that they would remain in the London ARL, the tenth place being offered to fellow London ARL club Cambridge Eagles
Cambridge Eagles
Cambridge Eagles Rugby League Club are a rugby league team representing the city of Cambridge, England. The club compete in the East Division of the Rugby League Conference....
, a club that missed out at the first stage of applications. As a result of Cambridge Eagles being more geographically suited to the Eastern Division, Bedford Swifts were switched to the Central Division.
Kingston were to resign from the league after only playing one game, but besides this and a forfeited semi-final this pilot season was generally successful, resulting in an increase of RFL funding to allow further expansion. 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...
were the winners of the first and only Southern Conference defeating Leicester Phoenix in the final.
The Scottish Conference
Rugby League Conference Scotland Division
The Rugby League Conference Scotland Division, also known as the Scottish conference, is the Scottish domestic league for the sport of rugby league. It also forms a division of the Rugby League Conference competition which covers all of Great Britain...
was also founded in 1997 with five teams and had its first season. However, it would remain outside the Rugby League Conference structure until 2006.
1998
The newly renamed Rugby League Conference was founded in 1998 with 14 teams (initially planned to be 15, but the proposed Northampton club failed to materialise) with several new clubs resulting in a reorganisation of the divisional line-ups to three divisions (West, East and South). Of these new clubs St Albans CenturionsSt Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions is a rugby league club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire.Founded in 1996, they first played in various local leagues and the Rugby League Conference, and then, from 2003 to 2006, in National League 3. From 2007 to date, they play in the Rugby League Conference South Premier...
had previously been playing in the London ARL and Cheltenham had had two clubs in the MASWARLA when that existed. Another new twist was the addition of the monikers of Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
clubs by many clubs, with Worcester becoming the Saints, Birmingham
Birmingham Bulldogs
Birmingham RLFC are a rugby league team based in Birmingham. They play in the Midlands Premier division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:Birmingham Bulldogs were founded in 1989...
the Bulls and West London the Sharks; some Super League clubs also gave support to the new clubs.
North London Skolars joined the National Conference League
National Conference League
The National Conference League is the top league in the pyramid of amateur rugby leagues run by the British Amateur Rugby League Association...
after the first season, while retaining a team in the Rugby League Conference.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
- Western Division: Birmingham Bulls, Cheltenham Warriors, Chester Wolves, Leicester Phoenix, Worcester Saints
- Eastern Division: Bedford Swifts, Cambridge Eagles, Ipswich Rhinos, Northampton (failed to start season), South Norfolk Saints
- Southern Division: Crawley Jets, North London Skolars, Oxford Cavaliers, St Albans Centurions, West London Sharks
In an all new team final Crawley Jets beat South Norfolk Saints at the Prince of Wales Stadium in Cheltenham.
1999
The 1999 season saw further expansion to 20 teams, resulting in another change in the divisional system. Initially only 15 clubs were to be funded by the RFL and Hemel StagsHemel Stags
Hemel Stags are a rugby league team based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire playing in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference.The club has played in a number of leagues over the years, from the London League, MASWARLA, National Conference League and the Alliance League...
were admitted to the East division to fill the gap originally intended for Northampton the previous season after their Northern Ford Premiership application was rejected and the Alliance (reserve grade) was scrapped. However, a change of decision and the collapse of the EMARLA saw this changed. Derby City were welcomed as the final champions of the EMARLA and the other 4 new sides were formed from the ashes of defunct winter clubs. Worcester Saints became Worcestershire Saints after moving to Redditch in the first relocation. For the first time all starting teams finished the season.
Team line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
- Northern Division: Chester Wolves, Crewe Wolves, Derby City, Manchester Knights, Nottingham Outlaws
- Western Division: Birmingham Bulls, Cheltenham Warriors, Leicester Phoenix, Worcestershire Saints, Wolverhampton Wizards
- Eastern Division: Bedford Swifts, Cambridge Eagles, Hemel Stags, Ipswich Rhinos, South Norfolk Saints
- Southern Division: Crawley Jets, North London Skolars, Oxford Cavaliers, St Albans Centurions, West London Sharks
The title was won by Chester Wolves who defeated Crawley Jets in the final.
2000
This season saw a relatively modest further expansion to 24 teams, including the return of founder members Kingston. Leicester Phoenix’s Chairman Julian Harrison was appointed the new Conference Administrator. This also coincided with the demise of the London ARL as a winter British Amateur Rugby League AssociationBritish Amateur Rugby League Association
The British Amateur Rugby League Association is the governing body for social and recreational rugby league in the United Kingdom...
league but saw it reform as a summer based merit league with a combination of reserve teams and new clubs (though South London Storm and Kingston Warriors joined the Rugby League Conference). In a second relocation Cheltenham Warriors moved to Gloucester and became Gloucestershire Warriors. Another rebranding was had by Birmingham Bulls, who became Birmingham Bulldogs to avoid a legal challenge by the Birmingham Bulls
Birmingham Bulls
The Birmingham Bulls were a professional ice hockey team based in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. They played in the World Hockey Association from 1976 to 1979 and the Central Hockey League from 1979 to 1981. The Bulls played their home games at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center.Prior to being...
American football team.
This season also saw a test of summer rugby league in the North East of England, with a Northern Rugby League Summer Conference with teams from various BARLA leagues won by Teesside Steelers, also featuring Gateshead Panthers, Bridlington Bulls, West Craven Warriors and Wetherby Bulldogs.
Team line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
- Northern Division: Chester Wolves, Crewe Wolves, Derby City, Manchester Knights, Nottingham Outlaws, Rotherham Giants
- Western Division: Birmingham Bulldogs, Coventry Bears, Gloucestershire Warriors, Leicester Phoenix, Wolverhampton Wizards, Worcestershire Saints
- Eastern Division: Bedford Swifts, Cambridge Eagles, Hemel Stags, Ipswich Rhinos, South Norfolk Saints, St Albans Centurions
- Southern Division: Crawley Jets, Kingston Warriors, North London Skolars, Oxford Cavaliers, South London Storm, West London Sharks
The league was won by Crawley Jets who defeated 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...
in the final.
2001
The Conference expanded into WalesWales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
for the first time in 2001 when Cardiff Demons
Cardiff Demons
Cardiff Demons RLFC are a rugby league side who play out of St. Albans RFC in the east of Cardiff, Wales. They play in the Welsh Premier of the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
, who had formerly ran a young team in the Academy competition, joined the league. Along with the new North East Division
Rugby League Conference North East Division
The Rugby League Conference North East Division is a division in the Rugby League Conference, an amateur rugby league competition with sides from across Britain...
this left the Rugby League Conference with 30 teams in the 2001 season.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
- North East Division: Bridlington Bulls, Gateshead Panthers, Newcastle Knights, Sunderland City, Teesside Steelers
- Northern Division: Chester Wolves, Crewe Wolves, Derby City, Manchester Knights, Rotherham Giants
- Midlands Division: Birmingham Bulldogs, Coventry Bears, Leicester Phoenix, Nottingham Outlaws, Wolverhampton Wizards
- South Central Division: Cardiff Demons, Gloucestershire Warriors, Hemel Stags, Oxford Cavaliers, Worcestershire Saints
- Eastern Division: Bedford Swifts, Cambridge Eagles, Ipswich Rhinos, South Norfolk Saints, St Albans Centurions
- London & South Division: Crawley Jets, Kingston Warriors, North London Skolars, South London Storm, West London Sharks
However, Gateshead Panthers merged into Newcastle Knights before the season started leaving a gap in the North East Division which was filled by Durham Phoenix, who after this one season returned to their former name of Durham Tigers
Durham Tigers
Durham Tigers are a rugby league club based in Sunnydale Leisure Centre, Shildon, County Durham in the North East of England. They originally played in the city of Durham...
.
Teesside beat Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1998. They have a proud history pioneering rugby league in the Midlands, their major honours include winning the National League 3 title in 2004 and the Rugby League Conference in 2002...
by a narrow margin in the grand final at Webb Ellis Road, Rugby.
2002
The competition for the first time remained at the same number of teams in the 2002 season, the only change being the addition of Luton Vipers from the London League to replace South Norfolk Saints who took a year out into that same competition. Plans to expand to ScotlandScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
with a Glasgow team in 2002 on the Cardiff model failed to materialise, and the Conference had to wait until 2007 to have Scottish full members for the first time. Another plan to expand to 32 teams with the addition of teams based in Bolton and Telford also fell through with Telford withdrawing their application.
This season saw a controversial format change, with two sets of three second round groups, both for the top three teams in each group but also for the bottom teams. These provided four extra fixtures, giving 14 guaranteed games, but the extra fixtures were poorly scheduled, seeing Manchester Knights eliminated despite winning all four extra games. This format was ditched after this season, though the idea of tiered competition was to return with the advent of premier divisions.
Team line-ups as follows (new club in italics):
- North East Division: Bridlington Bulls, Durham Tigers, Newcastle Knights, Sunderland City, Teesside Steelers
- Northern Division: Chester Wolves, Crewe Wolves, Derby City, Manchester Knights, Rotherham Giants
- Midlands Division: Birmingham Bulldogs, Coventry Bears, Leicester Phoenix, Nottingham Outlaws, Wolverhampton Wizards
- South Central Division: Cardiff Demons, Gloucestershire Warriors, Hemel Stags, Oxford Cavaliers, Worcestershire Saints
- Eastern Division: Bedford Swifts, Cambridge Eagles, Ipswich Rhinos, Luton Vipers, St Albans Centurions
- London & South Division: Crawley Jets, Kingston Warriors, North London Skolars, South London Storm, West London Sharks
In 2002 London Skolars were accepted into National League Two, from the following season the first club in over fifty years to make the transition from the amateur ranks to the professional leagues (the previous club to do so being Cardiff who unsuccessfully had stepped up from the Welsh League in 1951) and the first to step up successfully from a non-league competition since Castleford's elevation from the Yorkshire Senior League in 1926 (from which league Featherstone Rovers had also successfully stepped up a few years previously), though this league was theoretically semi-professional.
In September, last year's losing finalist Coventry Bears beat Hemel Stags
Hemel Stags
Hemel Stags are a rugby league team based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire playing in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference.The club has played in a number of leagues over the years, from the London League, MASWARLA, National Conference League and the Alliance League...
in the grand final held at Cheltenham.
2003
Hemel StagsHemel Stags
Hemel Stags are a rugby league team based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire playing in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference.The club has played in a number of leagues over the years, from the London League, MASWARLA, National Conference League and the Alliance League...
, St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions is a rugby league club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire.Founded in 1996, they first played in various local leagues and the Rugby League Conference, and then, from 2003 to 2006, in National League 3. From 2007 to date, they play in the Rugby League Conference South Premier...
, Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1998. They have a proud history pioneering rugby league in the Midlands, their major honours include winning the National League 3 title in 2004 and the Rugby League Conference in 2002...
, Manchester Knights, South London Storm
South London Storm Rugby League Club
See also South London Storm - Season 2009.South London Storm is a rugby league club who play and train at Archbishop Lanfranc School in the London Borough of Merton, they currently compete in the Rugby League Conference South Premier division of the Rugby League Conference...
(their position initially given to Crawley Jets, who later turned it down) and Teesside Steelers joined the newly formed National League Three
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 2003, where they were joined by BARLA clubs Warrington Woolston Rovers, Bradford Dudley Hill
Bradford Dudley Hill
Bradford Dudley Hill Rugby League Club is an English rugby league team based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, now playing in the National Conference League.-History:...
, Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks
Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks
Hillsborough Hawks RLFC is a rugby league club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. The Open Age team plays winter rugby in the Pennine League...
and Huddersfield Underbank Rangers
Huddersfield Underbank Rangers
Huddersfield Underbank Rangers are a rugby league team based in Holmfirth near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference. The club also competes as Underbank Rangers in division 4 of the Pennine League. They also have an Underbank Rangers A...
. The inaugural winners were Warrington Woolston Rovers who defeated surprise finalists Teesside Steelers in the final.
The conference made the leap from 30 to 52 teams with the main growth areas being Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and the North West of England
North West England
North West England, informally known as The North West, is one of the nine official regions of England.North West England had a 2006 estimated population of 6,853,201 the third most populated region after London and the South East...
, both of which gained their own division for the first time, but also in the South East
South East England
South East England is one of the nine official regions of England, designated in 1994 and adopted for statistical purposes in 1999. It consists of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex...
with the addition of no fewer than 5 teams from the London League (North London Skolars 'A', South London Storm 'A', Greenwich Admirals
Greenwich Admirals
Greenwich Admirals are a rugby league team based in Greenwich, London. They play in the South Premier of the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
, St Ives Roosters
St Ives Roosters
St Ives Roosters are a rugby league club from St Ives in Cambridgeshire. They were founded in 1991 as one of the first rugby league clubs in East Anglia. Currently they play in the Rugby League Conference East Division.-History:...
and the returning South Norfolk Saints). Also for the first time two teams further southwest than Gloucester participated: the Bristol Sonics
Bristol Sonics
Bristol Sonics are a rugby league club based in Bristol in the South West of England.The Sonics play in the Midlands Premier division of the Rugby League Conference. Bristol Sonics A play in the RLC West of England.- 2002-2004: Early Days :...
and Somerset Vikings
Somerset Vikings
Somerset Vikings RLFC are a rugby league team from the county of Somerset in England. They play in the South West Division of the Rugby League Conference.The team play at North Petherton rugby club...
.
This rapid expansion was in part possible due to the lowering of the strict minimum criteria which were considered less necessary due to National League Three allowing a higher standard of play for the teams more suited to it. However, despite this, the only team to fail to complete the season was founder member Bedford Swifts. More controversial at the time was the inclusion in a development competition of Leeds Akademiks
Leeds Akkies
Leeds Akkies are a rugby league team based in The Old Modernians Sports Club, Cookridge Lane, Leeds, LS16 7ND, West Yorkshire. They play in the Yorkshire Regional division of the Rugby League Conference, their A side plays in the Yorkshire & Humber Merit League.-History:Leeds Akademiks were founded...
, a team based on the student old boys model very successfully used by the North London Skolars, in the largely rugby league free northern part of Leeds, but still nonetheless in a city known for rugby league. This was to pave the way for a huge influx of truly heartland teams the following season, drastically changing the face of the competition.
Team line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
- North East Division: Bridlington Bulls, Durham Tigers, Gateshead Storm, Leeds Akademiks, Newcastle Knights, Sunderland City, Whitley Bay Barbarians, Yorkshire Coast Tigers
- North West Division: Bolton Le Moors, Blackpool Sea Eagles, Carlisle Centurions, Chester Wolves, Lancaster, Liverpool Buccaneers
- North Midlands Division: Crewe Wolves, Derby City, Mansfield Storm, Nottingham Outlaws, Rotherham Giants, Worksop Sharks
- Midlands Division: Bedford Swifts, Birmingham Bulldogs, Coventry Bears 'A' , Leicester Phoenix, Telford Raiders, Wolverhampton Wizards
- South West Division: Bristol Sonics, Cardiff Demons, Gloucestershire Warriors, Oxford Cavaliers, Somerset Vikings, Worcestershire Saints
- Welsh Division: Aberavon Fighting Irish, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cynon Valley Cougars, Rumney Rhinos, Swansea Bulls, Torfaen Tigers
- Eastern Division: Cambridge Eagles, Essex Eels, Ipswich Rhinos, Luton Vipers, South Norfolk Saints, St Ives Roosters
- London & South Division: Crawley Jets, Gosport & Fareham Vikings, Greenwich Admirals, Hemel Stags 'A', Kingston Warriors, North London Skolars 'A', South London Storm 'A', West London Sharks
Bedford Swifts failed to complete the season.
Bridgend Blue Bulls
Bridgend Blue Bulls
Bridgend Blue Bulls RLFC are a rugby league side based in Porthcawl, Wales. They play in the Welsh Premier of the Rugby League Conference. They are the most successful amateur rugby league team in Wales, having won the Welsh Premier a record five times, as well as winning the Harry Jepson Trophy...
won the 2003 title defeating Carlisle Centurions
Carlisle Centurions
East Cumbria Crusaders is a rugby league club based in Carlisle, Cumbria. They play in the North East Division of the Rugby League Conference. Their home ground is Creighton RUFC....
in the final.
2004
The 2004 season saw Birmingham BulldogsBirmingham Bulldogs
Birmingham RLFC are a rugby league team based in Birmingham. They play in the Midlands Premier division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:Birmingham Bulldogs were founded in 1989...
, Carlisle Centurions
Carlisle Centurions
East Cumbria Crusaders is a rugby league club based in Carlisle, Cumbria. They play in the North East Division of the Rugby League Conference. Their home ground is Creighton RUFC....
, Gateshead Storm
Gateshead Storm
Newcastle Storm are an amateur rugby league club in the North East of England. They play in the North East Premier of the Rugby League Conference.-Newcastle Knights:...
(late replacements after Teesside Steelers surprisingly announced they were folding after being runners-up the previous season) and Essex Eels leave the Conference to join National League Three, which also gained the reformed Bramley Buffaloes. National league three was won by expansion club Coventry Bears, whose team featured professional rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
players from Coventry RFC and Australian semi-pros including NRL reserve graders. They defeated Warrington Woolston Rovers 48-24 at Widnes's Halton Stadium
Halton Stadium
The Stobart Stadium Halton is a rugby league stadium in Widnes, England. The Widnes Vikings play their home games there as do Everton Reserves...
, the first time the NL3 final had been held on the same bill as the other National League finals.
This season saw major expansion in the heartlands resulting in new Yorkshire and Cumbria divisions. The decision to include them has been much criticised, especially since many (though by no means all) are uncommitted to summer rugby league, seeing British Amateur Rugby League Association
British Amateur Rugby League Association
The British Amateur Rugby League Association is the governing body for social and recreational rugby league in the United Kingdom...
as their priority. However, only through the inclusion of heartland teams was it possible to create some of the premier divisions the following season, and a few of the heartland clubs were needed by National League Three over the years to keep it going when teams resigned from it. Furthermore allowing heartland teams in meant all National League Three teams could run a reserve team in the summer if they so chose
Unlike the previous season only one team (St Albans Centurions 'A') was admitted from the London ARL.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
- North East Division: Durham Tigers, Jarrow Vikings, Newcastle Knights, Peterlee Pumas, Sunderland City, Whitley Bay Barbarians, Yorkshire Coast Tigers
- Yorkshire Division: Bradford Dudley Hill 'A', Bridlington Bulls, , Huddersfield Underbank Rangers 'A', Hull Phoenix, Leeds Akademiks, South Wakefield Sharks, Thorne Moor Marauders, Wetherby Bulldogs
- Cumbrian Division: Barrow Shipbuilders, Carlisle Centurions 'A', Copeland Athletic, Penrith Pumas, West Cumbria Crusaders
- North West Division: Bolton Le Moors, Blackpool Sea Eagles, Chester Wolves, Crewe Wolves, Lancaster, Liverpool Buccaneers, North Wales Coasters, Widnes Saints
- North Midlands Division: Derby City, Mansfield Storm, Nottingham Outlaws, Rotherham Giants, Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks 'A' , Worksop Sharks
- South Midlands Division: Birmingham Bulldogs 'A', Coventry Bears 'A', Leicester Phoenix, Rugby Raiders, St Albans Centurions 'A' , Wolverhampton Wizards
- Western Division: Bristol Sonics, Gloucestershire Warriors, Oxford Cavaliers, Somerset Vikings, Telford Raiders, Worcestershire Saints
- Welsh Division: Aberavon Fighting Irish, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cardiff Demons, Swansea Valley Miners, Torfaen Tigers, Newport Titans, Valley Cougars
- Eastern Division: Cambridge Eagles, Hemel Stags 'A', Ipswich Rhinos, Luton Vipers, Middlesex Lions, North London Skolars ('A'), South Norfolk Saints, St Ives Roosters
- South Division: Crawley Jets, Gosport & Fareham Vikings, Greenwich Admirals, Kingston Warriors, South London Storm 'A', West London Sharks
The start of the season was marred by the withdrawal of twice former champions Crawley Jets, whose proposed replacements Reigate Crusaders never materialised. The only team to withdraw mid-season was Carlisle Centurions 'A', the last time this number was so few.
New team Widnes Saints
Widnes Saints
Widnes Saints are a rugby league team based in Widnes, Cheshire. They play in the North West Premier Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
defeated West London Sharks
West London Sharks
West London Sharks RLFC is a rugby league team based in Chiswick, Hounslow, Middlesex. West London Sharks are now playing out of Chiswick RFU, Dukes Medow in Chiswick. They compete in the South Premier Division of the Rugby League Conference...
in the final.
2005
In 2005 National League Three changed from a period of expansion to one of consolidation, with both Manchester Knights (who had failed to complete their last few games the previous season) and South London Storm both deciding to enter the new Premier Divisions, though in fact Manchester Knights would only last two games before folding, with their position taken over by former BARLA club Dewsbury CelticDewsbury Celtic
Dewsbury Celtic is a rugby league club in the town of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference and have a thriving junior section...
who saw summer as their future. In fact the National League Three season saw both Carlisle Centurions
Carlisle Centurions
East Cumbria Crusaders is a rugby league club based in Carlisle, Cumbria. They play in the North East Division of the Rugby League Conference. Their home ground is Creighton RUFC....
and Birmingham Bulldogs fail to complete the season (Birmingham took over their reserve teams' fixtures) showing that the expansionist bubble had seemingly burst with Bradford Dudley Hill
Bradford Dudley Hill
Bradford Dudley Hill Rugby League Club is an English rugby league team based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, now playing in the National Conference League.-History:...
defeating Bramley Buffaloes
Bramley Buffaloes
Bramley Buffaloes is a rugby league club from the Bramley area of West Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. Previously known simply as Bramley RLFC, the club is a famous name in rugby league, having existed prior to the formation of the Northern Union in 1895...
in an all-heartland final and both Coventry Bears and Essex Eels resigning at the end of the season.
The RLC Premier divisions were set up in 2005 to include the stronger teams in those areas who were able to travel further to play away games. The North and Central divisions were largely dominated by heartland teams that had been part of the influx the previous two seasons, the former of which incorporated all remaining Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
n division teams, while the Welsh Premier
Rugby League Conference Welsh Premier
The Rugby League Conference Wales is the higher of two Welsh domestic leagues for the sport of rugby league. It forms a Premier division of the Rugby League Conference competition which covers all of Great Britain.-History:...
Division was the same teams as the regional division en masse promoted in status for pragmatic reasons. The South Premier
Rugby League Conference South Premier
The Rugby League Conference South Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference. It is the highest level of amateur rugby league in the South of England...
offered the best hope for expanding rugby league into new areas.
New teams Redditch Ravens
Redditch Ravens
North East Worcestershire Ravens, also known as NEW Ravens, are a rugby league club based in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. They play in the Midlands Premier division of the Rugby League Conference and Midlands Rugby League.-History:...
and Scarborough Pirates
Scarborough Pirates
Scarborough Pirates RLFC were a rugby league club based in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England. They played their home games at Scarborough F.C.'s McCain Stadium.-History:...
were formed from the ashes of the Worcestershire Saints and Yorkshire Coast Tigers clubs respectively. Leeds Akademiks had to change their moniker to the Akkies due to a legal challenge from an American clothing brand named Akademik. The ever fruitful London League
London League (rugby league)
The London, South and East Merit League is a rugby league competition founded in 1965. It is also known as the London League , London & South East Merit League, London Amateur Rugby League and London Merit League ....
provided three more teams this year: Bedford Tigers
Bedford Tigers
Bedford Tigers RLFC is a rugby league club based in Bedford, England. The first team plays in the Rugby League Conference, with a second team in the London League.- History :...
(formed the previous year from the ashes of Bedford Swifts), Haringey Hornets (effectively London Skolars' third team) and Luton Vipers 'A'.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
- North Premier Division: Copeland Athletic, Jarrow Vikings, Penrith Pumas, Peterlee Pumas, Sunderland City, West Cumbria Crusaders,
- Central Premier Division: Bolton Le Moors, Hull Phoenix, Leeds Akkies, Manchester Knights, Nottingham Outlaws, Telford Raiders
- South Premier Division: Greenwich Admirals, Ipswich Rhinos, London Skolars 'A', Luton Vipers, South London Storm, West London Sharks
- Welsh Premier Division: Aberavon Fighting Irish, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cardiff Demons, Newport Titans, Swansea Valley Miners, Torfaen Tigers, Valley Cougars
- North East Division: Catterick Panthers, Durham Tigers, Newcastle Knights, Scarborough Pirates,, Whitley Bay Barbarians, Winlaton Vulcans
- Yorkshire Division: Bradford Dudley Hill 'A', Bramley Buffaloes 'A' ,Bridlington Bulls, Huddersfield Underbank Rangers 'A', Hull Phoenix 'A', Leeds Akkies 'A', South Wakefield Sharks, Wetherby Bulldogs
- North West Division: Blackpool Sea Eagles, Chester Wolves, Crewe Wolves, Lancaster, Liverpool Buccaneers, North Wales Coasters, Ormskirk Heelers, Runcorn Vikings, Warrington Wizards 'A', Widnes Saints
- North Midlands Division: Derby City, Lincoln City Knights, Mansfield Storm, Rotherham Giants, Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks 'A', Thorne Moor Marauders, Worksop Sharks
- West Midlands Division: Birmingham Bulldogs ('A'), Coventry Bears 'A', Leicester Phoenix, Redditch Ravens, Rugby Raiders, Wolverhampton Wizards
- South West Division: Bristol Sonics, Gloucestershire Warriors, Oxford Cavaliers, Plymouth, Somerset Vikings, Thames Valley
- Eastern Division: Bedford Tigers, Cambridge Eagles, Luton Vipers 'A' , South Norfolk Saints, St Albans Centurions 'A', St Ives Roosters
- London & South Division: Gosport & Fareham Vikings, Haringey Hornets, Hemel Stags 'A', Kingston Warriors, Middlesex Lions, South London Storm 'A'
It was felt that this season saw too many unstable teams admitted to make up the gaps left by teams joining the Premier Division. This was supported by the unprecedented number of midseason withdrawals, though a couple of these were more due to the increasing standards created by the influx of heartland teams. Aside from the aforementioned NL3 withdrawals and Manchester's replacement by Dewsbury Celtic in the Premier Division there were many Regional Division withdrawals. This started with the pre-season withdrawal of Lancaster (replaced by Rochdale Spotland Rangers), Chester Wolves (replaced by Wigan & Leigh Cavaliers), Rugby Raiders and Thames Valley. This continued with mid-season withdrawals of Oxford Cavaliers (who were to return), Luton Vipers 'A', Middlesex Lions, Gosport & Fareham Vikings and most surprisingly Rotherham Giants.
The Premier divisions saw Bridgend Blue Bulls
Bridgend Blue Bulls
Bridgend Blue Bulls RLFC are a rugby league side based in Porthcawl, Wales. They play in the Welsh Premier of the Rugby League Conference. They are the most successful amateur rugby league team in Wales, having won the Welsh Premier a record five times, as well as winning the Harry Jepson Trophy...
defeat Leeds Akkies
Leeds Akkies
Leeds Akkies are a rugby league team based in The Old Modernians Sports Club, Cookridge Lane, Leeds, LS16 7ND, West Yorkshire. They play in the Yorkshire Regional division of the Rugby League Conference, their A side plays in the Yorkshire & Humber Merit League.-History:Leeds Akademiks were founded...
in the final, while Wetherby Bulldogs defeated Gloucestershire Warriors
Gloucestershire Warriors
Gloucestershire Warriors RLFC are a rugby league team from the county of Gloucestershire in England. They play in the RLC West of England division of the Rugby League Conference and in 2006 made their debut in the Challenge Cup.-History:...
in the regional final.
2006
The 2006 season saw Coventry Bears and Essex Eels return to the RLC structure in the Midlands and Premier South Divisions respectively. Their NL3 places were taken by the promoted Dewsbury CelticDewsbury Celtic
Dewsbury Celtic is a rugby league club in the town of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference and have a thriving junior section...
and Featherstone Lions
Featherstone Lions
Featherstone Lions are an amateur rugby league club from Featherstone, West Yorkshire who play in the Rugby League Conference National Division and the CMS Yorkshire league Division 3. The under-18 team play in the Gilette National Youth League....
, who had recently resigned from the BARLA National Conference League
National Conference League
The National Conference League is the top league in the pyramid of amateur rugby leagues run by the British Amateur Rugby League Association...
. Though Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks
Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks
Hillsborough Hawks RLFC is a rugby league club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. The Open Age team plays winter rugby in the Pennine League...
soon resigned from NL3 leaving their reserves as their first team.
The Premier divisions saw a change in boundaries leaving the North Premier division covering a larger area to give the English Midlands
English Midlands
The Midlands, or the English Midlands, is the traditional name for the area comprising central England that broadly corresponds to the early medieval Kingdom of Mercia. It borders Southern England, Northern England, East Anglia and Wales. Its largest city is Birmingham, and it was an important...
clubs their own premier division without having to face heartland teams, though this left the West Midlands division with too few teams to run, forcing it into a merger with the South West division. The Welsh premier division was split into two divisions, though this decision was reversed for the following season.
The London League provided three more clubs in Broadstairs Bulldogs, Kent Ravens
Kent Ravens
The Kent Ravens are a defunct amateur rugby league club from Eltham in south-east London, founded in 2004. They play at Princes Park.The club has won 10 titles in the two seasons since its creation on June 12, 2004, including the women’s London league runners up, the under-11s overall London...
and Colchester Romans. Two further relocations were Bolton Le Moors moving to Darwen to become East Lancashire Lions
East Lancashire Lions
East Lancashire Lions is a rugby league club from Darwen in Lancashire. They currently play in the Rugby League Conference National Division. The Lions play their home games at the Anchor Ground, home of Darwen FC.-History:...
and Hull Phoenix moving to Cottingham. Furthermore London Skolars 'A' had a one season rebrand as Haringey Hornets, leaving the regional team of that name to become their reserves. The new Chester Wolves team were unconnected to the former team and in fact a summer team for Widnes based BARLA club West Bank Bears.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
- North Premier Division: Blackpool Sea Eagles, Cottingham Phoenix, East Lancashire Lions, Huddersfield Sharks, Leeds Akkies, West Cumbria Crusaders, Widnes Saints
- Midlands Premier Division: Birmingham Bulldogs, Coventry Bears, Derby City, Nottingham Outlaws, Leicester Phoenix, Telford Raiders, Wolverhampton Wizards
- South Premier Division: Essex Eels, Haringey Hornets, Ipswich Rhinos, Kingston Warriors, Luton Vipers, South London Storm, West London Sharks
- Welsh Premier Division (East): Blackwood Bulldogs, Cardiff Demons, Newport Titans, Torfaen Tigers, Valley Cougars
- Welsh Premier Division (West): Aberavon Fighting Irish, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Pembrokeshire Panthers, Swansea Valley Miners, West Wales Sharks
- North Division: Carlisle, Copeland Athletic, Jarrow Vikings, Peterlee Pumas, Sunderland Nissan
- North East Division: Catterick Panthers, Durham Tigers, Newcastle Knights, Whitley Bay Barbarians, Winlaton Vulcans
- Yorkshire Division: Bramley Buffaloes 'A', Bridlington Bulls, Huddersfield Underbank Rangers 'A', Leeds Akkies 'A', Ossett Trinity, Scarborough Pirates,
- Cheshire Division: Chester Wolves, Crewe Wolves, Liverpool Buccaneers, North Wales Coasters, Ormskirk Heelers, Runcorn Vikings, Warrington Wizards 'A', Winnington Park
- North Midlands & South Yorkshire Division: Lincoln City Knights, Mansfield Storm, Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks ('A'), Thorne Moor Marauders, Worksop Sharks
- West Midlands and South West Division: Bristol Sonics, Burntwood Barbarians, Coventry Bears 'A', Gloucestershire Warriors, Oxford Cavaliers, Plymouth, Redditch Ravens, Somerset Vikings
- Eastern Division: Bedford Tigers, Cambridge Eagles, Colchester Romans, Northampton, South Norfolk Saints, St Ives Roosters
- South East Division: Broadstairs Bulldogs, Greenwich Admirals, Haringey Hornets 'A', Hemel Stags 'A', Kent Ravens, St Albans Centurions 'A'
As with the previous season there were many drop-outs with Winlaton Vulcans (replaced by Gateshead Storm 'A'), Pembrokeshire Panthers and Northampton failing to make the starting gate and West Cumbria Crusaders, Huddersfield Sharks, Luton Vipers, Essex Eels, Catterick Panthers and Mansfield Storm subsequently resigned. Also while they withdrew before the fixtures were finalised South Wakefield Sharks were expected to play in the North Midlands & South Yorkshire division. Furthermore Haringey Hornets 'A' were allowed to remain in the competition despite scratching 7 out of their 10 fixtures. However, unlike the previous season the withdrawals were less to do with unsuitable teams being let into the regionals and more to do with regional division standard teams being forced into the premier divisions to make up the numbers there.
The 2006 Premier division saw South London defeat East Lancashire in the final, while Liverpool beat Thorne Moor in the regionals final.
In 2006 a new league was founded as a feeder league to the RLC in the Midlands and South Yorkshire. The Midlands RL Merit League (now known as RL Merit League) was based on the principles of the successful London League
London League (rugby league)
The London, South and East Merit League is a rugby league competition founded in 1965. It is also known as the London League , London & South East Merit League, London Amateur Rugby League and London Merit League ....
and consisted of new clubs who are not ready for the full commitment of the Conference season together with RLC clubs' 'A' teams.
The Rugby League Conference provided administrative and promotional support to the Scottish Conference
Rugby League Conference Scotland Division
The Rugby League Conference Scotland Division, also known as the Scottish conference, is the Scottish domestic league for the sport of rugby league. It also forms a division of the Rugby League Conference competition which covers all of Great Britain...
as a pilot scheme with a view to integrating the Scottish league as a full part of the Conference for the 2007 season. The six teams being Glasgow Bulls, Easterhouse Panthers
Easterhouse Panthers
Easterhouse Panthers are an amateur rugby league team based in Easterhouse in the East End of Glasgow. They play in the Scotland Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
, Paisley Hurricanes
Paisley Hurricanes
The Paisley Hurricanes are an amateur rugby league team. They play in the Scotland Division of the Rugby League Conference. The club is currently based at the in Paisley, home of Paisley Rugby Union Club....
, Edinburgh Eagles
Edinburgh Eagles
The Edinburgh Eagles are a semi-professional rugby league team based in Edinburgh, Scotland. They play in the Scotland Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
, Fife Lions
Fife Lions
Fife Lions ARLFC are a rugby league club located in the east of Scotland. They play in the Scotland Division of the Rugby League Conference.The Fife Lions in recent years have been one of the dominant teams in the SRLC...
and Moray Eels.
Gloucestershire Warriors
Gloucestershire Warriors
Gloucestershire Warriors RLFC are a rugby league team from the county of Gloucestershire in England. They play in the RLC West of England division of the Rugby League Conference and in 2006 made their debut in the Challenge Cup.-History:...
became the first Conference side to beat a 'traditional' amateur side when they beat Pennine League
Pennine League
The Pennine Amateur Rugby League, or Pennine League is a rugby league competition for amateur open-age clubs that runs from September to April. The clubs are drawn from West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and the east of Lancashire....
team Illingworth 25-24 away from home in the 2006 Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
. South London Storm were crowned RLC National Champions after beating East Lancashire Lions
East Lancashire Lions
East Lancashire Lions is a rugby league club from Darwen in Lancashire. They currently play in the Rugby League Conference National Division. The Lions play their home games at the Anchor Ground, home of Darwen FC.-History:...
30-0 in the final at Broadstreet RUFC.
2007
The 2007 season also saw a new sponsor for the league with Totalrlc being replaced by United Co-operativesUnited Co-operatives
United Co-operatives Limited, or simply United Co-op, was the largest regional consumer co-operative in the United Kingdom until its merger with The Co-operative Group in 2007. The Society operated across Yorkshire, the north west and north Midlands of England...
in a six figure deal. http://www.rugbyleagueconference.co.uk/news/story.php?news_id=175 Following United's merger with the larger The Co-operative Group
The Co-operative Group
The Co-operative Group Ltd. is a United Kingdom consumer cooperative with a diverse range of business interests. It is co-operatively run and owned by its members. It is the largest organisation of this type in the world, with over 5.5 million members, who all have a say in how the business is...
, the league was named the Co-operative Rugby League Conference for sponsorship purposes.
In 2007, Bradford Dudley Hill
Bradford Dudley Hill
Bradford Dudley Hill Rugby League Club is an English rugby league team based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, now playing in the National Conference League.-History:...
withdrew from National League Three to return to the National Conference League
National Conference League
The National Conference League is the top league in the pyramid of amateur rugby leagues run by the British Amateur Rugby League Association...
and St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions is a rugby league club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire.Founded in 1996, they first played in various local leagues and the Rugby League Conference, and then, from 2003 to 2006, in National League 3. From 2007 to date, they play in the Rugby League Conference South Premier...
decided to join the RLC Premier South. Hemel Stags
Hemel Stags
Hemel Stags are a rugby league team based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire playing in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference.The club has played in a number of leagues over the years, from the London League, MASWARLA, National Conference League and the Alliance League...
were left as the only southern team and National League Three was absorbed into the Rugby League Conference as the Rugby League Conference National Division
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:...
with the addition of three teams from the Premier North Division: Leeds Akkies, Cottingham Phoenix and East Lancashire Lions. Cottingham Phoenix were subsequently expelled about half-way through the season for forfeiting three fixtures. The inaugural RLC National Division was won by Featherstone Lions who defeated Bramley Buffaloes in the final.
The promotion of three teams to the RLC National left the already depleted Premier North unviable and an artificial North Premier was created out of the North East and North regional divisions so that a league of this name could still exist.
The Midlands Premier Division gained Gloucestershire and Somerset in place of struggling Wolverhampton, who returned to the regionals. This season was a new South West division created for teams from the deep South West
South West England
South West England is one of the regions of England defined by the Government of the United Kingdom for statistical and other purposes. It is the largest such region in area, covering and comprising Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. ...
. While this was rather artificially created it was necessary due to the unique circumstances of the region to reduce travelling costs for what are ultimately amateur clubs. There was also already local interest for more teams, but intervention was needed to make sure this was a full division.
For the first time in several years no London League teams were promoted, but Farnborough Falcons and London Griffins had intended to enter before receiving call-ups (to form the short lived South Division intended to replace the failed South East division) and still played a small number of fixtures in it. The Midlands Merit League produced new club South Humber Rabbitohs
South Humber Rabbitohs
South Humber Rabbitohs RLFC are a rugby league team from the county of Lincolnshire in England. They play in the Yorkshire & Humber Merit League.-History:...
and also helped provide Scunthorpe Barbarians
Scunthorpe Barbarians
Scunthorpe Barbarians are a rugby league team based in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. They play in the Yorkshire Regional Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:Scunthorpe Braves were formed in formed in 2006...
partly based on former MML club Scunthorpe Braves. Aberavon Fighting Irish rebranded as Neath Port Talbot Steelers
Neath Port Talbot Steelers
Neath Port Talbot Steelers are a rugby league team based in Port Talbot, West Glamorgan. They play in the Welsh Premier division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
and South Norfolk Saints as Thetford Titans. Worksop Sharks relocated to Rossington, Doncaster controversially as Doncaster already had a team - Thorne Moor Marauders and this broke the one club, one town policy theoretically in place. Thorne Moor Marauders merged with BARLA club Moorends to become the Moorends & Thorne Marauders.
The Scottish affiliated division of 2006 became a full member division with all six teams admitted, though Glasgow never completed the season.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
- National Division: Bramley Buffaloes, Cottingham Phoenix, Dewsbury Celtic, East Lancashire Lions, Featherstone Lions, Gateshead Storm, Hemel Stags, Huddersfield Underbank Rangers, Leeds Akkies, Warrington Wizards
- North Premier Division: Billingham Lions, Carlisle, Copeland Athletic, Durham Tigers, Gateshead Storm 'A', Jarrow Vikings, Newcastle Knights, Peterlee Pumas, Sunderland Nissan, Whitley Bay Barbarians
- Midlands Premier Division: Birmingham Bulldogs, Coventry Bears, Derby City, Gloucestershire Warriors, Leicester Phoenix, Nottingham Outlaws, Somerset Vikings, Telford Raiders
- South Premier Division: Ipswich Rhinos, Kent Ravens, Kingston Warriors, London Skolars 'A', South London Storm, St Albans Centurions, West London Sharks
- Welsh Premier Division: Blackwood Bulldogs, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cardiff Demons, Newport Titans, Neath Port Talbot Steelers, Torfaen Tigers, Valley Cougars, West Wales Sharks
- Yorkshire & Lincolnshire Division: Bridlington Bulls, Leeds Akkies 'A', Lincoln City Knights, Moorends & Thorne Marauders, Rossington Sharks, Scarborough Pirates, Scunthorpe Barbarians, South Humber Rabbitohs
- North West Division: Blackpool Sea Eagles, Liverpool Buccaneers, Ormskirk Heelers, Warrington Wizards 'A', Widnes Saints
- Cheshire Division: Crewe Wolves, Macclesfield Titans, North Wales Coasters, Runcorn, Winnington Park
- West Midlands Division: Bristol Sonics, Burntwood Barbarians, Coventry Bears 'A', Oxford Cavaliers, Redditch Ravens, Wolverhampton Wizards
- South West Division: Devon Sharks, East Devon Eagles, Exeter Centurions, Plymouth Titans, Somerset Vikings 'A'
- Eastern Division: Bedford Tigers, Cambridge Eagles, Colchester Romans, Greenwich Admirals, St Ives Roosters, Thetford Titans
- South Division: Broadstairs Bulldogs, Farnborough Falcons, Finchley, Gosport & Fareham Vikings
- Scottish Division: Easterhouse Panthers, Edinburgh Eagles, Fife Lions, Glasgow Bulls, Moray Eels, Paisley Hurricanes
Broadstairs Bulldogs failed to start the season and were replaced by London Griffins. Cottingham Phoenix, Gateshead Storm 'A', Ormskirk Heelers
Ormskirk Heelers
Ormskirk Heelers are an amateur rugby league club from Ormskirk in Lancashire. They play at Green Road , which is also the home of Ormskirk rugby union side. In 2006, Southport Storm merged with the Heelers, but there were no name changes on Ormskirks part...
, North Wales Coasters and Glasgow Bulls all failed to complete the season, which while less than in the previous two seasons was still far from ideal, especially in the North West and Cheshire divisions which were both left with just four teams.
The Premier division was won by St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions is a rugby league club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire.Founded in 1996, they first played in various local leagues and the Rugby League Conference, and then, from 2003 to 2006, in National League 3. From 2007 to date, they play in the Rugby League Conference South Premier...
who defeated Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1998. They have a proud history pioneering rugby league in the Midlands, their major honours include winning the National League 3 title in 2004 and the Rugby League Conference in 2002...
in the final. The Regional division was won by Widnes Saints
Widnes Saints
Widnes Saints are a rugby league team based in Widnes, Cheshire. They play in the North West Premier Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
who defeated Bedford Tigers
Bedford Tigers
Bedford Tigers RLFC is a rugby league club based in Bedford, England. The first team plays in the Rugby League Conference, with a second team in the London League.- History :...
in the final.
2008
The RLC National in 2008 saw Leeds Akkies drop to the Premier North but the addition of a Colts team to professional club Crusaders and the double promotion of Liverpool BuccaneersLiverpool Buccaneers
Liverpool Buccaneers Rugby League Football Club are an amateur rugby league club from West Derby in Liverpool. The team play home games at Sefton RUFC in West Derby. Currently they play in the North West Premier division of the Rugby League Conference and the North West Merit League.-History:The...
to the National Division. Also notably for the first time no RLC National clubs ran a reserve team in the RLC, in fact Hemel were the only club to run one at all, in the London League.
There were multiple rebrandings: Crewe Wolves became Lymm Wolves, Winnington Park became Northwich Stags, the returning North Wales Coasters became Rhyl Coasters
Rhyl Coasters
Rhyl Coasters are a rugby league team based in Rhyl, Denbighshire, Wales. They play in the North Wales League-History:The original North Wales Coasters formed in 1989 and joined the nearest district association which was Widnes in England. They played in the North West Counties Division 5 with home...
, Kingston Warriors became Elmbridge and Gosport & Fareham Vikings became Portsmouth Navy Seahawks
Portsmouth Navy Seahawks
Portsmouth Navy Seahawks are a rugby league team based in Gosport, Hampshire. They play in the South Premier Division of the Rugby League Conference. The Seahawks, as a club, is open to non-service players as well as members of the Royal Navy.-History:...
.
The Midlands Merit League, renamed RL Merit League this season, produced East Riding and Sheffield Forgers for the Conference but South Humber Rabbitohs
South Humber Rabbitohs
South Humber Rabbitohs RLFC are a rugby league team from the county of Lincolnshire in England. They play in the Yorkshire & Humber Merit League.-History:...
stepped back down. The London League provided Northampton Casuals
Northampton Casuals
Northampton Demons is a rugby league club based in Northampton. They play in the Rugby League Conference.-Background - Nene Valley and Northampton Knights:...
and Hainault Bulldogs
Hainault Bulldogs
Hainault Bulldogs are a rugby league team based in Dagenham, Essex. They play in the South Premier Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
but regained London Griffins
London Griffins
London Griffins RLFC is a rugby league club based in west London, England. The club play semi and full contact rugby league against opponents in London and throughout the UK...
and Farnborough Falcons with the scrapping of the unviable South Division. 2008 also the saw the creation of the
Women's Rugby League Conference
Women's Rugby League Conference
The Women's Rugby League Conference is a rugby league competition for female teams in Britain. It began in 2008.The men's equivalent is the Rugby League Conference.-2011 structure:...
.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
- National Division: Bramley Buffaloes, Celtic Crusaders Colts, Dewsbury Celtic, East Lancashire Lions, Featherstone Lions, Gateshead Storm, Hemel Stags, Huddersfield Underbank Rangers, Liverpool Buccaneers, Warrington Wizards
- North Premier Division: Carlisle Centurions, Durham Tigers, Jarrow Vikings, Leeds Akkies, Newcastle Knights, Peterlee Pumas, Sunderland Nissan, Whitley Bay Barbarians
- Midlands Premier Division: Bedford Tigers, Birmingham Bulldogs, Coventry Bears, Derby City, Gloucestershire Warriors, Leicester Phoenix, Nottingham Outlaws
- South Premier Division: Elmbridge, Ipswich Rhinos, Kent Ravens, London Skolars 'A', Portsmouth Navy Seahawks, South London Storm, St Albans Centurions, West London Sharks
- Welsh Premier Division: Blackwood Bulldogs, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cardiff Demons, Neath Port Talbot Steelers, Newport Titans, Torfaen Tigers, Valley Cougars, West Wales Sharks
- Yorkshire Division: Bridlington Bulls, East Riding, Leeds Akkies 'A', Northallerton Stallions, Scarborough Pirates, York Lokomotive
- South Yorkshire & Lincolnshire Division: Lincoln City Knights, Moorends & Thorne Marauders, Rossington Sharks, Rotherham Giants, Scunthorpe Barbarians, Sheffield Forgers
- North West Division: Barrow Vikings, Blackpool Sea Eagles, Manchester Jets, New Broughton Rangers, Widnes Saints
- Cheshire Division: Lymm Wolves, Macclesfield Titans, Northwich Stags, Rhyl Coasters, Runcorn
- West Midlands Division: Bristol Sonics, Coventry Bears 'A', Oxford Cavaliers, Redditch Ravens, Swindon St George, Telford Raiders, Wolverhampton Wizards
- South West Division: Devon Sharks, East Devon Eagles, Exeter Centurions, Plymouth Titans, Somerset Vikings
- Eastern Division: Cambridge Eagles, Colchester Romans, Greenwich Admirals, Hainault Bulldogs, Northampton Casuals, St Ives Roosters, Thetford Titans
- Scottish Division: Carluke Tigers, Easterhouse Panthers, Edinburgh Eagles, Fife Lions, Glasgow Bulls, Jordanhill Phoenix, Moray Eels, Paisley Hurricanes
Glasgow Bulls, Manchester Jets and Macclesfield Titans all failed to start the season, with Kent Ravens
Kent Ravens
The Kent Ravens are a defunct amateur rugby league club from Eltham in south-east London, founded in 2004. They play at Princes Park.The club has won 10 titles in the two seasons since its creation on June 12, 2004, including the women’s London league runners up, the under-11s overall London...
having their fixtures stopped after one game, joined the London League. Established club Durham Tigers failed to complete the season in the North East division. Also while they withdrew before the fixtures were finalised Copeland Athletic were expected to play in the North West division.
2009
The North Premier Division was scrapped replaced by two new Premiers; the North West PremierRugby League Conference North West Premier
The Rugby League Conference North West Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference for teams in the North West of England.It was first contested in 2008 following the break-up of the previous North Premier into the North West and Yorkshire Premiers....
and the Yorkshire Premier
Rugby League Conference Yorkshire Premier
The Rugby League Conference Yorkshire Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference for teams in the Yorkshire area.It was first contested in 2008 following the break-up of the previous North Premier into the North West and Yorkshire Premiers....
though the bulk of its membership joined the newly reformed North East Division. The heartland winter league the National Conference League
National Conference League
The National Conference League is the top league in the pyramid of amateur rugby leagues run by the British Amateur Rugby League Association...
launched a series of Summer Divisions in 2009 similar to the Conference.
The National Division lost Celtic Crusaders Colts to the Super League Reserve Grade but regained Carlisle Centurions from the North Premier Division and gained Nottingham Outlaws from the Midlands Premier Division
West Wales Sharks relocated and became Dinefwr Sharks. Thetford Titans moved to Bury St Edmunds and became Bury Titans. The North East saw established club Durham Tigers
Durham Tigers
Durham Tigers are a rugby league club based in Sunnydale Leisure Centre, Shildon, County Durham in the North East of England. They originally played in the city of Durham...
fail to return, but saw the return of rugby league to Winlaton in the name of Winlanton Warriors (Winlaton had previously not only had its own team in 2005 but had also hosted Gateshead Storm and Whitley Bay Barbarians). Victoria Knights were formed from the ashes of Paisley Hurricanes though could barely raise a team.
Nottingham Outlaws A, Moorends-Thorne Marauders A and Wigan Riversiders joined the Rugby League Conference from the RL Merit League. The 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...
was formed out of the RL Merit League giving the Conference a new feeder competition with the RL Merit League being split into North West and Yorkshire divisions. Norwich City Saxons
Norwich City Saxons
Norwich City Saxons are a rugby league team based in Norwich, Norfolk. They play in the Eastern Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:Norwich City RLFC was formed on the 18 March 2008...
, Hainault Bulldogs
Hainault Bulldogs
Hainault Bulldogs are a rugby league team based in Dagenham, Essex. They play in the South Premier Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
'A', Kent Ravens
Kent Ravens
The Kent Ravens are a defunct amateur rugby league club from Eltham in south-east London, founded in 2004. They play at Princes Park.The club has won 10 titles in the two seasons since its creation on June 12, 2004, including the women’s London league runners up, the under-11s overall London...
, Farnborough Falcons and Southampton Spitfires
Southampton Spitfires
Southampton Spitfires are a rugby league team based in Southampton. They play in the South East Division of the Rugby League Conference.- History :Southampton Spitfires Rugby League Club was formed in 2007...
all moved up from the London ARL
London League (rugby league)
The London, South and East Merit League is a rugby league competition founded in 1965. It is also known as the London League , London & South East Merit League, London Amateur Rugby League and London Merit League ....
, this influx of new teams allowing the re-separation of the two Regional divisions in the South East (East and London & South).
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
- National Division: Bramley Buffaloes, Carlisle Centurions, Dewsbury Celtic, East Lancashire Lions, Featherstone Lions, Gateshead Storm, Hemel Stags, Huddersfield Underbank Rangers, Liverpool Buccaneers, Nottingham Outlaws, Warrington Wizards
- North West Premier Division: Blackpool Sea Eagles, Lymm RL, New Broughton Rangers, Rhyl Coasters, Runcorn RLC, Widnes Saints, Wigan Riversiders
- Yorkshire Premier Division: Bridlington Bulls, Cottingham Phoenix, East Riding Rangers, Kippax Knights, Leeds Akkies, Moorends-Thorne Marauders, Scarborough Pirates, York Lokomotive
- Midlands Premier Division: Birmingham Bulldogs, Bristol Sonics, Coventry Bears, Derby City, Gloucestershire Warriors, Leicester Phoenix, Redditch Ravens, Telford Raiders
- Southern Premier Division: Bedford Tigers, Elmbridge Eagles, Hainault Bulldogs, Ipswich Rhinos, London Skolars 'A', Portsmouth Navy Seahawks, South London Storm, St Albans Centurions, West London Sharks,
- Welsh Premier Division: Blackwood Bulldogs, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cardiff Demons, Dinefwr Sharks, Torfaen Tigers, Neath Port Talbot Steelers, Newport Titans, Valley Cougars, West Wales Wildboars
- Scottish Division: Carluke Tigers, Easterhouse Panthers, Edinburgh Eagles, Fife Lions, Hillfoot Rams, Jordanhill Phoenix, Moray Eels, Paisley Hurricanes, Victoria Knights
- North East Division: Hartlepool, Jarrow Vikings, Newcastle Knights, Northallerton Stallions, Peterlee Pumas, Sunderland City, Whitley Bay Barbarians, Winlaton Warriors
- North Midlands: Leeds Akkies A, Lincoln City Knights, Moorends-Thorne Marauders 'A', Nottingham Outlaws 'A', Rotherham Giants, Scunthorpe Barbarians
- East Division: Bury Titans, Cambridge Eagles, Colchester Romans, Hainault Bulldogs A, St Ives Roosters, Northampton Casuals, Norwich City Saxons
- London & South Division: Farnborough Falcons, Greenwich Admirals, Kent Ravens, Oxford Cavaliers, Southampton Spitfires, Swindon St George
- South West Division: Devon Sharks, East Devon Eagles, Exeter Centurions, Plymouth Titans, Somerset Vikings, South Dorset Giants
Bridlington Bulls failed to start the season in the Yorkshire Premier division. Guildford Giants replaced Farnborough Falcons in the London & South division. Kent Ravens failed to complete the season in the London & South division. Moorends & Thorne Marauders 'A' failed to start the season in the North Midlands Division and were replaced by Parkside Hawks. Redditch Ravens failed to complete the season in the Midlands Premier Division and entered the Midlands Merit League. Telford Raiders also failed to complete the season in the Midlands Premier Division. However, their results stood. Cambridge Eagles and Hainault Bulldogs 'A' failed to complete the season in the Eastern Division. Plymouth Titans failed to complete the season in the South West division, but the results stood. Hartlepool failed to complete the season in the North East but the results stood.
2010
2010 saw an expansion in the numbers of divisions with the Midlands, Wales and North West all forming new regional divisions. The North Midlands division formed the basis for the new Yorkshire regional division.These new divisions saw many teams step up from the merit leagues: Coventry Bears A, Birmingham Bulldogs A, North East Worcestershire Ravens (formerly Redditch Ravens) and Leamington Royals either joined or rejoined from the Midlands Rugby League; Chester Gladiators, Crewe & Nantwich Steamers, Wigan Riversiders Eels, Mancunians RL, Victoria Rangers and Barnsley Broncos (formerly called Barnsley) stepped up from the RL Merit League and Hammersmith Hills Hoists, St Albans Centurions A, South London Storm A and Sussex Merlins moved up from the London League. The National Conference League failed to repeat its summer experiment leading three clubs: East Leeds, Milford Marlins and Shaw Cross Sharks to join the Rugby League Conference.
2010 also saw an expansion of the Merit Leagues as the rump RL Merit League split into the Yorkshire & Humber Merit League
Yorkshire & Humber Merit League
The Yorkshire & Humber Merit League is a rugby league competition for clubs in Yorkshire and the Humber. It is a feeder league for the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
and the North West Merit League
North West Merit League
The North West Merit League is a rugby league competition for clubs in the North West of England. It is a feeder league for the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
. A plan to form a North Wales League failed, but a five team 9s
Rugby league nines
Rugby league nines is a version of rugby league football played with nine players on each side. The game is substantially the same as full rugby league, with some differences in rules and shorter games. Nines is usually played in festivals, as its shorter game play allows for a tournament to be...
tournament was played.
Gateshead Storm and Newcastle Knights merged to form Newcastle Storm, Ipswich Rhinos and Colchester Romans merged to form Eastern Rhinos. Leicester Phoenix became Leicester Storm. Northampton Casuals became Northampton Demons.
This season had a much higher rate of teams dropping out or forfeiting games than usual with for example the North West Premier division losing three out of five initial teams and the Welsh Regional Division having four out of the original seven teams fail to play a game.
The inaugural Rugby League Conference Regional Championships took place at Derby's Haslams Lane ground, with six representative teams representing different English regions. The event was won by the Midlands.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
- National Division: Bramley Buffaloes, Carlisle Centurions, Dewsbury Celtic, Featherstone Lions, Hemel Stags, Huddersfield Underbank Rangers, Kippax Knights, Liverpool Buccaneers, Nottingham Outlaws, Warrington Wizards
- North West Premier Division: Lymm RL, New Broughton Rangers, Runcorn RLC, Widnes Saints, Wigan Riversiders
- Yorkshire Premier Division: East Leeds, Haworth Park, Milford Marlins, Moorends-Thorne Marauders, Rotherham Giants, Scarborough Pirates, York Lokomotive
- Midlands Premier Division: Birmingham Bulldogs, Bristol Sonics, Coventry Bears, Derby City, Gloucestershire Warriors, Leicester Storm
- Southern Premier Division: Eastern Rhinos, Hainault Bulldogs, Hammersmith Hillshoists, London Skolars 'A', Portsmouth Navy Seahawks, South London Storm, St Albans Centurions, West London Sharks,
- Welsh Premier Division: Blackwood Bulldogs, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cardiff Demons, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire & Ceredigion Bears, Newport Titans, Valley Cougars
- Scottish Division: Ayrshire Storm, Carluke Tigers, Easterhouse Panthers, Edinburgh Eagles, Falkirk, Fife Lions, Jordanhill Phoenix, Kirkcaldy, Moray Eels
- North East Division: Cramlington Rockets, Durham Demons, Jarrow Vikings, Newcastle Storm, Northallerton Stallions, Peterlee Pumas, Sunderland City, Wallsend Eagles, Whitley Bay Barbarians, Winlaton Warriors
- North West Regional Division: Blackpool Sea Eagles, Chester Gladiators, Crewe & Nantwich Steamers, Mancunians, Wigan Riversiders Eels
- Yorkshire Regional Division: Barnsley Broncos, Bradford Salem, Bradford Victoria Rangers, Leeds Akkies, Lincoln City Knights, Parkside Hawks, Scunthorpe Barbarians, Wetherby Bulldogs
- Midlands Regional Division: Birmingham Bulldogs A, Coventry Bears A, Leamington Royals, North East Worcestershire Ravens, Nottingham Outlaws A, Telford Raiders
- East Division: Bedford Tigers, Bury Titans, Northampton Demons, Norwich City Saxons, St Albans Centurions A, St Ives Roosters,
- London & South Division: Elmbridge Eagles, Guildford Giants, Greenwich Admirals, Oxford Cavaliers, South London Storm A, Southampton Spitfires, Sussex Merlins, Swindon St George
- South West Division: Devon Sharks, East Devon Eagles, Exeter Centurions, North Devon Raiders, Plymouth Titans, Somerset Vikings, South Dorset Giants, South Somerset Warriors
- South Wales Championship: Amman Valley Rhinos, Dinefwr Sharks, Tydfil Wildcats Rugby LeagueTydfil Wildcats Rugby LeagueTydfil Wildcats Rugby League is a Rugby League club based in Merthyr Tydfil. The club colours are yellow and blue. The home ground was the cage in Troedyrhiw until September 2010 but relocated for the 2011 season to Dowlais RFC. The Wildcats play in the Wales Rugby League conference.- History...
, Neath Port Talbot Steelers, Swansea-Llanelli Dragons, Torfaen Tigers, Wildboars
Carlisle Centurions withdrew from the National Division mid-season and their results were expunged, Liverpool Buccaneers withdrew from the National Division and their results stood.
Jordanhill Phoenix and Kirkcaldy failed to start the season in the Scottish division, Forth & Clyde Nomads were brought in as replacements.
Runcorn and Widnes Saints withdrew from the North West Premier Division pre-season to be replaced by Widnes West Bank and Wirral Warriors. New Broughton Rangers folded midseason in the North West Premier Division.
Haworth Park failed to complete the season in the Yorkshire Premier Division but their results stood.
Bradford Salem withdrew from the Yorkshire Regional Division to be replaced by Shaw Cross Sharks. Wetherby Bulldogs and Scunthorpe Barbarians failed to complete the season in the Yorkshire Regional division but their results stood.
Derby City withdrew mid-season from the Midlands Premier but their results stood. North East Worcestershire Ravens failed to complete the season in the Midlands Regional division but the results stood.
Blackwood Bulldogs failed to complete the season in the Welsh Premier division. Amman Valley Rhinos, Dinefwr Sharks, Wildboars (St Clears) and Swansea-Llanelli Dragons were all excluded from the Welsh Regional division after not fulfilling any fixtures and replaced by Dyffryn Devils.
St Albans Centurions A withdrew from the East Regional division but their fixtures stood.
2011
2011 saw the National Division regain Coventry Bears from the Midlands Premier Division and Valley Cougars step up from the Welsh Premier Division. Gateshead Lightning were admitted as well as a reserve team for Gateshead ThunderGateshead Thunder
Gateshead Thunder is a professional rugby league club based in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear in England. They currently play in the Championship 1 competition, the third tier of rugby league in the United Kingdom...
but failed to start the season.
2011 also saw more new divisions with Scotland and North East gaining a Premier Division and a new Regional Division being formed in the West of England with clubs from various divisions to reduce the travel burden. The Midlands Premier and Regional Divisions merged with a split season format. Yorkshire replaced its Premier and Regional Divisions with two geographically split divisions (west and east) that would have premier and regional division playoffs.
The only clubs moving up from feeder leagues were Northampton Demons A and Bristol Sonics A from the 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...
and East Lancashire Vikings from the North West Merit League
North West Merit League
The North West Merit League is a rugby league competition for clubs in the North West of England. It is a feeder league for the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
. A new feeder league was created the Eastern Merit League which split off from the London League. The Yorkshire & Humber Merit League
Yorkshire & Humber Merit League
The Yorkshire & Humber Merit League is a rugby league competition for clubs in Yorkshire and the Humber. It is a feeder league for the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
split into a North division and a Midlands division.
The plans for 2012 saw a several winter sides switching to summer with Cadishead Rhinos, Chorley Panthers and Rochdale Cobras joining the North West Regional division; Walton Warriors, Knottingley Rockware Stolze and Cutsyke Raiders in the Yorkshire East division and Doncaster Toll Bar, Guiseley Rangers and Lindley Swifts in the Yorkshire West (which also gained new side Prospect Pirates). There were also numerous BARLA clubs entering teams in the North West Merit League.
Northallerton Stallions moved to Catterick
Catterick
Catterick could be*Catterick, North Yorkshire, England, commonly known as Catterick Village**Catterick Bridge, a hamlet near Catterick Village**Catterick Garrison, a British Army garrison near Catterick Village...
and became North Yorkshire Stallions. Newcastle Storm became Gateshead Storm
Gateshead Storm
Newcastle Storm are an amateur rugby league club in the North East of England. They play in the North East Premier of the Rugby League Conference.-Newcastle Knights:...
. Newport Titans became Titans with a relocation to Machen.
Initial line-ups as follows (new clubs in italics):
- National Division: Bramley Buffaloes, Coventry Bears, Dewsbury Celtic, Featherstone Lions, Gateshead Lightning, Hemel Stags, Huddersfield Underbank Rangers, Kippax Knights, Nottingham Outlaws, Valley Cougars, Warrington Wizards
- North West Premier Division: Accrington & Leyland Lions, East Lancashire Vikings, Liverpool Buccaneers, Mancunians, Widnes West Bank, Wigan Riversiders
- Yorkshire Premier Division (East): Barnsley Broncos, Cutsyke Raiders, Knottingley Rockware Stolze, Moorends-Thorne Marauders, Rotherham Giants, Scarborough Pirates, Walton Warriors, York Lokomotive
- Yorkshire Premier Division (West): Doncaster Toll Bar, East Leeds, Guiseley Rangers, Leeds Akkies, Lindley Swifts, Parkside Hawks, Prospect Pirates, Shaw Cross Sharks
- Midlands Division (West): Birmingham Bulldogs, Bristol Sonics, Leamington Royals, Telford Raiders
- Midlands Division (East): Birmingham Bulldogs A, Leicester Storm, Northampton Demons A, Nottingham Outlaws A
- Southern Premier Division: Eastern Rhinos, Hainault Bulldogs, Hammersmith Hillshoists, South London Storm, St Albans Centurions, West London Sharks,
- Welsh Premier Division: Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cardiff Demons, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire & Ceredigion Bears, Titans, Torfaen Tigers, Valley Cougars A
- Scottish Premier Division: Ayrshire Storm, Carluke Tigers, Easterhouse Panthers, Edinburgh Eagles, Fife Lions, Moray Eels
- North East Premier Division: Gateshead Spartans, Gateshead Storm, Jarrow Vikings, Peterlee Pumas, Sunderland City, Wallsend Eagles
- Scottish 1st Division: Aberdeen Warriors, Ayr Knights, Cumbernauld, Falkirk, Moray Titans
- North East Regional Division: Cramlington Rockets, Durham Demons, East Cumbria Crusaders, Hartlepool, North Yorkshire Stallions, Peterlee Pumas A, Whitley Bay Barbarians, Winlaton Warriors
- North West Regional Division: Blackpool Sea Eagles, Cadishead Rhinos, Chester Gladiators, Chorley Panthers, Crewe & Nantwich Steamers, Rochdale Cobras
- East Division: Bedford Tigers, Bury Titans, Northampton Demons 'A', Norwich City Saxons, St Ives Roosters, Sudbury Gladiators
- London & South Division: Elmbridge Eagles, Guildford Giants, Greenwich Admirals, Medway Dragons, Portsmouth Navy Seahawks, Southampton Spitfires, Sussex Merlins
- South West Division: Devon Sharks, East Devon Eagles, Exeter Centurions, North Devon Raiders, Plymouth Titans, Somerset Vikings, South Dorset Giants, South Somerset Warriors
- West Of England Division: Bristol Sonics A, Gloucestershire Warriors, Oxford Cavaliers, Swindon St George, Wiltshire Wyverns
- South Wales Championship: Blackwood Bulldogs, Bonymaen Broncos, Dyffryn Devils, Tydfil Wildcats Rugby LeagueTydfil Wildcats Rugby LeagueTydfil Wildcats Rugby League is a Rugby League club based in Merthyr Tydfil. The club colours are yellow and blue. The home ground was the cage in Troedyrhiw until September 2010 but relocated for the 2011 season to Dowlais RFC. The Wildcats play in the Wales Rugby League conference.- History...
, Neath Port Talbot Steelers
Gateshead Lightning failed to start the season in the National Division. Guiseley Rangers and East Leeds failed to start the season in the Yorkshire Premier (West). Doncaster Toll Bar failed to complete the season in the Yorkshire Premier Division (West) and their results stood. Moray Eels failed to start the season in the Scottish Premier division Falkirk failed to start the season in the Scottish 1st Division. Ayr Knights failed to complete the season in the Scottish 1st Division and their results stood. South Somerset Warriors failed to complete the season in the South West Division. CPC Bears failed to complete the season in the Welsh Premier and their results stood. Blackwood Bulldogs failed to start the season in the South Wales Championship. Hainault Bulldogs failed to complete the season in the Premier South division and had London Skolars A take over their fixtures midseason. Birmingham Bulldogs A failed to complete the season in the Midlands Division (East). Mancunians, Widnes West Bank and East Lancashire Vikings failed to complete the season in the North West Premier division and their results stood. Crewe & Nantwich Steamers failed to complete the season in the North West Regional division and their results stood. Norwich City Knights and Northampton Demons A failed to complete the season in the East division and their resutls stood
2012 and the future
The RFL have released plans for a new structure in the summer game. Initial plans were for the Rugby League Conference to be scrapped and replaced with a Northern and Southern Conference at tier 3 to replace the National division (and the National Conference LeagueNational Conference League
The National Conference League is the top league in the pyramid of amateur rugby leagues run by the British Amateur Rugby League Association...
that switched from winter). These plans were later amended to have three National Conference League divisions staying as they were underpinned by a separate division 3 based on the Rugby League Conference National division, at least for 2012.
Tier 4 will consist of a series of regional leagues where Rugby League Conference clubs will be joined by some BARLA clubs switching to summer. It is not yet clarified where the Scottish and Welsh leagues will fit into the new pyramid structure. These regional leagues will include the Yorkshire Men's League
Yorkshire Men's League
The Yorkshire Men's League is a rugby league competition for clubs in Yorkshire. It is a successor league for the Rugby League Conference also comprising clubs from the CMS Yorkshire league, Pennine League and Hull & District League following the National Conference League switching to summer and...
, North West Men's League
North West Men's League
The North West Men's League is a rugby league competition for clubs in the North West of England. It is a successor league for the Rugby League Conference also comprising clubs from the North West Counties League following some of the latter switching to summer to follow the National Conference...
and 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...
and cover the length and breadth of the country.
See also
- Rugby League ConferenceRugby League ConferenceThe 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...
- Rugby League Conference trophy winnersRugby League Conference trophy winnersThe Rugby League Conference , also known as the Co-operative Rugby League Conference as a result of sponsorship from the Co-operative Group, is a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales....
- History of the Midlands Merit League