Runcorn RFC

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

Not to be confused with Runcorn RLC.

Runcorn RFC
Club information
Full nameRuncorn RFC
Nickname(s)Sprinch.
Foundedsome time before 1876
Exited1917 or 1918
Former details
Ground(s)

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

History

Rugby Union days

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

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

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

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

Ground Irwell Lane Enclosure [2]

Runcorn join the Northern Union

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

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

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

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

Northern Union

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The following season started in the summer of 1918, results for this period are very scarce, but Runcorn do not appeared to have joined the league system. In late 1918, the First World War ended, and the Rugby League decided to hold a limited Victory competition starting early in 1919 and lasting only into the Spring, in which Runcorn did not take part. It is thought that the club folded after the end of the 1917–18 season.

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

Players of note

These include :

  • James "Jim" Butterworth,[7] England international
  • Samuel "Sam" Houghton (b in Runcorn – d 1920 in Runcorn) played for Runcorn at both rugby union, and professional rugby league, and for England, and Cheshire at Rugby Union
  • James "Jim" Jolley was an English professional rugby league footballer playing for Runcorn and later Warrington as a stand-off at club level and Great Britain, and England circa 1908–1909 at international level)
  • Alfred "Alf" Kennedy,[8] England international
  • Richard "Dick" Padbury (b 1886 in Runcorn district) played for Runcorn RFC, as a prop, or hooker, i.e. number 8 or 10, or, 9, and England
  • Joseph "Joe" Richardson (b circa 1877 - d November 1904) halfback who also played for Cheshire
  • Harry Speakman (b 1864 in Runcorn – d 1915 Townsville, Australia) was a fine player who never played for his country. He took part in the first (unofficial) 1888 British Lions (rugby union) tour to New Zealand, and Australia, from which he never returned, instead choosing to stay, and in doing so, help to develop the game in Australia.
  • Samuel "Sam" Walker.[9] England international
  • Edgar Wrigley (b 1886 in Masterton, New Zealand - d 1958 (aged 71) in Huddersfield, England) dual-code international rugby union, and rugby league footballer

Club colours

Myrtle Green.[10]

Grounds

The Rugby club played at Irwell Lane Enclosure, Runcorn[3]

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

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

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

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

Successor clubs

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

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

Records

Club Scoring Record


In a Match
Record Date Score Opponent Competition Notes Ref
Record victory
Record defeat
highest score in a match
In a Season
Details Season Competition Notes Ref
Highest League Position11895–96RLout of 22 clubs
Also finished top of the Lancashire section during the very first season (1895–96), but only third overall out of 22 clubs
Lowest League Position251914–15RLout of 25 clubs
and181904–05Div 1out of 18 clubs
Most League Points (actual)281987–88Div 2out of possible 56
and as a % of possible46 (88.46%)1899–1900LSCout of possible 52
Least League Points1 (1.85%)1914–15RLout of possible 54
Most Points Scored (PF)5461906–07RLin 30 games
Most Points Conceded (PA)5901914–15RLin 27 games
Least Points Scored (PF)371915–16WELin 23 games
Least Points Conceded (PA)331899–1900LSCin 26 games
Best Points Difference3301906–07RLin 30 games
Worst Points Difference−5061914–15RLin 25 games

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

Players Records

No records available

Club League Record
Season Competition Pos Team Name Pl W D L PF PA Diff Pts % No in league Notes Ref
1895–96RL3Runcorn422481031414317156221
1896–97LSC4Runcorn26135813462723114
1897–98LSC10Runcorn269215142184−422014
1898–99LSC7Runcorn261529193113803214
1899–00LSC1Runcorn2622222323319946141
1900–01LSC3Runcorn2620062401001404014
1901–02RL3Runcorn2615291851018430*142,3
1902–03Div 14Runcorn34194112391391004218
1903–04Div 116Runcorn3411221151245−942418
1904–05Div 118Runcorn347126133301−1681518
1905–06RL10Runcorn30173102641361283761.6631
1906–07RL3Runcorn3023075462163304676.66264
1907–08RL13Runcorn301501525521936305027
1908–09RL11Runcorn2816111271191803358.9231
1909–10RL16Runcorn3014115232317−852948.3328
1910–11RL22Runcorn309318230331−101213528
1911–12RL24Runcorn285122147369−2221119.6427
1912–13RL19Runcorn3011019209347−1382236.6626
1913–14RL21Runcorn3010020165442−2772033.3325
1914–15RL25Runcorn27012684590−50611.8525
1915–16WEL23Runcorn14121137192−155414.2924
1916–17WEL22Runcorn18501356265−2091027.7826
1917–18WEL21Runcorn19101851277−22625.2622
1918–(Sep–Dec)WELunknown
1919–(Jan–Apr)DNC

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


Notes

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

Several fixtures & results

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

Season Date Competition Opponent Venue H/A Result Score Att Notes Ref
1895–96DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
1895–96Sat 7 September 1895RLWidnesCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeWin15–41[13]
Sat 14 September 1895RLSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose0–5[14]
Sat 5 October 1895RLWarringtonCanal StreetHomeWin8–0[16]
Sat 9 November 1895RLWiganFolly FieldsAwayDraw0–02[12]
Sat 22 February 1896RLSt. HelensCanal StreetHomeWin3–04000[14]
Wed 11 March 1896RLHullCanal StreetHomeLose4–5[15]
Sat 28 March 1896RLWiganCanal StreetHomeLose0–6[12]
Fri 3 April 1896RLWarringtonWilderspoolAwayWin12–0[16]
Sat 4 April 1896RLWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayWin9–03[13]
Sat 25 April 1896RLHullBoulevardAwayWin8–46500[15]
1896–97DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 19 September 1896LSCWiganFolly FieldsAwayWin0–32[12]
Sat 26 September 1896LSCWarringtonCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeWin14–0[16]
Sat 3 October 1896LSCWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayLose3–43[13]
Sat 31 October 1896LSCSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayWin7–3[14]
Sat 26 December 1896LSCWiganCanal StreetHomeDraw0–0[12]
Sat 2 January 1897LSCSt. HelensCanal StreetHomeWin20–0[14]
Sat 6 March 1897LSCWidnesCanal StreetHomeWin11–0[13]
Sat 13 March 1897LSCWarringtonWilderspoolAwayDraw0–0[16]
Sat 20 March 1897CC R1Warrington LocoCanal StreetHomeWin65–04,5
Sat 27 March 1897CC R2Thornton RangersCanal StreetHomeWin52–46,7[17]
Sat 3 April 1897CC R3WidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayLose6–143, 6[13][17]
Mon 12 April 1897??HullBoulevardAwayWin5–08[15]
1897–98DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 2 October 1897LSCWidnesCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeWin2–0[13]
Sat 3 October 1897LSCSt. HelensCanal StreetHomeWin11–0[14]
Sat 13 November 1897LSCWarringtonCanal StreetHomeWin5–3[16]
Sat 5 February 1898LSCWiganCanal StreetHomeLose13–12[12]
Sat 19 February 1898LSCWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayLose2–83[13]
Sat 12 March 1898LSCWarringtonWilderspoolAwayWin2–0[16]
Sat 26 March 1898LSCSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose0–11[14]
Sat 16 June 1898LSCWiganFolly FieldsAwayLose13–02[12]
1898–99DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 3 September 1898LSCWiganFolly FieldsAwayWin3–42[12]
Sat 8 October 1898LSCWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayLose0–103[13]
Mon 26 December 1898LSCWarringtonWilderspoolAwayWin5–3[16]
Mon 2 January 1899LSCSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayDraw0–0[14]
Sat 14 January 1899LSCWiganCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeWin0–25[12]
Sat 18 February 1899LSCWidnesCanal StreetHomeWin11–0[13]
Sat 4 March 1899LSCWarringtonCanal StreetHomeWin33–5[16]
sat 15 April 1899LSCSt. HelensCanal StreetHomeWin11–8[14]
1899–1900DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 2 September 1899LSCWiganFolly FieldsAwayWin0–92[12]
Sat 16 September 1899LSCWidnesCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeWin5–0[13]
Mon 25 December 1899LSCWarringtonCanal StreetHomeWin3–0[16]
Sun 28 January 1900LSCWarringtonWilderspoolAwayWin11–0[16]
Sat 3 February 1900LSCWiganCanal StreetHomeWin0–24[12]
Sat 17 February 1900LSCSt. HelensCanal StreetHomeWin9–0[14]
Sat 24 February 1900LSCSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose2–3[14]
Sat 3 March 1900LSCWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayDraw5–53[13]
Mon 30 April 1900BTCFSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose0–69[14]
1900–01DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 22 September 1900LSCSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayWin11–0[14]
Sat 13 October 1900LSCWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayLose0–103[13]
Sat 27 October 1900LSCWarringtonCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeWin10–8[16]
Sat 17 November 1900LSCWiganCanal StreetHomeWin5–34[12]
Sat 22 December 1900LSCWiganFolly FieldsAwayWin0–52[12]
Wed 26 December 1900LSCWarringtonWilderspoolAwayWin2–0[16]
Sat 16 February 1901LSCSt. HelensCanal StreetHomeWin6–0[14]
Sat 2 March 1901CC R1WiganCanal StreetHomeWin0–18[12]
Sat 9 March 1901CC R2?????10
Sat 6 April 1901LSCWidnesCanal StreetHomeWin13–3[13]
1901–02DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 7 September 1901RLHullBoulevardAwayLose6–8[15]
Sat 28 September 1901RLWarringtonWilderspoolAwayLose3–10[16]
Sat 19 October 1901RLSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayWin2–011[14]
Wed 25 December 1901SWLLWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayLose7–123[13]
Thu 26 December 1901RLWarringtonCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeLose2–5[16]
Wed 1 January 1902RLHullCanal StreetHomeWin19–5[15]
Sat 11 January 1902RLWiganCanal StreetHomeWin5–811[12]
Fri 28 March 1902SWLLWidnesCanal StreetHomeLose6–13[13]
Mon 31 March 1902RLSt. HelensCanal StreetHomeWin11–3[14]
Sat 19 April 1902RLWiganSpringfield ParkAwayWin0–212[12]
1902–03DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 6 September 1902Div 1WidnesCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeWin10–0[13]
Wed 27 September 1902Div 1WarringtonWilderspoolAwayDraw0–0[16]
Sat 11 October 1902Div 1St. HelensKnowsley RdAwayDraw0–0[14]
Sat 22 November 1902Div 1HullCanal StreetHomeLose2–7[15]
Sat 27 December 1902Div 1WiganCentral ParkAwayWin2–311[12]
Sat 3 January 1903Div 1WidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayLose0–33[13]
Sat 24 January 1903Div 1WarringtonCanal StreetHomeWin18–0[16]
Sat 7 February 1903Div 1St. HelensCanal StreetHomeWin19–0[14]
Sat 14 February 1903CC R1WidnesCanal StreetHomeWin7–2[13]
Sat 21 February 1903CC R2?????10
Fri 10 April 1903Div 1HullBoulevardAwayLose6–21[15]
Sat 25 April 1903Div 1WiganCanal StreetHomeWin3–811[12]
1903–04DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sun 20 September 1903Div 1WidnesCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeWin13–7[13]
Sat 14 November 1903Div 1WiganCentral ParkAwayLose5–211[12]
Sat 28 November 1903Div 1HullCanal StreetHomeWin6–3[15]
Sat 19 December 1903Div 1WarringtonWilderspoolAwayLose5–18[16]
Sat 23 January 1904Div 1WidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayLose0–43[13]
Sat 26 March 1904Div 1HullBoulevardAwayLose3–11[15]
Sat 2 April 1904SWLLSt. HelensCanal StreetHomeDraw3–3[14]
Thu 21 April 1904Div 1WarringtonCanal StreetHomeLose0–19[16]
Sat 30 April 1904Div 1WiganCanal StreetHomeDraw5–511[12]
1904–05DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 24 September 1904Div 1WidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayLose0–103[13]
sat 8 October 1904Div 1WarringtonWilderspoolAwayLose3–5[16]
Sat 5 November 1904Div 1HullBoulevardAwayLose10–22[15]
Sat 10 December 1904Div 1WiganCentral ParkAwayLose10–711[12]
Sat 24 December 1904Div 1St. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose6–9[14]
Mon 2 January 1905Div 1HullCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeWin3–0[15]
Sat 4 February 1905Div 1WarringtonCanal StreetHomeLose3–5[16]
Sat 18 March 1905Div 1WidnesCanal StreetHomeLose2–7[13]
Sat 8 April 1905Div 1WiganCanal StreetHomeLose13–311[12]
Mon 24 April 1905Div 1St. HelensCanal StreetHomeLose0–9[14]
1905–06DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 23 September 1905RLWidnesCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeWin5–0[13]
Sat 21 October 1905RLSt. HelensCanal StreetHomeWin12–3[14]
Sat 4 November 1905RLWarringtonCanal StreetHomeWin5–2[16]
Sat 9 December 1905RLWarringtonWilderspoolAwayLose0–6[16]
Sat 16 December 1905RLWiganCanal StreetHomeLose14–011[12]
Sat 17 February 1906CC INTSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayWin3–013[14]
Sat 3 March 1906CC R1HullBoulevardAwayLose0–6[15]
Sat 31 March 1906RLWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayLose3–133[13]
Sat 7 April 1906RLWiganCentral ParkAwayLose19–1311[12]
1906–07DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 8 September 1906RLWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayLose3–113[13]
Sat 15 September 1906RLWidnesCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeWin23–6[13]
Sat 6 October 1906RLSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayWin22–8[14]
Sat 13 October 1906LC R1WidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayW14–53[13]
Sat 27 October 1906LC R2?????10
Sat 10 November 1906RLWiganCentral ParkAwayWin13–1811[12]
Sat 22 December 1906RLHullCanal StreetHomeWin30–2[15]
Mon 25 December 1906RLSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose0–7[14]
Tue 1 January 1907RLWarringtonWilderspoolAwayLose9–14[16]
Sat 2 February 1907RLHullBoulevardAwayLose11–16[15]
Sat 23 February 1907RLSt. HelensCanal StreetHomeWin14–8[14]
Mon 25 March 1907RLWarringtonCanal StreetHomeWin10–3[16]
Sat 30 March 1907RLWiganCanal StreetHomeWin8–1511[12]
Sat ?? April 1907PO SFOldhamWatersheddingsAwayLose3–11
1907–08DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 21 September 1907RLWarringtonWilderspoolAwayLose0–14[16]
Sat 28 September 1907RLWiganCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeLose9–0[12]
Sat 12 October 1907LC R1WarringtonCanal StreetHomeLose2–15[16]
Sat 19 October 1907RLSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose11–17[14]
Sat 23 November 1907RLWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayWin11–53[13]
Sat 14 December 1907RLWidnesCanal StreetHomeWin12–0[13]
Wed 25 December 1907RLSt. HelensCanal StreetHomeWin19–0[14]
Wed 1 January 1908RLWarringtonCanal StreetHomeWin5–3[16]
Sat 18 January 1908RLWiganCentral ParkAwayWin3–9[12]
Tue 25 February 1908RLHullCanal StreetHomeWin8–3[15]
Sat 29 February 1908CC R1????Win?-?14
Sat 14 March 1908CC R2WarringtonCanal StreetHomeLose3–6[16]
Mon 17 August 1908RLHullBoulevardAwayLose3–20[15]
1908–09DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 12 September 1908RLSt. HelensCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeWin21–5[14]
Tue 29 September 1908RLWidnesCanal StreetHomeWin13–7[13]
Sat 24 October 1908RLWiganCentral ParkAwayLose13–2[12]
Sat 28 November 1908RLWarringtonCanal StreetHomeLose3–5[16]
Sat 19 December 1908RLWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayDraw3–33[13]
Fri 25 December 1908RLSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose0–6[14]
Fri 1 January 1909RLWarringtonWilderspoolAwayLose8–12[16]
Sat 20 February 1909RLWiganCanal StreetHomeLose17–11[12]
Sat 27 February 1909CC R1?????14
Sat 13 March 1909CC R2HullCanal StreetHomeLose9–11[15]
1909–10DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 11 September 1909RLSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayDraw5–510000[14]
Sat 23 October 1909RLWiganCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeWin2–7[12]
Mon 22 November 1909RLWarringtonWilderspoolAwayLose0–27[16]
Sat 4 December 1909RLWidnesCanal StreetHomeLose6–14[13]
Sat 25 December 1909RLSt. HelensCanal StreetHomeLose0–13[14]
Mon 27 December 1909RLWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayLose0–33[13]
Sat 1 January 1910RLWarringtonCanal StreetHomeLose0–3[16]
Sat 19 February 1910RLWiganCentral ParkAwayLose26–5[12]
Fri 25 March 1910RLHullBoulevardAwayLose5–37[15]
Sat 23 April 1910RLHullCanal StreetHomeWin13–0[15]
1910–11DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 10 September 1910RLSt. HelensCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeWin8–4[14]
Sat 17 September 1910RLWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayDraw3–33[13]
Sat 8 October 1910RLWarringtonCanal StreetHomeLose3–14[16]
Sat 5 November 1910RLWiganCentral ParkAwayLose31–3[12]
Sat 24 December 1910RLSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose3–25[14]
Mon 26 December 1910RLWidnesCanal StreetHomeDraw0–0[13]
Mon 2 January 1911RLWarringtonWilderspoolAwayLose3–15[16]
Wed 8 March 1911RLWiganCanal StreetHomeLose13–0[12]
1911–12DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 23 September 1911RLSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose0–25[14]
Thu 16 November 1911RLWidnesCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeLose0–10[13]
Sat 25 November 1911RLWiganCanal StreetHomeLose21–5[12]
Sun 26 November 1911RLWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayLose2–73[13]
Sat 23 December 1911RLSt. HelensCanal StreetHomeLose0–9[14]
Mon 1 January 1912RLWarringtonCanal StreetHomeWin11–8[16]
Sat 6 January 1912RLWiganCentral ParkAwayLose16–5[12]
Sat 10 February 1912RLWarringtonWilderspoolAwayLose6–18[16]
Sat 2 March 1912FrSt. Helens??????Lose8–27[14]
1912–13DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 14 September 1912RLSt. HelensCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeLose8–11[14]
Sat 21 September 1912RLWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayLose0–133[13]
Sat 28 September 1912RLWarringtonCanal StreetHomeLose7–13[16]
Sat 26 October 1912RLSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayWin12–6[14]
Sat 23 November 1912RLWiganCentral ParkAwayLose41–4[12]
Thu 26 December 1912RLWidnesCanal StreetHomeLose0–8[13]
Wed 1 January 1913RLWarringtonWilderspoolAwayLose5–21[16]
Sat 18 January 1913RLWiganCanal StreetHomeLose25–5[12]
1913–14DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 6 September 1913RLSt. HelensCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeLose5–10[14]
Sat 20 September 1913RLWidnesCanal StreetHomeLose2–10[13]
Sat 4 October 1913RLWiganCanal StreetHomeLose36–9[12]
Sat 1 November 1913LC R1St. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose6–26[14]
Sat 13 December 1913RLSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose5–19[14]
Fri 26 December 1913RLWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayLose0–93[13]
Sat 27 December 1913RLWiganCentral ParkAwayLose30–0[12]
Sat 24 January 1914RLWarringtonWilderspoolAwayLose7–27[16]
Sat 28 February 1914CC R1?????14
Sat 14 March 1914CC R2WiganCanal StreetHomeLose13–2[12]
Wed 18 March 1914RLWarringtonCanal StreetHomeWin10–3[16]
1914–15DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 5 September 1914RLSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose0–26[14]
Sat 19 September 1914RLWidnesLowerhouse LaneAwayLose0–243[13]
Sat 10 October 1914RLWarringtonCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeLose7–20[16]
Sat 26 December 1914RLWidnesCanal StreetHomeLose3–17[13]
Fri 1 January 1915RLSt. HelensCanal StreetHomeLose4–10[14]
Sat 30 January 1915RLWiganCentral ParkAwayLose73–5[12]
Wed 10 March 1915RLWiganCanal StreetHomeLose26–5[12]
Fri 2 April 1915RLWarringtonWilderspoolAwayLose5–29[16]
1915–16DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 25 September 1915WELWiganCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeLose4–315, 16[12]
Sun 7 November 1915WELSt. HelensCanal StreetHomeDraw0–0[14]
Sat 11 December 1915WELSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose2–6[14]
Sat 4 March 1916WELWiganCentral ParkAwayLose34–0[12]
Fri 17 March 1916WELSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose11–19[14]
Sat 15 April 1916WELSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose2–12[14]
1916–17DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
Sat 23 September 1916WELWarringtonWilderspoolAwayLose0–2016[16]
Sat 14 October 1916WELWarringtonCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeLose5–18[16]
Sat 4 November 1916WELWiganCentral ParkAwayLose29–0[12]
Sat 9 December 1916WELSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayWin7–6[14]
Mon 1 January 1917WELWarringtonWilderspoolAwayWin6–0[16]
Sat 24 February 1917WELWiganCanal StreetHomeLose6–3[12]
1917–18DateCompetitionOpponentVenueH/AResultScoreAttNotesRef
1917–18Sat 15 September 1917WELWarringtonWilderspoolAwayLose8–1816[16]
1917–18Sat 20 October 1917WELWiganCanal Street Stadium, RuncornHomeLose14–3[12]
1917–18Sat 3 November 1917WELSt. HelensKnowsley RdAwayLose0–30[14]
1917–18Sat 29 December 1917WELWiganCentral ParkAwayLose8–2[12]
1917–18Tue 1 January 1918WELWarringtonWilderspoolAwayLose0–3[16]
1917–18Mon 1 April 1918WELWarringtonCanal StreetHomeLose2–10[16]

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

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

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

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

See also

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

References
  1. "Warrington Wolves – history, Part of the Union – 1879 to 1895".
  2. 1887-88 Club Member's Ticket
  3. Runcorn Guardian August 9th 1918
  4. "Rugby Football History, the great schism".
  5. All Golds
  6. "Warrington Wolves – History, Northern Union – 1895 to 1922".
  7. England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk, RFL, retrieved 6 April 2009
  8. England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk, RFL, retrieved 6 April 2009
  9. England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk, RFL, retrieved 6 April 2009
  10. Season 1887-88 Member's Ticket
  11. "Runcorn FC".
  12. 324 "Cherry and White" Check |url= value (help).
  13. "Widnes History".
  14. "Saints Heritage Society".
  15. aspx "Hull&Proud" Check |url= value (help).
  16. "Warrington History". Archived from the original on 6 July 2010.
  17. Hoole, Les. Rugby League Challenge Cup – An illustrated history by Les Hoole.
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