Club History
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The Early Years

Little did Joe Whitehead and his friends realise when they set up the first Saddleworth Rugby League team, following a split with their more illustrious union colleagues in 1930 that they were the foundation on which one of the most respected amateur rugby league clubs was built, developed and admired to the present day.

The inaugural game at Dacres Estate was fittingly against Waterhead. A quick move to Sandy Lane in Dobcross did not improve a first season that produced only one point in eighteen outings.

The 1931-32 season found the Rangers at Woolpack Park in Dobcross and a steady improvement in recruitment and commitment brought the first flowering of success. They were sixth in the league and Standard Cup finalists for the first time.

The 1933-34 season was well and truly up and running. The league title was won and the first of a record sixteen successful Standard Cup victories achieved before a crowd of 5000 at Watersheddings.

Fortunes declined after 1935 and the pre war era finished on a rather sour note with officials having a struggle to keep the club in existence.



1950s

One of the clubs founder members, Clarence Butterworth, was the driving force behind its re-emergence after the war and Rangers duly joined the Oldham and District Junior Rugby League for season 1948-49, playing at Carr Lane in Uppermill.

The move to Shaw Hall Bank Road in 1951 and the influx of players like Roly Lloyd, Ronnie Hardaker and Dougie Baker, who were to remain as the backbone of the club both as players and administrators for many years led to a period in the early 50s that really cemented the club that we know today into the Rugby League landscape.

Saddleworth reached the Standard Cup and Championship Play-off finals in 1952, 1953,1955, and 1956. 1952 and 1953 saw success in the Championship, their old adversaries Higginshaw winning the Standard Cup on both occasions. Standard Cup wins were achieved by Saddleworth in 1955 and 1956, the Championship Play-off finals being lost to St Annes and Higginshaw respectively.


An unfortunate breakdown in committee structure and loss of players resulted in a deteriorating environment at the club after what had been halcyon days of the early 50s and by 1959 there were rumours that disbandment was on the cards.

The side of the fifties could justifiably claim to be one of the best of all Saddleworth teams with five consistently good years. It seems incredible now that the club should have come so close to folding up. The idea of Saddleworth Rangers was however strong enough to sustain certain individuals, a permanent home was established and consequently the club survived to thrive once more in the sixties.

A new secretary was found in J V Beddows and Committee and backroom staff reformed. An influx of players from Avro, which had folded, supplemented the depleted playing staff and by early 1960 the Rangers had reached another Standard Cup final.


1960s

The 60s produced seven highly successful seasons, based on a surfeit of young talent, the return of Dougie Baker from the pro game as coach, and an administrative set up that allowed the club to develop and thrive. An Under 19s team was established, ensuring consistency and continuity. In fact by 1964-65 the club could boast two Open - age sides, one of which played in the Huddersfield and Halifax League. A reflection of the talent at the club was the turning pro of young players like Tony Finan and Jimmy Russell, and the selection for Great Britain of lads like Alan Taylor and Peter Bamford.

Saddleworth came top of the Oldham League table on three occasions, 1960 - 61, 1962  - 63 and 1963 - 64; won the Standard Cup twice in 1962 - 63 and 1967 - 68. They carried off the Championship Play off Trophy three times, in 1960 - 61, 1963 - 63 and 1966 - 67. In the 1960 - 61 season they reached the 5th qualifying round of the Rugby League Challenge Cup. The pinnacle of achievement during this period was undoubtedly the winning of the Lancashire Junior Cup in the 1962 - 63 season.

Whilst the late 60s were not so successful the decade had boasted what were probably the clubs best years to date. In addition the club had prospered off the field by buying the Shawhall Bank pitch and erecting a very respectable clubhouse with bar, stripping and bathing facilities. There could be little doubt that Saddleworth were a considerable force now in Oldham Amateur Rugby League with every promise of better times ahead.


1970s

A reflection of the clubs progress and status at this time was shown by the selection of Saddleworth Rangers for Division 1 of the new Pennine League, organised by B.A.R.L.A. for the 1974 - 75 season.

Much of this progress was the result again of disciplined coaching and good management. The man at the helm was now Johnny Noon, who like previous successful coaches provided firm leadership, which in turn attracted players and improved a crop of young stars who had matured in the Under 19s team. The results speak for themselves. Four trophies in 1970 - 71, the Standard Cup again in 1976 and 1980, and the Pennine League Division 1 Championship in 1977 - 78.

By the late 70s the development of youth rugby initiated in earlier years by Tony Finan, was showing rich returns, with future internationals and professionals of the ilk of Terry Flanagan and Paddy Kirwan coming of age. Unfortunately the development of Colts team rugby robbed Saddleworth along with many other clubs of the fruits of their labour.

Back at Rangers, however, harder times were following and as the decade ended the first team were relegated from the top division of the Pennine League. But by now the new club and changing facilities, opened it 1975 were well established; supplemented by floodlighting of the training area, producing a club that was recognised in the region as a progressive influence in amateur sport.


The 1980s

The 80s was a period of comparative calm at Saddleworth. There was much promise in the Under age section, but generally consolidation was taking place, with Dave Cassells in the early years, and Ray Hicks in charge in 1988 - 89. The highlight of the decade was probably the Lancashire Cup Final in 1981. Despite losing to a very professional Leigh Miners it was a wonderful achievement in its own right.

The Standard Cup victory in 1983 kept Rangers in the local spotlight, as did continued ground developments. The new stand and floodlights built with the help of B.A.R.L.A. grant money, kept Saddleworth at the forefront of things. By the end of the decade the young players were again maturing as a source of things to come, and despite losing three consecutive Standard Cup Finals in 1987 - 89 the portents were good. The arrival of Mick Coates was the catalyst for probably the most successful period in the club’s history.


The 90s

The club had upgraded to the National Conference League, second division, in 1989, and duly finished the season with promotion. With Mick Coates in charge, and a supportive and dedicated backroom staff, the performances on the pitch were breathtaking

Three consecutive Standard Cups were won 1990 - 92. Saddleworth were National League Champions and Cup winners in 1992 - 93, and were National Cup Winners a record three years out of four between 1990 and 1994.

Just as Mick was attracting talent to the club, Dennis Maders was producing an Under 18s outfit that lifted The National Cup in 1991. With a balanced squad of players too numerous to mention, the glory days had returned to Shawhall Bank Road.

The most memorable of these years has to be 1992 - 93 when Rangers won the National Conference League Championship, the National Conference League Cup, and the National Amateur Challenge Cup. No other club has ever won all three trophies in the same season, nor will they ever again as the National Cup competition has been shelved. This victory was probably the most prestigious in the club’s history, played as it was at Knowsley Road against a powerful Hensingham team who had prevailed along with Saddleworth from the 200 teams who entered the competition.

The late 90s saw two more Standard Cup victories in 1996 and 97 but in general failed to prosper. It heralded a period of frustration with coaches resigning and dwindling player support.


The New Millennium

Like a sleeping giant Saddleworth is again on the move. Whilst the senior side has had declining fortunes, despite Standard Cup triumphs in 2000 and 2003, relegation to National League division 3 became a reality, and it was only the superhuman efforts of coach Paddy Kirwan and his support team that kept the senior side afloat in 2005 - 06. Promotion back to division two on the back of young home grown talent can only be a positive sign of things to come.

The tragic and untimely death of Ronnie Hardaker in 2006 was felt desperately by everyone associated with Saddleworth, and the whole of the amateur rugby game in general. Synonymous as he was with the club Ronnie had been player, benefactor, administrator and Chairman on and off for over 50 years, His lifetime of optimistic support for the club he married and carried through the lean times and the euphoric will perhaps never be replaced.

But time waits for no man, and Ronnie would be delighted with the prospect of Saddleworth, Waterhead and St Anne battling out local derbies in National League division 2, as is the case this season. Competition for bragging rights seems finely tuned.

Ex Saddleworth legend Terry Flanagan is the new Chairman, and he has marshalled the support of a strong backroom squad. Paddy Kirwan and Mike Swift are in charge of first team affairs. The junior section is currently thriving, and what was embryonic to Tony Finan and Frank Walsh in the early 70s is now a support system of some 13 teams from Under 8s to Open Age rugby. The Under 18s team have opted for the dizzy heights of the National League this season, and there is quiet enthusiasm afoot at the club. There is already discussion about a new clubhouse circulating, and the last close season saw a considerable sum spent on general refurbishment. The club is financially reasonably secure, and could it be that once more Saddleworth Rangers is showing distinctive signs of flickering back to life.