Origins

The origins of the Sowerby Bridge Rugby League club allegedly goes back to a single event. One Saturday afternoon, the lads who were regulars at the Church Stile Inn public house in Sowerby needed something to do to pass the time as pubs back in the day closed 3pm-5.30pm. They started to play a game touch and pass which became somewhat rowdy! The Police suggested that they form a team.

A meeting was held at the Youth Centre at Ryburn School which decided to ask former Keighley prop, Roger Schofield who was at Siddal ARLFC, for advice on how to set up a Rugby League team. Roger set up a committee and became the Club’s coach. Group of players was assembled and Sowerby had its Rugby League team. The Spartans tag was adopted to reflect the fact that Romans, Saracens and Spartans once roamed the village. The players trained at the Ryburn Secondary School and this became their home ground throughout.