Clubs > Sowerby Spartans > The 1990’s

The 1990’s

With the reorganization of the Pennine League to introduce Alliance Divisions for those teams below a club’s first team, the Spartans were placed in Division 2 along with clubs like Dudley Hill, Birkenshaw BlueDogs, Brighouse Rangers, Todmorden and Underbank. The Spartans thrived in this company. They won 12 of 18 games to finish in 3rd place and gain promotion. Meanwhile, the “A” team placed in the new Alliance 2 held their own throughout the season winning 8 games (out of 20).

The goal for the 1991-92 season was consolidation in Division 1. This was the highest level the Spartans had played at and they worked hard to stay in the division along with Brighouse Rangers and Todmorden who had also been promoted. It was a difficult season and the return for all the toil was 7 victories from 18 league outings giving them a 7th place finish. Mission accomplished. The “A” team struggled along all season wining just 4 of their games to finish second from bottom of Alliance 2.

Having survived in Division 1, the Spartans entered the 1992-93 season with confidence, This soon changed as they started the season with three straight losses. By the end of the season, they had managed to win just 4 games and were relegated. The “A” team plodded along wing 7 of their 19 games.

On the positive side, the Halifax & District Rugby League recognised Sowerby Spartans at the “Most Sporting Team” for the 1992-93 season.

For the next three seasons the Spartans remained in Division 2 finishing in mid-table.

Off the field, they moved from their original home at The Church Style to the Rush Cart public house. The “A” had a couple of fallow seasons but returned in 1999 when they stayed at The Rush Cart while the first team moved down to The Lock Keepers in Sowerby Bridge .

As the 1990’s became the 2000’s the Spartans finished second in Division 1 – with Calder Valley taking the Division 1 title – winning 12 of their 18 games. In their last game of the season they had to beat Park Amateurs “A” to secure promotion. It was long term player and captain Andy Law who took charge and scored a couple of tries leading his side to a 46-20 with Park Amateurs “A” finishing the campaign in third place.

Sadly, after more than two decades bit the dust in 2004. It seems they ran out of players when a breakaway group had joined Sowerby Bridge Robins, They ran out of numbers.

Sowerby Spartans was always a relatively small club. They secured promotion all the way to the Pennine Premier Division. They didn’t win any cups but they won the admiration of many. They produced some fine players.