Clubs > Todmorden > The 1990’s

The 1990’s

The decade opened in a positive fashion as the “A” was re-established and the first team was in Division 2, the highest division the club played in. The club base had moved around the public houses of Todmorden and had by 1993 secured changing facilities at Todmorden High School.

The first team seemed to enjoy playing in Division 2 as they winning the majority of their games finishing 5th in 1990-91 and 9th in 1991-92. The team was coached by Andrew Fairbank in 1992.

The Todmorden club briefly fielded an Under 14 side in the West Riding League in U14 Division 2 alongside clubs such as Milnrow Newhey, Guiseley, Keighley Cougars, Hoyland Vikings and Elland Boxers to whom they lost one game 44-0.

Playing from the Duke of York public house in 1993-94, Todmorden had these highest ever league finish when they narrowly missed out on promotion. It was a hard division with teams such as Calder Valley pressing all the way. Todmorden eventually finished in 3rd place winning 16 of their 22 games. It was the run in at the end of the season which was Todmorden’s let down.

Meanwhile the re-formed “A” team was struggling along in Division 6 winning just 3 games out of 20 in 1990-91. With the reorganisation of the Pennine League for the 1991-92 season, Todmorden “A” found themselves in Alliance Division 2. They fared little better finishing in 10th place with only 5 wins from 22 games. The 1993-94 proved to be the end of the “A” team. They fulfilled their fixtures but won only 3 of their 20 games and were consigned to history.

By 1996 the club had moved their base to the White Hart public house in the centre of the town and the team were back to playing in Division 4. With some younger players coming through as seasoned players from the former junior sides such as John Cockcroft, the club was in good shape.

By 1998-99 John McGrath had taken over as coach and the team was playing well back in Division 3.

The season saw perhaps the highlight of Todmorden Rugby League story when they had a run to the final of the Halifax Cup, defeating Brighouse Rangers, Illingworth and Sowerby Bridge Robins on their journey. The Final was to be the last one to be staged at Halifax’s iconic Thrum Hall ground. A celebration moment indeed for the coach who in his first season at the club took them to a final! Their opponents in the final were the mighty Park Amateurs who were Halifax Champions and Pennine League Premier Division champions. One player looking forward to his first Halifax Cup Final in his 25 seasons since he first played for the club was Billy Collier. It was not a fairytale end for Billy as he could not play due to a serious knee injury and in the end Todmorden were well beaten.