The 1990’s
This was the period in which Siddal started to become a real force in local Rugby League. It was a decade in which they would win the Halifax Cup three times and the Halifax Championship twice. They would also be promoted to the Pennine Premier Division and
Siddal started the decade in Pennine Division 1. The successful 1990-91 season saw Siddal improve and finish runners up in Division 1. They won 14 of their 18 league games to gain promotion.
At the Halifax and District presentation night, Johnny Lawless received the award for “ The Most Promising Young Player”. Jonny and come through the Siddal junior teams and would go on to win the RFL Challenge Cup with Sheffield Eagles in 1998.
Siddal now took to life in the Premier Division finishing mid table in the next seasons with 5 wins in 1991-92 and 9 wins from 18 games in 1993-93 . They made it through to the 1992 Halifax Cup Final but in a very tight final they were beaten 6-4 by Greetland All Rounders.
Former Halifax and Wigan player, Mick Scott had returned in 1992 to Siddal and was leading the charge. Mick explained,
“I came back to coach but ended up playing”
The club was producing some more good quality players as Martin Scrimshaw, Bob Holroyd and Mick Shaw were with Jonny Lawless.
There was a Halifax Cup and Halifax Championship double in 1995-96. They were victorious over Park Amateurs in the Championship Final and over Ovenden in the Halifax Cup at Thrum Hall.
The success continued and in 1996-97 were crowned Pennine League Premier Division Champions with a record showing 11 victories from 18 games.
They also had a good run in the Yorkshire Cup and reached the final for the second time. And disappointingly, more so as they playing at Thrum Hall, they were again runners up losing 9-6 to Featherstone Lions.
A big change and move forward for the club was in 1997 when Siddal was elected to join the National Conference League in Division 2 for the 1997-98 season. The new competition inspired the Siddal lads and in their first season they were promoted to Division 1 with a record of 18 wins from 22 games. Promotion to Division 1 was a massive boost to the club and the players soon adapted well to the higher level Their try scoring potential was boosted by the arrival of ex- Calder Valley, Halifax and Hunslet winger, Gary Richardson. Siddal remained in NCL Division 1 for the next two season. They finished the decade with their coaching team of Johnny Lawless and Mick Shaw.
There was also another Halifax Cup Final success in 1997-78 season.