History of the Rugby League Conference

2712:

start the season in the Scottish Premier division Falkirk failed to start the season in the Scottish 1st Division. Ayr Knights failed to complete the season in the Scottish 1st Division and their results stood. South Somerset Warriors failed to complete the season in the South West Division. CPC Bears failed to complete the season in the Welsh Premier and their results stood. Blackwood Bulldogs failed to start the season in the South Wales Championship. Hainault Bulldogs failed to complete the season in the Premier South division and had London Skolars A take over their fixtures midseason. Birmingham Bulldogs A failed to complete the season in the Midlands Division (East). Mancunians, Widnes West Bank and East Lancashire Vikings failed to complete the season in the North West Premier division and their results stood. Crewe & Nantwich Steamers failed to complete the season in the North West Regional division and their results stood. Norwich City Knights and Northampton Demons A failed to complete the season in the East division and their results stood

2189:

season in the North Midlands Division and were replaced by Parkside Hawks. Redditch Ravens failed to complete the season in the Midlands Premier Division and entered the Midlands Merit League. Telford Raiders also failed to complete the season in the Midlands Premier Division. However, their results stood. Cambridge Eagles and Hainault Bulldogs 'A' failed to complete the season in the Eastern Division. Plymouth Titans failed to complete the season in the South West division, but the results stood. Hartlepool failed to complete the season in the North East but the results stood.

1326:

heartland teams. Aside from the aforementioned NL3 withdrawals and Manchester's replacement by Dewsbury Celtic in the Premier Division there were many Regional Division withdrawals. This started with the pre-season withdrawal of Lancaster (replaced by Rochdale Spotland Rangers), Chester Wolves (replaced by Wigan & Leigh Cavaliers), Rugby Raiders and Thames Valley. This continued with mid-season withdrawals of Oxford Cavaliers (who were to return), Luton Vipers 'A', Middlesex Lions, Gosport & Fareham Vikings and most surprisingly Rotherham Giants.

1521:

subsequently resigned. Also while they withdrew before the fixtures were finalised South Wakefield Sharks were expected to play in the North Midlands & South Yorkshire division. Furthermore, Haringey Hornets 'A' were allowed to remain in the competition despite scratching 7 out of their 10 fixtures. However, unlike the previous season the withdrawals were less to do with unsuitable teams being let into the regionals and more to do with regional division standard teams being forced into the premier divisions to make up the numbers there.

721:, from the following season the first club in over fifty years to make the transition from the amateur ranks to the professional leagues (the previous club to do so being Cardiff who unsuccessfully had stepped up from the Welsh League in 1951) and the first to step up successfully from a non-league competition since Castleford's elevation from the Yorkshire Senior League in 1926 (from which league Featherstone Rovers had also successfully stepped up a few years previously), though this league was theoretically semi-professional. 2202:

Wigan Riversiders Eels, Mancunians RL, Victoria Rangers and Barnsley Broncos (formerly called Barnsley) stepped up from the RL Merit League and Hammersmith Hills Hoists, St Albans Centurions A, South London Storm A and Sussex Merlins moved up from the London League. The National Conference League failed to repeat its summer experiment leading three clubs: East Leeds, Milford Marlins and Shaw Cross Sharks to join the Rugby League Conference.

24: 822:, a team based on the student old boys model very successfully used by the North London Skolars, in the largely rugby league free northern part of Leeds, but still nonetheless in a city known for rugby league. This was to pave the way for a huge influx of truly heartland teams the following season, drastically changing the face of the competition. 967:(late replacements after Teesside Steelers surprisingly announced they were folding after being runners-up the previous season) and Essex Eels leave the Conference to join National League Three, which also gained the reformed Bramley Buffaloes. National league three was won by expansion club Coventry Bears, whose team featured professional 1643:

For the first time in several years no London League teams were promoted, but Farnborough Falcons and London Griffins had intended to enter before receiving call-ups (to form the short lived South Division intended to replace the failed South East division) and still played a small number of fixtures

1627:

with the addition of three teams from the Premier North Division: Leeds Akkies, Cottingham Phoenix and East Lancashire Lions. Cottingham Phoenix were subsequently expelled about halfway through the season for forfeiting three fixtures. The inaugural RLC National Division was won by Featherstone Lions

264:

in 1995 meant that it was now possible for rugby union players to play rugby league during their off-season without risking a ban from rugby union whilst adding an element of competition for players in the winter. This gave non-heartland clubs a larger player pool but only if they switched to summer.

2711:

Gateshead Lightning failed to start the season in the National Division. Guiseley Rangers and East Leeds failed to start the season in the Yorkshire Premier (West). Doncaster Toll Bar failed to complete the season in the Yorkshire Premier Division (West) and their results stood. Moray Eels failed to

2443:

Haworth Park failed to complete the season in the Yorkshire Premier Division but their results stood. Bradford Salem withdrew from the Yorkshire Regional Division to be replaced by Shaw Cross Sharks. Wetherby Bulldogs and Scunthorpe Barbarians failed to complete the season in the Yorkshire Regional

668:

This season saw a controversial format change, with two sets of three second round groups, both for the top three teams in each group but also for the bottom teams. These provided four extra fixtures, giving 14 guaranteed games, but the extra fixtures were poorly scheduled, seeing Manchester Knights

442:

application was rejected and the Alliance (reserve grade) was scrapped. However, a change of decision and the collapse of the EMARLA saw this changed. Derby City were welcomed as the final champions of the EMARLA and the other 4 new sides were formed from the ashes of defunct winter clubs. Worcester

227:

The Eastern Counties and the MASWARLA competitions folded in 1995 (as did the Welsh Amateur League of the time) The few remaining teams were absorbed by the London ARL and the EMARLA. The London League initially regionalised its division 2 to cope with the increased travel pressures this caused, but

2030:

fail to return, but saw the return of rugby league to Winlaton in the name of Winlanton Warriors (Winlaton had previously not only had its own team in 2005 but had also hosted Gateshead Storm and Whitley Bay Barbarians). Victoria Knights were formed from the ashes of Paisley Hurricanes though could

502:

league but saw it reform as a summer based merit league with a combination of reserve teams and new clubs (though South London Storm and Kingston Warriors joined the Rugby League Conference). In a second relocation Cheltenham Warriors moved to Gloucester and became Gloucestershire Warriors. Another

2201:

These new divisions saw many teams step up from the merit leagues: Coventry Bears A, Birmingham Bulldogs A, North East Worcestershire Ravens (formerly Redditch Ravens) and Leamington Royals either joined or rejoined from the Midlands Rugby League; Chester Gladiators, Crewe & Nantwich Steamers,

817:

This rapid expansion was in part possible due to the lowering of the strict minimum criteria which were considered less necessary due to National League Three allowing a higher standard of play for the teams more suited to it. However, despite this, the only team to fail to complete the season was

1520:

As with the previous season there were many drop-outs with Winlaton Vulcans (replaced by Gateshead Storm 'A'), Pembrokeshire Panthers and Northampton failing to make the starting gate and West Cumbria Crusaders, Huddersfield Sharks, Luton Vipers, Essex Eels, Catterick Panthers and Mansfield Storm

1372:

clubs their own premier division without having to face heartland teams, though this left the West Midlands division with too few teams to run, forcing it into a merger with the South West division. The Welsh premier division was split into two divisions, though this decision was reversed for the

664:

with a Glasgow team in 2002 on the Cardiff model failed to materialise, and the Conference had to wait until 2007 to have Scottish full members for the first time. Another plan to expand to 32 teams with the addition of teams based in Bolton and Telford also fell through with Telford withdrawing

2188:

Bridlington Bulls failed to start the season in the Yorkshire Premier division. Guildford Giants replaced Farnborough Falcons in the London & South division. Kent Ravens failed to complete the season in the London & South division. Moorends & Thorne Marauders 'A' failed to start the

1163:

The RLC Premier divisions were set up in 2005 to include the stronger teams in those areas who were able to travel further to play away games. The North and Central divisions were largely dominated by heartland teams that had been part of the influx the previous two seasons, the former of which

1003:

as their priority. However, only through the inclusion of heartland teams was it possible to create some of the premier divisions the following season, and a few of the heartland clubs were needed by National League Three over the years to keep it going when teams resigned from it. Furthermore,

2490:

The plans for 2012 saw several winter sides switching to summer with Cadishead Rhinos, Chorley Panthers and Rochdale Cobras joining the North West Regional division; Walton Warriors, Knottingley Rockware Stolze and Cutsyke Raiders in the Yorkshire East division and Doncaster Toll Bar, Guiseley

2471:

2011 also saw more new divisions with Scotland and North East gaining a Premier Division and a new Regional Division being formed in the West of England with clubs from various divisions to reduce the travel burden. The Midlands Premier and Regional Divisions merged with a split season format.

1640:. While this was rather artificially created it was necessary due to the unique circumstances of the region to reduce travelling costs for what are ultimately amateur clubs. There was also already local interest for more teams, but intervention was needed to make sure this was a full division. 1325:

It was felt that this season saw too many unstable teams admitted to make up the gaps left by teams joining the Premier Division. This was supported by the unprecedented number of midseason withdrawals, though a couple of these were more due to the increasing standards created by the influx of

277:

began as a 10-team pilot league in 1997. The teams selected were not necessarily those with the highest playing standard, as off-field factors were initially considered very important. Furthermore, teams were selected to represent medium to large-sized towns and thus some clubs were considered

1998:

having their fixtures stopped after one game, joined the London League. Established club Durham Tigers failed to complete the season in the North East division. Also while they withdrew before the fixtures were finalised Copeland Athletic were expected to play in the North West division.

2451:

Blackwood Bulldogs failed to complete the season in the Welsh Premier division. Amman Valley Rhinos, Dinefwr Sharks, Wildboars (St Clears) and Swansea-Llanelli Dragons were all excluded from the Welsh Regional division after not fulfilling any fixtures and replaced by Dyffryn Devils.

497:

This season saw a relatively modest further expansion to 24 teams, including the return of founder members Kingston. Leicester Phoenix's Chairman Julian Harrison was appointed the new Conference Administrator. This also coincided with the demise of the London ARL as a winter

2228:

This season had a much higher rate of teams dropping out or forfeiting games than usual with for example the North West Premier division losing three out of five initial teams and the Welsh Regional Division having four out of the original seven teams fail to play a game.

1120:

The start of the season was marred by the withdrawal of twice former champions Crawley Jets, whose proposed replacements Reigate Crusaders never materialised. The only team to withdraw mid-season was Carlisle Centurions 'A', the last time this number was so few.

357:

was founded in 1998 with 14 teams (initially planned to be 15, but the proposed Northampton club failed to materialise) with several new clubs resulting in a reorganisation of the divisional line-ups to three divisions (West, East and South). Of these new clubs

315:(formed from a merger of two of the more successful London ARL teams Brent-Ealing and London Colonials), Oxford Cavaliers and Worcester Royals (though the latter 2 had played friendlies the preceding summer). The other clubs joined from the London ARL including 1656:. Worksop Sharks relocated to Rossington, Doncaster controversially as Doncaster already had a team - Thorne Moor Marauders and this broke the one club, one town policy theoretically in place. Thorne Moor Marauders merged with BARLA club Moorends to become the 1187:

were formed from the ashes of the Worcestershire Saints and Yorkshire Coast Tigers clubs respectively. Leeds Akademiks had to change their moniker to the Akkies due to a legal challenge from an American clothing brand named Akademik. The ever fruitful

998:

This season saw major expansion in the heartlands resulting in new Yorkshire and Cumbria divisions. The decision to include them has been much criticised, especially since many (though by no means all) are uncommitted to summer rugby league, seeing

1781:, North Wales Coasters and Glasgow Bulls all failed to complete the season, which while less than in the previous two seasons was still far from ideal, especially in the North West and Cheshire divisions which were both left with just four teams. 224:, the Midlands and South West Amateur Rugby League Association (MASWARLA), the East Midlands Amateur Rugby League Association (EMARLA), the Eastern Counties Amateur Rugby League and the North Eastern Amateur Rugby League Association (NEARLA). 1631:

The promotion of three teams to the RLC National left the already depleted Premier North unviable and an artificial North Premier was created out of the North East and North regional divisions so that a league of this name could still exist.

2730:

The RFL have released plans for a new structure in the summer game. Initial plans were for the Rugby League Conference to be scrapped and replaced with a Northern and Southern Conference at tier 4 to replace the National division (and the

2224:

Gateshead Storm and Newcastle Knights merged to form Newcastle Storm, Ipswich Rhinos and Colchester Romans merged to form Eastern Rhinos. Leicester Phoenix became Leicester Storm. Northampton Casuals became Northampton Demons.

329:

Kingston were to resign from the league after only playing one game, but besides this and a forfeited semi-final this pilot season was generally successful, resulting in an increase of RFL funding to allow further expansion.

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that switched from winter). These plans were later amended to have three National Conference League divisions staying as they were underpinned by a separate division 4 based on the Rugby League Conference National division.

2068:: Bramley Buffaloes, Carlisle Centurions, Dewsbury Celtic, East Lancashire Lions, Featherstone Lions, Gateshead Storm, Hemel Stags, Huddersfield Underbank Rangers, Liverpool Buccaneers, Nottingham Outlaws, Warrington Wizards 636:

However, Gateshead Panthers merged into Newcastle Knights before the season started leaving a gap in the North East Division which was filled by Durham Phoenix, who after this one season returned to their former name of

2439:

Runcorn and Widnes Saints withdrew from the North West Premier Division pre-season to be replaced by Widnes West Bank and Wirral Warriors. New Broughton Rangers folded midseason in the North West Premier Division.

2022:

The National Division lost Celtic Crusaders Colts to the Super League Reserve Grade but regained Carlisle Centurions from the North Premier Division and gained Nottingham Outlaws from the Midlands Premier Division

2463:

2011 saw the National Division regain Coventry Bears from the Midlands Premier Division and Valley Cougars step up from the Welsh Premier Division. Gateshead Lightning were admitted as well as a reserve team for

2197:

2010 saw an expansion in the numbers of divisions with the Midlands, Wales and North West all forming new regional divisions. The North Midlands division formed the basis for the new Yorkshire regional division.

302:

Birmingham and Leicester Phoenix had been playing in the EMARLA (the former since the demise of the MASWARLA). Among the newly formed clubs were Bedford Swifts, the first ever cross-code club (i.e. playing both

2233: 514:, with a Northern Rugby League Summer Conference with teams from various BARLA leagues won by Teesside Steelers, also featuring Gateshead Panthers, Bridlington Bulls, West Craven Warriors and Wetherby Bulldogs. 2516:: Bramley Buffaloes, Coventry Bears, Dewsbury Celtic, Featherstone Lions, Gateshead Lightning, Hemel Stags, Huddersfield Underbank Rangers, Kippax Knights, Nottingham Outlaws, Valley Cougars, Warrington Wizards 1635:

The Midlands Premier Division gained Gloucestershire and Somerset in place of struggling Wolverhampton, who returned to the regionals. This season was a new South West division created for teams from the deep

326:, a club that missed out at the first stage of applications. As a result of Cambridge Eagles being more geographically suited to the Eastern Division, Bedford Swifts were switched to the Central Division. 259:

was the fact that the professional clubs had switched to a summer season the previous year and thus interest in the sport in the winter was decreased. The abandonment of amateurism by the rival sport of

2447:

Derby City withdrew mid-season from the Midlands Premier but their results stood. North East Worcestershire Ravens failed to complete the season in the Midlands Regional division but the results stood.

2246:: Bramley Buffaloes, Carlisle Centurions, Dewsbury Celtic, Featherstone Lions, Hemel Stags, Huddersfield Underbank Rangers, Kippax Knights, Liverpool Buccaneers, Nottingham Outlaws, Warrington Wizards 1673:: Bramley Buffaloes, Cottingham Phoenix, Dewsbury Celtic, East Lancashire Lions, Featherstone Lions, Gateshead Storm, Hemel Stags, Huddersfield Underbank Rangers, Leeds Akkies, Warrington Wizards 1140:

In 2005 National League Three changed from a period of expansion to one of consolidation, with both Manchester Knights (who had failed to complete their last few games the previous season) and

1388:

and Hull Phoenix moving to Cottingham. Furthermore, London Skolars 'A' had a one-season rebrand as Haringey Hornets, leaving the regional team of that name to become their reserves. The new

1816:

to the National Division. Also notably for the first time no RLC National clubs ran a reserve team in the RLC, in fact Hemel were the only club to run one at all, in the London League.

2739:

Tier 5 will consist of a series of regional leagues where Rugby League Conference clubs will be joined by some BARLA clubs switching to summer. These regional leagues will include the

2433:

Carlisle Centurions withdrew from the National Division mid-season and their results were expunged, Liverpool Buccaneers withdrew from the National Division and their results stood.

669:

eliminated despite winning all four extra games. This format was ditched after this season, though the idea of tiered competition was to return with the advent of premier divisions.

2491:

Rangers and Lindley Swifts in the Yorkshire West (which also gained new side Prospect Pirates). There were also numerous BARLA clubs entering teams in the North West Merit League.

1349:

The 2006 season saw Coventry Bears and Essex Eels return to the RLC structure in the Midlands and Premier South Divisions respectively. Their NL3 places were taken by the promoted

2103:: Bedford Tigers, Elmbridge Eagles, Hainault Bulldogs, Ipswich Rhinos, London Skolars 'A', Portsmouth Navy Seahawks, South London Storm, St Albans Centurions, West London Sharks, 1144:

both deciding to enter the new Premier Divisions, though in fact Manchester Knights would only last two games before folding, with their position taken over by former BARLA club

656:

The competition for the first time remained at the same number of teams in the 2002 season, the only change being the addition of Luton Vipers from the London League to replace

362:

had previously been playing in the London ARL and Cheltenham had had two clubs in the MASWARLA when that existed. Another new twist was the addition of the monikers of

1152:

and Birmingham Bulldogs fail to complete the season (Birmingham took over their reserve teams' fixtures) showing that the expansionist bubble had seemingly burst with

2472:

Yorkshire replaced its Premier and Regional Divisions with two geographically split divisions (west and east) that would have premier and regional division playoffs.

1876:, Dewsbury Celtic, East Lancashire Lions, Featherstone Lions, Gateshead Storm, Hemel Stags, Huddersfield Underbank Rangers, Liverpool Buccaneers, Warrington Wizards 434:

The 1999 season saw further expansion to 20 teams, resulting in another change in the divisional system. Initially only 15 clubs were to be funded by the RFL and

41: 1683:, Carlisle, Copeland Athletic, Durham Tigers, Gateshead Storm 'A', Jarrow Vikings, Newcastle Knights, Peterlee Pumas, Sunderland Nissan, Whitley Bay Barbarians 322:

However, before the season started Reading Raiders announced that they would remain in the London ARL, the tenth place being offered to fellow London ARL club

2051: 1855: 2026:

West Wales Sharks relocated and became Dinefwr Sharks. Thetford Titans moved to Bury St Edmunds and became Bury Titans. The North East saw established club

2680:: Devon Sharks, East Devon Eagles, Exeter Centurions, North Devon Raiders, Plymouth Titans, Somerset Vikings, South Dorset Giants, South Somerset Warriors 1900:: Blackwood Bulldogs, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cardiff Demons, Neath Port Talbot Steelers, Newport Titans, Torfaen Tigers, Valley Cougars, West Wales Sharks 1701:: Blackwood Bulldogs, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cardiff Demons, Newport Titans, Neath Port Talbot Steelers, Torfaen Tigers, Valley Cougars, West Wales Sharks 2109:: Blackwood Bulldogs, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cardiff Demons, Dinefwr Sharks, Torfaen Tigers, Neath Port Talbot Steelers, Newport Titans, Valley Cougars, 278:

undesirable, either due to being pub teams or due to being in small towns based too near a large town with a club (the latter being one of the reasons

345:

was also founded in 1997 with five teams and had its first season. However, it would remain outside the Rugby League Conference structure until 2006.

1689:: Birmingham Bulldogs, Coventry Bears, Derby City, Gloucestershire Warriors, Leicester Phoenix, Nottingham Outlaws, Somerset Vikings, Telford Raiders 88: 2236:

took place at Derby's Haslams Lane ground, with six representative teams representing different English regions. The event was won by the Midlands.

1894:: Elmbridge, Ipswich Rhinos, Kent Ravens, London Skolars 'A', Portsmouth Navy Seahawks, South London Storm, St Albans Centurions, West London Sharks 1842:

this season, produced East Riding and Sheffield Forgers for the Conference but South Humber Rabbitohs stepped back down. The London League provided

1389: 486: 60: 2042:

giving the Conference a new feeder competition with the RL Merit League being split into North West and Yorkshire divisions. Norwich City Saxons,

1543: 443:

Saints became Worcestershire Saints after moving to Redditch in the first relocation. For the first time all starting teams finished the season.

2436:

Jordanhill Phoenix and Kirkcaldy failed to start the season in the Scottish division, Forth & Clyde Nomads were brought in as replacements.

2097:: Birmingham Bulldogs, Bristol Sonics, Coventry Bears, Derby City, Gloucestershire Warriors, Leicester Phoenix, Redditch Ravens, Telford Raiders 1882:: Carlisle Centurions, Durham Tigers, Jarrow Vikings, Leeds Akkies, Newcastle Knights, Peterlee Pumas, Sunderland Nissan, Whitley Bay Barbarians 1663:

The Scottish affiliated division of 2006 became a full member division with all six teams admitted, though Glasgow never completed the season.

67: 1196:(formed the previous year from the ashes of Bedford Swifts), Haringey Hornets (effectively London Skolars' third team) and Luton Vipers 'A'. 3013: 1559: 1542:

as a pilot scheme with a view to integrating the Scottish league as a full part of the Conference for the 2007 season. The six teams being

2034:

Nottingham Outlaws A, Moorends-Thorne Marauders A and Wigan Riversiders joined the Rugby League Conference from the RL Merit League. The

1524:

The 2006 Premier division saw South London defeat East Lancashire in the final, while Liverpool beat Thorne Moor in the regionals final.

582: 3008: 74: 2008: 2144:: Leeds Akkies A, Lincoln City Knights, Moorends-Thorne Marauders 'A', Nottingham Outlaws 'A', Rotherham Giants, Scunthorpe Barbarians 1707:: Bridlington Bulls, Leeds Akkies 'A', Lincoln City Knights, Moorends & Thorne Marauders, Rossington Sharks, Scarborough Pirates, 2487:

which split off from the London League. The Yorkshire & Humber Merit League split into a North division and a Midlands division.

2058:, this influx of new teams allowing the re-separation of the two Regional divisions in the South East (East and London & South). 2012: 1624: 1539: 1224:: Aberavon Fighting Irish, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cardiff Demons, Newport Titans, Swansea Valley Miners, Torfaen Tigers, Valley Cougars 752: 342: 1000: 499: 217: 56: 1888:: Bedford Tigers, Birmingham Bulldogs, Coventry Bears, Derby City, Gloucestershire Warriors, Leicester Phoenix, Nottingham Outlaws 1695:: Ipswich Rhinos, Kent Ravens, Kingston Warriors, London Skolars 'A', South London Storm, St Albans Centurions, West London Sharks 1535:

and consisted of new clubs who are not ready for the full commitment of the Conference season together with RLC clubs' 'A' teams.

1412:: Birmingham Bulldogs, Coventry Bears, Derby City, Nottingham Outlaws, Leicester Phoenix, Telford Raiders, Wolverhampton Wizards 1116:: Crawley Jets, Gosport & Fareham Vikings, Greenwich Admirals, Kingston Warriors, South London Storm 'A', West London Sharks 2765: 1777:

Broadstairs Bulldogs failed to start the season and were replaced by London Griffins. Cottingham Phoenix, Gateshead Storm 'A',

806:

and the returning South Norfolk Saints). Also for the first time two teams further southwest than Gloucester participated: the

2858: 1173: 1169: 3003: 2884: 2806: 2582:: Eastern Rhinos, Hainault Bulldogs, Hammersmith Hillshoists, South London Storm, St Albans Centurions, West London Sharks, 748: 1808:

The RLC National in 2008 saw Leeds Akkies drop to the Premier North but the addition of a Colts team to professional club

1004:

allowing heartland teams in meant all National League Three teams could run a reserve team in the summer if they so chose

2832: 751:(their position initially given to Crawley Jets, who later turned it down) and Teesside Steelers joined the newly formed 2135:, Jarrow Vikings, Newcastle Knights, Northallerton Stallions, Peterlee Pumas, Sunderland City, Whitley Bay Barbarians, 228:

they were unable to keep up numbers for this. While their leagues at the time survived (albeit at a low level) teams in

1859: 1473:, Crewe Wolves, Liverpool Buccaneers, North Wales Coasters, Ormskirk Heelers, Runcorn Vikings, Warrington Wizards 'A', 1418:: Essex Eels, Haringey Hornets, Ipswich Rhinos, Kingston Warriors, Luton Vipers, South London Storm, West London Sharks 1368:

The Premier divisions saw a change in boundaries leaving the North Premier division covering a larger area to give the

1090:: Bristol Sonics, Gloucestershire Warriors, Oxford Cavaliers, Somerset Vikings, Telford Raiders, Worcestershire Saints 438:

were admitted to the East division to fill the gap originally intended for Northampton the previous season after their

2588:: Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cardiff Demons, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire & Ceredigion Bears, Titans, Torfaen Tigers, 798:

with the addition of no fewer than 5 teams from the London League (North London Skolars 'A', South London Storm 'A',

107: 1736:: Bristol Sonics, Burntwood Barbarians, Coventry Bears 'A', Oxford Cavaliers, Redditch Ravens, Wolverhampton Wizards 81: 3028: 1482:: Lincoln City Knights, Mansfield Storm, Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks ('A'), Thorne Moor Marauders, Worksop Sharks 2015:

though the bulk of its membership joined the newly reformed North East Division. The heartland winter league the

1392:

team were unconnected to the former team and in fact a summer team for Widnes-based BARLA club West Bank Bears.

905:

Aberavon Fighting Irish, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cynon Valley Cougars, Rumney Rhinos, Swansea Bulls, Torfaen Tigers

818:

founder member Bedford Swifts. More controversial at the time was the inclusion in a development competition of

1657: 772: 45: 2939: 1218:: Greenwich Admirals, Ipswich Rhinos, London Skolars 'A', Luton Vipers, South London Storm, West London Sharks 2965: 2282:, London Skolars 'A', Portsmouth Navy Seahawks, South London Storm, St Albans Centurions, West London Sharks, 1492:, Coventry Bears 'A', Gloucestershire Warriors, Oxford Cavaliers, Plymouth, Redditch Ravens, Somerset Vikings 1261:: Blackpool Sea Eagles, Chester Wolves, Crewe Wolves, Lancaster, Liverpool Buccaneers, North Wales Coasters, 216:

Prior to the Rugby League Conference, there were several non-heartland leagues throughout England run by the

2272:: Birmingham Bulldogs, Bristol Sonics, Coventry Bears, Derby City, Gloucestershire Warriors, Leicester Storm 1755:: Bedford Tigers, Cambridge Eagles, Colchester Romans, Greenwich Admirals, St Ives Roosters, Thetford Titans 1274:, Mansfield Storm, Rotherham Giants, Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks 'A', Thorne Moor Marauders, Worksop Sharks 1206:: Copeland Athletic, Jarrow Vikings, Penrith Pumas, Peterlee Pumas, Sunderland City, West Cumbria Crusaders, 1172:

Division was the same teams as the regional division en masse promoted in status for pragmatic reasons. The

2704: 2421: 2055: 1532: 1362: 1189: 768: 543:: Bedford Swifts, Cambridge Eagles, Hemel Stags, Ipswich Rhinos, South Norfolk Saints, St Albans Centurions 221: 1828: 503:

rebranding was had by Birmingham Bulls, who became Birmingham Bulldogs to avoid a legal challenge by the

1527:

In 2006 a new league was founded as a feeder league to the RLC in the Midlands and South Yorkshire. The

1057:: Bolton Le Moors, Blackpool Sea Eagles, Chester Wolves, Crewe Wolves, Lancaster, Liverpool Buccaneers, 2744: 2732: 2721: 2495: 2016: 1649: 1608: 1358: 1096:: Aberavon Fighting Irish, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cardiff Demons, Swansea Valley Miners, Torfaen Tigers, 1050:

Barrow Shipbuilders, Carlisle Centurions 'A', Copeland Athletic, Penrith Pumas, West Cumbria Crusaders

374: 249: 1212:: Bolton Le Moors, Hull Phoenix, Leeds Akkies, Manchester Knights, Nottingham Outlaws, Telford Raiders 1007:

Unlike the previous season only one team (St Albans Centurions 'A') was admitted from the London ARL.

581:, who had formerly run a young team in the Academy competition, joined the league. Along with the new 196:

made it more difficult for the sport to expand beyond its "heartlands" in the traditional counties of

2913: 2740: 2499: 2475:

The only clubs moving up from feeder leagues were Northampton Demons A and Bristol Sonics A from the

1720:: Blackpool Sea Eagles, Liverpool Buccaneers, Ormskirk Heelers, Warrington Wizards 'A', Widnes Saints 1160:

in an all-heartland final and both Coventry Bears and Essex Eels resigning at the end of the season.

439: 2074:: Blackpool Sea Eagles, Lymm RL, New Broughton Rangers, Rhyl Coasters, Runcorn RLC, Widnes Saints, 1832: 1565: 1338: 995:, the first time the NL3 final had been held on the same bill as the other National League finals. 691:: Birmingham Bulldogs, Coventry Bears, Leicester Phoenix, Nottingham Outlaws, Wolverhampton Wizards 610:: Birmingham Bulldogs, Coventry Bears, Leicester Phoenix, Nottingham Outlaws, Wolverhampton Wizards 1644:

in it. The Midlands Merit League produced new club South Humber Rabbitohs and also helped provide

1459:: Bramley Buffaloes 'A', Bridlington Bulls, Huddersfield Underbank Rangers 'A', Leeds Akkies 'A', 370:

the Bulls and West London the Sharks; some Super League clubs also gave support to the new clubs.

2760: 2725: 2480: 2210: 1772:

Easterhouse Panthers, Edinburgh Eagles, Fife Lions, Glasgow Bulls, Moray Eels, Paisley Hurricanes

157: 121: 34: 2597:: Ayrshire Storm, Carluke Tigers, Easterhouse Panthers, Edinburgh Eagles, Fife Lions, Moray Eels 1453:: Catterick Panthers, Durham Tigers, Newcastle Knights, Whitley Bay Barbarians, Winlaton Vulcans 697:: Cardiff Demons, Gloucestershire Warriors, Hemel Stags, Oxford Cavaliers, Worcestershire Saints 481:: Crawley Jets, North London Skolars, Oxford Cavaliers, St Albans Centurions, West London Sharks 1809: 1597: 713:: Crawley Jets, Kingston Warriors, North London Skolars, South London Storm, West London Sharks 632:: Crawley Jets, Kingston Warriors, North London Skolars, South London Storm, West London Sharks 504: 129: 626:: Bedford Swifts, Cambridge Eagles, Ipswich Rhinos, South Norfolk Saints, St Albans Centurions 2748: 2476: 2320:, Jarrow Vikings, Newcastle Storm, Northallerton Stallions, Peterlee Pumas, Sunderland City, 2035: 1645: 1581: 1385: 976: 511: 186: 1994:

Glasgow Bulls, Manchester Jets and Macclesfield Titans all failed to start the season, with

597:

Bridlington Bulls, Gateshead Panthers, Newcastle Knights, Sunderland City, Teesside Steelers

2484: 1813: 1785: 1612: 1604: 1593: 1547: 1153: 764: 740: 657: 537:, Gloucestershire Warriors, Leicester Phoenix, Wolverhampton Wizards, Worcestershire Saints 359: 167: 2455:

St Albans Centurions A withdrew from the East Regional division but their fixtures stood.

1858:

with the scrapping of the unviable South Division. 2008 also the saw the creation of the

1600:, the league was named the Co-operative Rugby League Conference for sponsorship purposes. 8: 2181:: Devon Sharks, East Devon Eagles, Exeter Centurions, Plymouth Titans, Somerset Vikings, 1843: 1330: 1184: 1149: 960: 956: 944: 940: 679:: Bridlington Bulls, Durham Tigers, Newcastle Knights, Sunderland City, Teesside Steelers 367: 1648:

partly based on former MML club Scunthorpe Braves. Aberavon Fighting Irish rebranded as

2218: 2214: 1966:: Devon Sharks, East Devon Eagles, Exeter Centurions, Plymouth Titans, Somerset Vikings 1637: 1577: 1354: 1141: 1129: 799: 795: 791: 312: 229: 1592:

The 2007 season also saw a new sponsor for the league with Totalrlc being replaced by

2465: 2332:

Chester Gladiators, Crewe & Nantwich Steamers, Mancunians, Wigan Riversiders Eels

2043: 1847: 1568:

became the first Conference side to beat a 'traditional' amateur side when they beat

1381: 1157: 335: 193: 2576:: Birmingham Bulldogs A, Leicester Storm, Northampton Demons A, Nottingham Outlaws A 1823:, Winnington Park became Northwich Stags, the returning North Wales Coasters became 1623:

team and National League Three was absorbed into the Rugby League Conference as the

524:: Chester Wolves, Crewe Wolves, Derby City, Manchester Knights, Nottingham Outlaws, 292:: Birmingham, Leicester Phoenix, Oxford Cavaliers, Reading Raiders, Worcester Royals 2607:, Gateshead Storm, Jarrow Vikings, Peterlee Pumas, Sunderland City, Wallsend Eagles 2266:, Moorends-Thorne Marauders, Rotherham Giants, Scarborough Pirates, York Lokomotive 1778: 1620: 1551: 1538:

The Rugby League Conference provided administrative and promotional support to the

1369: 811: 803: 562: 462:: Birmingham Bulls, Cheltenham Warriors, Leicester Phoenix, Worcestershire Saints, 323: 279: 241: 177:

This led to the great schism which resulted in rugby becoming two separate sports:

163: 2862: 1148:

who saw summer as their future. In fact the National League Three season saw both

786:

The conference made the leap from 30 to 52 teams with the main growth areas being

2503: 2206: 2039: 1851: 1839: 1653: 1528: 1350: 1180: 1145: 980: 964: 776: 756: 423: 1447:: Carlisle, Copeland Athletic, Jarrow Vikings, Peterlee Pumas, Sunderland Nissan 685:: Chester Wolves, Crewe Wolves, Derby City, Manchester Knights, Rotherham Giants 620:, Gloucestershire Warriors, Hemel Stags, Oxford Cavaliers, Worcestershire Saints 604:: Chester Wolves, Crewe Wolves, Derby City, Manchester Knights, Rotherham Giants 2556: 2252:: Lymm RL, New Broughton Rangers, Runcorn RLC, Widnes Saints, Wigan Riversiders 2091:, Leeds Akkies, Moorends-Thorne Marauders, Scarborough Pirates, York Lokomotive 1797: 1789: 1569: 1193: 992: 988: 807: 744: 645: 578: 377:

after the first season, while retaining a team in the Rugby League Conference.

331: 316: 245: 171: 794:, both of which gained their own division for the first time, but also in the 3022: 2351:, Leeds Akkies, Lincoln City Knights, Parkside Hawks, Scunthorpe Barbarians, 2027: 1824: 1793: 1573: 1531:(now known as RL Merit League) was based on the principles of the successful 1321:, Hemel Stags 'A', Kingston Warriors, Middlesex Lions, South London Storm 'A' 1125: 638: 298:: Bedford Swifts, Ipswich Rhinos, Kingston, North London Skolars, West London 233: 2388:: Elmbridge Eagles, Guildford Giants, Greenwich Admirals, Oxford Cavaliers, 1923:: Lincoln City Knights, Moorends & Thorne Marauders, Rossington Sharks, 1950:: Lymm Wolves, Macclesfield Titans, Northwich Stags, Rhyl Coasters, Runcorn 1334: 972: 819: 718: 363: 308: 182: 133: 2007:

The North Premier Division was scrapped replaced by two new Premiers; the

1384:. Two further relocations were Bolton Le Moors moving to Darwen to become 2996: 2570:: Birmingham Bulldogs, Bristol Sonics, Leamington Royals, Telford Raiders 2372:, North East Worcestershire Ravens, Nottingham Outlaws A, Telford Raiders 2047: 2019:

launched a series of Summer Divisions in 2009 similar to the Conference.

1995: 1956:: Bristol Sonics, Coventry Bears 'A', Oxford Cavaliers, Redditch Ravens, 1820: 1616: 1377: 968: 736: 725: 435: 304: 261: 178: 2378:: Bedford Tigers, Bury Titans, Northampton Demons, Norwich City Saxons, 1263:

Ormskirk Heelers, Runcorn Vikings, Warrington Wizards 'A', Widnes Saints

585:

this left the Rugby League Conference with 30 teams in the 2001 season.

1555: 984: 780: 760: 205: 201: 2118:: Carluke Tigers, Easterhouse Panthers, Edinburgh Eagles, Fife Lions, 2526:

Liverpool Buccaneers, Mancunians, Widnes West Bank, Wigan Riversiders

1986:, Easterhouse Panthers, Edinburgh Eagles, Fife Lions, Glasgow Bulls, 1376:

The London League provided three more clubs in Broadstairs Bulldogs,

1066:: Derby City, Mansfield Storm, Nottingham Outlaws, Rotherham Giants, 334:

were the winners of the first and only Southern Conference defeating

237: 197: 1280:: Birmingham Bulldogs ('A'), Coventry Bears 'A', Leicester Phoenix, 1110:, North London Skolars ('A'), South Norfolk Saints, St Ives Roosters 23: 1402:: Blackpool Sea Eagles, Cottingham Phoenix, East Lancashire Lions, 1365:

soon resigned from NL3 leaving their reserves as their first team.

1106:: Cambridge Eagles, Hemel Stags 'A', Ipswich Rhinos, Luton Vipers, 927:

Gosport & Fareham Vikings, Greenwich Admirals, Hemel Stags 'A',

661: 660:

who took a year out into that same competition. Plans to expand to

2786:

Beyond the Heartlands - The History of the Rugby League Conference

2536:

Moorends-Thorne Marauders, Rotherham Giants, Scarborough Pirates,

1311:, South Norfolk Saints, St Albans Centurions 'A', St Ives Roosters 783:) who defeated surprise finalists Teesside Steelers in the final. 2690:, Gloucestershire Warriors, Oxford Cavaliers, Swindon St George, 2674:, Portsmouth Navy Seahawks, Southampton Spitfires, Sussex Merlins 1428:, Cardiff Demons, Newport Titans, Torfaen Tigers, Valley Cougars 1176:

offered the best hope for expanding rugby league into new areas.

1165: 1025:, Sunderland City, Whitley Bay Barbarians, Yorkshire Coast Tigers 648:

by a narrow margin in the grand final at Webb Ellis Road, Rugby.

455:

Crewe Wolves, Derby City, Manchester Knights, Nottingham Outlaws

1596:

in a six figure deal. Following United's merger with the larger

1041:

South Wakefield Sharks, Thorne Moor Marauders, Wetherby Bulldogs

2908: 2906: 1290:: Bristol Sonics, Gloucestershire Warriors, Oxford Cavaliers, 893:, Cardiff Demons, Gloucestershire Warriors, Oxford Cavaliers, 724:

In September, last year's losing finalist Coventry Bears beat

1512:, Greenwich Admirals, Haringey Hornets 'A', Hemel Stags 'A', 787: 574: 2903: 2506:. Newport Titans became Titans with a relocation to Machen. 2205:

2010 also saw an expansion of the Merit Leagues as the rump

1763:

Farnborough Falcons, Finchley, Gosport & Fareham Vikings

2288:: Blackwood Bulldogs, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cardiff Demons, 2209:

split into the Yorkshire & Humber Merit League and the

1972:: Cambridge Eagles, Colchester Romans, Greenwich Admirals, 2861:. British Amateur Rugby League Association. Archived from 2670:: Elmbridge Eagles, Guildford Giants, Greenwich Admirals, 2406:, Plymouth Titans, Somerset Vikings, South Dorset Giants, 2302:, Carluke Tigers, Easterhouse Panthers, Edinburgh Eagles, 851:

Bolton Le Moors, Blackpool Sea Eagles, Carlisle Centurions

510:

This season also saw a test of summer rugby league in the

366:

clubs by many clubs, with Worcester becoming the Saints,

2524:

Accrington & Leyland Lions, East Lancashire Vikings,

132:, was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur 1249:

Bridlington Bulls, Huddersfield Underbank Rangers 'A',

2402:: Devon Sharks, East Devon Eagles, Exeter Centurions, 2122:, Jordanhill Phoenix, Moray Eels, Paisley Hurricanes, 255:

A further major factor leading to the creation of the

2290:

Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire & Ceredigion Bears

1819:

There were multiple rebrandings: Crewe Wolves became

1607:

withdrew from National League Three to return to the

1406:, Leeds Akkies, West Cumbria Crusaders, Widnes Saints 211: 136:

teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

2509: