2020 - The Season That Never Was

Mark Aston was looking to restore some stability to his squad, after two huge squad overhauls in previous years. He was intent on keeping the majority of the Eagles squad together, but there were a number of leavers that needed to be replaced.

Ben Blackmore joined his local club (Featherstone); Shaun Pick went to Batley whilst Sonny Esslemont signed for Dewsbury; both James Thornton and Joslin Landu went to Coventry. Pat Walker and Jason Crookes retired from the sport, whilst Menzie Yere was initially going to hang up his boots, but then decided to sign on for another year.

Of those players out of contract Corey Makelim Joel Farrell, Ryan Millar and Matty James signed for two more years, Rory Dixon, Lewis Taylor, and Oliver Davies for at least one more year.

Aston also brought a number of new players into the side with a focus on experience and also new blood:

• Zack McComb (Oldham)
• Izaac Farrell (Huddersfield)
• Rob Worrincy Dewsbury)
• Frankie Mariano (Doncaster)
• Robbie Ward (Dewsbury)
• Scott Wheeldon (Featherstone)
• Connor Bower (Doncaster)

Matt James was again Captain, with Anthony Thackeray as Vice-captain.

It had been announced that construction of the stadium was due to get underway in December 2019. The stadium’s initial phase was to include 750 seats for spectators, alongside a 4,141sqm office and commercial building, with permission granted for a final capacity of up to 3,921 spectators. Due to this development, the club had to find an alternative venue to host home games in the 2020 Championship season and Challenge Cup. It was announced that they would play their first three Championship games at Castle Park, home of Doncaster RU club. 

The club had planned two pre-season friendlies both away against Doncaster and Keighley. The Doncaster game took place on the 19th of January. At stake once more was the South Yorkshire Cup. The Eagles got off to the better start and had the first points of the game as Greg Burns went over from dummy half, following a strong run from Rory Dixon. Josh Guzdek landed the first of his four goals. Three minutes later and they had doubled the lead. Aaron Brown ran onto a Guzdek offload, having the simplest of tasks to touch down. That sparked the Dons into a response, scoring in the 20th and 26th minutes and levelling the scores at 12 each, which is how it remained to the break.

There was a cagey start to the second half, Sheffield regaining the lead after 53 minutes of play, as Frankie Mariano had too much strength from close range. Within four minutes the hosts had replied to take the lead for the first time, 1816. It was not until the 68th minute before the visitors responded. Zack McComb took the ball ten metres out and wriggled over the line, putting the Eagles yet again in front with the conversion, 22-18. Guzdek extended the lead two minutes later after going over, following good work from Izaac Farrell. He then added the extras to increase the visitors lead to ten points. However, Sheffield were not finished with the scoring. With a minute left, Rob Worrincy sprinted over unopposed, touching down under the posts. The Eagles had once again won the Cup, 36-18. However Anthony Thackeray was subsequently suspended for one match by the RL Disciplinary Committee for showing dissent in the game, which meant he was not available to play for the Eagles in their first Championship game of the new season.

The following weekend Sheffield played their second friendly at Keighley Cougars. The match was played in difficult muddy conditions with the defences inevitably on top. In a physical game, it was the hosts that took the lead on 10 minutes. Yet they were a man down after 18 minutes following a brawl which led to the perpetrator being relegated to the sin bin. The Eagles took advantage a minute later. They exploited their superior numbers through an overlap, Zack McComb scoring a touchdown. Izaac Farrell converted to tie the scores at 6 apiece. Greg Burns was the next with a chance, but he was held up by a tenacious Cougars defence. The defences continued to cancel each other out, and by the interval the game still remained stalemated at 6 points each.

The second half started with Keighley carrying a team warning from the first period of play. Within a minute of the restart they had another player sinbinned for leading with the elbow. But Sheffield couldn’t take advantage of the extra man, as Keighley intercepted the ball, regaining the lead 12-6 on 49 minutes following a 90 metre dash to the visitors line. The Eagles did score. However. after a further six minutes had elapsed. Josh Guzdek stepped round a tackle, before racing to the line and then stretching out his arm to touchdown. Farrell’s kick once again squared the scores at 12 each. 

Just after the hour, the Cougars went ahead again, with a converted try to take a six point lead. With 12 minutes left, another interception by Keighley saw them race to the Eagles line, believing that they were going to secure victory, for the move to be ruled out for a forward pass, much to the annoyance of the home crowd. It was the visitors who were to score next. A penalty led to James Davey finding space to burrow over the line. Again Farrell’s conversion levelled the tie with six minutes left. Menzie Yere nearly scored the winning try, but that was ruled out again for a forward pass, and then a drop goal attempt in the dying seconds by the hosts hit the post and bounced away. The game ended as a stalemate, 18-18. 

Following rule changes agreed at the end of the 2018 season, the Super 8's format was abandoned, and the Championship was to have featured a play-off system leading to promotion to Super League for one club while results during the regular season would have led to relegation to League 1 for two teams.

Toronto had been promoted to Super League, replacing London Broncos who had been relegated. Barrow and Rochdale had been relegated to Division One, replaced by promoted Oldham and Whitehaven.

The last weekend of February was the Fourth Round of the Challenge Cup. The Eagles had a home tie against last year’s semi-finalists Halifax, which was played at Wakefield’s Mobile Rocket Stadium. The hosts had already been narrowly beaten by the visitors in their opening Championship tie, so another close tie was expected.

Sheffield got off to a flyer. A grubber from Anthony Thackeray was pounced on by Oliver Davies to touchdown and, with Josh Guzdek’s conversion, the hosts were six points ahead after four minutes. It took until 22 minutes of play before he next score. Thackeray again was the provider with a grubber and this time it was Joel Farrell who scored the four points, Guzdek adding the extras. Halifax finally replied six minutes later with an unconverted try. They scored again with five minutes of the half remaining and with a successful conversion, the sides ended the half 10 points each.

Halifax were in the ascendancy at the start of the second half. Early pressure saw them cross the Eagles line, but they failed to ground it. But with 54 minutes played, they got a result with a try in the corner, but they failed with conversion kick. Leading 14-10, Halifax were soon put under the cosh just past the hour as Guzdek regained Sheffield’s advantage with a walk in try. He goaled the conversion to swing the game back into the hosts favour, 16-14. The last 20 minutes saw the momentum swing back first to Halifax, who retook the lead by two points with a try on 69 minutes. Then it swung back to the hosts, as Oliver Davies crashed over with four minutes left on the clock, despite having the attention of a number of defenders. Although Halifax won the ball back from the restart, a poor offload was swept up by the Eagles which prevented a late, late, show by the visitors. It was Sheffield who progressed to the fifth round of the Cup, 20-18. 

At the end of March Sheffield played their Fifth Round Challenge Cup game against Workington Town at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium. The hosts were ahead just after three minutes. Joel Farrell hit the line hard and proved too strong for the visitors defence. His brother Izaac converted but failed to do so with Joel’s second score eight minutes later, which gave Sheffield a ten points lead. Workington were not afraid to throw the ball around, which eventually paid off when they scored after 23 minutes, to reduce the hosts lead to four points. Yet three minutes later that lead was restored, following an Anthony Thackeray interception and then a subsequent pass to Ryan Millar for a try. That took the score to 16-6. Sheffield scored twice more before the interval. Oliver Davies powered over from close range before Corey Makelim helped himself to a try, following a Thackeray chip and chase. Izaak Farrell added the goals to give the Eagles a 26-6 lead at the break.

On the restart Workington were the first to score 12 minutes into the half and with the conversion they reduced the host’s lead to 14 points. Minutes later they had another chance, but Makelim stripped the ball out of their player’s hands The let off proved decisive as two quick fire tries by Sheffield secured the tie. First Izaak Farrell squirmed over after 70 minutes of play and then three minutes later he played Makelim through a large gap in the visitor’s rearguard. Neither try was converted but even though Workington scored another converted try with four minutes left, it was Sheffield who progressed to the next round 34-18, with a lucrative home tie against Super League Hull FC.

As the new season started, the first cases of Covid 19 were being recorded within the UK, Within a month they had reached levels that were putting inordinate pressure on public health facilities capacity to cope effectively within the UK. The Government were looking at options on how the country could address this issue.

The Eagles first Championship fixture was an away trip to Halifax at the start of February. Sheffield gifted the first score, conceding two penalties that allowed Halifax to move down the park and score a try in the fourth minute. Just after a quarter an hour of play, an Eagles grubber kick came off the leg of a Halifax player and they were awarded a penalty for knock on. From the resultant set Josh Guzdek rounded the defence and popped out a pass to Ryan Millar, who finished in the corner to level the score at four points each. Just before the half hour a Halifax player was sin binned for putting undue pressure on Joel Farrell’s neck. The Eagles ensured that they took advantage of having the extra man. On 35 minutes Robbie Ward charged down a Halifax kick forward, showing a turn of pace to chase the ball and slide over to touchdown, With Izaak Farrell adding the extras, the visitors took a 10-4 lead, which they held until the interval.

The second half started slowly, and it was not until the 54th minute that Halifax managed to level the scores again, 10 points apiece. The game didn’t stay like that for long, as five minutes later, on the back of the penalty, Joel Farrell penetrated the defence forcing himself over the line to score. With his brother Izaak adding the extras, Sheffield were once more in front by six points. With nine minutes left in the game, the visitors turned the screw even further as Izaak Farrell took the ball from a scrum and slotted a drop goal to give them a two score lead . 17-10. Yet the hosts got themselves back in the game scoring three minutes later, but failing to convert, yet reducing the lead to just two points. From the kick off Halifax sought to get the winning score. A first attempt was held up on the line, but in their next play, they went over to touchdown, taking the game 18-17.

The following weekend Sheffield travelled to full-time Leigh Centurions. A scrappy Eagles were outclassed by the hosts who were ahead after only four minutes and by half time were leading 26-0, having scored 5 tries and 3 conversions. The situation went from bad to worse in the second half. By the hour, Leigh had scored a further five tries and four conversions to lead by 52 points. Sheffield finally managed to score with 67 minutes played. Anthony Thackeray dabbed a ball into the in-goal area, the ball ricocheted off a Centurion leg, Josh Guzdek managing to touch down in the corner. Izaak Farrell just missed with the kick. After another scare, they manged to get a second score with four minutes left. Another Thackeray kick this time hit the post and was picked up by Lewis Taylor, who touched down under the sticks. Izaak Farrell this time converted to reduce the lead to 42 points. However it was the hosts who had the final score, touching down in the 80th minute to take the game, 58-10. With this drubbing Sheffield had dropped into the relegation places, with only two games of the season played.

The next game was their first home tie of the season, against Toulouse Olympique. Toulouse were quick out of the starting blocks and before the Eagles managed to get their first points, they had raced to a 20 point lead through scoring three converted tries and a penalty. Sheffield finally managed to get on the scoreboard with two minutes of the half remaining. Zack McComb crossed for his first score for the club, although Josh Guzdek could not convert from the touchline. Sheffield managed to outscore their opponents after the restart. On 58 minutes Aaron Brown fired over a short ball for Joel Farrell, who nipped in to touchdown, although Guzdek failed to convert yet again. Toulouse missed a penalty yet, with ten minutes left, managed to end the contest with a converted try, 26-8. They then went down to 12 men for a tip tackle as the clock counted down, but it was too late for the hosts, even though they scored in the 79th minute, as Rob Worrincy dived over from dummy half. Guzdek was at last successful this time with the conversion. The 26-14 defeat saw Sheffield rock bottom of the Championship.

March started with an away fixture at Batley Bulldogs. On a heavy pitch and a windy day, early pressure from Batley lead to a penalty try when Sheffield made a mess of an in-goal grubber kick, and a chasing Batley player was fouled by pushed off the ball. With the conversion, the hosts led by six points, after only four minutes. Sheffield’s responses down the pitch were repeatedly repelled by the hosts until just after the half hour. Anthony Thackeray and the Farrell brothers combined to send Ryan Millar wide out. Izaak Farrell failed with the kick, but the lead had been reduced to just two points. 

After the interval, Joel Farrell was sin-binned for allegedly talking back to the referee after the visitors had had a try disallowed, although it was later revealed that he had been admonishing himself for messing up the touchdown. Yet even though they were down to 12 men, the Eagles grabbed the lead for the first time. Aaron Brown scored the first of his quick fire tries, outsprinting the defence to touchdown a James Davey grubber. after 45 minutes of play. This time Izaac Farrell was able to convert, moving the score to 10-6 in favour of the visitors. Batley were then denied a try for a forward pass, and they were immediately punished, as Brown went in again, after Millar had kept the ball alive on the left wing as he advanced on the Bulldogs line. With Izaak Farrell adding the goal, Sheffield’s advantage had increased to 16-6 with 51 minutes played. The Bulldogs were quick to respond as they reduced the lead to four points after a further four minutes of play. Yet, with 15 minutes left, an Izaak Farrell penalty increased the visitors’ lead to six points. 

With ten minutes left, the hosts levelled the scores and that’s how it remained until the final hooter. The teams then had five minutes each way to decide who would take the two points. Batley had the first opportunity to score the Golden point, but they scuffed the kick. It was not until three minutes into the second period of extra time that the game was decided. Izaac Farrell swayed to the right and kicked the decisive drop goal from 25 metres out to take the game 17-16. It was the first points of the Championship season for the Eagles, who moved off the bottom into 11th place. It was also their first ever Golden Point since the concept had been introduced. However Joel Farrell was Subsequently banned for one game for using foul language to an official when he was sinbinned. But this was overturned on appeal as it was proved that the words had not been targeted at the referee but himself.

The next game was yet another away fixture at Bradford Bulls. Although Sheffield had their chances, they were well beaten by a determined Bulls side 28-0. They were behind 10-0 at half-time through two tries and a conversion and conceded a further three converted tries in the second half. This was Menzie Yere’s last appearance for the Eagles, who decided to retire from professional rugby league at the end of the 2020 season.

Days after the Challenge Cup at the end of March the country was put under lockdown by the UK Government, as it tried to limit the spread of the Coronavirus which had reached pandemic levels within the country. This placed a whole host of issues on clubs, particularly that of ensuring the health and welfare of their players, supporters, and staff, as well as the future financial viability of many clubs at all the professional levels. A number of Championship clubs were looking to reduce the wage-bill by cutting the pay of players. Others were concerned about the length of the lockdown and how to keep players match fit.

Early into the lockdown the unexpected death of former Eagles player Jordan Cox at the age of 27 was announced.

By the end of March the club had taken the decision to furlough all of the players and staff, with their full agreement, to protect the long term future of the club. As lockdown progressed, Corey Makelim was the first squad casualty, as he decided to return to Australia with his partner in the middle of May.

The feasibility of resuming the league programmes by playing all games behind closed doors was raised by the RFL, but almost three quarters of Championship and League One clubs were opposed and wanted to void the 2000 season.

Mark Aston believed that the players must be put at the forefront of any plan to restart the season:

Discussions continued throughout May, June, and July about a possible later start and finish dates for the season, with a reduced programme of matches. Whilst the Eagles Board said that they would abide by any decision reached, their position on player welfare had to be addressed, which some clubs appeared to be less concerned about.

In August the club contacted season ticket holders and sponsors about whether they wanted a refund of the monies they had paid to the club. A week after announcing the various options available 93% of members did not want any refund, wanting the club to retain the money to help the Eagles through the current situation and in its planning ahead for 2021.

Super League resumed in August playing matches behind closed doors but with widespread television cover. It was also decided to complete the remaining Challenge Cup rounds starting towards the end of that month. The Eagles had their outstanding sixth round tie against Hull FC. They were approached by the RL authorities about playing that game, but the club’s response was that they would withdraw from the competition on the grounds of logistics and player welfare, particularly since they had not played a competitive match since March, whilst by the time of the tie their opponents would have played three games.

The lockdown also had an effect on the development of the Olympic Legacy Park. Initially due to be started in January 2019, that date had not been met and no building work had been done. Discussions were taking place about a much later starting date, probably in 2020.

The club and supporters were also deeply saddened by the death of Ian Annis, a former Board Director. He had played a huge role at both the Eagles and in the development of rugby league across the city of Sheffield during his life He had first started watching the Eagles in their debut 1984 season at Owlerton Stadium. He remained involved as a volunteer at Junior Eagles and later Hillsborough Hawks where he was a mainstay for over 20 years, a large part of that time being chairman of the club.

Through his professional links in education he became heavily involved in SADARLDA (Sheffield and District Amateur Rugby League Association) and the Sheffield Schools Rugby League. Ian coached the under 11’s side which became the first Sheffield side to appear at Wembley Stadium with the team playing in the schools curtain raiser before 1993 Challenge Cup final.

Following the ill-fated merger Ian was key member of the team who reformed Sheffield Eagles and quickly became a director of the new club where his passion and drive for rugby league development continued. During his time as director his focus of promoting community rugby league across the city continued and was down to his drive the great successes the club had over the years. He was one of the key people in relaunching the club’s foundation and through his contacts, experience and professional links was instrumental in the Eagles building key relationships with schools, colleges and universities across the city including being a driving force behind the Sheffield Hallam Eagles who played in the Southern Conference League.

Ian continued as a director until early 2017 playing a large role as always in rugby league development and a key link with Sheffield City Council regarding the Olympic Legacy Park. He stayed in his position longer than intended to help the club through it is difficult time towards the end of 2016. He was a huge loss for Sheffield Eagles, and rugby league in Sheffield and the surrounding area.

In October, the Eagles teamed up with the Ukraine Super League Project. The project was designed to see the Ukraine’s top competition reorganised with new regional teams established who would be aligned to English clubs. Former Sheffield star Gavin Brown helped establish the partnership. The club also announced they had become an ‘authorised sales provider’, for the World Cup in 2021. The agreement saw the Eagles become the first club to announce such a deal which would see the club sell hospitality on behalf of the tournament organisers.

The club also saw the departure of Menzie Yere after a career spanning 12 years at Sheffield Eagles. He was signed after an impressive performance for Papua New Guinea in the 2008 World Cup. The Jukebox had made 295 appearances for the club, scoring a club record 196 tries, accounting for 784 points. He had an ability to find or create space to the try line that others could never find, as well as offloading to create tries for others. He maintained his reputation as a player that other players feared when they saw him running towards them through his uncompromising style and ability to run through tackles.