A Story of Celebration, Survival and Community
A 24 page booklet celebrating the 40 years of the Sheffield Eagles and what the Club means to people.
The Heritage Project worked with a group of volunteers to develop a 24 page booklet that tries to capture 40 years of the Sheffield Eagles and what the Club means to people. The title really captures the approach taken that is more than a straight historic record.
How the booklet was developed
24 pages could never hope to cover every part of the history of the Sheffield Eagles so the group focused on a different angle. There are stories about how the Club started, how there is a sense of family about the Eagles, the ups and downs of 40 years, what the spirit of the Eagles is, playing at 21 home grounds in 40 years, homegrown talent, the Eagles at Wembley, mascot memories, 40 years of change and the future. The group of seven - Steve Dalton, Jo Stanser-Collins, Dean Mitchell, Harry Welburn, Ian Swain, Alicia Newton and Sarra Bingley were supported by rugby league journalist Gareth Walker who we'd previously worked with as part of his Literacy Kicks project. The booklet has been designed by Eleven Design who we also worked with in designing our children's activity booklet.
You can read the pdf version below and to download it click HERE then save the pdf to your computer from there.
Otherwise Read all the stories below.
A Story of Celebration, Survival and Community
What Gary and I achieved at Sheffield was remarkable. We were young, keen and naïve and had a passion for the game that drove us on during some difficult times. I don’t believe what we did at Sheffield would be possible today as you would have to have a lot more money than the £13,000 earned from me selling double glazing, with which we bought the entire team.
In the Beginning - by Ian Swain
If York had accepted Gary Hetherington’s vision on coaching in 1982 then the Sheffield Eagles would never have been born. Their rejection convinced him to want to manage his own club. With his wife Kath, he pulled together a plan to create a new rugby league club, with Sheffield chosen due to its potential and location.
They convinced a sceptical Rugby Football League Council of their plans, with Bramall Lane to be the venue for games, until Sheffield United pulled out. Sheffield City Council came to the rescue, offering Owlerton Stadium as an alternative. Once it was brought up to standards, the squad of players and coaching team recruited, and the off-the-field organisation developed, the fledgling Eagles were ready.
They started with a 29-10 victory against Rochdale Hornets at Owlerton on September 2nd, 1984.
Finances were perilous though. With no funding from central RFL funds,
a sponsor who went into liquidation before the first game and an average home crowd of less than a thousand (when double that number was needed to break even), it was a hand to mouth existence for the Club.
Hetherington’s reluctance to throw in the towel saved the day. An unexpected victory against Wakefield Trinity in the John Player Trophy resulted in a lucrative tie at Leeds, which, although the Eagles lost, brought in much needed finance.
Another key to survival was the ongoing support of an army of unpaid volunteers on matchdays and beyond. There was also the growth of the schools and community development programmes, integral to the Eagles’ vision of laying the fledgling roots for a team made up of local talent.
During that first season victories were few and far between, winning only eight matches, ending the season in the bottom half of the league in 17th place.
The Eagles had survived though – if only by the skin of their beaks.
A Sense of Family - by Sarra Bingley
There have been many ups and downs in 40 years, and at the heart of it have been the fans. There may not be as many as at other clubs, but they have a resilience, spirit, passion, and sense of family others may not have. Families and friends gather on match days and many have said it’s about meeting people that have become friends for life.
Fans also love that they get to meet the players after the game. Straight off the pitch, win or lose, to greet the fans with a handshake and an “alright mate.” It is not something you necessarily see at other clubs.
It is a community where fans will help each other out when needed. Fans are happy to put their hands in their pockets to raise money for
a worthy cause, whether that be
for other fans, players, or the Club. One fan says, “though the supporter numbers are small in comparison with other clubs, people tend to know each other”.
It is an inclusive and supportive place unlike anywhere else. Fan, Vicky Brooks, says: “I think it does have a real family feel to it. Like most supporters, I know everybody else and you help each other out where you can. I think it’s a very caring club and the people, the supporters that are there, are very passionate about the Eagles.”
I joined Sheffield Eagles Women as a beginner to rugby league – I found myself in need of a new passion and that is exactly what I got! Being part of a community, belonging to a club that cares, wants to develop people, and most importantly loves rugby league.”
There is a unique bond between fans which you cannot find anywhere else. The fans come together as a family, a community which means everything to them. They battle pretty much anything thrown their way and still come out shouting and singing for the Eagles. It’s a sense of pride and belonging unlike anything else.
The Many Ups and Downs of the First 40 Years - by Richard King
The Sheffield Eagles have had many highs and lows, on and off the field in their first 40 years. The highs are still celebrated, whilst the lows would have ended many other clubs.
- Summer 1984: First ever player signed – Daryl Powell
- 2 September 1984: First game and the first win, against Rochdale Hornets, 29-10
- 1987-88 season: Wear a red and gold kit for the first time
- 2 April 1989: Promoted to the First Division in their fifth season beating Chorley Borough 26-8
- 14 May 1989: Win the Second Division Premiership beating Swinton 43-18 at Old Trafford
- 1989-90: Groundless, Owlerton Stadium no longer considered safe after the Hillsborough Disaster
- 8 October 1989: Beat world champions Widnes 31-6 at Bramall Lane
- 26 September 1990: First game at new home ground, Don Valley Stadium – home for the next 23 years
- April 1991: Relegated to the Second Division
- 17 May 1992: Beat Oldham 34-20 at Old Trafford to gain promotion back to the First Division
- 1995-96 season: Finish fifth, the highest position ever in the league structure
- 29 March 1996: First ever game of the Super League era, against Paris St Germain, losing 30-24
- 15 June 1997: Beat Perth Reds 26-22 at Don Valley Stadium in the World Club Championship competition
- 2 May 1998: Win the Challenge Cup, beating odds-on favourites Wigan in what is considered the biggest upset in rugby league history
- 1999 season: Forced to merge with the Huddersfield Giants
- 28 Dec 1999: A new Sheffield Eagles is formed after the merger and win the first game away to Lancashire Lynx 33-20
- 2006 season: Promoted from National League Two, beating Swinton Lions 35-10 on 8th October in the Grand Final
- 2 Oct 2011: Reach the Championship Grand Final but lose to Featherstone 40-4
- 30 Sep 2012: Reach the Grand Final again but this time beat Featherstone 20-16
- 15 Sep 2013: Play their last game at Don Valley Stadium before it is demolished, beating Dewsbury 52-16
- 29 Sep 2013: Grand Finalists again, becoming the first ever back-to-back winners, beating Batley 19-12
- 2014-2019 seasons: Play at a range of grounds in Sheffield and beyond, due to no permanent home ground in the city
- 2016 season: Become a full-time squad but the funding is withdrawn, leading to fans raising £20,000 to ensure the club can continue. The Eagles return to part-time for the 2017 season
- 24 Aug 2019: First winners of the 1895 Cup beating Widnes 36-18 at Wembley
- 6 Nov 2021: Eagles’ Wheelchair team play their first ever game
- 24 April 2022: Newly-formed Eagles Women’s team play their first ever game against Wigan St Patricks and win 36-18, gaining promotion at the end of their first season
- 23 May 2022: Return to the city at the newly completed Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park Community Stadium and win the first game there against Widnes 34-24
- 26 Sep 2022: Eagles Foundation is named the RFL’s Foundation of the Year
- 25 Feb 2023: Eagles’ Wheelchair team named the RFL’s team of the Year
- 2024 Season: Celebrate 40th anniversary and play at Wembley again on 8th June in the 1895 Cup Final against Wakefield, but this time lose 50-6.
The Spirit of the Eagles - by Richard King
Eagles director Dr David Durie said in the first ever programme that “Sheffield will be a friendly club. You can buy success or sell it – but you cannot buy team spirit”. That spirit, both on and off the pitch, has managed to stay part of the Club across the 40 years.
Our move to Sheffield was one of the best decisions in my career. I continue to follow the Club from afar and am proud during my time there to have played my part for the Eagles, on and off the field
I have experienced the genuine care and support the Club has for its players. I have formed lifelong friendships, which I consider to be invaluable and irreplaceable.
I like playing wheelchair and walking rugby league; it’s like we are all one big family.
The best time of my life was in Sheffield – the fans were magnificent, through thick and thin. It was a diverse group of people but they all had one common goal – 100 percent support for the Sheffield Eagles.”
It’s great that the Sheffield Eagles have a learning disabilities team. It is an honour to pull on an Eagles shirt and play this great game with amazing teammates
I quickly learned that the Eagles as a whole, was a family. Wearing that jersey with the eagle on your chest gives you immense pride because you’re representing everyone in that Eagles family and every Eagle that went before you. You’re willing to give your best and whatever it takes for them and for the Eagles!
When I was little and saw my first Eagles game I wanted to play for them when I grew up. I learned not long after that that I couldn't play for a men's team. It's been wonderful to have a women's team back in Sheffield again. I don't have many playing years left, but I have really enjoyed getting to play for a club that is working to make rugby league so inclusive
I left my hometown club Halifax with 10 games under my belt , When I left Sheffield I’d got two England caps and a Challenge Cup. I’m not in touch with players from many of the other teams I’ve played with, apart from the lads I played with at Sheffield.
The Nomads – 21 Home Grounds in 40 Years - by Richard King
The idea of a “home” ground has always meant something different for the Sheffield Eagles – 21 different venues so far in their 40-year history.
Even in the first season, playing at Owlerton, a stock car race was already booked on the day of the match so the “home” game was played at Rotherham FC’s Millmoor Ground instead. Other times it was a financial opportunity. In 2003 the Eagles (then in the Championship) gave up home advantage against Super League Hull FC in the Challenge Cup, also giving Hull a chance to mark the opening of their new stadium. There was a crowd of nearly 12,000 – vital extra income, but an 88-0 loss for the Eagles.
Initiatives from the Rugby Football League to take games “on the road” meant playing a “home” game against St Helens at Cardiff Arms Park. The biggest reason for the large number of grounds though is the Club never having a ground of their own and therefore being at the mercy of others.
After Owlerton Stadium was no longer deemed safe, this resulted in the nomadic 1989-90 season before the Eagles moved into the newly built Don Valley Stadium in 1990. This was home until 2013, when the stadium was demolished due to the high running costs facing Sheffield City Council.
This time there were nine nomadic years, playing “home” games as far away as Wakefield. Despite this, the Club managed to win a Grand Final and the 1895 Cup, before returning to the city in a completed Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park (as opposed to the previous temporary stands) part way through the 2022 season.
For many clubs playing at 21 home grounds would have destroyed them. Clearly it has had an impact over the 40 years in terms of money generated, attracting fans, training, and being in control of their destiny – but the Eagles have survived.
The places we’ve played...
- Owlerton, Sheffield: 1984/85, 1985/6, 1986/87, 1987/88, 1988/89, 2014 –
97 times - Millmoor, Rotherham: 1984/85 – Once
- Tattersfield, Doncaster: 1985/86, 1989/90 – 6 times
Headingley, Leeds: 1986/87 – Once - Bramall Lane, Sheffield: 1987/88, 1989/90, 1996, 1998, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 – 34 times
- Hillsborough, Sheffield: 1989/90 – Twice
- Oakwell, Barnsley: 1989/90 – Once
- Belle Vue, Wakefield: 1989/90, 2017, 2020, 2021 – 19 times
- Saltergate, Chesterfield: 1989/90 – 3 times
- Thrum Hall, Halifax: 1989/90 – Once
- Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield: 1990/91 to 2013 (24 seasons) – 330 times
- Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff: 1996 – Once
- KC Stadium, Hull: 2003 – Once
- Clifton Lane, Rotherham: 2005, 2006 – Twice
- Woodbourn Road, Sheffield: 2005 – Once
- Mount St Mary’s, Derbyshire: 2011 – Once
- Keepmoat/Eco Power Stadium, Doncaster: 2014, 2015, 2020, 2021, 2022 – 23 times
- Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park, Sheffield: 2014, 2016 – 17 times
- Castle Park, Doncaster: 2015, 2020 – 3 times
- Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, Sheffield: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, ongoing – 62 times (to the end of 2023)
- Post Office Road, Featherstone: 2022 – 3 times
Homegrown Talent - by Richard King
As a club outside the rugby league heartlands the Eagles couldn’t draw on a pool of local, homegrown talent. It wasn’t until 1991 that Dale Laughton became the first player from South Yorkshire to play for the Eagles, having played for the Alliance team in the 1989/90 season.
1991 also saw Jason Davidson become the first player born in Sheffield to sign for the Eagles. It was Richard Armswood though who became the first Sheffield- born player to play for the first team, against Widnes at Don Valley Stadium on 17th April 1994.
From the outset it was the aim of the Club to work in schools and at a junior level to try and grow the game and the talent in the city. Many people have fond memories of first team players going into local schools, leading coaching sessions.
Club legend Mark Aston said: “Daryl Powell and I used to go into local schools, we loved it. I still get people now stop me and say, ‘You used to come to my school’, and, I go, ‘That’s 35 years ago!’ But it showed the impact we had.”
For Mark it was about “giving a kid a dream and an opportunity - a chance to play professional rugby”. The Junior Eagles was set up for under-14s, followed by scholarship and academy teams, along with links to the local universities.
At one point 10,000 children had been involved in schools coaching with the Club and the Foundation. The loss of the Club’s academy in 2016, following new licensing from the RFL, hit the Eagles and Mark Aston hard.
The success of the approach taken by the Eagles was highlighted by Mark with the 1895 Cup Final at Wembley. In the team that day were Ryan Millar, Greg Burns, Paddy Burns and Blake Broadbent, who had all come through the Eagles Academy system. There could have been so many more. We gave them an opportunity to realise the dream that I had when I was a young kid, to play at Wembley.
The Eagles at Wembley - by Richard King
For a club that is only 40 years old, the Eagles have played at Wembley more often and more recently than many other, more established clubs. Wembley holds a special place in the game of rugby league – for many years there was only one chance each year to play there, the showpiece event – the Challenge Cup Final.
After only 14 years in existence the Eagles had that chance to appear at Wembley, playing Wigan in the 1998 Final. This game is still described as the biggest upset in rugby league history with the Eagles, massive underdogs, beating Wigan 17-8.
After cries in the tunnel from Eagles players of “98 - year of the Eagles”, 80 minutes later they were holding the trophy. As coach John Kear said at the time: “In 20 years’ time we’ll bore people to death with the story of the day and how we won. We did it because we believed.”
Twenty one years later the Eagles returned to Wembley for the inaugural 1895 Cup Final against Widnes, a chance for teams
outside the Super League to play at Wembley. Members of the 1998 squad spoke to the 2019 team the night before this Final, to share their memories and inspire the current team. It played its part as the Eagles were victorious, winning 36-18 in another hard-fought game, with their unbeaten run at Wembley maintained.
In 2024, just five years after that visit, the Eagles returned to Wembley, again for the 1895 Cup Final, this time against Wakefield – meaning the Eagles strangely have only played at Wembley against teams beginning with W.
Unfortunately the Club’s unbeaten run at Wembley came to an end, with a 50-6 loss. The challenge of playing a full time team, unbeaten all season, and on the verge of returning to Super League, was just too great. The day remained a celebration – the chance for the fans to make new memories and experiences, with some able to say they walked on the Wembley turf, holding the flags welcoming the players onto the pitch.
Mascot Memories - by Richard King
One figure often overlooked in the history of the Sheffield Eagles is the Club mascot, who has been there at some of the key moments since March 1994. Dean Mitchell, John Smith and Simon Travis, all personal friends of the various mascots, share some memories.
The first game of Super League
Paris was the first Super League game. I didn’t speak French. Nobody spoke English at all. So I had a right job getting in, carrying this big bag full of a costume and trying to explain what it was.
Wembley 1998
Eagleman wasn’t at Wembley due to the RFL saying they didn’t want mascots endorsing tobacco products, as the Challenge Cup then was sponsored by Silk Cut. The real reason was that Wigan wouldn’t have had a mascot so they felt it wasn’t fair for one team to have mascots and one not.
Getting changed and upsetting referees
One year at Bramall Lane I got changed with the officials. I knocked on the door and said: ‘I’m ever so sorry, do you mind me using the shower?’ Well, the two linesmen were ‘no problem’, but the referee said, ‘no you can’t, you can’t’. So he put a complaint into the match commissioner and I got a slap on the wrist.
1895 Cup
In 2019 I was asked if I wanted to be the mascot again at Wembley in the 1895 Cup Final. Well dreams do come true, even after all that time, and I was Freddie at Wembley (in a different outfit to the 1990s). I’ll treasure my shirt as Freddie from Wembley forever.
Mascot racing
We had all sorts of races that we had to participate in, which was a bit of a fiddle because the guy from London Broncos was an academy player, and the guy in Ronnie the Rhino was an academy player. They were all a lot quicker than me and none of them wore big stupid boots that weighed about 10 pounds each.
40 Years of Change - by Alicia Newton
In the 40 years of existence Sheffield have expanded the Club to include not just the running men’s team, but a further six sides.
The first expansion came in the form of a pioneering women’s team in 1989, with players who went on to play at international level. The team disbanded in the mid- 1990s, but in 2022 a women’s team was reintroduced by the Eagles Foundation, achieving promotion in their first season.
After the successful Championship campaign in 2023, the women’s set-up was further expanded with ‘Red’ and ‘Gold’ teams being created to account for the growth of the women’s game in Sheffield.
In recent years, the Foundation, working with the Club, has also introduced teams who compete in Wheelchair Rugby League, Learning Disability Rugby League, Physical Disability Rugby League as well as walking and touch rugby. These teams regularly compete in leagues and tournaments across the country, with the Wheelchair Rugby League side reaching the final of the Challenge Trophy in August 2023, less than two years after forming.
I love playing wheelchair rugby for Sheffield Eagles and my favourite thing about it is scoring tries.
New teams and players are continuously being added to the club’s roster with the Physical Disability Rugby League’s inaugural season getting underway in April 2024.
‘#OneClub’ has been at forefront of the Club’s mentality in recent years with players and staff from across the teams supporting their fellow Eagles in the different sections. All teams play in the same kit and ‘#OneClub’ is used across the social media and news content which feature and promote all teams.
The Club ensures true inclusion through their #OneClub approach and has guaranteed the variety of teams are truly at the heart of Sheffield Eagles.
Looking to the Future - by Richard King
As the Club celebrates its 40th anniversary there have been many changes in those 40 years. The #OneClub approach means that there are now not only a range of teams but a wider range and larger number of people who are part of the Club – whether playing or supporting.
Much of this wider involvement is due to the work of the Eagles Foundation and the range of activities and development they have put in place which will continue to grow. Proposals have been developed for a new stadium for the Sheffield Eagles, alongside Sheffield FC – the world’s first football club. That is seen as a catalyst for further growth and change.
The last 40 years has seen many highs and lows, but somehow
the Club has always survived. The dark days have made the days of celebration even more memorable and welcome. What remains at the heart of the Club though is the team spirit that Dr David Durie referred to in the first ever programme. That spirit will continue to guide the Sheffield Eagles into the future.
With Thanks
The booklet has been led by the Sheffield Eagles Heritage Project, working with a team of dedicated volunteers. This editorial group have been supported by Gareth Walker – rugby league journalist and creator of the school sports-based literacy project Literacy Kicks (literacykicks.co.uk). Eleven Design (elevendesign.co.uk) have designed the booklet.
Editorial group: Steve Dalton, Jo Stanser-Collins, Dean Mitchell, Harry Welburn, Ian Swain, Alicia Newton and Sarra Bingley.
Thanks to Richard Pepper and Jim Hawksworth for supplying historical data.
Thanks to everyone who has shared their memories that are included throughout the booklet.
Photos provided by the Sheffield Eagles Club photographers: Alex Coleman, Jake Borrill, Hannah Pemberton and Andy Hayward.
Ownership of all other photos has tried to be identified. Challenge Cup photos used with kind permission of the Rugby Football League and The League Express.
Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. The Sheffield Eagles Heritage Project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to collect, record and share the stories of the Sheffield Eagles Rugby Football League Club.