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More stories will be added on a weekly basis, so keep coming back to see what's new. Very soon the search function will be added allowing you to easily search the entire site for stories, players, games or any other reference.

Learn more about Sheffield Eagles through the stories we've researched and focused on. If you'd like to share your memories and stories with the project then get in touch. 



A short film showing 40 Sheffield Eagles programmes from the the 1984-85 to the 2023 seasons. 

40 Years of Programmes As part of the Sheffield Eagles Kit Launch event on 15th November 2023 the Sheffield Eagles Heritage Project put together a presentation ahead of  the 40th anniversary of the Club in 2024. The presentation showed one programme for each of the seasons to date. It has been converted to a short film so you can now see 40 programme covers in just over 2 minutes.
You can search over 600 Sheffield Eagles programmes dating back to 1995 (with more being added) on the Heritage Project's website. More details ,HERE,. 

[Video: 40 Years of Programmes]

Author Richard King

40 Programmes in 2 minutes



As part of the plans to mark the 40th anniversary of the Sheffield Eagles in 2024 we’re trying to build up a list of 40 players from across the 40 years of the Club.

Making the Selection There are various ways we could have approached this and everyone will have different opinions. We could have focused on the top 40 points scorers over the 40 years, the top 40 numbers of appearances, the top three players in every position or researched the players of the year from each season. Instead we’re looking at a combination of those approaches and getting you the fans involved. We're going to try and select one player from each of the 40 years – they may not necessarily be the top points scorer, or made the most appearance that season but they contributed to the success of the Club, made their mark in history or became fan favourites. For each season we'll be listing the top 5 points scorers and top 5 number of appearances, along with the full list of players from that season. You can then share your thoughts by contacting us ,HERE,. We’ll pull together a list of suggestions and as the years build up we’ll try and draw a list together. Early in the New Year we’ll then look to arrange a meeting where a fans can come together to discuss the possible choices to help make the final decision. 

1980s We’re starting with the 1980s – below you’ll see details of the first 6 seasons. Click the picture below to enlarge it and scroll through to see each season. 
[File: undefined]

1990s Below you can find details of players from the 1990s on a season by season basis. For each season there are details of top 5 point scorers, top 5 appearances and the list of the full squad.
Click the picture below to enlarge it and scroll through to see each season. 
[File: undefined]


2000s Below you can find details of players from the 2000s on a season by season basis. For each season there are details of top 5 point scorers, top 5 appearances and the list of the full squad.
Click the picture below to enlarge it and scroll through to see each season.
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2010s Below you can find details of players from the 2010s on a season by season basis. For each season there are details of top 5 point scorers, top 5 appearances and the list of the full squad.
Click the picture below to enlarge it and scroll through to see each season.
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2020s Below you can find details of players from the 2020s on a season by season basis. For each season there are details of top 5 point scorers, top 5 appearances and the list of the full squad.
Click the picture below to enlarge it and scroll through to see each season.
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Help Choose Below is shortlist of players from each of the seasons to help you narrow down your choice. You can either download the pdf (click the square on the top right of the image) or just look at it on screen. Choose one player from each season or add suggestions of your own. email richard.king@eaglesfoundation.co.uk with your suggestions by the 5pm on 1st March. 
[File: undefined]

Author Richard King

Help select 40 players from the 40 years of the Sheffield Eagles as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations.

40 from 40 Years



At the launch event for the Sheffield Eagles 2024 kit on 15th November 2023 the Sheffield Eagles Heritage Project asked fans who were there on the night what their favourite shirts were. Read more below. 

The 2024 home and away kit The Eagles kit for the 2024 is a mix of the traditional and contemporary. The home shirt is the now traditional red and gold (first introduced in the 1987-88 season) with a return to the deep v. The away kit is a break from tradition in a dark navy blue with flecks of grey and silver. 
[Image: 2024 Home Kit]
[Image: 2024 Away Kit]

Fans' Favourite Shirts 
[Quote: "The first shirt in the 1990s with the Eagle down the front" Author: Eagles Fan]
[Quote: "All the shirts are the best as it shows how the Eagles have grown over the years" Author: Eagles Fan]
[Quote: "Full Monty original - there been no better before or after" Author: Eagles Fan]
[Quote: "1990s - Wembley victory shirt
2020s - red and gold club colours" Author: Eagles Fan]
[Quote: "Wembley 1998 shirt" Author: Eagles Fan]
[Quote: "2013 home shirt. This was the shirt that was worn during the first season I attended games regularly. I associate it with memorable matches such as beating Fev at home, Challenge Cup quarter final and of course the Grand Final win." Author: Eagles Fan]
[Quote: "2012 Away purple shirt" Author: Eagles Fan]
[Quote: "2010s 2nd shirt. The design feels historically compelling, with how much the Eagles have flown." Author: Eagles Fan]
[Quote: "Think it's the 1993/94 away kit, the first away one with the eagle across it, purple and gold" Author: Eagles Fan]
[Quote: "The original Full Monty one, because I remember getting it to go to Paris St. Germain. " Author: Eagles Fan]
[Quote: "The Full Monty kit as it was the first I ever saw" Author: Eagles Fan]
[Quote: "Full Monty is my fave, wish we had a red and gold version for this year" Author: Eagles Fan]
[Quote: "I like this kit (2023) because it's the newest one and I really like the colours but my mum is not so keen that it has a lot of white and it gets dirty really easily" Author: Eagles Fan]
[Quote: "Green and white with tribal sleeve" Author: Eagles Fan]
[Quote: "The Heineken kit - it brings back memories of when I played for the Eagles Academy" Author: Eagles Fan]



Author Richard King

Favourite Sheffield Eagles Shirts



When the Full Monty film was released in 1997 the Sheffield Eagles 1996 away shirt became known amongst fans as the Full Monty shirt because Mark Addy’s character Dave was seen wearing it in several scenes.

The shirt's first claim to fame The first claim to fame for the shirt though is having featured in the first ever game of the new era of summer rugby – the Super League in 1996. You can read more about that ,HERE,.

Why that shirt in the film? At the time no one knew about the Full Monty film but filming was taking place across Sheffield during 1996. Robert Carlyle’s character Gaz is seen wearing a Sheffield United top and makes reference to the football team. There is no mention throughout the film though of the Sheffield Eagles or why Dave is wearing that particular shirt. For Eagles’ fans though there was something special about seeing that shirt up on the screen.
As part of the work of the Sheffield Eagles Heritage project we decided to investigate why the shirt was chosen and managed to find the email address for the agent of Jill Taylor, the costume designer for the Full Monty film. We asked to see if she could explain why the Eagles shirt was chosen. It was a speculative email and we were delighted, less than an hour later, to have an email back form Jill.
[Quote: "If memory serves me well, and it is twenty seven years since we made the movie, so I’m a little hazy, it was scripted that Gaz was wearing a football shirt and that Dave liked rugby, so as we were filming in Sheffield and I liked the design of the shirt, as did Mark, that’s what we went for." Author: Jill Taylor, Costume Designer]
So while rugby is never mentioned in the film there was a reference in the script and it was good fortune for the Eagles that the shirt for 1996 was so distinctive.
Jill was delighted to be told the impact of the shirt being chosen for the film and how it still lives on as part of the heritage of the Sheffield Eagles. It was for that reason that when we were developing the display case at Weston Park Museum we had to feature the shirt – not just for fans but for those people who may recognise the shirt from the film, but don’t know of the Eagles connection.
[Image: Mark Addy in the Full Monty]

Replica Shirt Linked to the follow up Disney+ TV series launched in 2023 and due to the affection the fans have for the 1996 the Club decided to produce limited edition replicas of the shirt for sale. It is a sign of how special the shirt is to fans of the Club that the first set of new replicas sold out so quickly with more having to be ordered.  
[Image: Replica Match Shirt "Full Monty" Game - 24th September 2023, Jake Borrill]
[Image: Shirts in the Changing Room - the "Full Monty" Game - 24th September 2023, Jake Borrill]

The Full Monty Game Inspired by the popularity of the replica shirt the Club decided to theme their last game of the regular season on 24th September as the Full Monty game with the team playing in the replica shirts. Unbeknownst to fans Mark Addy had seen that the Club had reissued the shirt he had worn in the film and placed an order. Becky Higgins, Customer Experience Manager at the Club got in touch with Mark and invited him to be the guest of honour at the game. He was presented with his shirt and a framed version signed by all the players. He also welcomed the players to the pitch in the Full Monty style and presented the match ball to the referee.

[Image: Mark Addy Receiving his shirt "Full Monty" Game - 24th September 2023, Jake Borrill]
[Image: Mark Addy presenting the match ball to the referee at the "Full Monty" Game - 24th September 2023]
Despite the fans love of the shirt they also feel it isn't the luckiest shirt and that there have been more losses than wins when wearing it. This proved to be the case again with the Eagles losing 17-6 to a last minute drop goal from the Bradford Bulls. 

[Image: Programme front cover for the "Full Monty" Game - 24th September 2023]
[Image: Viaplay coverage at the "Full Monty" Game - 24th September 2023, Jake Borrill]
[Image: Celebrations at the "Full Monty" Game - 24th September 2023, Jake Borrill]
[Image: Eagles walking onto the pitch  "Full Monty" Game - 24th September 2023, Jake Borrill]
[Image: Mark Addy Interviewed the "Full Monty" Game - 24th September 2023, Jake Borrill]
[Image: Cory Aston "Full Monty" Game - 24th September 2023, Jake Borrill]
[Image: Match Action at the "Full Monty" Game - 24th September 2023, Jake Borrill]

Game Highlights You can watch highlights of the game below.

[Video: The "Full Monty" game Sheffield Eagles v Bradford Bulls 24th September 2023]


Author Richard King

The Sheffield Eagles celebrated their Full Monty connections with their special "Full Monty" game on 24th September 2023.

The Full Monty Game



On Saturday 23rd September 2023 the Sheffield Eagles Walking Rugby Team played their first competitive games in a Walking Rugby Tournament organised by Wath Rugby Union Team.

Walking Rugby League The Eagles Foundation created the Sheffield Eagles Walking Rugby team in June of 2023. Walking Rugby League is a non-contact and no-running version of the game, providing a moderate form of exercise. It is inclusive to all as it allows anyone regardless of fitness, disabilities, injuries or illnesses to participate and benefit from the sport. It also provides participants with the opportunity to enjoy a social activity, help them to get physically active and contribute towards leading a healthy lifestyle.
The Foundation was invited by Wath Rugby Union Club to enter a team into the Walking Rugby tournament they were organising. It was played under Rugby Union rules, with the Eagles the only Rugby League team taking part meaning they had to adapt to the rules of the "other code". Despite this the Eagles won two, lost one and drew one of the four games played meaning they finished 3rd out of the 5 teams playing.

[Image: Sheffield Eagles Walking Rugby Team - Walking Rugby Tournament, Wath, 23rd September 2023.]
[Image: Sheffield Eagles Walking Rugby Team - Walking Rugby Tournament, Wath, 23rd September 2023.]

Heritage Numbers In keeping with the Sheffield Eagles #OneClub approach where all teams (men, women, wheelchair, learning disability, physical disability, touch and walking) play under the Sheffield Eagles banner those that played in the game have been awarded heritage numbers. 
To be eligible for heritage numbers player's must play a competitive (ie not friendly), whether in the starting line up or from the bench. As players don't wear shirt numbers the heritage numbers have been allocated on the basis of alphabetical order (surname, then first name).
Therefore the initial Sheffield Eagles Walking Rugby heritage numbers are:
April Brooks
Vicky Brooks
Steve Cook
Steve Dalton
Andrea Dobson
Richard King
Jack Pemberton
Ian Pinchemain
Ian Swain

Sheffield Eagles Walking Rugby Team played their first competitive games.

Sheffield Eagles Walking Rugby Team



The Sheffield Eagles Heritage Project has worked with Literacy Kicks during September delivering literacy workshops and tag rugby coaching sessions to primary schools across Sheffield

Literacy Kicks Literacy Kicks is a schools programme that encourages children in reading and writing by taking them inside the exciting world of sports journalism, developing their literacy through sports reporting. It was set up by Rugby League journalist Gareth Walker and you can find more details ,HERE,. 

Inspired by the 1998 Challenge Cup Victory The 2nd May 1998 is a historic day in the short history of the Sheffield Eagles. It was on this day, only 14 years after being formed that they defied the odds and expectations in beating Wigan Warriors 17-8 in the Challenge Cup Final. This match is often described as the biggest upset in Challenge Cup history, perhaps in British rugby league as a whole. 
Gareth developed a specific programme using using the 1998 Challenge Cup win as inspiration for the young people to produce a piece of writing. 
At most of the workshops there was someone there linked to 1998 to share their memories with the children and talk about life in Rugby League. We’re grateful to Mark Aston, Keith Senior and Cory Aston for spending time with the schools talking about their memories and experiences. Linked to this, we brought together all aspects of the work of the Eagles Foundation by also offering a tag rugby league coaching session for the class on the same day. Thanks to the funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we were able to offer these workshops free of charge, therefore throughout September we worked with nine primary schools to deliver 21 literacy workshops and 21 coaching sessions involving over 650 schoolchildren.

The Schools Thank you to Grenoside Community Primary School, E-Act Pathways Academy, Phillimore Community Primary School, Fox Hill Primary School, Ballifield Primary School, Oasis Academy Don Valley, High Hazels Academy, Hartley Brook Primary Academy and Hatfield Academy for all taking part in the project.

Feedback We're still in the process of collecting all the feedback and reviewing the project but we know from the conversations we've had with the teachers and children how much they've enjoyed it. 
The enthusiasm from the children has been amazing to see, many of them never having heard of the Sheffield Eagles before. They’ve been inspired by the historic 1998 Challenge Cup win and the people involved to write some brilliant articles about that day. They loved being able to meet a sports journalist, to have a different lesson to normal, learning about the Sheffield Eagles, having a chance to write in a new way and of course the most popular – receiving a free pencil.
It’s been great working with Gareth on this project and we’re already looking at working with him again next year, if we can raise the funding, as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Club.
Some of the schools featured the project on their social media.
[Image: Images of the Sheffield Eagles Literacy Kicks Project 2023]
[Image: Examples of feedback from the Literacy Kicks Project]



Examples of Writing Below you can see some examples of the writing produced by the children.
[File: undefined]
 


Find Out More You can find out more about the historic Challenge Cup win and how it has been celebrated over the last 25 years click ,HERE,.

Find out more about the literacy project the Sheffield Eagles Heritage Project and Literacy Kicks have been running in September.