Timeline
A season by season guide to the history of the Sheffield Eagles.
Over time we'll be adding details of each season in the Club's history including what happened that season, results, playing squad, final table, programmes and photos. So far we've added the seasons 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2012. For all the other seasons there are holding pages. More summaries are being added on a regular basis.
1980s
1981-84
Gary had a DreamGary Hetherington has the idea of creating a new Rugby League club based in Sheffield.
1984-85
The Eagles had LandedThe first game, in the Second Division, against Rochdale on 2nd September 1984, at Owlerton Stadium saw them win.
1985-86
Onwards and UpwardsA new kit and a new badge for their second season, playing again in maroon and gold.
1987-88
Pipped at the PostThe kit is red and gold for the first time and the Eagles finish 5th, their highest league position to that point
1989-90
Nomad Years Part OneLife on the road due to Owlerton Stadium not meeting safety standards. They beat newly crowned World Champions Widnes at Bramall Lane in front of a record crowd. The first women’s team are formed.
1990s
1990-91
A NEW HOMEThe first game at Don Valley Stadium on 26th September 1990. Relegated from the Championship to Division 2 as part of the new three division structure.
1991-92
Going upAchieved promotion back to the Championship at their first attempt. Won the Premiership Division Final by beating Oldham.
1992-93
AustraliaLose to Australia 52-22 at Don Valley Stadium as part of Australia’s warm up for the World Cup. Gary Hetherington steps down as coach.
1993-94
A Tale of Two CoachesGary Hetherington returns as coach. The 10th season is dubbed the best season of the decade, finishing 6th in the Championship.
1994-95
In the Play Offs againPlay Australia again at Don Valley as part of Australia’s test preparations. The Eagles lose 80-2. Rumours of a merger with Doncaster circulate as talk of Super League starts. The Eagles finish 8th.
1995-96
Centenary SeasonThe 100th anniversary of Rugby League and the last season of winter rugby with the Eagles finishing 5th.
1996
One Night in ParisThe first ever game of the new Super League era against Paris St Germain in Paris. The season of the “Full Monty” shirt – as featured in the film. Gary Hetherington leaves the Eagles.
1999
MergerFinish the Super League season in 10th place and merge with bottom placed Huddersfield Giants The new Sheffield Eagles play their first game in the 2000 season, a victory against Lancashire Lynx.
2000s
2000
Rising from the AshesThe phoenix Club finish in 14th place - a starting point to build on for the “new” Club.
2003
Top of the LeagueFinish 1st in newly created National League 2 but lose in the Grand Final and play offs.
2005
The Eagles in FluxChanged continued for the Club, with a number of experienced players having retired it took time for the young squad to develop.
2006
PROMOTION AT LASTAfter a difficult 2005 season and coming close to promotion in previous seasons it was time for the Sheffield Eagles to achieve promotion out of Division 2.
2007
Play offsIn their first season in Division 1 the Eagles managed to reach the play offs, despite the bookmakers having them as candidates for relegation.
2008
Not Ready for Super League YetThe Club planned for the future but had to deal with problems in the present.
2009
Championship LaunchedFinish in 3rd place in the newly named Championship before losing to Featherstone in the play offs. The Club’s Hall of Fame is established.
2010s
2010
Bramall Lane Here We ComeFinish 6th place but the fall at the last hurdle in the Grand Final bid.
2012
Champions at LastAfter reaching the Grand Final in 2011 but losing, 2012 saw the Eagles reaching the Grand Final again but this time winning.
2013
Back to Back winnersPlay their last ever game at Don Valley Stadium on 15th September. Reach the Grand Final again, beating Batley Bulldogs to become the first back to back champions.
2014
The Return to OwlertonPlaying once again at Owlerton Stadium. They edge close to relegation before recovering and reaching the play offs before losing in the semifinals, meaning it wasn’t a Grand Final triple.
2015
If It's Home it must DonnyPlay home games this season at the Keepmoat and Castle Park grounds in Doncaster. A third place finish in the Championship led to games in the short lived Super 8s.
2016
Full TimeBecome a full time Club. The Club finish 7th before losing to Bradford in the Championship Shield Final. Fans raise £20,000 to help save the Club from financial problems.
2017
Return to Part TimePlay “home” games at Wakefield’s ground for the season and return to being a part time Club. Finish 7th and reach the Championship Shield Final before losing to Toulouse.
2018
Back to SheffieldBack in Sheffield at the temporary facilities at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.
2019
1895 CupAnother season at the temporary facilities at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. Despite this they win the inaugural 1895 Cup against Widnes, meaning they are unbeaten at Wembley.
2020s
2020
The Season that Never WasStart the season with home games at Castle Park in Doncaster and at Wakefield due to construction work starting on the new stadium in Sheffield. The season is cancelled due to the global pandemic.
2021
Coping with Covid on the RoadReturn to Keepmoat Stadium following delays with the new stadium at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. The Eagles’ wheelchair team is formed.
2022
Return to SheffieldThe first game at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park Community Stadium. Eagles Foundation announced as Foundation of the Year by the RFL. The new Eagles’ women’s team promoted in their first season.
2023
25 Years after Wembley25th Anniversary of the Challenge Cup win. The Eagles’ wheelchair team are announced as the RFL’s wheelchair team of the year.
