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1980s

1982

The Idea

Gary Hetherington has the idea of creating a new Rugby League club based in Sheffield.

1984-85

The First Game

The first game, in the Second Division, against Rochdale on 2nd September 1984, at Owlerton Stadium saw them win.

1985-86

The Second Season

A new kit and a new badge for their second season, playing again in maroon and gold.

1986-87

A milestone

100th game

1987-88

Red and Gold

The kit is red and gold for the first time and the Eagles finish 5th, their highest league position to that point

1988-89

Silverware

The first ever trophy – beating Swinton in the Second Division Premiership final at Old Trafford.

1989-90

Nomad Years Part 1

Life 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

1990-1991

A New Home

The 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

Promotion

Achieved promotion back to the Championship at their first attempt. Won the Premiership Division Final by beating Oldham.

1992-93

Australia

Lose 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

10th Season

Gary Hetherington returns as coach. The 10th season is dubbed the best season of the decade, finishing 6th in the Championship.

1994-95

Australia Again

Play 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

Rugby League Centenary

The 100th anniversary of Rugby League and the last season of winter rugby with the Eagles finishing 5th.

1996

Super League

The 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.

1997

John Kear

John Kear becomes head coach part way through the season.

1998

Wembley

The Challenge Cup win.

1999

Merger

Finish 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

Phoenix Club

The phoenix Club finish in 14th place - a starting point to build on for the “new” Club.

2001

Club of the Year

Finish 11th in the Northern Ford Premiership and are awarded Club of the Year.

2002

12th

Finish 12th in the NFP.

2003

1st

Finish 1st in newly created National League 2 but lose in the Grand Final and play offs.

2004

3rd

Finish 3rd in NL2 but lose in the Elimination Play Off game.

2005

7th

Finish 7th in NL2.

2006

Promotion

Finish 2nd in NL2 before beating Swinton Lions in the Play Off Finals to win promotion to National League 1.

2007

Play offs

Finish in 6th place in the first season in NL1 following promotion, reaching the play offs.

2008

7th

Finish in 7th place again in NL1, just missing the play offs.

2009

Championship

Finish 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

Play offs

Finish 6th place in the Championship before losing to Halifax in the Play Offs. During the season they play Wigan in the Challenge Cup at Bramall Lane, with a battling performance before losing 34-50.

2011

Grand Final

Reach the Grand Final but lose to Featherstone.

2012

Grand Final Again

Reach a second consecutive Grand Final appearance and also against Featherstone. This time the Eagles win 20-16 in Warrington.

2013

Back to Back winners

Play 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

Back to Owlerton

Playing 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

Super 8s

Play 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 Time

Become 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 Time

Play “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

Temporary Sheffield Facilities

Back in Sheffield at the temporary facilities at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.

2019

1895 Cup

Another 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

Pandemic

Start 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

Wheelchair team

Return to Keepmoat Stadium following delays with the new stadium at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. The Eagles’ wheelchair team is formed.

2022

Return to Sheffield

The 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

Challenge Cup 25th anniversary

25th Anniversary of the Challenge Cup win. The Eagles’ wheelchair team are announced as the RFL’s wheelchair team of the year.

2024

The first 40 years

A chance to celebrate the first 40 years of the Sheffield Eagles #OneClub