THE
HISTORY
Folly Lane ARLFC was formed just after
the second world war in 1949. The team began playing on a pitch by an old
sewage works on Folly Lane in Swinton accordingly adopting the name Folly
Lane Rugby Club. In 1955 it was decided to run a junior team separately
from the openage team and a under 18's team called Folly Juniors was
formed. With a new name, the juniors moved to the Blue Ribbon Playing
fields, which is where the club plays today. As time moved on and the club
progressed, the junior tag was dropped and the openage team joined back
with the juniors at the Blue Ribbon and once again became known as Folly
Lane. This period saw all teams both junior and openage level, move into the
Northwest Counties leagues. It was from this period that Folly Lane began
stamping their presence on Northern rugby league and wave after wave of
trophies and honours came to Folly along with the club producing many
professional players.
THE
PROFESSIONALS & INTERNATIONALS
Folly
Lane ARLFC has a proud reputation of producing not only top class amateur
players, but also top class players for the international and professional
codes of Rugby League. The list of players that Folly has produced that
have either played professional, international or both is endless. Below
is several that many will remember:
Derek
Whitehead (Lance Todd Trophy winner); Alan Buckley (Swinton & Great
Britain); Dave Robinson (Swinton, Wigan and Great Britain); Les Holiday
(Great Britain); Don Preston (Swinton); Jim Hope (Folly Lane club Chairman
and ex-Swinton captain); Mark Barratt (Salford); Barry Simpson (Swinton)
As
stated, the above list is by no means conclusive and there are many other
professional players Folly has produced. More recent times have seen
players such as Paul Southern sign for Salford and play for Ireland and
Ian Blease play for Salford and Swinton. Three of our coaching staff are
also past professionals, Steve Whittle (Swinton); Paul Brownbill (StHelens)
and Shane Hansen (Salford, Swinton and New Zealand Maoris International)
all bring their own vast experience to training and developing players at
Folly.
THE
FACILITIES
Folly Lane are still playing at the same
ground that they moved back to in 1955, the Blue Ribbon Playing Fields in
Swinton. In November 1995, an arson attack on the changing rooms
completely destroyed them along with all the training equipment and many
playing kits. This sort of disaster would have led to many lesser clubs
folding, however with great community spirit the club pulled together and
was given a Sports Council Grant to rebuild the changing facilities.
These new changing facilities are modern
and are one of the best in amateur rugby league and are the envy of most
clubs. With help from Salford Council, the Northwest Counties RL
authorities, neighbouring teams, local charities and of course all club
members pulling together, the future of Folly Lane ARLFC is very promising
and great things will follow.
It goes without saying that after the
game, everyone is made to feel at home in the Folly Club on Station Road,
which in the past was the club house for Swinton Lions RLFC, but is now
the base for Folly Lane. In here you can enjoy a drink and relax whilst
Folly Lane make both players and visitors feel very welcome. The Folly is
where most fund raising evenings and end of season presentation ceremonies
are held and where Folly Lane players enjoy socialising whether it is
playing snooker or darts, or just relaxing with friends. Like all Rugby
Clubs, the atmosphere is second to non and there are many different
characters in the place to make people laugh and have fun, young or old.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
In 2000, Folly Lane was given permission by the local council to use
the coat of arms of the borough of Swinton as its club badge. This coat of
arms goes back over two hundred years and it is with great pride that
Folly Lane ARLFC will be the only club allowed to display it on their kits
and use it as the club emblem.
