Lions' Tales

Documenting the Voices of Swinton RLFC

Swinton Rugby League Football Club has a rich sporting history dating back to its formation in 1866. The club has also played a central part in the social and cultural environment of the local community. Lions’ Tales is a project co-ordinated by the Swinton Lions Supporters’ Trust which aims to bring together the sporting and cultural heritage of Swinton, Pendlebury and Clifton as well as further afield by documenting the voices of the players, officials and supporters from Swinton RLFC.

So, if you are willing to be interviewed or write about your Swinton memories; or if you have Swinton RLFC memorabilia that can be made available, then contact the numbers presented below. In particular, any of the following items would be useful for the project and please note all items will be copied and recorded before being returned safely.

This project is supported by Supporters’ Direct and the Federation of Stadium Communities (FSC) with the view to establish how an area can connect with a local sporting club. So far, permission has been granted by the British Film Institute (BFI) to use images of Swinton RLFC from the Mitchell and Kenyon Archive from 1901. Also, research is underway to identify the numerous rugby-related drawings and paintings of LS Lowry who lived close-by to the former Station Road ground in Pendlebury. It is hoped to display all the material and memories in local schools and libraries for educational purposes and publish the results in a book.

For further details please email Ian Jackson.

Pictures of the Swinton caps and medals of Lawrence Critch who played scrum half for the Lions between 1901 and 1906

Lawrence Critch Cap

Lawrence Critch Medal Front

Lawrence Critch Medal Back

Pictures of the caps awarded to Dai Davies.

Dai Davies - Swinton Cap

Dai Davies - Lancashire Cap

A superstar of his era, Davies was an 18 year old Welsh international Rugby Union reserve when he came North to Swinton in early 1899. Davies apparently signed a hastily drawn-up contract on a shop window for a down-payment of £5, with a further £15 awaiting him at Swinton.

He made a his debut in a success at Widnes on 3rd April 1899 and quickly formed the most potent half-back combination in the Northern Union alongside Joey Morgan. This was never more apparent that when the pair helped destroy Salford in the 1900 Challenge Cup Final with Davies a try-scorer.

In season 1900/01 he appeared on three successful occasions for his adopted county, Lancashire, and even grabbed a try against Cheshire. Sadly though, by 1902 Swinton's finances were precarious and this necessitated the transfer of Davies who curiously joined Bolton Wanderers as a goalkeeper. He even reached the FA Cup Final with Bolton in 1904, although the game was lost 1-0 to Manchester City. However, Davies remains to this day, the only man who has played in both an FA and Challenge Cup Final.

The prodigal son returned to Chorley Road at Christmas 1909 and he enjoyed a further four seasons with the Lions. During this period he gained an international cap when Wales were defeated by England at Coventry on 10th December 1910 and he also skippered Swinton in 1910 Lancashire Cup Final which was lost 4-3 to Oldham.

He retired at the age of 33, but was later grealty effective at organising sporting activities for the 'Swinton Pals' at their First World War training camp in North Wales. After the war Davies assisted the Swinton Park amateur club for a while.