Leeds Rhinos, or informally
Leeds or
The Rhinos, are an English professional rugby league football club based in
LeedsLeeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. The historic core at the heart of Leeds in 2001 had an estimated subdivision population of 443,247, whilst the entire city, that includes the urban and suburban areas incorporated into the city in 1974, had an estimated...
,
West YorkshireWest Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
. They are the current European Super League champions. Leeds introduced the
Rhinos nicknameA nickname is a descriptive name given in place of or in addition to the official name of a person, place or thing. It can also be the familiar or truncated form of the proper name, which may sometimes be used simply for convenience A nickname (also spelled "nick name") is a descriptive name...
and
logoA logo is a graphical element that, together with its logotype form a trademark or commercial brand. Typically, a logo's design is for immediate recognition...
in 1997. They are also one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895, making them one of the world's first rugby league teams.
The club's home is the 22,250 capacity Headingley Carnegie Stadium, which is in the
suburbSuburbs are defined in various different ways around the world. They can be the residential areas of a large city, or separate residential communities within commuting distance of a city. Some suburbs have a degree of political autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city...
of
HeadingleyHeadingley is an inner suburb of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. It is approximately two miles out of the city centre, to the north west along the A660 road...
, north-west Leeds, where they have played since 1890. Leeds are one of the oldest clubs in the world and are owned by the same company that also run the Leeds Carnegie
rugby unionRugby union is a full contact team sport, a form of football which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. It is played with an oval-shaped ball, outdoors on a level field, usually with a grass surface, 100 m...
team. The club are the third most successful rugby league club in England behind only St Helens and
Wigan WarriorsWigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club is a professional rugby league football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. The first team competes in Europe's engage Super League competition, playing its home matches at the DW Stadium, Wigan....
, as judged by the number of Challenge Cups won.
On the 10th of October 2009, Leeds won the
Super League Grand FinalThe 2009 Super League Grand Final was held on Saturday 10 October 2009, at Old Trafford, Manchester, UK. The match was contested by defending champions and 2009 League Leaders Leeds Rhinos, and St Helens. Leeds Rhinos were victorious winning the match 18 to 10. Leeds will, consequently, contest...
against St Helens at Old Trafford. The score was 18–10. Leeds became the first ever club to be Super League champions three seasons running.
Early years
In 1864, H.I. Jenkinson placed an advert in the
Leeds Mercury inviting players to meet up at
Woodhouse MoorWoodhouse Moor is an open space approximately one mile from Leeds city centre, West Yorkshire, England. Today it consists of 3 parts: a formal park, Woodhouse Moor , of around 26 hectares in area on the west of Woodhouse Lane , and two other open areas on the east of it...
a few days a week from 7am to 8am. That advert attracted over 500 members. From this interest several clubs were formed including Leeds St John's.
Leeds St John's were formed in 1870 and were originally known as the "Old Blue and Ambers". They played at the Militia Barracks from 1870 to 1888 before moving to Cardigan Fields, near
HeadingleyHeadingley is an inner suburb of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. It is approximately two miles out of the city centre, to the north west along the A660 road...
, Leeds. Membership was originally confined to the church classes but was soon expanded. By 1887 St John's had reached their first cup final, the Yorkshire Cup. They lost to
Wakefield TrinityWakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
.
In 1888 the Cardigan Estate was sold at auction and Lot 17a was purchased by a group of Leeds citizens, who intended to form the city's leading sports club. Lot 17a became what is now Headingley Stadium.
Leeds St John's played their final season under that name in 1889–90, before becoming the football section of Leeds Cricket, Football and Athletic Co Ltd the following season. With Headingley still being completed, Leeds' first game was staged at Cardigan Fields, the home side defeating Otley. The first game at Headingley was played on 20 September 1890, when
ManninghamManningham were an English rugby league football club based in Manningham, Bradford. They were the first ever champions of the Rugby Football League in its first ever season...
were beaten by one try and one dropped goal to nil.
In 1892 some 27,654 spectators — a then record in British rugby — attended the third round showdown between Leeds and Halifax at Headingley.
Leeds were founder members of the Northern Union when it broke away from the
Rugby Football UnionThe Rugby Football Union is the rugby union governing body for men's rugby in England - women's rugby is currently administered by the Rugby Football Union for Women . Among the Union's chief activities are conferences, organising international matches, and educating and training players and...
in 1895. Leeds' début in the Northern Union was a 6–3 success at Leigh on 7 September 1895, the inaugural day of the new competition.
Leeds City FCLeeds City Football Club was the leading professional football club in Leeds, England, before World War I. The club was dissolved in 1919 due to financial irregularities. A new club using the same name was founded in 2005.-History:...
joined soccer's Second Division in 1905–06, and finished sixth out of 20 clubs in their first season. Rugby's monopoly with the locals seemed to have been broken, with Leeds Rugby League's average gate numbers falling by nearly 50% in that first League season.
The Headingley club reached the Championship final for the first time in 1915, but were beaten 35–2 by Huddersfield.
In 1921,
Harold BuckHarold Buck was a British rugby league footballer. A winger, in November 1921, Buck became rugby league's first £1,000 player when transferred from Hunslet to Leeds. ....
became the game’s first £1,000 transfer when he moved from
HunsletHunslet Hawks is a British professional rugby league club. They are based in Hunslet, to the south of Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club are sometimes known as 'the Parksiders' after their former stadium.-History:-Early years:...
to Leeds.
On Saturday 27 October 1934, Leeds and
Wakefield TrinityWakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
met in the final of the Yorkshire Cup at Crown Flatt, Dewsbury. The match was played in front of a crowd of 22,598 and ended in a 5–5 draw. Four days later the two clubs drew again, with Leeds eventually lifting the trophy after a second replay, the only occasion it took three attempts to settle a Yorkshire Cup Final. A total of 52,402 spectators watched the three games.
In 1937, Leeds paid the stand-off
Vic HeyVic Hey born Liverpool, New South Wales, was an Australian rugby league national and state representative five-eighth and later a successful first-grade and national coach. His Australian club playing career commenced with the Western Suburbs Magpies and concluded with the Parramatta Eels. In...
a then-record £1,400 signing-on fee to bring him away from Australia, Vic was seen as a major loss to the Australian game and this contributed to the RFL imposing a ban on international transfers which lasted until 1940.
In 1938, Leeds played Swinton in the Rugby League Championship semi-final. Leeds won the match 5 points to 2 to set up a history making all-Leeds clash with neighbours Hunslet in the final. The match was played at the
Elland RoadElland Road is an all-seater football stadium situated in the Beeston area of the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Elland Road has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
football ground, to accommodate a huge demand from the city’s rugby league supporters. Over 54,000 people watched the game, a then record for a match in England, Hunslet triumphed 8–2 to take the title.
Leeds won the Challenge Cup in 1941 and 1942.
Post-war
Following the Second World War the Leeds club struggled to make a serious impact in rugby league despite having a financial advantage over the majority of its competitors.
It was not until the late fifties, when in 1957 the club secured its first post-war Challenge Cup victory, that the young side being built began to show signs of what was to come.
Joe WarhamJoe Warham is a rugby league administrator and coach having served Leeds Rugby League Football Club for over forty years....
came to Leeds as coach in 1958 and a Yorkshire Cup triumph followed, but the side still lacked enough quality to compete at the top of the Lancashire section of the competition in which it was then playing.
However
The Loiners (as they were then nicknamed) were to establish themselves as a dominant force by the end of the coming decade. In 1960 Dai Prosser was appointed to assist Joe Warham with the coaching duties and the club signed a new back three of Jack Fairbank, Bryan Shaw and Dennis Goodwin to strengthen the forward pack. The recruitment paid off: Leeds were crowned Champions for the first time in 1961 with Lewis Jones leading them to a 25–10 victory over Warrington in the Championship Final at Odsal Stadium, Bradford.
In the late 1960s, under the guidance of
Roy FrancisL. Roy Francis is a British former rugby league footballer and coach. He coached with Hull, Leeds and North Sydney. He was the first black, British professional coach in any sport. After a playing career with Wigan, Barrow, Dewsbury , Warrington and Hull, he became a coach with Hull FC. Renowned...
, Leeds repeatedly finished top of the league. They contested perhaps the most memorable of all Wembley occasions, the "watersplash final" of 1968, which was played despite a downpour that saturated the pitch. It produced the most dramatic of finishes, when
Lance Todd trophyThe Lance Todd Trophy is awarded to the Man-of-the-Match in rugby league's Challenge Cup Final.The trophy was introduced in 1946, in memory of Lance Todd, the New Zealand-born player and administrator, who was killed in a road accident during the Second World War...
winner Don Fox had the easiest of conversions to win it for
Wakefield TrinityWakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
, but missed it to leave Leeds 11–10 winners.
Francis then quit the club to take up a coaching position in Australia, and Joe Warham again took charge as coach, on an interim basis, midway through the 1969 campaign. The Championship trophy duly returned to Headingley for the second time after a tough final against Castleford at Odsal Stadium.
In 1970 Leeds returned to the Championship final, and Odsal, but lost to St Helens despite having taken an early lead. Tables were turned in December when the same teams met in the final of the
BBC2 Floodlit TrophyThe BBC2 Floodlit Trophy was a competition for British rugby league clubs held between 1965 and 1980. It was designed specifically for television, and the then director of BBC2, broadcaster David Attenborough, was instrumental in its creation...
, Leeds emerging victorious this time.
Coached by Rocky Turner, Leeds returned to Wembley in 1971 and 1972 but lost out both times — in 1971 losing 24–7 to rank outsiders
LeighLeigh Centurions are a professional rugby league club based in Leigh, Lancashire, England. They were relegated from Super League at the end of the 2005 season to the Co-operative Championship...
and suffering the indignity of captain Syd Hynes being the first man to 'take an early bath' at Wembley. A third championship, in 1972, provided consolation.
Eric AshtonEric Ashton MBE was an English rugby league footballer of the 1950s and 60s and later a coach. He played his whole first grade football career for Wigan RLFC along with at times both captaining and coaching them; his position of choice was right centre...
(former Wigan and Great Britain centre) coached Leeds for the 1973–74 season before leaving to coach St Helens.
Leeds continued to collect silverware: they won the Regal Trophy in 1973 and the Premiership (the then-current form of the championship playoff) in 1975. They held the Yorkshire Cup seven times between 1969 and 1980.
In the 1976–77 season, the Salford versus Leeds match was abandoned after 38 minutes when Chris Sanderson of Leeds suffered a fatal injury. Leeds were ahead 5–2, but the game was declared null and void and not replayed. The club recovered to win the Challenge Cup at the end of that season. They repeated that success in 1978, in a classic final against St Helens at Wembley Stadium with Leeds completing what was then a record comeback. Former captain Syd Hynes was coach on both occasions.
They followed up with another Premiership win, in 1979.
However these victories were the 'last hurrah' of the great sixties and seventies sides and a barren spell followed in the eighties. Leeds' only triumphs were the 1984
John Player TrophyThe Regal Trophy was a knock-out competition for British rugby league clubs between 1971 and 1996.It was initially for professional clubs with the exception of two amateur teams who were finalists of the BARLA National Cup. However, in the latter seasons the cup was expanded to include leading...
(beating Widnes) and the 1988
Yorkshire CupHistorically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
(beating Castleford). Leeds were beaten finalists in the
John Player TrophyThe Regal Trophy was a knock-out competition for British rugby league clubs between 1971 and 1996.It was initially for professional clubs with the exception of two amateur teams who were finalists of the BARLA National Cup. However, in the latter seasons the cup was expanded to include leading...
four times in the eighties and nineties.
Leeds eventually hauled themselves back to Wembley for a
Challenge CupThe Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs in Europe, organised by the Rugby Football League...
final appearance in 1994 against
WiganWigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club is a professional rugby league football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. The first team competes in Europe's engage Super League competition, playing its home matches at the DW Stadium, Wigan....
. The game was memorable for a length of the field try by
Martin OffiahMartin "Chariots" Offiah MBE is an English former rugby league and, briefly, rugby union footballer of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s.He is also known as 'Chariots' Offiah after the film 'Chariots of Fire'...
, considered by many to be one the greatest
triesA try is the major way of scoring points in rugby league and rugby union football. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition's in-goal area...
ever scored, which clinched the game for Wigan. Leeds returned to Wembley a year later, again to face Wigan again, but were beaten more easily.
Super League
In 1996 Gary Hetherington sold his controlling interest in
Sheffield EaglesSheffield Eagles RLFC are an English rugby league team based in the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield. In 2009 they compete in the Co-operative Championship. Their home games are played at the Bramall Lane.- Foundation :...
and Gary joined Paul Caddick to take over the ailing Leeds C F & A Co Ltd, owners and operators of Headingley Stadium and Leeds Rugby League Club.
1996 marked the beginning of summer rugby and initially reluctant transition for the (renamed in 1997)
Leeds Rhinos.
Dean BellDean Bell is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer and coach. A New Zealand international representative centre, he played his club football in England, Australia and New Zealand, but most notably with Wigan, with whom he won seven consecutive Challenge Cup finals, a Lance Todd Trophy and a...
took over as head coach following his retirement as a player at Auckland Warriors. Leeds experienced great financial difficulty and even flirted with relegation. Following the purchase of the club by Caddick & Hetherington the turnaround was quick, however, and in 1998 the Rhinos once again found their way to a major final, facing Wigan in the inaugural Grand Final, at
Old TraffordOld Trafford is an all-seater football stadium in the Trafford borough of Greater Manchester, England, and is the home of Premier League club Manchester United...
, Manchester. The Rhinos were edged out 10–4 in a tense and very evenly matched game.
Iestyn HarrisIestyn Harris is Welsh former rugby league footballer, who is currently an assistant coach of the Celtic Crusaders. Harris is a former Man of Steel winner and has also represented Wales on numerous occasions at both codes of rugby...
joined Leeds for a record breaking £350,000 transfer in 1997. He was appointed captain in his first full season at the age of only 21. In 1999 Leeds finally landed their first silverware in a decade, and their first Challenge Cup for over 20 years, with a convincing 52–16 win over
LondonHarlequins Rugby League is a rugby league club representing the greater London area. They are currently the premier rugby league side in London, and play in the European Super League. They have since been joined in the professional ranks by the London Skolars in 2003...
at Wembley in front of a crowd of 73,242. In 2000, after a nightmare opening to the season, Leeds put themselves in a position to defend this trophy when they met Yorkshire rivals
BradfordBradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It has been one of the major success stories of the Super League era, with the 2003 season being its best where the club successfully won all of the major rugby league honours,...
at
MurrayfieldMurrayfield Stadium is a sports stadium located in the west end of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland...
, Edinburgh. It was not to be and after a poor start from the Rhinos the Bulls edged them out by six points.
Once again a period of transition loomed for Leeds, with many youngsters emerging and taking the place of experienced first team members.
Daryl PowellDaryl A. Powell is the head coach of Featherstone Rovers Rugby League football club. He is a former stand off for Keighley Cougars, Sheffield Eagles and Leeds Rhinos...
became coach of the Leeds Rhinos after he retired from playing in 2001.
In 2003 the Rhinos returned to the Challenge Cup final, again to face Bradford, this time at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Leeds once again lost out in a very tense game, losing 22–20 in front of 71,212 fans. The game was memorable for the decision by the Leeds captain
Kevin SinfieldKevin Sinfield is an English professional rugby league player currently playing in the Super League competition for Leeds Rhinos. Sinfield has represent Great Britain on 13 occasions as well as being capped 4 times for England...
to spurn the opportunity of a 2-point penalty kick to level up the game with just minutes left.
In 2003 the Rhinos appointed
Tony SmithTony Smith is a British-Australian former rugby league player. He is currently Head of Coaching at Warrington Wolves and is also the part-time head coach of the Great Britain national rugby league team. He is the younger brother of fellow rugby league coach, Brian Smith...
as Head Coach for the 2004 season, despite being top of the table at the time.
In 2004 the Rhinos finally shed the 'bridesmaid' tag in Super League. They picked up their first championship title in 32 years with a narrow win over Bradford Bulls 16–8 in the Grand Final at
Old TraffordOld Trafford is an all-seater football stadium in the Trafford borough of Greater Manchester, England, and is the home of Premier League club Manchester United...
in front of a sell-out crowd. They followed this by winning the
World Club ChallengeThe World Club Challenge is an annual rugby league football match held between the champions of the Australasian National Rugby League and the European Super League competitions to determine the world's best rugby league club...
beating
AustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the continental mainland , the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans...
n side
Canterbury BulldogsThe Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Belmore, a suburb of the greater Sydney region. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, as well as New South Wales Rugby League junior competitions...
39–32 in front of 37,028 spectators at
Elland RoadElland Road is an all-seater football stadium situated in the Beeston area of the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Elland Road has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
, Leeds.
This success was not to be repeated in 2005: after a wonderful first half to the season the team's form slumped and the Rhinos lost their third Challenge Cup final in six years, shaded by a briefly resurgent Hull 24–25. The Rhinos then lost the Grand Final the same season, thwarted by Bradford Bulls, 15–6. It was the seventh final the Rhinos had lost in 10 years.
2006 was hugely disappointing. The Rhinos finished third in the
Super League XIEngage Super League XI was the official name for the year 2006's Super League season in the sport of rugby league in Europe. Bradford Bulls were looking to retain the title they won in Super League X....
table, but lost in their first play-off game against
Warrington WolvesThe Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club in the town of Warrington, Cheshire in England. They compete in Super League, Europe's top-level rugby league competition. Their colours are primrose and blue, though white has often featured on the home shirt...
. They also suffered a disappointing defeat to
Huddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
in the semi finals of the Challenge Cup.
In 2007 Leeds finished second after the 27 regular rounds, and lost 10–8 at St Helens in the grand final eliminator in what many of the players described as the most brutal and tough game of their careers. Leeds then produced a brilliant performance at home to beat a resurgent
WiganWigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club is a professional rugby league football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. The first team competes in Europe's engage Super League competition, playing its home matches at the DW Stadium, Wigan....
side 36–6, thus reaching the grand final. Leeds triumphed in the final in spectacular circumstances, beating St Helens 33–6 in front of over 71,000 spectators. Leeds' points included 12 from
Kevin SinfieldKevin Sinfield is an English professional rugby league player currently playing in the Super League competition for Leeds Rhinos. Sinfield has represent Great Britain on 13 occasions as well as being capped 4 times for England...
(meaning he had scored in every match this season).
Rob BurrowRob Burrow is an English professional rugby league footballer with the Leeds Rhinos of Super League. A Britain intenrational representative hooker/half, he has spent his whole career to date at Leeds, having won the Super League championship with them three times...
was named man of the match winning the Harry Sunderland Trophy.
Tony Smith, who was leaving to coach
Great BritainThe Great Britain national rugby league team is the national team of the United Kingdom in rugby league. The team is administered by the Rugby Football League , and is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"...
. departed on a euphoric note as arguably the greatest coach in the club's history (with two Grand Finals and a world challenge title) though supiscion remains in a number of circles that Smith failed to fully realise the potential for dominance that the squad of 2004 offered.
Smith was replaced by former New Zealand international team coach
Brian McClennanBrian McClennan is a Rugby League coach, currently head coach of the Leeds Rhinos and former coach of the New Zealand rugby league team.The son of former St Helens coach Mike McClennan, born in Auckland McClennan played stand-off before becoming a coach...
.
In the warm-up to the 2008 season Leeds Rhinos played a match in the USA (against
South Sydney RabbitohsThe South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-Central Sydney. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the New South Wales capital...
) for the first time. The game marked the first international Rugby League match held in the USA. The match was played on 26 January 2008 at
Hodges StadiumHodges Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on the campus of the University of North Florida. It is home to the North Florida Ospreys soccer and athletics teams...
—
University of North Florida with the Leeds Rhinos overcoming South Sydney 26–24. Jacksonville's very own American National Rugby League team the
Jacksonville AxemenThe Jacksonville Axemen are an amateur rugby league club located in Jacksonville, Florida in the United States. The team plays in the American National Rugby League competition but have yet to win a championship title...
hosted the teams as part of the Australia Day festivities.
Soon afterwards Leeds beat
Melbourne StormThe Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Melbourne, Victoria. They have competed in every season of the National Rugby League Premiership since its inception in 1998 and are the first fully-professional rugby league team based in the...
11–4 at
Elland RoadElland Road is an all-seater football stadium situated in the Beeston area of the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Elland Road has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
in the
2008 World Club ChallengeThe 2008 Carnegie World Club Challenge was contested between Super League XII champions, the Leeds Rhinos and National Rugby League season 2007 premiers, the Melbourne Storm...
. A
Scott DonaldScott Albert Donald is an Australian professional rugby league footballer with the Leeds Rhinos of the European Super League competition...
tryA try is the major way of scoring points in rugby league and rugby union football. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition's in-goal area...
combined with a
drop goalA drop goal, also referred to as a dropped goal or field goal, is a method of scoring points in rugby union and rugby league. A drop goal is scored in open play by drop kicking the ball over the crossbar and between the uprights. After the kick, the ball may touch the crossbar or goalposts, but not...
by
Kevin SinfieldKevin Sinfield is an English professional rugby league player currently playing in the Super League competition for Leeds Rhinos. Sinfield has represent Great Britain on 13 occasions as well as being capped 4 times for England...
secured the monumentous win in front of a record crowd of 33,204.
On 4 October 2008 Leeds retained their Super League crown by defeating St. Helens 24–16 in a thrilling contest. Lee Smith and Ryan Hall helped Leeds to a 12–6 lead at half time. Danny McGuire scored twice after the break and Kevin Sinfield successfully converting all four tries.
The team became the first in Leeds RLFC history to win consecutive titles and only the second in Superleague history.
Leeds Rhinos beat St Helens 18-10 at Old Trafford in the Engage
Super League grand finalThe 2009 Super League Grand Final was held on Saturday 10 October 2009, at Old Trafford, Manchester, UK. The match was contested by defending champions and 2009 League Leaders Leeds Rhinos, and St Helens. Leeds Rhinos were victorious winning the match 18 to 10. Leeds will, consequently, contest...
in 2009 and became the first club ever to win the trophy three times in a row.
Stadium
Leeds currently play at
Headingley Carnegie Rugby StadiumHeadingley Stadium is a sporting complex in the Leeds suburb of Headingley in West Yorkshire, England. It is the home of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, rugby league team Leeds Rhinos and rugby union team Leeds Carnegie ....
. The ground now has a capacity of 22,250 including some seating and some standing areas. The new Carnegie stand (pictured) was opened in 2006. The club are currently looking at refurbishing the South Stand and are hoping to rebuild the North Stand, however being as it is double sided they require the support of Yorkshire Cricket first as any redevelopment would have to take place on both sides. Headingley is the largest stadium in the Super League not to be shared with a football club. The club's plans to redevelop the North Stand look set to be delayed since Yorkshire Cricket have no intention on redeveloping this until their replacement of the 'Winter shed' is complete. This has led to the club exploring the option of redeveloping the Western Terraces instead, however this would require the demolition of six houses and the re-routing of a public right of way. The capacity of the South Stand has been reduced temporarily while structural repairs are carried out. Many fans wish to see the South Stand redeveloped because of its increasingly dilapidated condition and because of the poor state of facilities offered in contrast with the Carnegie Stand.
Mascot
Ronnie The Rhino is the Leeds Rhinos mascot. He attempts to get the crowd going pre-match, and at half-time he normally gets children involved by playing some sort of game. The current "Ronnie the Rhino" is Steve Beck. Beck often drives to perform Ronnie already in the "Ronnie Suit", however this has caused controversy due to the high number of near-misses he has on the road. Beck said that although his vision is seriously impaired by the suit, he feels it is an acceptable risk as he does not want the children to stop believing in the magic of Ronnie which he feels would happen if he turned up and they saw him get into the suit. In 2001 it was reported how the man inside Ronnie Rhino had defected to become Bradford Bull's mascot 'Bull Boy'.
Ronnie the Rhino visits schools as part of the Leeds Rhinos Community project, with the intention of promoting sports and healthy living. Ronnie is sponsored by
CravendaleCravendale is a brand of milk produced by Arla Foods. It is ranked 43rd in the UK's top 50 grocery brands, and was the first milk brand to be officially approved as being beneficial for teeth.-Manufacturing Process:...
milk, a brand manufactured nearby in
StourtonStourton is a mainly industrial area of the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.The area is 2 miles to the south east of Leeds city centre and lies between Hunslet, the M1 motorway and Cross Green in the LS10 postcode area....
. Prior to sponsorship with Cravendale, Ronnie was sponsored by
PepsiPepsi is a carbonated soft drink produced and manufactured by PepsiCo. It is sold in many places such as retail stores, restaurants, schools, cinemas and from vending machines. The drink was first made in the 1890s by pharmacist Caleb Bradham in New Bern, North Carolina. The brand was trademarked...
, as at the time the club was sponsered by
Tetley'sTetley's is a brewery founded in 1822 by Joshua Tetley in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The brewery is owned by the Carlsberg Group and produces a range of beers, including Tetley's Bitter, and is the world's largest producer of cask ale...
and under UK law it would be illegal for an alcohol brand to sponsor a figure aimed primarily at children.
Merchandising
The clubs merchandising campaign is supported by two club shops, one at the stadium and another in the St John's Centre. Ronnie the Rhino forms part of the club merchandising campaign, particularly in the clubs marketing to its younger support. The club each season sells a different home and away shirt, as well as other branded clothes such as training wear and polo shirts. The club has in the past sold replicas of past shirts. The clubs marketing division has become a more intrinsic part of its income since it adopted the 'Rhinos' nickname and mascot. This trend is replicated across most superleague clubs since the change to Super League, with only Hull F.C. reverting to their traditional branding after a spell as the 'Hull Sharks'.
Rivalries
Leeds' main local rivals are the
Bradford BullsBradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It has been one of the major success stories of the Super League era, with the 2003 season being its best where the club successfully won all of the major rugby league honours,...
. Leeds also have inner-city rivalry with
Hunslet HawksHunslet Hawks is a British professional rugby league club. They are based in Hunslet, to the south of Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club are sometimes known as 'the Parksiders' after their former stadium.-History:-Early years:...
(however Leeds are two leagues above Hunslet making competitive games unlikely, leaving the rivalry very much one way), there is also a genuine traditional derby with
Wakefield Trinity WildcatsWakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
, and to some extent
Huddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
, Hull F.C and
Castleford TigersCastleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas' 'Cas Tigers' or 'Classy Cas'...
. The club's main rival, however, is St Helens as the two clubs have been the dominant forces in English RL in recent years.
Honours
- World Club Challenge
The World Club Challenge is an annual rugby league football match held between the champions of the Australasian National Rugby League and the European Super League competitions to determine the world's best rugby league club...
: 2005, 2008 (twice)
- Championship
The Rugby Football League Championship was the major professional competition organised by the Rugby Football League in Great Britain. Since 1996 it has been superseded by the Super League and the Rugby League National Leagues...
(including Super League): 1960–61, 1968–69, 1971–72, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009 (seven times)
- Challenge Cup: 1909–10, 1922–23, 1931–32, 1935–36, 1940–41, 1941–42, 1956–57, 1967–68, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1999 (11 times)
- Premiership
The Rugby League Premiership was a competition for British rugby league clubs that operated between 1973 and 1995. As the Super League Premiership the competition continued to operate until 1997....
: 1974–75, 1978–79 (twice)
- Yorkshire Cup
Historically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
: 1921–22, 1928–29, 1930–31, 1932–33, 1934–35, 1935–36, 1937–38, 1958–59, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1975–76, 1976,77, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1988–89 (17 times)
- Yorkshire League
The Yorkshire League and the Lancashire League formed two sections of the Rugby League Championship for much of its history. Initially, the 22 clubs that broke away in 1895 played in one combined league, however the following season saw the addition of many clubs, and the League was split into two...
: 1901–02, 1927–28, 1930–31, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1936–37, 1950–51, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1960–61, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70 (14 times)
- Regal Trophy
The Regal Trophy was a knock-out competition for British rugby league clubs between 1971 and 1996.It was initially for professional clubs with the exception of two amateur teams who were finalists of the BARLA National Cup. However, in the latter seasons the cup was expanded to include leading...
: 1972–73, 1983–84 (twice)
- BBC2 Floodlit Trophy
The BBC2 Floodlit Trophy was a competition for British rugby league clubs held between 1965 and 1980. It was designed specifically for television, and the then director of BBC2, broadcaster David Attenborough, was instrumental in its creation...
: 1970-71
The Leeds RL Greats
The
Yorkshire Evening PostThe Yorkshire Evening Post is a daily evening publication published by Yorkshire Post Newspapers Ltd in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
named
Arthur CluesArthur Clues was an Australian professional rugby league player for Wests, New South Wales, and Australia. He primarily played in the second-row, i.e. number 11 or 12...
,
Albert "Bert" Cook,
Ellery HanleyEllery C. Hanley MBE is an English former rugby league footballer of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, and former head coach of Great Britain, St Helens RLFC and Doncaster RLFC. As a player he played most of his games at stand-off and loose forward. Over a period of nineteen years, he played for Bradford...
,
Eric Harris,
Vic HeyVic Hey born Liverpool, New South Wales, was an Australian rugby league national and state representative five-eighth and later a successful first-grade and national coach. His Australian club playing career commenced with the Western Suburbs Magpies and concluded with the Parramatta Eels. In...
,
John HolmesJohn S. Holmes was an English former rugby league footballer of the late 1960s, '70s and '80s. He played for Leeds and also represented England and Great Britain, with whom he won the 1972 Rugby League World Cup....
, Lewis Jones,
Danny McGuireDanny McGuire is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Leeds Rhinos of the European Super League. He has appeared for the England Academy, England U21 and England A...
,
Garry SchofieldGarry E. Schofield OBE is an English former rugby league footballer. At the time of his retirement he was the most capped Great Britain player of all time along with Mick Sullivan, with 46 appearances...
and
Frederick "Fred" WebsterFrederick "Fred" Webster was a professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Leeds, playing at Prop forward, or Hooker, i.e...
. as the greatest ever Leeds RL players.
Players earning International Caps while at Leeds
Players Receiving Testimonial matches
Lewis Jones (1963)
Michael "Mick" ShoebottomMichael "Mick" D. Shoebottom is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Leeds, playing at Fullback, Centre, Stand-off/Five-Eighth, or Scrum-half/Halfback, i.e...
(1972)
Raymond "Ray" BattenRay Batten is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s, and coach of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Leeds, playing at Loose forward/Lock, i.e...
(1974)
http://www.totalrl.com/onthisday/index.php?feat_id=285 Sydney "Syd" HynesSydney "Syd" Hynes is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s, and coach of the 1970s and '80s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Leeds, playing at Centre, i.e...
(1974)
http://www.totalrl.com/onthisday/index.php?feat_id=285
John Atkinson (1976)
http://www.totalrl.com/onthisday/index.php?feat_id=285 Les DylLeslie "Les" P. Dyl is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and '80s who at representative level has played for England, and Great Britain, and at club level for Leeds, playing at Wing, or Centre, i.e...
(1980)
Roy DickinsonRoy Dickinson is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Leeds, playing at Prop forward, i.e...
(1982)
David WardDavid J. Ward is an English former rugby league footballer and coach. A hooker, he played for and managed Leeds RLFC. Possibly the greatest moment of his playing career was his performance during the 1978 Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium against St Helens, where he gave a commanding...
(1982)
David "Dave" HeronDavid "Dave" Heron is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s, '80s and '90s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Leeds, Bradford Northern, and Batley, playing at Loose forward/Lock, i.e...
(1987)
John HolmesJohn S. Holmes was an English former rugby league footballer of the late 1960s, '70s and '80s. He played for Leeds and also represented England and Great Britain, with whom he won the 1972 Rugby League World Cup....
(1989)
David CreasserDavid L. Creasser is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Leeds, and Keighley Cougars, playing at Centre, i.e...
(1992)
Francis CumminsFrancis Cummins is a former English rugby league footballer. His position of choice was fullback though he also regularly played at centre and winger.-Early Honours:...
(2004)
Barrie McDermottBarrie McDermott is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A Great Britain international representative prop-forward, he played his club football at Oldham, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos , Bramley and Widnes.McDermott later became the Head of Youth...
(2005)
Keith SeniorKeith Senior is an English professional rugby league footballer with the Leeds Rhinos of Super League. He is also a Great Britain representative centre and was named in the World XIII in 2002, 2003 and 2004....
(2007)
Kevin SinfieldKevin Sinfield is an English professional rugby league player currently playing in the Super League competition for Leeds Rhinos. Sinfield has represent Great Britain on 13 occasions as well as being capped 4 times for England...
(2008)
Jamie Jones-BuchananJamie Jones-Buchanan is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays for the Leeds Rhinos of Super League. An England international representative second-rower, he has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds, and has won three Super League championships with the...
(2009)
Other Notable Players
- Matt Adamson
Matt Adamson is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer for the Parramatta Eels, Penrith Panthers, and finally the Canberra Raiders in Australasia's National Rugby League competition. He also played in the UK Super League with Leeds Rhinos...
circa-2000s
- Éric Anselme
Éric Anselme is a rugby league player for Toulouse Olympique in the Co-operative Championship. He has previously played for St Gaudens and Racing Club Albi XIII in the French Rugby League Championship competition...
circa-2000s
- James "Jim" Bacon circa-1920s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=137
- Marcus Bai
Marcus Bai is a Papua New Guinean former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. Primarily a winger, he played his final season in 2006 for English Super League team Bradford Bulls. He is the only man to win the World Club Challenge with three different clubs...
circa-2000s
- Edward "Ted" Barnard (#10) circa-1970 http://www.rugbyleague.org/features/content.php?feat_id=292&featcat_id=32
- David Barnhill
David Barnhill is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s. His club career was with the Canberra Raiders, St. George Dragons, Sydney City and Leeds Rhinos...
circa-1990s
- Paul Bell circa-1990s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=78
- Dean Bell
Dean Bell is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer and coach. A New Zealand international representative centre, he played his club football in England, Australia and New Zealand, but most notably with Wigan, with whom he won seven consecutive Challenge Cup finals, a Lance Todd Trophy and a...
circa-1990s
- Anthony "Tony" Binder circa-1970s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=211
- Richie Blackmore
Richard "Richie" Blackmore is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. His position of preference was in the centres.-Early years:An Otahuhu junior, Blackmore also played rugby union until he was 21.-Castleford:...
circa-1990s
- Liam Botham
Liam James Botham is a former rugby player who played rugby union and later rugby league. He is the son of English Test cricketer Ian Botham. His godfather is the former West Indian cricket captain Viv Richards....
circa-2000s
- George Broughton Junior circa-1950s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=218
- Gavin Brown circa-1990s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=93
- Harold Buck
Harold Buck was a British rugby league footballer. A winger, in November 1921, Buck became rugby league's first £1,000 player when transferred from Hunslet to Leeds. ....
circa-1920s
- Anthony "Tony" Burke circa-1980s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=197 http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=233
- J. 'Dinny' Campbell circa-1910s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=170
- Tonie Carroll
Tonie Carroll is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL. He retired from rugby league in 2009 and was working in real estate on the Gold Coast, he has since returned after seeing the Broncos recent injuries and poor performances over the past month...
circa-2000s
- Garreth Carvell
Garreth Carvell is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays for Warrington Wolves of Super League. His position is prop-forward. He made his super league debut for the Leeds Rhinos as a 16 year old.-Playing career:...
circa-1990s
- Chris Chapman
Chris Chapman is a former rugby league player. He played for the Leeds Rhinos in European Super League and also Sheffield Eagles and Dewsbury Rams. He played as a centre or on the wing.-External links:**...
circa-1990s
- Bradley Clyde
Bradley Clyde is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s who, at the peak of his playing career was widely acknowledged as the best lock forward in the game....
circa-2000s
- Wayne Collins circa-1990s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=94
- Mark Conway
Mark Conway is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s who at club level has played for Stanley Rangers ARLFC, Leeds, and Wakefield Trinity, playing at Scrum-half/Halfback, i.e. number 7, and occasionally Stand-off/five-eighth, i.e...
circa-1980s
- Albert "Bert" Cook circa-1940s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=169
- Ronald "Ron" Cowan, for Scotland
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked tenth in the IRB World Rankings as at 23 March 2009, and makes up one quarter of the...
(RU)Rugby union is a full contact team sport, a form of football which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. It is played with an oval-shaped ball, outdoors on a level field, usually with a grass surface, 100 m...
while at Selkirk RFCSelkirk Rugby Football Club are a rugby union side based in Selkirk in the Borders, Scotland.They play in their home games at Philiphaugh, and are now in Premiership Division One and Border League ....
(RU)Rugby union is a full contact team sport, a form of football which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. It is played with an oval-shaped ball, outdoors on a level field, usually with a grass surface, 100 m...
1961-62 5-caps (signed for Leeds 1962-63) http://www.rugbyleague.org/features/content.php?feat_id=292&featcat_id=32
- Ewan Dowes
Ewan Dowes is a rugby league footballer who plays for Hull FC. Dowes' usual position is prop.He attended Sedbergh School.Dowes signed for Hull FC in 2003 and won the 2005 Challenge Cup and played in the 2006 Grand Final....
circa-2000s
- Andrew Dunemann
Andrew Dunemann is the current coach for the Northern Pride a QRL club and is a former Australian National Rugby League player. He previously played for Canberra Raiders, Leeds Rhinos, Halifax and Souths. He plays at Stand Off.- External links :***...
circa-2000s
- James "Jimmy" Dunn circa-1940s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=207
- Graham Eccles circa-1970s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=180
- Gareth Ellis
Gareth Ellis is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the European Super League competition. Ellis has represented at international level for Great...
circa-2000s
- Kenneth "Ken" Eyre circa-1960s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=216
- Esene Faimalo circa-1990s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=120
- James "Jim" Fallon circa-1990s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=164
- Vince Fawcett
Vince Fawcett is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s who at club level has played for Leeds, Workington Town, Parramatta Eels, Oldham Bears, Warrington Wolves, and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, playing at Wing, or Centre, i.e...
circa-1980s
- Chris Feather
Chris Feather in Keighley, West Yorkshire) is an English rugby league player. He is currently with Castleford Tigers having signed for from Bradford Bulls in October 2008. His position is Prop forward...
circa-2000s
- Jamie Field
Jamie Field is a professional rugby league footballer who at club level has played for Leeds, Huddersfield Giants, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, and Featherstone Rovers, playing at Second-row forward, Prop forward, or Loose Forward/Lock, i.e...
circa-1990s
- Mike Forshaw
Michael "Mike" Forshaw is an English former professional rugby league footballer. He began his playing career with Wigan in 1987 and went on to play for Wakefield Trinity, Bradford Bulls & Warrington Wolves....
circa-1990s
- Nick Fozzard
Nick Fozzard is an English rugby league footballer who is a member of the Hull KR team.A prop forward, his previous clubs are St. Helens Warrington, Huddersfield and Leeds....
circa-1990s
- Norman Francis circa-1980s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=213
- Dave Furner circa-2000s
- Andrew "Andy" Gascoigne circa-1986
- Anthony Gibbons circa-1990s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=231
- Damian Gibson
Damian Gibson is an Australian born Rugby League player with Halifax RLFC. Damian attended proud Rugby League school Emmaus College, Rockhampton...
circa-1990s
- Marc Glanville
Marc Glanville is an Australian former rugby league player. He played for the St. George Dragons, Newcastle Knights and the Leeds Rhinos as a Loose-Forward/Lock...
circa-1990s
- Brad Godden
Brad Godden is an Australian former rugby league footballer. He played for the Newcastle Knights, Hunter Mariners and the Leeds Rhinos as a centre, full-back and on the wing. He also gained selection for the Australian national side.-External links:**...
circa-1990s
- Marvin Golden
Marvin Golden is an English former rugby league footballer.Marvin Golden's position of choice was as a centre....
circa-1990s
- Neil Hague circa-1970s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=195
- Carl Hall circa-1990s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=123
- Paul Harkin
Paul Harkin is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s, '80s and '90s, and coach of the 1990s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity, Bradford Northern , Leeds, Hull Kingston Rovers, Halifax RLFC, and Hunslet, playing at...
- Neil Harmon circa-1990s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=230
- Eric C. Harris (#2) circa-1932 http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=146
- Phil Hassan
Phil Hassan is a professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who at club level has played for Leeds, Worcester , Salford City Reds, Halifax RLFC, Fylde , and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, playing at Centre, or Wing, i.e. number 3 or 4, or, 2 or 5.-Leeds career:Phil Hassan joined Leeds in...
circa-1990s
- Andy Hay
Andy Hay is a former rugby league player.Andy Hay was an England international and played at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.He played for Sheffield Eagles and Leeds Rhinos, and is currently Assistant Coach at Castleford Tigers....
circa-2000s
- Garry Hemingway circa-1950s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=149
- Jonny Hepworth
Jonny Hepworth is a rugby league and rugby union player. His usual position is at fly-half or centre....
circa-2000s
- David Heselwood circa-1970s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=208
- Vic Hey
Vic Hey born Liverpool, New South Wales, was an Australian rugby league national and state representative five-eighth and later a successful first-grade and national coach. His Australian club playing career commenced with the Western Suburbs Magpies and concluded with the Parramatta Eels. In...
circa-1930s
- Graham Holroyd
Graham Holroyd is an English rugby league player who currently plays for Swinton as a stand off. Holroyd joined National League Two club Swinton Lions in late 2008 after the end of the 2008 season from Halifax, his hometown club. Holroyd had been with Halifax since 16 May, 2007 and in his first...
circa-1990s
- Alan Horsfall circa-1940s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=186
- Adam Hughes
Adam Hughes is a professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for , Leeds Rhinos, Leeds Tykes , Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Halifax RLFC, Widnes Vikings, and Barrow Raiders, playing at Centre, or Wing, i.e. 3 or 4, or, 2 or...
circa-1990s
- David Hulme
David Hulme is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Widnes, Leeds Rhinos, and Salford City Reds, playing at Stand-off/five-eighth, or Scrum-half/halfback, i.e...
circa-1990s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=117
- Craig Innes
Craig Innes is a New Zealand former rugby league and rugby union footballer of the 1980s and 90s. After a successful rugby union career which saw him represent his country he switched to rugby league, playing in both England and Australia, winning the 1996 ARL Premiership, before playing out the...
circa-1990s
- Joseph "Joe" Jones circa-1920s
- Ben Kaye
Ben Kaye is a rugby league player who plays for Harlequins RL. Kaye's usual position is hooker. He made a try scoring debut against Harlequins RL in March 2008 when playing for Leeds Rhinos.-External links:*...
circa-2000s
- John "Jack" Kelly circa-1930s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=205
- Andrew "Andy" Kirk
Andrew "Andy" Kirk is a professional rugby league footballer who at club level has played for Leeds Rhinos, Salford City Reds, and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, playing at Wing, i.e. number 2 or 5.-External links:**...
circa-2000s
- Joseph Lavery
Joseph Lavery was a New Zealand rugby footballer who was part of the professional 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain.-Rugby Football:...
circa-1910s
- Dean Lawford
Dean Lawford is a rugby league half back for Dewsbury Rams RLFC. He has played for Sheffield Eagles, Leeds Rhinos, Bramley Buffaloes, Huddersfield Giants, Halifax RLFC, Widnes Vikings, Dewsbury Celtic, and Batley Bulldogs....
circa-1990s
- John "Jack" Lendill circa-1950s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=217
- James Lowes
James Lowes is a former rugby league player and assistant coach for the Warrington Wolves. He played for Hunslet Hawks and Leeds Rhinos, but his best years were with the Bradford Bulls, where he won many trophies. He played there from 1996 to 2003...
circa-1980s
- Martin Masella
Martin Masella is a former rugby league player.Martin Masella was a Tonga international and played at the 1995 and 2000 Rugby League World Cup.. He appeared in the 1998 grand final for Leeds Rhinos against Wigan Warriors.-External links:**...
circa-1990s
- Jamie Mathiou
Jamie Mathiou born in Queensland, Australia is a former rugby league player.While attending Kingscliff High School, Mathiou played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1989....
circa-1990s
- Nathan McAvoy
Nathan McAvoy is a rugby league player and currently plays right centre for Leigh Centurions in National League 1.- Career :...
circa-2000s
- Wayne McDonald
Wayne McDonald is a professional rugby league footballer, currently playing in the United Arab Emirates. McDonald played in the Super League in the 1990s and 2000s...
circa-2000s
- Chris McKenna
Chris McKenna is an Australian rugby league player for Doncaster RLFC in National League Two having signed at the beginning of the 2008 from Bradford Bulls....
circa-2000s
- Robbie Mears
Robert "Robbie" Mears is a former Australian rugby league player. His position of preference was at hooker.-Early Years:While attending Campbelltown's St...
circa-2000s
- Paul Medley
Paul Medley was a player for the Bradford Bulls.He played 385 games and scored 149 tries in a career that lasted 15 years.He is now the team's community development manager....
circa-1980s
- Gary Mercer
Gary Mercer is a rugby league coach and ex-player.In his long career he has represented the New Zealand Kiwis and New Zealand Maori sides and has played for the Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves, Castleford Tigers and Halifax RLFC. He was also the player-coach at Halifax and Castleford...
circa-1990s
- Shane Millard
Shane Millard is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. During his career he played for Super League sides London Broncos, Widnes Vikings, Leeds Rhinos & Wigan Warriors as well as gaining recognition in the NRL with Sydney Roosters, Souths and St. George...
circa-2000s
- Sean Miller circa-1970s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=209
- Jeffrey "Jeff" Moores circa-1920s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=147
- Gareth Morton
Gareth Morton is a Scottish rugby league player. He is currently playing for the WA Reds in the Bundaberg Red Cup rugby league competition in Australia.He has previously played for Leeds Rhinos and England Youth teams....
circa-2000s
- Brett Mullins
Brett Mullins is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and early 2000s. He played for the Canberra Raiders between the years 1990 and 2000. He also represented New South Wales and Australia national rugby league team during his career...
circa-2000s
- Brian Murrell circa-1970s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=234
- Terrence "Terry" Naylor circa-1970s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=210
- Mark O'Neill
Mark O'Neill is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played in Australia for the Balmain Tigers and the Wests Tigers )following the merger of Balmain and Western Suburbs Magpies) and in England for Leeds Rhinos and Hull Kingston Rovers of the Super...
circa-2000s
- Frank O'Rourke circa-1920s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=181
- Nathan Picchi circa-1990s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=118
- Stephen "Steve" Pitchford circa-1970s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=187
- Willie Poching
-New Zealand:Poching played for the Northcote Tigers, Marist Saints and Mt Albert Lions in the Auckland Rugby League competition. He made the Junior Kiwis in 1991 and captained the side in 1992...
circa-2000s
- Daryl Powell
Daryl A. Powell is the head coach of Featherstone Rovers Rugby League football club. He is a former stand off for Keighley Cougars, Sheffield Eagles and Leeds Rhinos...
circa-1990s
- William "Billy" Pratt circa-1950s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=191
- Bernard Prior
Bernard Prior is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Leeds, Hunslet, and Wakefield Trinity, playing at Hooker, i.e...
circa-1950s
- David "Dai" Prosser circa-1930s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=224
- Leroy Rivett
Leroy Rivett is an English rugby league player who currently plays for the English National League Two side, Rochdale Hornets as a winger....
circa-1990s
- Kenneth "Ken" Rollin
Kenneth "Ken" Rollin is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s, who at club level has played for Wakefield Trinity, and Leeds, playing at Stand-off/five-eighth, or Scrum-half/halfback, i.e. number 6, 7....
- Harold Rowe
Harold F. Rowe was a New Zealand rugby footballer who was part of the professional 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain.-Rugby Football:...
circa-1910s
- Christopher "Chris" Sanderson circa-1970s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=183
- Ryan Sheridan
Ryan Sheridan is a former rugby league player.Sheridan was an Ireland international and played at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.Leeds Career :Ryan Sheridan was one of the most influential players in the late 1990s for the Rhinos...
circa-2000s
- Trevor Skerrett
Trevor Skerrett is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and '80s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and Wales, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity, Hull F.C., Leeds, and Keighley, playing at Prop forward, or Second-row forward, i.e...
circa-1986
- Andy Speak
Andy Speak is a professional rugby league footballer who at club level has played for Stanley Rangers ARLFC, Leeds Rhinos, Sheffield Eagles, Halifax RLFC, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Castleford Tigers, Dewsbury Rams, Doncaster RLFC, and Batley Bulldogs, playing at Hooker, i.e. number 9.-External...
circa-1990s
- Gary Spencer circa-1980s
- Alan Tait
Alan V. Tait is a Scottish rugby footballer and coach. He is currently assistant coach at Newcastle Falcons and a former rugby league and rugby union footballer who played outside centre for Scotland and the British & Irish Lions...
circa-1990s
- Jordan Tansey
Jordan Tansey is an English professional rugby league footballer with Hull FC in the Super League. He previously played for Leeds Rhinos and Sydney Roosters in the NRL....
circa-2000s
- Jamie Thackray
Jamie Thackray is an English rugby league footballer for Hull FC in the European Super League and has also represented Great Britain. He plays as a prop forward...
circa-2000s
- Ken Thornett
Ken Thornett is an Australian former rugby league footballer. He represented the Kangaroos in 12 Tests in 1963–64 and on the 1963–64 Kangaroo Tour.-Club and representative career:...
circa-1960s
- Clinton Toopi
Clinton Toopi is a New Zealand rugby footballer who is currently playing rugby union for the Bay of Plenty Steamers in the Air New Zealand Cup. His usual position is centre.-Playing Career:...
circa-2000s
- Adrian Vowles
Adrian Vowles is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played in Australia for several years, gaining State of Origin selection in 1994, but spent the majority of his career in the English Super League...
circa-2000s
- Anthony "Tony" Wainwright (#6) circa-1970 http://www.rugbyleague.org/features/content.php?feat_id=292&featcat_id=32
- Ben Walker
Ben Walker is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played in the Australian National Rugby League competition, primarily at five-eighth and halfback...
circa-2000s
- Danny Ward
Danny Ward is an English professional rugby league footballer for Harlequins RL in Europe's Super League. His usual position is as at Prop-forward. Ward is also a Great Britain international.-Leeds Rhinos:...
circa-2000s
- Dennis Warrior circa-1940s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=206
- Frank Watson circa-1940s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=198
- Evan Williams circa-1920s http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=145
- Arthur Wood
Arthur Wood is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s who at representative level has played for England, and Rugby League XIII, and at club level for Featherstone Rovers, and Leeds, playing at Hooker, i.e...
(#9) circa-1954 http://www.totalrl.com/onthisday/index.php?feat_id=279
- David "Dave" Wrench
David Wrench is an albinistic pop singer and studio sound engineer from Bangor, Wales. His music can be described as camp synth pop.He first came to public attention while still at school in 1989 with his first group Nid Madagascar, who recorded "the first Welsh language acid house record" as a 12"...
circa-1990s
- Thomas Wright, for Scotland
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked tenth in the IRB World Rankings as at 23 March 2009, and makes up one quarter of the...
(RU)Rugby union is a full contact team sport, a form of football which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. It is played with an oval-shaped ball, outdoors on a level field, usually with a grass surface, 100 m...
while at Hawick RFCHawick Rugby Football Club is a semi-professional rugby union side, currently playing in the Premiership Division One and Border League. The team are based at Mansfield Park at Hawick in the Scottish Borders....
(RU)Rugby union is a full contact team sport, a form of football which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. It is played with an oval-shaped ball, outdoors on a level field, usually with a grass surface, 100 m...
1947 1-cap (signed for Leeds 1948-49)
Coaching Set-Up
| Nationality |
Staff Name |
| |Position |
|---|
| NZL |
Brian McClennanBrian McClennan is a Rugby League coach, currently head coach of the Leeds Rhinos and former coach of the New Zealand rugby league team.The son of former St Helens coach Mike McClennan, born in Auckland McClennan played stand-off before becoming a coach...
|
Head Coach A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing sports men and women. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
|
| ENG |
Francis Cummins Francis Cummins is a former English rugby league footballer. His position of choice was fullback though he also regularly played at centre and winger.-Early Honours:...
|
Assistant CoachIn sports, a coach or manager is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.- Staff :...
|
| Samoa |
Willie Poching -New Zealand:Poching played for the Northcote Tigers, Marist Saints and Mt Albert Lions in the Auckland Rugby League competition. He made the Junior Kiwis in 1991 and captained the side in 1992...
|
Assistant CoachIn sports, a coach or manager is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.- Staff :...
|
| ENG |
Barrie McDermottBarrie McDermott is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A Great Britain international representative prop-forward, he played his club football at Oldham, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos , Bramley and Widnes.McDermott later became the Head of Youth...
|
Head of Youth Development |
| Slovakia |
Aleks Gross |
Match Analyst |
| ENG |
Billy Watts |
Time-Keeper |
| ENG |
Jason Davidson |
Head Conditioner |
| Wales |
Meirion Jones |
Head Physiotherapist |
| ENG |
Rob Wilson |
Masseur |
External links
Sources