Sheffield Eagles League Placings : 2003-24

The club was founded in 1984 and in due course made its way into the top flight. However, when a merger with Huddersfield didn't work out, the club was demoted to a lower division. By 2003, the leagues were reorganised and the Eagles were placed in the third division (lower chart). 

It came top in that year but in the grand final of the playoffs it was Keighley that was promoted. Sheffield did win promotion in 2006 with success in the playoff grand final with the Swinton Lions to the tune of 35-10. 

Now in the second division (top chart), they made a home for themselves. Solid performances have been the order of the day without breaking into the top flight. With the just released 2024 IMG gradings placing the Eagles at 21st would suggest any thought of promotion in the future will require some improvements. (See the list by clicking here).

Another issue hitting the club was the coach* being suspended and then banned for eighteen months due to a serious breach of protocol. It seemed to affect the club's performance during the latter part of 2024 and it missed out on the playoffs. Hopefully the club will get through this with minimal disruption. 

*He cofounded the club and has been the coach almost constantly since 1999.

London Skolars League Placings 2003-2024

The club was founded in 1995 and after playing in regional leagues they were accepted into what was then the National League 2 or third national division of Rugby League in the UK for the 2003 season. It became known as the Championship 1 in 2009 and League One in 2016.

A feature of this league has been the changes in the number of participants. It's been as high as sixteen and as low as nine. In 2025 it will be eleven and then twelve in 2026. That's where the powers that be want it to settle but a lot can happen between now and then. 

2013 was the best year when the club finished fourth and made the preliminary final in the playoffs. In this competition the London Skolars have been present more than any other club. Its success rate was nothing outstanding but it was nevertheless always there. ...

Then the Skolars club relegated itself after the 2023 season and they joined a regional league. Sadly, they didn't fulfill all their fixtures which is always a worrying sign. Hopefully, 2025 will bring an improved situation. 

Featherstone Rovers League Placings : 2003-24

The club was formed at the beginning of the 20th century. Located in West Yorkshire, the population today is circa 15,000. It last played in the top flight in the 1994-95 season, crowds then averaging over 4,000. For the size of the town, that was amazing support and even more amazing they were even in Division 1.

The Championship (division two) is where they have almost exclusively been since and this division in its present form started in 2003, hence why we pick up the story from here. Featherstone was in the Championship from its inception but not doing that well and was soon relegated to League One in 2005. 

A couple of successful years below and it was back in the Championship where the club has stayed since then. The first two years post promotion were rebuilding and then from 2010 to 2023 Rovers consistently performed at a high level. 2024 was down in terms of where the club finished.

In 2009, licencing was introduced which meant performance alone didn't qualify promotion to Super League. This was at a time when Featherstone Rovers won the Championship four consecutive seasons but weren't granted a licence to gain entry to Super League in that period. In 2015, a new system of playoffs was introduced to determine promotion.

Rovers have consistently boxed above its weight but is it a club deemed the sort to be in the top flight? The new IMG grading system would say no, putting an end to the club attaining that status, if indeed it would want this anyway. The loyal fans have a side that competes well in the Championship. Hopefully the new system doesn't alienate supporters as they do have a club they can rightfully be proud of.   

Halifax Panthers League Placings : 2004-24

Situated in West Yorkshire, the Halifax RLFC had enjoyed continuous division one competition going back to the 1991-92 season. When the club was relegated from Super League in 2003, I assume they had ambitions of returning as soon as possible. They had done that before when relegated.

If so and I'm sure it was the case, it's not what transpired. The club has remained in the Championship (division two) since, with generally good results but without being able to go all the way in winning promotion back to the big league. 

The last couple of years haven't been to the usual standard. They have remained a solid presence in the division but hopes of promotion may now be more difficult with the IMG grading system that covers all aspects of a club's status, not just on field performance.

I should add that the club is currently having a financial crisis so hopefully it can be sorted and the club - which was founded in 1873 - will be able to continue.

Batley Bulldogs League Placings : 2003-24

The second division Championship formed in 2003 and the Batley Bulldogs have been there every season. The number of teams has varied, some have been promoted to Super League, others relegated to League One but one club stands out for staying put season after season.

Whether one views that as a positive achievement or not depends on what the objective is. The club would have liked a crack at SL but I personally don't think that would have been a good thing. It's not a top flight club regarding its facilities (pleasant as they may be) nor likely to have been sustainable.

The fact it's been good enough to avoid relegation year after year is something to commend Batley Bulldogs for. Now with IMG gradings deciding whether a club can attain SL status, it's unlikely the club will qualify in the future. A competitive side in the Championship for the locals to enjoy supporting is a fine thing in itself. 

This sort of club is what Rugby League is built on. It's the foundation that SL rests upon and without the lower leagues and all those who keep the clubs running would there be a top flight professional league? The lower divisions are in my opinion the lifeblood of the sport. 

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats League Placings : 2000-24

A club with a long, proud history going back to 1895 when the game began. Unfortunately, it's been some time since silverware graced their hall of fame cabinet. In the year 2000, local lad and former player Andy Kelly was ending a four year role as coach, replaced in 2001 by John Harbin. He stayed a season then moved on. Peter Roe passed through briefly and a dual partnership with Shane McNally and Adrian Vowles became must the former and he helped the side to respectable 2004 result. 

On his sacking Tony Smith came in before he was shown the door and John Kear got the poisoned chalice, I mean coaching job. He remained for a colossal 153 games and had some success too in 2009. The club went into administration in 2011 and Richard Agar emerged as the coach for 2012.  A wooden spoon and a revolving door policy for coaches resumed before local man Chris Chester was appointed. 

One issue that wouldn't go away was Wakefield trying to get a better ground to play at. It became a long running saga with one proposal after another biting the dust. Finally, for the 2023 season, a substantial upgrade to the ground commenced. 

The disappointing reality the club came last in the league and automatic relegation to the championship resulted. It could argued the club has been dicing with this for some time as the Manhattan below shows. Still, when they do return, they will have a stadium worthy of that status. 

In late 2023, Matt Ellis became the new owner and it seems that a bright future awaits the club. Of course, time will tell but the fans are optimistic. 

London Broncos League Placings : 2000-24

Rugby league in London has been an interesting journey. It's been a disruptive nomadic life, played in a city that for the most part doesn't know it exists, yet developing young talent as well. It's no longer in the elite Super League as seen below but still has a small but dedicated following. The club was called Harlequins RL between 2006 and 2011.

The coach back in 2000 was John Monie, who did a one year stint after finishing at Wigan. He was replaced by another Australian, Tony Rea who had concluded his playing career in London and been a temporary dual coach for a brief time in 1999. This first period as full coach lasted six seasons and 153 matches. It was a reasonably successful time with the Broncos getting to as high as 4th in the League. 

Brian McDermott arrived for his first top flight coaching job. He finished the last few games in 2006 and continued until 2010 when he departed after a slide in fortunes wasn't arrested. His replacement, Rob Powell came out of relative obscurity to take on the job. 

Despite spending heavily in 2012, results didn't match expectations and Tony Rea stepped in at the end of the season and for the next two seasons. The slide continued as the club was relegated from the top flight in 2014, ending 19 consecutive years at the top. One season back in 2019 under Danny Ward ended with a return to the Championship. He did remarkably well with the squad that he had at his disposal. 

The issue the club faced was where to play in the future as they were informed that the ground they were using would stop them from gaining re-entry into Super League if given the opportunity. That is still being worked out. Some things never change. 

London shocked just about everyone when winning promotion to SL. It was the worst result for IMG who had this year as a transition into more than on field performance being the sole reason for being in SL. London simple doesn't qualify so were going down even if not finishing last. Coach Mike Eccles had his work cut out motivating his squad. 

They retained a Championship (division two) squad too and after some expected hidings, put out some competitive performances and all but avoided coming last. The owner has now come out and said he wants to sell and buyers look thin on the ground. It may finally signal the end of top flight RL in the capital. Thanks for the ride London Broncos.  

Hull FC League Placings : 2000-24

Yet another original side from 1895, Hull FC with a nickname of the All Blacks which has long since fallen into disuse. The ground was on Airlie St so the nickname Airlie Birds came into vogue. In modern times the moniker Sharks was chosen but didn't last long for whatever reason. It's a club that has rarely hit great heights despite a strong following, recent cup wins were their main claim to success. 

Shaun McRae was the coach from 2000 to 2004 with solid league placings during that time. John Kear arrived and the league table results looked OK but a poor start to the season in 2006 had Peter Sharp appointed. He went through the same situation as John Kear and was replaced by Richard Agar. 

Peter Gentle lasted a couple of years as coach before Lee Radford came in for 190 games in charge. 2016 brought a league leader's shield to the club as well as Challenge Cups for 2016 and 2017. He was let go in 2020 and a caretaker coach filled in until Brett Hodgson came onboard in 2021. Quite a good 21st century with a few poor seasons. 

Unfortunately, the last three seasons will have disappointed the faithful. Brian Smith was unable to work any magic to get more out of his charges than he did. Simon Grix stood in until John Cartwright arrives from Australia for the 2025 season. 

The equal poorest result over the century and the fact that the only side that finished below them had a Championship quality squad which showed them up at times too. 2025 will hopefully bring some relief for the faithful.

Castleford Tigers League Placings : 2000-24

The Castleford Tigers (or Cas as they are affectionately referred to) have been around since 1926. There was a team in the town earlier but not connected to the current iteration. Even the current entity was apparently around prior to 1926 but only went professional then. The trophy cabinet hasn't needed to be that large as the club has only ever experienced fleeting glory.

The 21st century commenced with a sound 5th place but descended into relegation in 2003. A season back in 2006 was not productive and with the Catalan club exempt from demotion Cas took its place. Back in 2008 and last again but spared another yo-yo type drop with licencing deciding who plays in the elite competition. 

Mercifully for the fans, when relegation was reintroduced, Cas' hasn't become a victim of that scenario. Under the guidance of coach Daryl Powell, a much better Manhattan skyline can be seen in the graph below. 2017 even brought a league title and grand final appearance to the club. This was his last at the club as he moved to the Warrington Wolves in 2022.

Lee Radford came and went with Andy Last taking the reigns for 2023. The club was looking over its shoulder most of the season, hoping that dreaded relegation would be avoided and so it was...just. Craig Lingard took charge of the 2024 season. 

The last (pun not intended) few years have been poor with results declining and unless something is done to arrest that, it may be heading south sooner rather than later. 

Huddersfield Giants League Placings : 2000-24

Huddersfield was a founding Rugby league club back in 1895. In fact, the meeting that led to the formation of the game started in this very city, at the George Hotel. You can read about the historic Hotel becoming a national RL museum by clicking here. 

The Giants are a team that came back in the early noughties but recently receded again. In the year 2000, the club had been merged with the Sheffield Eagles. This ill-fated venture thankfully only lasted one season, with John Kear being the coach. From 1998 to 2001, there was no promotion-relegation so Huddersfield had a reprieve. 

Back as the Huddersfield Giants, they took on coach Tony Smith in 2001 and tried to rebuild. Relegation followed but they remained fully a professional club and were back in 2003 and stayed there. Tony Smith left for Leeds and in came Jon Sharp. Four years of reasonable placings came to pass but his position was terminated during the 5th season with a poor 10th placing.

Nathan Brown took charge in 2009 and a much improved 3rd placing was achieved. The club won the Club of the Year, Coach of the Year and Man of Steel award. The next three years witnessed a slight annual decline in the finishing position. The coach lost his post and in came Paul Anderson. This resulted in the club winning its first league leader's shield in 81 years. 

Just when things were going so well, it all turned to custard in 2016 with a bottom placing. Rick Stone was then made the new coach and results improved but not that much. Out he went and in came new coach Simon Woolford but it didn't really lift things. He resigned and was replaced by Salford's Ian Watson. 

Since then, things have been up and down. The squad they have should have done better but if they can recruit well then who knows. The town is not a RL stronghold by any means and it is generously assisted by its owner, without whom the club may have left the elite league years ago. Currently, Luke Robinson is the manager, replacing Ian Watson late in the season after a poor run of results.

Leeds Rhinos League Placings : 2000-24

One of the original clubs to form the game of Rugby league, they took the word Rhinos as late as 1996. Perhaps their most successful period came during the earlier part of the period here under discussion. The year 2000 had Dean Lance at the helm but was soon replaced by Daryl Powell who took the club to the second spot on the table. He was relieved from his post to make way for Tony Smith.

That ushered in a five year spell where the team didn't finish below third place and were top in 2004. They also won the grand final twice, in 2004 and 2007. This after years of being in the trophy wilderness. Then in came Brian McLennan who took a second consecutive grand final in 2008. In 2009, the league title was theirs. Brian then resigned to return to New Zealand.

Another Brain Mc arrived in the form of McDermott. League form started to slip but two grand final victories were attained in 2011 and 2012. Heady stuff. A Challenge Cup in 2014 was the only silverware for a couple of years, before achieving the league, cup and grand final treble in 2015. 

After that, retirements of some key players hurt them and consistency eluded the club. 2017 was an exception with a second in the league and a grand final in the bag. After a poor 2018, Brain McDermott was relieved of his post and David Furner reigned for a brief spell before Richard Agar took the coaching role. 

Rohan Smith took charge until recently and it didn't go to plan. The fans will be hoping that Brad Arthur and the others brought in to improve coaching and recruitment will sort things out. The problem is that while the current squad is solid, it lacks the class required to test the best teams going around. Not a bad skyline in the early part of the century when they were the team to beat but lately less than stellar. 

St Helens RLFC League Placings : 2000-24

This is a club that owns the league like no other. This is the most successful side in the league over the time of the graph below and before. How could another team match that sea of red? So much so that coming third is almost an anticlimax. A foundation Rugby league club in 1895, early success largely eluded it but from the mid 1950's it got into gear. 

Throughout the 21st century, it hasn't had a duff season. 6th in 2017 must have seemed like a disaster to fans. For all the success, the number of coaches the club has had is a surprise, Ian Millward was the longest serving. Overall the league titles, grand final appearances and cup finals are too numerous to itemise here, suffice to say they were plentiful. Kristian Woolf and Paul Wellens have maintained the high standard one could expect. 

On the subject of current coach Wellens, no one could be more passionate about the club than he is but was lacked experience when he took the helm. However, winning the World Club Challenge over a crack Penrith (Australia) side gave the 2023 season a kickstart. Some indifferent form followed but they soon hit their straps and went close to winning the league title. As you would expect.

Now having completed their second year of Paul Wellens as coach, the direction isn't good. Is he the issue or are there other issues affecting their usually high standard of success? Probably both but either way he was fortunate to get another year at the helm. Another year below expectations will definitely be one too many.  

Leigh Leopards League Placings : 2003-24

The Leigh township is within metropolitan Wigan and Greater Manchester. The population is just over 40,000 but supporters presumably come from beyond the town too. Its Super League participation would best be described as sporadic and that's being kind. 

It had a pop in 2005 and then again in 2017 and 2021, all ending in relegation. The 2017 season didn't have automatic relegation for the lowest place in the league but a playoff system that worked against the club in that instance. 

The club took the name Centurions in 1995 and Leopards as late as 2022. They go under the nickname Leythers which applies to people from the town of Leigh. Apparently, it's due to their pronunciation of Leigh as Ley. 

Its most recent foray has been extremely successful with two 5th placings under Adrian Lam. He also led the club to its first trophy in over 50 years when they won the 2023 Challenge Cup. So I've placed Leigh here in a series on SL Clubs in the top flight league in the UK. 

Below is the Championship record going back to 2003 when it was started. Leigh was very successful in the lower division but struggled to transition to the Super League level. It seems lessons were learned and in 2023 they got it right. 

Salford Red Devils League Placings : 2000-24

Salford was a tad late to the RL party only joining in 1896. This was after being suspended by the Rugby Union for professionalism and then demoted to the bottom of the RU Lancashire League. The 1930's was the club's golden era, considered the best side in the game at the time. Salford was the first club to be invited to tour France in late 1934 to promote Rugby league in the country. They won all six matches in style so the French Press gave them the name Les Diables Rouges (The Red Devils).    

The 21st century hasn't been without issues for the club, perhaps even lucky to be playing in the elite division. I won't mention all the coaches as they have had quite a few. The noughties started with decline and relegation in 2002. Back in 2004 with Karl Harrison as coach they had a few OK seasons but down again in 2007. 

Back up in Super League after a year in the Championship wilderness, they lasted four seasons before a return trip down again. Back again in 2009, they repeated the pattern except they got a reprieve in that while coming last in 2013, relegation had been temporarily suspended. Several more years of survival and a couple of good seasons have been the club's lot since. 

In 2012, the club moved from its long-term residence at The Willows to the Salford City Stadium. While a much improved facility, it wasn't as convenient for locals to attend and away supporters who travel there complain on forums about how difficult it is to access. It seems this lack of convenience has hurt attendance numbers.

At the beginning of 2013, it was made public that there was a winding-up notice against the club. Successful businessman Marwan Koukash stepped in and took the club over. His style of operation was different from other owners, which at times led to his being criticised. He left the club in 2017, handing ownership back to the fans after failing to get more supporters turning up to watch matches. The following year, he wrote off a debt owed to him by the club. 

From 2022 Paul Rowley has done a fine job of keeping the club competitive on a relatively small budget. They can't quite match it with the best sides over a season but during his three year tenure they have been weIl above the relegation scrap. Their fan base is steadily growing too. 

Warrington Wolves League Placings : 2000-24

The Warrington Club is the only one to be in the top flight every year since the game's inception in 1895!  The team is referred to as The Wire due to the industrial process of wire drawing the town was once famous for. The mascot Wolfie was very popular and involved with some clever gags. Despite that history, winning titles has been somewhat elusive. There is a joke among RL fans that this will be Warrington's year. 

Darryl van der Velde was concluding a four year coaching spell in 2000, replaced by Steve Anderson. That lasted 16 matches, as he was then replaced by Paul Cullen who was a long serving player at the club. That brought some stability and improved league placings. A poor run of results ended his 104 game tenure in 2008.

James Lowes was in charge for all of 16 games before being replaced by Tony Smith. That appointment went on for 225 matches through to 2017. It was a very successful period with a league win in 2011 and three second place results. 

Steve Price is the incumbent coach but leaving at the end of the season. He has overseen over 100 games and solid league results. Daryl Powell is moving over from Castleford to replace him. It was hoped silverware would come with the change. Would 2022 be Warrington's year?

In fact, it was a poor result followed by a bright start to 2023 only to have another less than stellar season. The forward pack seemed to be where the issue lay which if you don't get right in RL will always be the problem.

A new coach for 2024 in the form of Sam Burgess has proven a success. At his peak, in my opinion the best forward in the game but being able to use that experience and turn it into a successful coaching career isn't always possible. He was unproven at this level so it was a gamble but it has paid off so credit to the club for taking the chance. 

Hull Kingston Rovers League Placings : 2000-24

The club from Kingston upon Hull on the east side of the city came into Rugby league a few years after its inception. Nicknamed The Robins due to their colours of red and white, success at lifting silverware has largely eluded them. The end of the 1970's and up to the mid 1980's was their moment in the sun. 

In this series, Hull KR wasn't in the top flight until 2007, when under the coaching of Justin Morgan they finally cracked the big time. His 178 game tenure was a successful run as they not only stayed up but also achieved some decent league finishes. After his departure, Craig Sandercock took over but was replaced as the downward trend started.

Chris Chester tried to resurrect the club's fortunes but while not coming last, the playoff series employed at that time had them demoted to the Championship. Tim Sheens took the reigns but poor results were now part of the norm. Tony Smith then tried to do something but after a wooden spoon in 2020 (but without relegation), things improved. 

However, the club parted company with Tony, and in came Wille Peters who has lifted the club to its best finish since 2009. They also made the cup final in 2023 and second in the league in 2024 so happy times for the eastern side of Hull.

Wigan Warriors League Placings : 2000-24

The club from Wigan in Lancashire has a record second to none in UK Rugby league. It has also produced many fine players as well. In the 21st century, it has maintained a record of success as well. Despite that record, they went through a few coaches in the noughties although not always of their doing. 

In the year 2000, the coach was Frank Endacott who was completing a spell from 1999. He was Super League coach of the year in 2000 but was sacked in 2001, such is the life of a sports coach. Stuart Raper took over until during the 2003 season but decided to return home to Australia. 

Mike Gregory then had a year before sickness tragically cut that short. Denis Betts also had a year but had to make way for Ian Millward who had left St Helens. In 2005, Wigan missed the SL playoffs for the first time and after a poor start to 2006 Millward was sent on his way. Brian Noble came in and got the club out of relegation trouble and generally steadied the ship. He then decided to depart at the end of 2009.

Michael McGuire came in for the 2010 season and they won the league for the first time in ten seasons. he was named SL coach of the year for his efforts. After another successful season, he chose to return to Australia. Local lad Shaun Wane took the reins for 2011 and had a reasonably good run until he decided to move on at the end of the 2018 season after winning the grand final. He won the league in his first year as coach but couldn't manage that again. 

Former Wigan and PNG international player Adrian Lam took over in 2019 on a temporary basis and then became the permanent head coach. The success of the club continued with a league title in 2020. The incumbent coach Matt Peet has continued the success of his predecessors, the 2023 and 2024 league titles confirming that.