16 Facts About Orrell RUFC

Orrell RUFC soon developed a reputation on the field that was as much respected as it was feared, but improvements in the fixture list were not easily come by as they were told by side after side that they would play, but only if others played them.

In September 1968, Orrell RUFC became the first club in Lancashire to erect floodlights, enabling the club to play in mid-week.

Orrell RUFC always supported the Lancashire cause and was the backbone of the county side for many years, with the club itself becoming synonymous with the Red Rose success supplying many players including great county captains in Des Seabrook and Sammy Southern.

Orrell RUFC coached England, The North, The North West Counties and Lancashire.

One of the greatest strengths of the Orrell RUFC club has always been in the quality and calibre of its administration working away from the pitch to ensure that the club became one of the elite of the game.

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Orrell RUFC began the search for top quality fixtures, mainly in the Northwest and Yorkshire.

Orrell RUFC transformed the administration and ensured that Orrell acted in a 'professional' way both on and off the field long before money was placed into players pockets.

Orrell RUFC was a well-respected figure at RFU, sitting on many committees, especially the contentious Competitions Committee when league rugby was first introduced, ensuring of course, that Orrell always had a voice at the 'top table'.

Unable to return to the elite at the first time of asking, Orrell RUFC suffered a severe reduction in income and, as the financial screws began to tighten, a drastic re-appraisal of the financial and rugby structure of the club was carried out.

Unfortunately Orrell RUFC were unable to satisfy creditors, and were forced to go into administration, leading to the departure of Manley and Stuart Turner to Worcester.

From that point of view the Anvils became an integral part of the Orrell RUFC set up and saw players go on to play 2nd and 1st team rugby.

However, the offer was refused and Orrell RUFC was handed back to its members in the Summer of 2004.

The frailties were immediately exposed and although they managed a draw away at Bedford with the help of players on loan from Sale Sharks, the arrangement with the Premiership club was less than successful with Orrell RUFC not knowing from one week to the next who was going to be available.

Orrell RUFC worked as the Army Officer responsible for introducing and developing the military's sporting strategic initiatives in schools and youth organisations, nationwide, as part of the policy to introduce young people to a potential career in the Army.

Orrell RUFC played their home games at Edge Hall Road from 1950 until 2007.

Orrell RUFC traditionally played in black and amber hooped shirts until they formed their first major technical partnership in 1993 with Nuttalls, seeing them switch to an all-black home kit with yellow, red and white hoops on the arms.