North West Men's League
| Sport | Rugby league |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 2011 |
| Country |  England |
| Related competition | Rugby League Conference, North West Counties |
The North West Men's League is a rugby league competition for clubs in the North West of England. It is a successor league for the Rugby League Conference also comprising clubs from the North West Counties League following most of the latter switching to summer to follow the National Conference League.
History
The North West Men's League comes from the merger of elements from two strands of rugby league: the British Amateur Rugby League Association and Rugby League Conference.
The British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) was created in 1973 by a group of enthusiasts concerned about the dramatic disappearance of many amateur leagues and clubs. BARLA merged the Leigh, Manchester, St Helens, Warrington, Widnes and Wigan districts into a new North West Counties league and created an elite National Conference League, this saw a revitalisation of the game in heartland areas of the North West of England.
In contrast, the Rugby League Conference (RLC) was born in 1997 as the Southern Conference, a 10-team pilot league for teams in the South of England and English Midlands taking place in the summer time rather than the traditional winter season. It led to the creation of many new teams in non-traditional areas; the first North West team to join the new league were the Chester Wolves; more teams from the North West joined the following season and a Northern Division was set up with teams from the North West and the North Midlands. Following a big expansion to the Rugby League Conference in 2003, the North West got its own regional division.
By 2008, there were enough sides for a higher level North West Premier division to be created and in 2010, a North West Merit League was created out of existing merit leagues.
With the RLC growing rapidly, some BARLA sides chose to leave traditional winter leagues and join the summer-based RLC. However, in 2011, the National Conference League, voted to switch to a summer season and most of the reserve teams followed. There was a short season from September to November in 2011 with teams from British Amateur Rugby League Association league North West Counties league playing in two divisions under the name North West Men's League.
The Rugby League Conference was replaced in 2012 by a series of locally administered leagues. This saw the North West Men's League merge with the RLC North West Premier and regional divisions as well as the North West merit league to create a six division structure.
2015 Divisions
Premier Division
- Hindley
- Clock Face Miners
- Widnes St Maries Vikings
- Ashton Bears
- Shevington Sharks
- Haydock Warriors
- Haresfinch
- Rylands Sharks
- Widnes West Bank
- Folly Lane
- Heysham Atome
Division 1
- Wigan St Cuthbert's (failed to complete the season but results stood)
- Halton Simms Cross
- Thatto Heath Crusaders A
- Wigan Spring View
- Chorley Panthers
- Wigan St Jude's A (failed to complete the season)
- Hindpool Tigers
- Bamber Bridge
- St Helens Wildboars (failed to complete the season)
- Latchford Albion
- Wigan St Patrick's A
Division 2
- Halton Farnworth Hornets
- Leigh Miners Rangers A
- Accrington Panthers (failed to complete the season)
- Bank Quay Bulls
- Woolston Rovers A
- Oldham St Anne's A (failed to complete the season)
- Rochdale Mayfield A
- Golborne Parkside
- Leyland Warriors
- Widnes Tigers
- Orrell St James
- Bury Broncos
Division 3
- Leigh East A
- Pilkington Recs A
- Burtonwood Bridge
- Wigan Bulldogs
- Fitton Hill Bulldogs
- Little Hulton Reds
- Bolton Mets
- Crosfields A
- Blackpool Scorpions
- Eccleston Lions
Division 4
- Westhoughton Lions
- Widnes West Bank A (failed to complete the season)
- Culcheth Eagles
- Chester Gladiators
- Rylands Sharks A
- Rochdale Cobras
- Widnes St Maries Vikings A (failed to complete the season)
- Manchester Rangers
- Cadishead Rhinos
- Garswood Stags
- Runcorn
- Bury Broncos A
Merit League
- Burtonwood Bridge A (failed to complete the season)
- Chester Gladiators A
- Haresfinch A
- Orrell St James A
- Salford City Roosters A
- Littleborough
- Langworthy Reds
- Mancunians
- Burnley & Pendle
- Liverpool Lions
Entrance Division
- Southport Storm
- Wigan Bulldogs A
- Bury Broncos B
- Heysham Atoms A
- Latchford Albion A
- Blackbrook A
- Folly Lane A
- Manchester Rangers A
- North West Tigers
- Bank Quay Bulls A
- Rochdale Cobras A
- Bamber Bridge A
- Manchester Canalsiders
- NB: Other teams in higher divisions can enter as well
2014 Divisions
Premier Division
- Bank Quay Bulls
- Clock Face Miners
- Halton Simms Cross
- Widnes St Maries Vikings
- Ashton Bears
- Shevington Sharks
- Haydock Warriors
- Halton Farnworth Hornets (failed to complete the season)
- Haresfinch
- Widnes West Bank
- Folly Lane
- Ulverston
Division 1
- Thatto Heath Crusaders A
- Leigh East A
- Bold Miners
- Wigan Spring View
- Chorley Panthers
- Wigan St Jude's A
- Heysham Atoms
- Hindpool Tigers
- Bamber Bridge
- St Helens Wildboars
- Saddleworth Rangers A (failed to complete the season, results stood)
- Irlam Hornets (failed to complete the season, results stood)
Division 2
- Latchford Albion
- Leigh Miners Rangers A
- Wigan St Patrick's A
- Accrington Panthers
- Culcheth Eagles
- Portico Vine
- Woolston Rovers A
- Oldham St Anne's A
- Rochdale Mayfield A
- Widnes West Bank A (failed to complete the season, results stood)
- Blackbrook A (failed to complete the season, results stood)
- Rylands Sharks
Division 3
- Pilkington Recs A
- Burtonwood Bridge
- Westhoughton Lions
- Wigan Bulldogs
- Ashton Bears A
- Fitton Hill & Hathershaw Bulldogs
- Bury Broncos
- Little Hulton Reds
- Bolton Mets
- Widnes Tigers
- Orrell St James
- Langworthy Reds
Division 4
- Chester Gladiators
- Crosfields A
- Mancunians(failed to complete the season, results stood)
- New Springs Legion Lions (failed to complete the season, results expunged)
- Blackpool Scorpions
- Rylands Sharks A
- Rochdale Cobras
- Widnes St Maries Vikings A
- East Manchester Rangers
- Leyland Warriors
- Cadishead Rhinos
- Eccleston Lions
Entrance Division
- Ashton Bears B
- Bamber Bridge A
- Bank Quay Bulls A
- Blackpool Sea Eagles
- Bolton Mets A
- Burnley & Pendle
- Burtonwood Bridge A
- Bury Broncos A
- Cadishead Rhinos A
- Chester Gladiators A
- Clock Face Miners A
- Eccles A
- Folly Lane A
- Garswood Stags
- Haresfinch A
- Heysham Atoms A
- Higginshaw
- Lancashire Police
- Liverpool Lions
- Manchester Canalsiders
- Mancunians A
- Rochdale Cobras A
- Runcorn
- Wigan St Cuthberts A
- Woolston Rovers B
entered other divisions and entry league:
- Culcheth Eagles
- Dee Valley Dragons
- New Springs Lions
- Wigan Bulldogs
entered but did not play:
- Hindley A
- Ince Rose Bridge A
- Latchford Albion A
- Waterhead A
2013 Divisions
Premier Division
- Bank Quay Bulls
- Clock Face Miners
- Halton Simms Cross
- Widnes St Maries Vikings
- Ashton Bears
- Shevington Sharks
- Roose Pioneers (failed to complete the season)
- Haydock Warriors
- Halton Farnworth Hornets
- Haresfinch
Division 1
- Folly Lane
- Rochdale Cobras (dropped down to division 5 part way through season)
- Thatto Heath Crusaders A
- Leigh East A
- Wigan St Patrick's A (dropped down to division 2 part way through season)
- Bold Miners
- Wigan Spring View
- Latchford Albion
- Leyland Warriors (failed to complete the season, results stood)
- Leigh Miners Rangers A
- Chorley Panthers
- Wigan St Jude's A
- Heysham Atoms
- Ulverston
Division 2
- Wigan St Patrick's A (dropped down from division 1 part way through season)
- Hindpool Tigers
- Cadishead Rhinos (failed to complete the season, results stood)
- Bamber Bridge
- St Helens Wildboars
- Newton Storm (dropped down to division 5 part way through the season)
- Pilkington Recs A
- Eccleston Lions (failed to complete the season, results stood)
- Accrington Panthers
- Culcheth Eagles
- Portico Vine
- Woolston Rovers A
- Hilton Park (failed to complete the season, results expunged)
Division 3
- Oldham St Anne's A
- Rochdale Mayfield A
- Ince Rose Bridge A (failed to complete the season, results stood)
- Widnes West Bank A
- Blackbrook A
- Waterhead A (failed to complete the season, results stood)
- Wigan St Cuthbert's A (failed to complete the season, results stood)
- Burtonwood Bridge
- Saddleworth Rangers A
- Crosfields A
Division 4
- Chester Gladiators
- Wigan Bulldogs
- Ashton Bears A
- Fitton Hill & Hathershaw Bulldogs
- Hindley A (failed to complete the season, results stood)
- Bury Broncos
- Little Hulton Reds
- Bolton Mets
- Westhoughton Lions
- Mancunians
- Latchford Albion A (failed to complete the season, results stood)
- Widnes Tigers
- Orrell St James
- New Springs Legion Lions (failed to complete the season, results stood)
Division 5
- Blackpool Scorpions
- Liverpool Lions (failed to complete the season, results stood)
- Bury Broncos A
- Rylands Sharks
- Rochdale Cobras (dropped down from division 1)
- Widnes St Maries Vikings A (failed to complete the season, results stood)
- Newton Storm (dropped down from division 2, failed to complete the season, results expunged)
- Bank Quay Bulls A (failed to complete the season, results expunged)
- Hope Valley Hawks (failed to start the season)
- Orrell St James A (failed to start the season)
- Leigh Miners Rangers A (failed to start the season)
- Eccles A (failed to start the season)
Entrance Division
- All division 5 clubs plus:
- Burnley & Pendle
- Blackpool Sea Eagles
- East Manchester Rangers
- West Craven Warriors
- Leyland Warriors (after dropping out of division 1)
- Cadishead Rangers (after dropping out of division 2)
- Eccleston Lions (after dropping out of division 2)
- Newton Storm (after dropping out of division 5)
- Eccles A (after dropping out of division 5)
- Hope Valley Hawks (after dropping out of division 5)
- Rylands Sharks A
2012 Divisions
Premier Division
- Bank Quay Bulls
- Pilkington Recs
- Blackbrook
- Clock Face Miners (failed to complete the season, results stood)
- Halton Simms Cross
- Widnes St Maries Vikings
- Wigan St Cuthberts
- Ashton Bears
- Barrow Island
- NB: Golborne Parkside withdrew midseason
Division 1
- Folly Lane
- Shevington Sharks
- Roose Pioneers
- Haydock Warriors
- Rochdale Cobras
- Walney Central
- Hindley
- Thatto Heath Crusaders A
- Leigh East A
- Wigan St Patrick's A
- Woolston Rovers
- NB: Rylands Sharks withdrew midseason
Division 2
- Oldham St Anne's A
- Bold Miners
- Wigan Spring View
- Halton Farnworth Hornets
- Haresfinch
- Latchford Albion
- Leyland Warriors
- Leigh Miners Rangers A
- Rochdale Mayfield A
- Chorley Panthers
- Wigan St Jude's A
- Ince Rose Bridge A
Division 3
- Warrington Wizards A (midseason replacements for Widnes St Maries A; also failed to complete the season but results stood)
- Heysham Atoms
- Ulverston
- Hindpool Tigers
- Cadishead Rhinos
- Bamber Bridge
- Bank Quay Bulls A
- Widnes West Bank A
- St Helens Wildboars
- Blackbrook A (failed to complete the season but results stood)
- NB: Higginshaw withdrew midseason.
Division 4
- Waterhead A (failed to complete the season but results stood)
- Newton Storm
- Pilkington Recs A
- Eccleston Lions
- Wigan St Cuthbert's A
- Burtonwood Bridge
- Accrington Panthers
- Folly Lane A (failed to complete the season but results stood)
- Wigan Riversiders
- Eccles & Salford Roosters A
- Saddleworth Rangers A
Division 5
- Chester Gladiators
- Wigan Bulldogs
- Woolston Rovers A
- Ashton Bears A
- Fitton Hill & Hathershaw Bulldogs (failed to complete the season but results stood)
- Hindley A
- Bury Broncos
- Culcheth Eagles
- Little Hulton Reds
- Crosfields A
- Portico Vine
- Bolton Mets
Entrance Division
- Blackpool Stanley
- Blackpool Scorpions
- Burnley & Pendle
- Crosby St Mary's
- Heysham Atoms
- Liverpool City
- Bury Broncos A
- Westhoughton Lions
- Mancunians
- Manor Park
- Rochdale Cobras A
- Latchford Albion A
- Burtonwood Bridge A
- Chorley Panthers A
- Warrington Wizards A (called up to division 3 midseason)
- Wigan Riversiders
- NB: Heysham Atoms, Wigan Riversiders and Warrington Wizards A also played in higher divisions.
2011 structure
Division 1
- Latchford Albion
- Thatto Heath Crusaders A
- Leyland Warriors
- Bank Quay Bulls
- Cadishead Rhinos
- Bamber Bridge
- Wigan St Patricks A
- Folly Lane
- Adlington Rangers
- Leigh East A
- Hindley
Division 2
- Burtonwood Bridge
- Bank Quay Bulls A
- Little Hulton Reds
- Chorley Panthers
- Accrington Panthers
- Chester Gladiators
- Bury Broncos
- Wigan Riversiders
- Folly Lane A
- Bolton Mets
- Newton Storm
- Hindley A
- Widnes West Bank A
- Culcheth Eagles
NB:
- 9 National Conference League clubs will reserve their reserve teams in a separate reserve league in the interim season: Leigh Miners Rangers, Wigan St Judes, Ince Rose Bridge, Crosfields, Eccles & Salford Roosters, Rochdale Mayfield, Oldham St Anne's, Waterhead and Saddleworth Rangers
Past winners
Premier Division
- 2012 Pilkington Recs
- 2013 Haltons Simms Cross 26-19 Widnes St Maries
Division 1
- 2011
- 2012
Division 2
- 2011
- 2012 Halton Farnworth Hornets
Division 3
- 2012
Division 4
- 2012
Division 5
- 2012