Northampton Casuals
Encyclopedia
Northampton Demons is a rugby league
club based in Northampton
. They play in the Rugby League Conference
.
In September 1994 Northampton Knights team entered the National Conference League
Division 2 having finished mid-table in the old East Midlands League. The team was coached by Paul Johnstone. The club started off playing at Dallington Park but moved to the then council-owned Sixfields Stadium
. The club played 21 games from its fixture list of 22 but lost them all. They scored 185 points and conceded 1,170.
In line with talk of mergers in the professional game moves were afoot to create a regional side based on Peterborough and Leicester with the aim of creating a stronger side. However, due to administrative and travel issues amongst players and staff the plans for the East Midlands Knights were shelved. Northampton Knights played 5 games in the 1995/6 season before dropping out of NCL Division 2 in November 1995 and subsequently folding.
In 1998 an application to the Rugby League Conference
was made but they withdrew before the season started on the basis that the club's organisation was not up to scratch. In 2005 another application was made from a group that included ex-students from the town's university but they never made it onto the playing field, despite being accepted for the 2006 season.
team in the town and offers of assistance were received from Coventry Bears
and three other rugby league
enthusiasts in Northampton. The founding members met in March 2007 and put in place a plan to set up a team based at the nearby Casuals rugby union club. The name Northampton Casuals was taken from the rugby union club they were based in.
As soon as the rugby union season ended, training began for the newly formed team with 18 players attending the first session from local union clubs and the University of Northampton
rugby league side.
The club was accepted into the London League
which operates on a Merit League basis. Geographically Northampton is some distance from the London teams and due to this fact played fixtures against teams from the RL Merit League, for example Nottingham Outlaws.
The club played its first fixture on May 13 2007, after four training sessions, against a development team from Bedford Tigers
losing 56-12. This was the first time rugby league had been played in Northampton by a non-university side since the mid-1990s. Indeed one of the players from that era, Mick Bryant, had joined the newly formed team. Two weeks later the team recorded its first victory over St Albans Centurions
second team. The club went on to play a further six fixtures in 2007. A victory, a draw and four defeats were the results of those games but the club had been established in the town.
The club joined the Eastern Division of the 2008 Rugby League Conference
. In March 2008, Chris Ashton
, current Northampton Saints
and ex-Wigan Warriors
player, hosted a training session for both the adult and junior players. This event helped to further raise the profile of the club and the event was featured in all the local press and the regional news programmes on BBC
and ITV
.
They won the division in 2009, beat Devon Sharks
in a semi-final held at the Stoop
and went on to win the RLC Regional title by beating Jarrow Vikings
.
In 2010, Northampton linked up with Super League side Harlequins Rugby League and adopted the name, Northampton Demons to create a separate identity.
rugby union game, a parent whose child plays rugby union, contacted Andrew to see if his and other children could play rugby league. Junior development wasn't in the original remit of the club but seeing a great opportunity to grow the club the children joined the club.
As a result 20 juniors are now training and playing rugby league in Northampton. The culmination of this was their entry into the Birmingham Junior rugby league festival in July 2007 where teams at the under-11 and under-13 age groups played against teams from Coventry Bears
, Derby City
, Nottingham Outlaws, Telford Raiders
and Birmingham Bulldogs
.
Northampton now enter teams in the Midlands Junior League
and the Chilterns Junior League under the name Northampton Knights and Northampton Patriots. Northampton Knights have under-11, under-12, under-14 and under-16 teams whilst Northampton Patriots are second teams at under 14 and under-16 level.
. They are all playing their trade in the Rugby League Conference
. The sustainability of these clubs is vital if other clubs are to form in the Midlands.
A Midlands Rugby League Steering Group and an East Midlands Regional Group have been established by clubs in the Midlands. Members of Northampton RL sit on these bodies which both have the aim of developing and strengthening the sport in the Midlands.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
club based in Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
. They play in the Rugby League Conference
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
.
Background - Nene Valley and Northampton Knights
Nene Valley were set up in 1989 and they trained twice weekly at Rushden Sports Centre. The club joined the Midlands and South West Amateur Rugby League Association (MASWARLA) and the Eastern Counties Rugby League (ECRL). Nene Valley became Northampton Knights.In September 1994 Northampton Knights team entered the National Conference League
National Conference League
The National Conference League is the top league in the pyramid of amateur rugby leagues run by the British Amateur Rugby League Association...
Division 2 having finished mid-table in the old East Midlands League. The team was coached by Paul Johnstone. The club started off playing at Dallington Park but moved to the then council-owned Sixfields Stadium
Sixfields Stadium
Sixfields Stadium is a 7,653-capacity all-seater sports stadium in Northampton, England. It has been the home ground of Northampton Town Football Club following their move from the County Ground in October 1994....
. The club played 21 games from its fixture list of 22 but lost them all. They scored 185 points and conceded 1,170.
In line with talk of mergers in the professional game moves were afoot to create a regional side based on Peterborough and Leicester with the aim of creating a stronger side. However, due to administrative and travel issues amongst players and staff the plans for the East Midlands Knights were shelved. Northampton Knights played 5 games in the 1995/6 season before dropping out of NCL Division 2 in November 1995 and subsequently folding.
In 1998 an application to the Rugby League Conference
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
was made but they withdrew before the season started on the basis that the club's organisation was not up to scratch. In 2005 another application was made from a group that included ex-students from the town's university but they never made it onto the playing field, despite being accepted for the 2006 season.
Northampton Casuals
In late 2006 a number of articles were placed on various websites about the formation of the rugby leagueRugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
team in the town and offers of assistance were received from Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1998. They have a proud history pioneering rugby league in the Midlands, their major honours include winning the National League 3 title in 2004 and the Rugby League Conference in 2002...
and three other rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
enthusiasts in Northampton. The founding members met in March 2007 and put in place a plan to set up a team based at the nearby Casuals rugby union club. The name Northampton Casuals was taken from the rugby union club they were based in.
As soon as the rugby union season ended, training began for the newly formed team with 18 players attending the first session from local union clubs and the University of Northampton
University of Northampton
The University of Northampton is a university in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England.-History:In 1924, Northampton Technical College was opened at St George's Avenue, site of the current Avenue Campus. A new building for the college was formally opened by the then Duke and Duchess of York in 1932...
rugby league side.
The club was accepted into the London League
London League (rugby league)
The London, South and East Merit League is a rugby league competition founded in 1965. It is also known as the London League , London & South East Merit League, London Amateur Rugby League and London Merit League ....
which operates on a Merit League basis. Geographically Northampton is some distance from the London teams and due to this fact played fixtures against teams from the RL Merit League, for example Nottingham Outlaws.
The club played its first fixture on May 13 2007, after four training sessions, against a development team from Bedford Tigers
Bedford Tigers
Bedford Tigers RLFC is a rugby league club based in Bedford, England. The first team plays in the Rugby League Conference, with a second team in the London League.- History :...
losing 56-12. This was the first time rugby league had been played in Northampton by a non-university side since the mid-1990s. Indeed one of the players from that era, Mick Bryant, had joined the newly formed team. Two weeks later the team recorded its first victory over St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions is a rugby league club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire.Founded in 1996, they first played in various local leagues and the Rugby League Conference, and then, from 2003 to 2006, in National League 3. From 2007 to date, they play in the Rugby League Conference South Premier...
second team. The club went on to play a further six fixtures in 2007. A victory, a draw and four defeats were the results of those games but the club had been established in the town.
The club joined the Eastern Division of the 2008 Rugby League Conference
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
. In March 2008, Chris Ashton
Chris Ashton
Chris Ashton is an English rugby union player who has represented England in both Rugby League and Rugby Union...
, current Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591....
and ex-Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
player, hosted a training session for both the adult and junior players. This event helped to further raise the profile of the club and the event was featured in all the local press and the regional news programmes on BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
.
They won the division in 2009, beat Devon Sharks
Devon Sharks
Devon Sharks are a rugby league team based in Torquay, Devon. They play in the South West Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:Devon Sharks were formed in 2006 out of Newton Abbot RFC as part of an initiative from the Rugby Football League to form new clubs for the Rugby League...
in a semi-final held at the Stoop
The Stoop
Twickenham Stoop is a sports stadium located in the western suburbs of London, England. The stadium is home to Harlequins rugby union team, who play in the Aviva Premiership, and tenants London Broncos, who play in the Super League...
and went on to win the RLC Regional title by beating Jarrow Vikings
Jarrow Vikings
Jarrow Vikings are a rugby league team based in Jarrow, Tyne and Wear. They play in the North East Premier division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
.
In 2010, Northampton linked up with Super League side Harlequins Rugby League and adopted the name, Northampton Demons to create a separate identity.
Juniors
Following the distributing of the leaflets at the Northampton SaintsNorthampton Saints
Northampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591....
rugby union game, a parent whose child plays rugby union, contacted Andrew to see if his and other children could play rugby league. Junior development wasn't in the original remit of the club but seeing a great opportunity to grow the club the children joined the club.
As a result 20 juniors are now training and playing rugby league in Northampton. The culmination of this was their entry into the Birmingham Junior rugby league festival in July 2007 where teams at the under-11 and under-13 age groups played against teams from Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1998. They have a proud history pioneering rugby league in the Midlands, their major honours include winning the National League 3 title in 2004 and the Rugby League Conference in 2002...
, Derby City
Derby City RLFC
Derby City RLFC are an amateur rugby league club based in Derby, England. They were founded in 1990 and currently compete in the Midlands Premier Division of the Rugby League Conference. They have been ground sharing with Derby RFC at Haslams Lane since 2008....
, Nottingham Outlaws, Telford Raiders
Telford Raiders
Telford Raiders ARLFC are a rugby league club based in the town of Telford in Shropshire, England. Their first team plays in the Midlands Regional division of the Rugby League Conference and they have a development team in the Midlands Rugby League as well as an active junior development...
and Birmingham Bulldogs
Birmingham Bulldogs
Birmingham RLFC are a rugby league team based in Birmingham. They play in the Midlands Premier division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:Birmingham Bulldogs were founded in 1989...
.
Northampton now enter teams in the Midlands Junior League
Midlands Junior League
The Midlands Junior League is an age group rugby league competition for club in the English Midlands. It is run by the Midlands Rugby League.Many of the teams taking part also run open-age sides in the Rugby League Conference or Midlands Rugby League....
and the Chilterns Junior League under the name Northampton Knights and Northampton Patriots. Northampton Knights have under-11, under-12, under-14 and under-16 teams whilst Northampton Patriots are second teams at under 14 and under-16 level.
Developing Midlands Rugby League
Far too often teams in development areas fail due to the distances involved in playing matches. The Midlands has a large number of teams: Coventry, Derby, Leicester, Nottingham, Telford, Redditch, Birmingham, Wolverhampton and BurntwoodBurntwood
Burntwood is a town in Staffordshire, England, lying in the Cannock Chase area approximately west of Lichfield. The town had a population of 25,674 at the time of the 2001 census and forms part of Lichfield district. The town forms one of the largest urbanised parishes in England. Samuel Johnson...
. They are all playing their trade in the Rugby League Conference
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
. The sustainability of these clubs is vital if other clubs are to form in the Midlands.
A Midlands Rugby League Steering Group and an East Midlands Regional Group have been established by clubs in the Midlands. Members of Northampton RL sit on these bodies which both have the aim of developing and strengthening the sport in the Midlands.
Future
A development plan for the club has been formulated which includes areas such as setting up of teams at under-15 to complement the existing under-11 and under-13 age groups, the employment of a Community Sports Coach who will visit the local Sports Colleges and introduce the sport to the education sector, setting up junior feeder clubs and the establishment of a second open age team.Records
- Tries in a season: 8, Sam Howes
- Tries in a match: 3, Mick Bryant vs St Albans Reserves 26/5/7; 3 Sam Howes vs Bedford 9/6/7
- Goals in a match: 7, Stefan Fowler vs St Albans Reserves 26/5/7 & Bedford 28/7/7
- Points in a match: 28, Stefan Fowler, 2 tries and 7 goals
- Points in a season: 72, Stefan Fowler
- Most appearances in a season: 7, James Barford, Luke Makepeace, Matt Dobson, Sam Howes and Stefan Fowler