History - History 1
As the story goes, the club was formed in 2002 by loyal members Jim Brady, Billy Wall and Ian Youd, amongst others. Peter 'Brad' Brady was immediatly installed as coach, and the club embarked on signing players up to play a few friendlies to gain interest. Phil 'Nobby' Ogilvie, Danny 'Bomb' Bellfield, Dave Brady, and Chris Syers were amongst that original team who are still playing in the team today.
The club colours were chosen as Black and White hoops, and Keith Platt was the very first sponsor. The team played a few local matches to gauge the talent of the squad. The results were very positive and the club commitee decided to enter the North West Counties season 03/04. More players joined the side, who began their competitive life in Division 5. An excellent first season from the club base at the Swan pub meant stability and the club again played its rugby in division 5 for 04/05.
The side began to take shape and started establishing rivalries with the likes of Bolton Mets, Ince Rose Bridge and Langworthy Reds. Again a good season meant the club continued its rise. A tough pre-season established that the side wanted to push on and promotion from Division 5 was inevitable. The side finished runners up to Langworthy Reds and were promoted to Division 4.
Season 06/07 was a massive season in the history of the club and will be etched in memory of all involved. The side won division 4 losing just one game in the league season. A club record score over Pilks A was also recorded. In an amazing the season, the club also reached the final of the North West Counties Bowl competition, but infortunatly came up short losing in the final at Leigh Miners against Leigh Central. Then there was the cup run that made Widnes stand up and pay attention to the club. In the Widnes cup, Swans were drawn against Widnes Moorfield, 3 divisions higher, the game was a one sided affair and the Swans led by Bobbie Goulding completed a sensation victory at Widnes St Maries' Brentfield ground. The following week, with an appearance at the Halton stadium up for grabs, the Swans returned to Brentfields to face Albert Park, who, themselves were gaining rave reviews at the time. There was a big crowd at the game, and again the Swans prospered, and coach Brady had led his side to a 2nd final.
The scene was set, little West Bank Swans of North West Counties division 4 faced Halton Simms Cross, national cup champions, with a long pedigree in rugby league, surely this was a bridge too far for the Swans...?
The final score was Halton Simms Cross 16 West Bank Swan 15. Swan led for long periods of the game, and defended like heros in the 2nd half amid attack afer attack after attack from thier counter-parts, a last minute try settled the tie for Simms Cross, but although defeated, the Swans milked the applause from the near 1,000 crowd.
So, division 3 beckoned. Season 06/07 was always going to be difficult to emulate. Consolidation in Division 3 was the end result of season 07/08.
In the build up to season 08/09, the club was hit by a few hammer blows. Firstly, influential prop and vice captain Phil Briscoe seriously damaged knee ligaments playing for Runcorn in the Summer Conference. This spelled the end of his rugby career, Phil is not only a great loss to the club, but a loss to rugby league, he's a great guy off the field, and was a fierce competitor on it, and, in my opinion could have played at a much higher level. Then, another club stalwart Jonny Mark announced he was to emmigrate to Australia, his final game was emotional as he shook hands with all players and staff at the club. Jonny has now built a new life down under, but he remains fixed in the Swans history as one of the best players to pull on the Black and White. Lastly, Swans record try-scorer Leon Phillips departed to Simms Cross to challenge himself at a higher level, and off the back of this represented Lancashire.
The season was a struggle to start with, any team who would have been stripped of 3 players of this quality would struggle. The side had been promoted to Division 2 in a shake up of the leagues. The side finished the season just below mid table, but had a few fine wins towards the end of the season. The season culminated in a decent Widnes cup performance, defeating Halton Farnworth, before eventually going down to Widnes St Maries (of the National Conference Premier), despite drawing 10-10 at half time.
Now, to this season. Head Coach Peter Brady has taken a back seat in the club, following his commitment to further education. The time and effort Peter put into the club will never be forgotten, and once again his time at the club is fixed in history. New season, new coaching staff. Former NZ international Esene Faimalo has agreed to coach the side alongside Anthony 'Mac' Mcmullin. We have had a good pre-season, and with another influx of new, inexperienced players, the season will be a test, but the more experienced lads will bring the new players on.
In the words of club secretary Jim Brady
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!
The club colours were chosen as Black and White hoops, and Keith Platt was the very first sponsor. The team played a few local matches to gauge the talent of the squad. The results were very positive and the club commitee decided to enter the North West Counties season 03/04. More players joined the side, who began their competitive life in Division 5. An excellent first season from the club base at the Swan pub meant stability and the club again played its rugby in division 5 for 04/05.
The side began to take shape and started establishing rivalries with the likes of Bolton Mets, Ince Rose Bridge and Langworthy Reds. Again a good season meant the club continued its rise. A tough pre-season established that the side wanted to push on and promotion from Division 5 was inevitable. The side finished runners up to Langworthy Reds and were promoted to Division 4.
Season 06/07 was a massive season in the history of the club and will be etched in memory of all involved. The side won division 4 losing just one game in the league season. A club record score over Pilks A was also recorded. In an amazing the season, the club also reached the final of the North West Counties Bowl competition, but infortunatly came up short losing in the final at Leigh Miners against Leigh Central. Then there was the cup run that made Widnes stand up and pay attention to the club. In the Widnes cup, Swans were drawn against Widnes Moorfield, 3 divisions higher, the game was a one sided affair and the Swans led by Bobbie Goulding completed a sensation victory at Widnes St Maries' Brentfield ground. The following week, with an appearance at the Halton stadium up for grabs, the Swans returned to Brentfields to face Albert Park, who, themselves were gaining rave reviews at the time. There was a big crowd at the game, and again the Swans prospered, and coach Brady had led his side to a 2nd final.
The scene was set, little West Bank Swans of North West Counties division 4 faced Halton Simms Cross, national cup champions, with a long pedigree in rugby league, surely this was a bridge too far for the Swans...?
The final score was Halton Simms Cross 16 West Bank Swan 15. Swan led for long periods of the game, and defended like heros in the 2nd half amid attack afer attack after attack from thier counter-parts, a last minute try settled the tie for Simms Cross, but although defeated, the Swans milked the applause from the near 1,000 crowd.
So, division 3 beckoned. Season 06/07 was always going to be difficult to emulate. Consolidation in Division 3 was the end result of season 07/08.
In the build up to season 08/09, the club was hit by a few hammer blows. Firstly, influential prop and vice captain Phil Briscoe seriously damaged knee ligaments playing for Runcorn in the Summer Conference. This spelled the end of his rugby career, Phil is not only a great loss to the club, but a loss to rugby league, he's a great guy off the field, and was a fierce competitor on it, and, in my opinion could have played at a much higher level. Then, another club stalwart Jonny Mark announced he was to emmigrate to Australia, his final game was emotional as he shook hands with all players and staff at the club. Jonny has now built a new life down under, but he remains fixed in the Swans history as one of the best players to pull on the Black and White. Lastly, Swans record try-scorer Leon Phillips departed to Simms Cross to challenge himself at a higher level, and off the back of this represented Lancashire.
The season was a struggle to start with, any team who would have been stripped of 3 players of this quality would struggle. The side had been promoted to Division 2 in a shake up of the leagues. The side finished the season just below mid table, but had a few fine wins towards the end of the season. The season culminated in a decent Widnes cup performance, defeating Halton Farnworth, before eventually going down to Widnes St Maries (of the National Conference Premier), despite drawing 10-10 at half time.
Now, to this season. Head Coach Peter Brady has taken a back seat in the club, following his commitment to further education. The time and effort Peter put into the club will never be forgotten, and once again his time at the club is fixed in history. New season, new coaching staff. Former NZ international Esene Faimalo has agreed to coach the side alongside Anthony 'Mac' Mcmullin. We have had a good pre-season, and with another influx of new, inexperienced players, the season will be a test, but the more experienced lads will bring the new players on.
In the words of club secretary Jim Brady
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!
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