Whitehaven RLFC celebrate 'tremendous' 75 years of rugby league

75 years ago on Monday, August 21 Whitehaven RLFC played their first ever fixture vs Hull FC - as the team went on to win 5-0 in horrendous conditions.

93-year-old Stan Greaves has followed the club since their first ever match in 1948, later going on to be part of the club’s ground staff members.

Talking about the first match in a commemorative booklet produced to honour the anniversary, Stan said: “I had just started work in the summer of 1948 when the club was formed, and everyone was excited about seeing their hometown team playing against the big clubs like Leeds, Wigan, Swinton and Wakefield.

Whitehaven RLFC club book launch at the Avon club (Image: Newsquest)

“The week leading up to the game there was an anticipation of a big crowd, and the club were expecting somewhere in the region of about 15,000 to turn up, but what they hadn’t banked on was the weather and the official crowd was given as something like 7,000. Wouldn’t it be great if we could get that many coming in now.”

Although the crowd may not be at the same levels as it was in the beginning, the love in Whitehaven is still strong, with the club being delighted to reach 75 years.

Des Byrne has supported the club since he was 6 years old, throughout his 65 years as a Whitehaven fan he has held positions as Chairman and now serves the club as team manager.

The Miss Whitehaven Rugby League contest was held at the Whitehaven Rugby League Supporters Club during August 1971. (Image: Newsquest)

Des said: “I think it’s tremendous that the club has reached it’s 75th anniversary. Theres’s a lot of memories for a lot of people over those 75 years, good and bad.

“Supporting Whitehaven is never easy, it’s like a rollercoaster at times but it’s our club. It’s been difficult for the club at times, but it keeps the flag flying for professional rugby league in the area.

“It’s certainly a big part of the town and over the years has attracted many visiting supporters to the area, staying overnight and making a weekend of it.

Billy Little with former Barrow and Whitehaven players (Image: NQ staff)

“There has been some tremendous community work done by the club over the years and that continues today. It’s great to see youngsters at the game enjoying themselves, finding new heroes, and hopefully inspiring them to take up sport.

“The club is an important part of Whitehaven and the surrounding area and I think we should be proud of the fact the club has reached its 75th anniversary and hope it remains an important part of our area for many years to come.”