Chester Gladiators

Chester Gladiators

Full name	Chester Gladiators RLFC
Founded	2008
Ground(s)	Hare Lane, Chester
League(s)	Rugby League Conference North West Division
1st kit 2nd kit

Chester Gladiators Rugby League Football Club is a rugby league club in Chester, England. They play in the North West Division of the Rugby League Conference, North West Counties and the North West Merit League.

History

Chester is less than 45 minutes drive from rugby league strongholds such as Warrington, Widnes, Wigan and St Helens but rugby league has traditionally failed to capture the imagination of locals and the sport struggled to maintain a place in the city's sporting calendar. Chester Gladiators Rugby League Football Club was formed in April 2008 by a group of enthusiasts who shared a belief that the sport could prosper in the area.

The club operated an open age side in the RL Merit League and received significant praise for their efforts both on and off the field; playing a total of seven matches and securing two victories, a 36-28 at North Derbyshire Chargers and a 66-14 hammering of Wolverhampton Warlords. At the end of the debut season they were named RL Merit League Club of the Year and our Chairman Jim Green received the RL Merit League Pioneer of the Year award whilst two players were named in the RL Merit League Dream Team.

The 2009 season saw the launch of a new junior section and a second open age team as the club continued to develop. They won the first Cheshire Challenge Cup final beating Crewe & Nantwich Steamers. Our first team enjoyed a successful season in the RL Merit League, winning ten of their twelve matches and securing a play-off berth for the first time. The newly formed A team also took part in two matches, ensuring that the club was able to provide all of its members with the chance to experience rugby league. The senior sections efforts were rewarded when Alec Read was named as the Kukri RL Merit League Young Player of the Year while the club received an award for their work with the media. At junior level a number of taster days were staged and an under-12s team played five matches, securing two victories.

Chester Gladiators set up a winter side Chester ARLFC to compete in the North West Counties league for 2010-11.

Club honours

• Midlands 9s: 2011

External links

• Official website