About Us | Featherstone Lions ARLFC History & Heritage

The Heart of Featherstone: Our Story

 Featherstone Lions ARLFC was born out of a passion for amateur rugby league in the heart of a rugby town. Formed in the early 1990s from a merger between the Jubilee Hotel and Traveller’s Saints amateur sides, the club was built to give local players a platform to compete at the highest levels of the game.  

Based at Millpond Stadium, we are more than just a rugby club. We are a voluntary-run community hub that provides a pathway for players of all ages—from our Tots (3-6 years) to our NCL Open Age and Masters teams.

Our History: From the CMS to the NCL

1994–1996: Making a Mark Our first season in 1994-95 saw the Lions enter the CMS Yorkshire League First Division. The rise was immediate; within a year, we secured promotion to the Premier Division, finishing 2nd and earning before being  admitted  into  the National Conference League (NCL).

1997–1999: Cup Glory & Giant Killing 1998 remains one of the most famous years in our history. We were crowned NCL Division 1 Champions and lifted the Yorkshire Cup after a imfamous, hard-fought final against Siddal at Thrum Hall. We also made national headlines in the Challenge Cup, beating pro-side Doncaster before a massive 4th-round clash against Super League side Halifax.

2000–2007: Rebuilding the Pride After reaching the National Cup Final in 2001 and a stint in the NCL Premier Division, the club underwent a period of rebuilding. The Lions roared back in 2006, joining the RLC National Division and winning the NCL3 Title just one year later.

The Rooney Era and the COVID "What If  "Under the guidance of coach Jamie Rooney, the Lions enjoyed a period of sustained excellence, securing two consecutive promotions to climb back into Division One. Despite the heartbreak of narrowly missing out on the top flight after several deep playoff runs, the club’s persistence finally paid off with promotion to the NCL Premier Division. However, in a cruel twist of fate, the COVID-19 pandemic hit just as the season was set to begin, wiping out the entire campaign. The layoff led to the retirement of several key veterans and the departure of senior players. Faced with a depleted squad, the club made the difficult but strategic decision to decline the Premier Division spot and remain in Division One to focus on rebuilding the team for the future.

2026 and Beyond Today, the Lions the lions continue to rebulid and are excited for the coming season. With professional legends like John Davies and Josh Hardcastle joining the ranks alongside Gareth Gale and some top youngers, our mission remains the same: to play tough, honest rugby and keep the pride of Featherstone alive.

The "Lions Factory": A Tradition of Junior Excellence

Throughout our history, the heartbeat of the club has been our thriving junior section. We don’t just play rugby; we develop athletes. Our youth system has consistently competed at the highest level, winning numerous trophies including the prestigious National Cup.

This junior "factory" has produced some of the biggest names in the modern game. Super League stars like Rob Burrow and Zak Hardaker began their journeys right here at Millpond Stadium, proving that the pathway from our junior ranks to the international stage is well-trodden.



In 2016 new chapter began as the first-ever girls' team, the Featherstone Lionesses, took to the pitch. Since that historic day, our girls' section has gone from strength to strength, becoming a powerhouse in Yorkshire rugby.

The most successful period came in 2021, the season immediately following the COVID-19 lockdowns. Led by captain Millie Bell, our Under-16s Lionesses completed a legendary campaign, lifting both the inaugural girls Yorkshire Cup and the War of the Roses Cup. Their success paved the way for the thriving girls setup we have today, ensuring that the "Lioness" name is as feared as the Lions.

The Rise of the Lionesses In 2016

The "Lions Factory": Our Professional Graduates

We take immense pride in our reputation as one of the best "feeder" clubs to the professional game. The following players all started their journey in a Lions shirt before making it to the professional stage:

Other notable Lions:  Dale Ferguson,  Richard Agar, and many more

Join the Pride

Whether you are a 3-year-old picking up a ball for the first time or a veteran looking to join our Masters team, there is a place for you at Millpond Stadium. We are an RFL-accredited club dedicated to the future of rugby league in Featherstone. Once a Lion, Always a Lion.