RETRO SPORT: Orrell Rugby Union action from the 1960s to '90s

By Michelle Adamson

Published 6th Aug 2023, 15:45 GMT

Here’s a selection of images from the late 1960s through to the 1990s of Orrell Rugby Union Club action and celebrations.

Retro sport

Orrell celebrate with the trophy after beating Manchester in the Lancashire Cup Final at the home of Broughton Park Rugby Union Club in Chorlton-cum-Hardy on Sunday 20th of April 1975. Orrell won the match 9-3.

. 1975

Orrell celebrate with the trophy after beating Manchester in the Lancashire Cup Final at the home of Broughton Park Rugby Union Club in Chorlton-cum-Hardy on Sunday 20th of April 1975. Orrell won the match 9-3. Photo: Frank Orrell

Muddy hell for Bob Kimmins on the right and fellow contenders in a line-out during a Courage League Division 1 match against Gloucester at Edge Hall Road on a stormy afternoon on Saturday 19th of March 1988.
Orrell lost 9-13.

. 1988

Muddy hell for Bob Kimmins on the right and fellow contenders in a line-out during a Courage League Division 1 match against Gloucester at Edge Hall Road on a stormy afternoon on Saturday 19th of March 1988. Orrell lost 9-13. Photo: Frank Orrell

Simon Langford attempts to clutch the ball, which was like the proverbial bar of soap, during a Courage League Division 1 match against Gloucester at Edge Hall Road on a stormy afternoon on Saturday 19th of March 1988.
Orrell lost 9-13.

. 1988

Simon Langford attempts to clutch the ball, which was like the proverbial bar of soap, during a Courage League Division 1 match against Gloucester at Edge Hall Road on a stormy afternoon on Saturday 19th of March 1988. Orrell lost 9-13. Photo: Frank Orrell

Action from the first match under Orrell Rugby Union Club's new floodlights in 1968. They were the first club in Lancashire to erect floodlights.

. 1968

Action from the first match under Orrell Rugby Union Club's new floodlights in 1968. They were the first club in Lancashire to erect floodlights. Photo: Frank Orrell

Orrell Rugby Union team in September 1970. Front, left to right, Colin Nicholson, Jimmy Waring, Geoff Taylor, Dave Richardson, Frank Littler.
Back, left to right, Jack Nicholson, Billy Lyon, Jimmy Hankey, Des Seabrook, Frank Anderson, John Leigh, Martin Beattie, Ted Keane and Harold Bibby.

. 1970

Orrell Rugby Union team in September 1970. Front, left to right, Colin Nicholson, Jimmy Waring, Geoff Taylor, Dave Richardson, Frank Littler. Back, left to right, Jack Nicholson, Billy Lyon, Jimmy Hankey, Des Seabrook, Frank Anderson, John Leigh, Martin Beattie, Ted Keane and Harold Bibby. Photo: Frank Orrell

Orrell forwards Dave Cleary, Steve Bibby and Charles Cusani battle in the line-out against Bath in the Pilkington Cup round 5 match at Edge Hall Road on 28th of January 1995.
Orrell lost 19-25.

. 1995

Orrell forwards Dave Cleary, Steve Bibby and Charles Cusani battle in the line-out against Bath in the Pilkington Cup round 5 match at Edge Hall Road on 28th of January 1995. Orrell lost 19-25. Photo: Frank Orrell

Orrell Rugby Union club captain Des Seabrook chaired by team-mates holds aloft the Lancashire Rugby Union Challenge Cup after beating Liverpool 16-0 at Waterloo on Sunday 16th of April 1972. Orrell were the first team to win the trophy when it was resurrected after being mothballed 75 years earlier.

. 1972

Orrell Rugby Union club captain Des Seabrook chaired by team-mates holds aloft the Lancashire Rugby Union Challenge Cup after beating Liverpool 16-0 at Waterloo on Sunday 16th of April 1972. Orrell were the first team to win the trophy when it was resurrected after being mothballed 75 years earlier. Photo: Frank Orrell

Orrell full-back Simon Langford races clear of the Bath cover including Jeremy Guscott, right, on his way to the try line in the Pilkington Cup round 5 match at Edge Hall Road on 28th of January 1995. Orrell lost 19-25.

. 1995

Orrell full-back Simon Langford races clear of the Bath cover including Jeremy Guscott, right, on his way to the try line in the Pilkington Cup round 5 match at Edge Hall Road on 28th of January 1995. Orrell lost 19-25. Photo: Frank Orrell

Duncan Sandford gets plenty of protection from Shaun Gallagher, Chas Cusani, Bob Kimmins and Neil Hitchen as Orrell battle against Cambourne during a Pilkington Cup 2nd round match at Edge Hall Road on Saturday 30th of November 1991. Orrell won 50-0.

. 1991

Duncan Sandford gets plenty of protection from Shaun Gallagher, Chas Cusani, Bob Kimmins and Neil Hitchen as Orrell battle against Cambourne during a Pilkington Cup 2nd round match at Edge Hall Road on Saturday 30th of November 1991. Orrell won 50-0. Photo: Frank Orrell

Mike Fielden surges through against Cambourne during a Pilkington Cup 2nd round match at Edge Hall Road on Saturday 30th of November 1991.
Orrell won 50-0.

. 1991

Mike Fielden surges through against Cambourne during a Pilkington Cup 2nd round match at Edge Hall Road on Saturday 30th of November 1991. Orrell won 50-0. Photo: Frank Orrell

Orrell celebrate with the trophy after beating Manchester in the Lancashire Cup Final at the home of Broughton Park Rugby Union Club in Chorlton-cum-Hardy on Sunday 20th of April 1975. Orrell won the match 9-3.

1. 1975

Orrell celebrate with the trophy after beating Manchester in the Lancashire Cup Final at the home of Broughton Park Rugby Union Club in Chorlton-cum-Hardy on Sunday 20th of April 1975. Orrell won the match 9-3. Photo: Frank Orrell

Muddy hell for Bob Kimmins on the right and fellow contenders in a line-out during a Courage League Division 1 match against Gloucester at Edge Hall Road on a stormy afternoon on Saturday 19th of March 1988.
Orrell lost 9-13.

2. 1988

Muddy hell for Bob Kimmins on the right and fellow contenders in a line-out during a Courage League Division 1 match against Gloucester at Edge Hall Road on a stormy afternoon on Saturday 19th of March 1988. Orrell lost 9-13. Photo: Frank Orrell

Simon Langford attempts to clutch the ball, which was like the proverbial bar of soap, during a Courage League Division 1 match against Gloucester at Edge Hall Road on a stormy afternoon on Saturday 19th of March 1988.
Orrell lost 9-13.

3. 1988

Simon Langford attempts to clutch the ball, which was like the proverbial bar of soap, during a Courage League Division 1 match against Gloucester at Edge Hall Road on a stormy afternoon on Saturday 19th of March 1988. Orrell lost 9-13. Photo: Frank Orrell

Action from the first match under Orrell Rugby Union Club's new floodlights in 1968. They were the first club in Lancashire to erect floodlights.

4. 1968

Action from the first match under Orrell Rugby Union Club's new floodlights in 1968. They were the first club in Lancashire to erect floodlights. Photo: Frank Orrell

News you can trust since 1853

©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Terms and Conditions Privacy notice