Wardley Rugby Club

[vazzycat]

I originally posted this message in 2010 but heven't gotten any further with it since then, so thought I'd post again just in case someone may have new info that could shed some light...

I am struggling to find out anything about "Wardley Rugby (Club?)". A marriage write-up for my grandfather in 1915 refers to him having lived at Swinton and states that he was a "Wardley rugby player" before the war.  He was in the Salford Pals at the time and I believe that he was born approx 1888 so I guess it would relate to sometime around 1905-1914.

Any info/leads would be greatly appreciated!

[CaroleW]

Hi

Link to previous post

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,491948.0.html

If you check the counter at the top of that post - 495 people have viewed it but were unable to provide any info

If it was an actual rugby club, it may have just been a local club which was not attached to any major competitions 

[Barbara.H]

Looking in the Manchester Guardian newspaper archive, there are mentions of Wardley and also Wardley Lane - can't work out yet if this is the same club. So far I've only found fixtures and results but will keep looking.
Wardley Lane were in the Manchester League of the Northern Union - I'm just copying this out as I'm not a rugby fan at all!

  Barbara

[vazzycat]

Hi Barbara & Carole 
Thanks for your replies, especially the heads up about the Manchester Guardian archives. I've jut signed up with the library to view online. A breakthrough at last- I'm so grateful, thanks again!

Vaz
 

[ainslie]

The Northern Union were the breakaway professional clubs who left the strictly amateur Rugby Union.  The NU  became the Rugby League later.  I can believe that a team called Wardley Lane might be referred to informally as Wardley, though I know no more than that.

[vazzycat]

Thanks for that Ainslie - Wardley is just a stones throw from Salford (where he lived) so I'll be on the phone to the Salford Local History Library to see if they can help further!
Thanks again 
Vaz

[tackler7]

If you haven't already looked try www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk - there are mention of Wardley rugby club on there - mainly the scores from a quick look.

If you want me to look up a specific name let me know and I'll see if anything comes up.

[vazzycat]

Hi T7 - thanks so much for your post. I'm looking for John Fletcher who was my grandfather. My very elusive grandfather! I've got lots of info from the war but am really struggling to get back further than that with him, so anything regarding his rugby club days would be hugely appreciated! ttfn Vaz