T'Other Side: Swinton Lions

 

Head Coach: Allan Coleman

 

Allan Coleman joined Swinton as assistant coach in 2019 having previously coached Leigh Miners Rangers in the3 National Conference League and the English Community Lions.

In July 2021 he was made caretaker head coach following the departure of Stuart Littler and, just a month later, was confirmed as head coach.

Last season he guided Swinton Lions to second place in League One and promotion to the Championship after beating Doncaster 16-10 in the play-off final.

We have no record of Allan Coleman having played in the professional ranks.

 

Captain: Rhodri Lloyd 

Rhodri Lloyd began his professional career with South Wales Scorpions in 2011 (on loan from Crusaders RL) and then in 2012 he was signed by Wigan but during his 4 years there he only played 7 games spending most of his time on loan or dual reg with South Wales (2012 and 2013), Leigh (2013), London Broncos (2013), Whitehaven (2014) Workington (2015) and Swinton (2015). He then signed for Swinton during 2016 and has remained there ever since.

He has played 22 times for Wales including in the 2013, 2017 and 2021 World Cups.

 

Dual Registration and Loans

 

Swinton Lions have signed a dual registration agreement this year with St. Helens and Saints players Lewis Baxter (loose forward/second row), Wesley Bruines (back), George Delaney (prop), Ben Davies (centre), Matty Foster (second row), Daniel Hill (centre), Dan Norman (prop) and Will Roberts (stand off) have made appearances for them this year.

 

Swinton have used seven loan players this season but the only ones currently with them are Jamie Ellis (scrumhalf from York Knights) and George Roby (hooker from Huddersfield Giants).

 

 

The Fev Connection

 

Two of the players who have been in this year's Rovers squad have previously played for Swinton. Dan Fleming (now at Halifax Panthers) played for them ten times on loan from Bradford in 2016 and Chris Hankinson joined Swinton in 2017 and then signed for Wigan in July 2018. He played for Swinton again in 2019 on dual reg from Wigan.

 

The only member of the Swinton squad who has played for Fev is Gavin Bennion. He made one substitute appearance for Rovers in 2014 while on loan from Warrington.

 

One of the most notable players to have appeared for both clubs is prop, Leo Casey. Fev signed him from Oldham in 1990 and he played 147 times before joining Swinton for 1996 and 1997 making 44 appearances for them.