ORRELL (1988-1997):
Doughty battlers in the top flight for a decade and only a narrow final day defeat at Harlequins prevented them taking the title in 1992. But as professionalism gripped they hit the wall and won just three games in their relegation season with their nadir being an 89-18 annihilation at Quins. Went into administration in 1998 with debts of £500,000, sold junior pitches, then bought and sold by Dave Whelan owner of Wigan RL between 2001-04. Rock bottom was reached in August 2002 when their clubhouse burned down. The existing club grew out of the Orrell Anvils, the cl...