It was the summer of 1980 when an infamous banner appeared on the outskirts of Hull on the eve of the historic Challenge Cup final between the city’s two rugby league clubs. “Last one out, turn the lights off,” it read, a nod to the fact that supporters of both Hull FC and Hull Kingston Rovers would be heading to Wembley en masse.
This weekend it is only the red half of Hull going to the capital but the same mantra will apply for fans of both finalists, two working-class communities which stand on the brink of a novel recent experience. The fact this is the first final since 1986 which doesn’t feature any of Leeds, St Helens, Wigan or Warrington emphasises the rarity of what is in store.
For Hull KR, a first win since their only previous triumph in 1980 awaits. Leigh Leopards, a second-tier club 12 months ago, are aiming for their first success since 1971 and only their third ever. Rarely are you guaranteed a whole new generation of supporters witnessing their side winning a major trophy for the first time, making this a final to savour with storylines aplenty.
“It’s an incredible story really, and that makes me proud,” Leigh’s coach, Adrian Lam, says. “The town of Leigh, and the club by extension, we’re going through some good times at the moment but it hasn’t always been that way. We’re very conscious of that, and we can give everyone in the area a real lift this weekend.”
Lam makes a pertinent point which is central to this year’s final. The communities of east Hull and Leigh have had it tough: they still do, in fact. They are working-class areas and have a striking similarity in that they have had to sit and watch their near rivals – Hull FC and Wigan – win silverware in the interim periods since their last major success.
Two-thirds of Leigh’s communities are ranked within the top 25% most deprived in England. The 2021 census stated that almost 60% of households in Hull were classed as deprived in at least one dimension. These are not just communities that live and breathe rugby league: they are communities in need of a collective lift.
The scenes from both finalists this week, with thousands of supporters seeing the team buses off to Wembley, emphasised how getting this far has already done that, with victory propelling the successful squad into the pantheon of their respective club’s all-time greats, something which is not lost on the stars of Saturday’s game.
“East Hull as a community, they have it tough,” the Rovers vice-captain, Elliot Minchella, says. “They work hard all week to go and watch their rugby team turn out on a weekend. That isn’t something that’s lost on me. We’re aware as a squad how that group of 1980 are remembered. To be spoken about in the same bracket in years to come, it gives you goosebumps.”
While Leigh haven’t been to Wembley since their last win in 1971, Rovers have slightly more recent demons to exorcise. Eight years ago, they were beaten 50-0 in the final by Leeds, and the fact their coach that day, Chris Chester, is now the head coach at Leigh, and the man who scored five tries for Leeds, Tom Briscoe, also plays for Leigh are two of several fascinating subplots.
“We’ve spoke about 2015 and what went wrong that day for the club,” says Minchella, who was working at a builder’s merchants and playing part-time as recently as five years ago. “We want to be walking up those steps winners and delivering some history for east Hull.”
Both clubs have delved into their respective Wembley histories to motivate their squads this week. “A lot of our fans weren’t born in 1971, I’d wager, so it’s something that gives us an opportunity to leave a legacy for the ones that come after us,” Lam says. “You don’t get too many chances to do that and it’s great for rugby league there’s two new teams there.”
Leigh’s owner, Derek Beaumont, who caused controversy last year when he rebranded the Leopards from the Centurions, has perhaps summed up the importance of this game for both communities though. He and the local council have launched a fundraiser to ensure as many disadvantaged supporters as possible make it to Wembley, with thousands already raised.
This is a game which runs much deeper than your ordinary final, a moment which means so much for so many people who have endured tough times, both supporting their club through the lean periods and in life on the whole. It is games like this which underlines how sport at its best can be truly powerful.
Hull KR Lewis; Ryan, Opacic, Kenny-Dowall, Hall; Milnes, Schneider; Kennedy, Litten, King, Batchelor, Linnett, Minchella. Interchange Parcell, Luckley, Hadley, Shorten.
Leigh O’Brien; Briscoe, Chamberlain, Hardaker, Charnley; Reynolds, Lam; Amone, Ipape, Mulhern, O’Donnell, Hughes, Asiata. Interchange Mellor, Wardle, Seumanufagai, Davis.
Referee C Kendall.
