For a club from a small part of Greater Manchester, Swinton have achieved a lot in their long history, although it has been over 30 years since their last silverware.

They can boast six Championships, three Challenge Cups, four Lancashire Cups and six Lancashire League titles since being established in 1866.

Swinton played rugby union for the early part of their existence, but switched to rugby league in 1896 after initially resisting the move.

It proved to be a wise decision, because in 1900 Swinton beat Manchester rivals Salford 16-8 to win the Challenge Cup.

In the 1920s the Lions signed centre Hector Halsall, a future captain, and Albert Jenkins, a Welsh half-back, and it was these signings that helped the club capture more trophies.

In 1925 Swinton lifted the Lancashire Cup and a year later won the Challenge Cup again, this time defeating Oldham 9-3 in the final. This was followed by their first League Championship.

Then, in 1928 under the captaincy of Halsall, Swinton swept all before them as they won four major trophies in a season, including the League Championship and Challenge Cup.

Further Championship triumphs followed in 1931 and 1935, but Swinton had to wait until the 1960s before they hit the glory trail again, John Stopford and Albert Blan leading them to back-to-back titles in 1963 and 1964

However, they have struggled to regain their former glories since, after having to sell their Station Road ground in 1992 and ground-share with Bury football club at Gigg Lane, which alienated a number of fans.

They added Lions to their name in 1996 and were promoted to Division Two that year, but they had to move home again in 2003 and have since shared Sedgley Park rugby union club's ground.