Residents, supporters and former players with memories to share, going back some 60 years, will a have chance to get involved.

Swinton Lions’ Tales and More is co-ordinated by the Staffordshire-based Federation of Stadium Communities. Working with local volunteers, students and schoolchildren they will trace the club’s history from its foundation in 1866 through its heydays in the 1920s, 1930s and 1960s, to its more recent change of fortunes.

The idea for the project came from the positive feedback to a similar but smaller enterprise carried out with the Swinton Lions Supporters’ Trust and a local primary school. Over the next two years volunteer interviewers will record reminiscences from up to 50 people and these will be used to create a DVD and six short films. A series of short animated films will also be made by pupils from three primary schools. 

Historical research will be led by pupils from Swinton High School helped by staff from Salford Museum and Art Gallery and Salford Local History Library. Recorded interviews will be digitised with help from Salford University students. The finished recordings will be archived at the Rugby League Museum at Huddersfield University.

A dramatic performance will be created based on the club’s history and achievements. An exhibition of memorabilia and photographs will be gathered together and boxes containing a range of such items will also be made available to schools and community groups for future use. The project culminates in a grand celebration due to take place at Swinton Town Hall in October 2012.

Those taking part in the project have much to celebrate looking back on the club’s achievements as rugby league champions on six occasions, challenge cup winners three times, Lancashire cup winners four times and top club in the Lancashire league in six seasons. In addition, there will many memories of the former Station Road ground that hosted international test matches plus championship finals, challenge cup semi-finals and Lancashire cup finals on many occasions.

For the Heritage Lottery Fund, Head of HLF North West, Sara Hilton, said: “This project will capture the stories of a club that was a major part of the local community in years gone by. At the same time people of all age groups will be able to learn new skills in the gathering and re-telling of the club’s history for the benefit of a new generation.”

For the Federation of Stadium Communities, Chief Executive Judy Crabb, said: “This is a great opportunity not just to capture and re- tell important local history but to break down barriers between younger and older people, develop new partnership working between people who have not worked together before and create imaginative materials that will have a life beyond the project."

Notes to editors

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,900 projects, allocating £4.4billion across the UK. 

Further information

Roland Smith, HLF Press Office on 020 7591 6047 / 07713 48 64 20 or rolands@hlf.org.uk

Judy Crabb, Federation of Stadium Communities CEO on 01782 831900