Warrington Sports Personality Team of 2003 – Warrington Woolston Rovers Rugby League team (From Warrington Guardian)

Warrington Sports Personality Team of 2003 – Warrington Woolston Rovers Rugby League team

4:14pm Monday 18th September 2006 in Sport By Mike Parsons

IN a similar vein to Phoenix from the flames, Rugby League team Warrington Woolston Rovers resurrected themselves for a fantastic 2003 and were duly awarded Warrington Sports Personality Team of the Year.

Following the loss of their clubhouse and facilities through a fire in 2002, the club overcame this devastating setback to not only progress into but also win the 2003 National League Three.

The determination and performances of the players was remarkable given the fact that morale was low in the wake of the fire.

This victory marked a unique double' for Rovers, having been the inaugural National Conference League Premier Division champions in 1993.

Club secretary Dave Whalley was overjoyed as he took the stage to collect the award from 2002's Sports Personality of the Year Michelle Hey.

He said: "This is a wonderful surprise and a great honour. It is a privilege to accept this award with so many talented teams having been nominated."

Rovers are hoping to build upon the successes of 2003 with a positive direction in place for the year ahead.

Dave added: "The team is looking good for this year as we hope to defend our title and develop the abilities of some promising youngsters we have coming through."

Rovers' prize: Signed Wolves shirt courtesy of Warrington Wolves, £50 cash courtesy of Warrington Guardian; Burger King meal, courtesy of Burger King, Bridge Street, Warrington; magnum of champagne courtesy of Bargain Booze, Chester Road, Warrington; day pass per person courtesy of David Lloyd Leisure, Warrington; 12 months subscription to Ultra-Fit Magazine for each member of the team, a trophy; medal courtesy of The Trophy Centre, Reynold Street, Latchford, Warrington.

The winners' sporting year...
Following the loss of their Bennett's Recreation Ground clubhouse and facilities through a fire in 2002, Warrington Woolston Rovers had to dig deep to keep spirits high in 2003.

Against the odds, the team's local crew of players, officials and coaching staff pressed ahead with their ambitious step into summer rugby as part of the inaugural National League Three season.

It was announced in January at a Houses of Parliament launch that Rovers would be joining nine other teams in the National League Three, an addition to the Rugby Football League's new pyramid structure.

The team had to come to terms with travelling the length and breadth of the country during the competition and did so more successfully than anyone could imagine.

They put in some consistently stirring performances over the course of the season which culminated in a fantastic Grand Final success over Teesside Steelers in September.

Rovers were crowned National League Three champions after scoring an emphatic 42-6 victory over the Steelers. This victory completed a unique double' for Rovers, having been the inaugural National Conference League Premier Division champions in 1993.