Kippax Welfare Rugby - A History Lesson

Kippax were formed shortly after the close of the second world war and although having fallen under a few different guises, they have long been known as a successful, well established club. The modern clubs formation was back in 1948 when Jack Kielty took the reins and ran the side from the Old Tree Public House. In those days, players were faced with a long trek to the bottom of Butt Hill even before they had kicked the ball.


Kippax then moved their pitch even further afield as they left the Castleford and District League to join the Leeds league. Meaning they had to play their matches outside the boundries of Castleford. This meant a brief spell as the Newmarket as they played from a field in Garforth, however, the initiative paid off when they won the Yorkshire cup beating Lock lane.


Kippax soon returned to their village and played there most successful rugby to date in the late 60's and 70's when they played as 'The White Swan'. they were renouned for there no nonsense style of play and were soon amongst the elite amateur sides in the country. This culminated in Kippax's biggest game to date when in 1973/74 Kippax reached the first round proper of the challenge cup where they played Leigh.

Considering that only two amateur teams could play in the first round proper and Leigh had played at Wembley just 3 years before, this was an incredible feat and will probably never be matched.

In the 1980's Kippax moved to the Longdyke Lane facilities which they are now so proud of. From these fantastic facilities, they were able to incorporate Junior & youth sides and soon became the envy of many local sides. This youth set up has produced many Superleague players, Matt Crowther, Paul Darley, Gavin Swinson, not to mention two Great Britain Internationals, Andy Lynch and Danny Orr.

Nowadays, Kippax seemed to be heading for the top again, they have been promoted twice in the last three seasons and now are playing amongst the cream of amateur sides in the Pennine Premier Division. Their Junior sides continue to blossom and new talent continues to flow through the system enabling them to undoubtedly say that they are one of the most well established, successful rugby sides in Yorkshire.