1995-1996

Consternation was felt throughout the game as it celebrated its centenary in the midst of a maelstrom. A hundred years after the formation of the Northern Union there was impending upheaval of near-equivalent proportion. On the field that necessitated a short, interim transitional season that signalled the move from winter to a summer sport. The Stones Bitter Centenary Championship, made up of 11 of the 12 sides to form the forthcoming Super League ? Paris the other ? carried a winner takes all ?75,000 prize and, despite reservations, promised the eventual champions the opportunity to retain the historic trophy in perpetuity. Naturally, there was no promotion or relegation, the regular season comprising of 20 rounds from mid August to mid January as well as the Regal Trophy and a break during October for the Centenary World Cup.

As if to mirror the upheaval, the RFL moved from its historic offices on less than salubrious Chapeltown Road to Red Hall in leafy North Leeds. As League looked to its new dawn, so did Rugby Union which announced that it was to go professional, both codes left to weigh up the likely ramifications. By the end of the campaign, Leeds made history by becoming the first dual-code club when Leeds RU signed a five year joint venture deal to play at Headingley in the soon to be vacant winter slot and looked to share common resources. During the summer, the Loiners were consistently linked with Union?s highest profile player, All Blacks? giant winger Jonah Lomu with his price tag apparently reaching ?2.5 million but the various approaches were ultimately spurned. The two major acquisitions were both internationals, a Kiwi, Castleford?s Tony Kemp who was voted the best stand off in the British game among a poll of coaches and former Wigan back-rower Mike Forshaw, captured from Wakefield.

That, though, was almost a sideshow to the coaching furore caused by Doug Laughton?s unexpected relinquishing of the reins after the 1995 Premiership Final debacle. Former player and New Zealand legend Dean Bell, who thought he was coming as Assistant after his final playing season skippering Auckland Warriors in their debut in the ARL, was named as team manager. Great friend and similarly classy Kiwi great Hugh McGahan took on the role of football co-ordinator then manager and was in the charge of the side initially, prior to Bell?s arrival. They were later joined by Texan strength conditioner Edgar Curtis. All focus as the campaign kicked off was the World Cup which, despite reservations, turned out to be a highly successful showcase along with a concurrent Emerging Nations Tournament. England named an initial 40 man squad that left out Leeds factotum Garry Schofield, who subsequently faced a disrepute charge for publically blaming RFL Chief Executive Maurice Lindsay for his omission. Esene Faimalo was unavailable for Western Samoa because of injury. Loiners? season began a week early in unfamiliar surroundings when they faced perennial final foes Wigan in the Charity Shield at the Royal Showground in Dublin, the blue and amber?s sole appearance in the pipe-opener. Both Kemp and Forshaw scored on their debuts, Leeds? bench showing the new management?s pledge to give youth its chance by comprising of David Gibbons, Adrian Morley, Marvin Golden and Nick Fozzard.

Unfortunately, especially for the 5,000 crowd, Marcus Vassilakopoulos? needless sending off in the ninth minute by Russell Smith when he tripped Nigel Wright effectively ended the contest which Wigan won by a record 45-20 score. Winger Jon Scales left for Bradford but the Championship started in promising fashion, Francis Cummins the stand out with a second hat trick of his career and three goals at Sheffield in the opener. David Gibbons scored his first professional touchdown in his second start, at scrum half hile Craig Innes, fresh from an off season stint with Perth Western Reds was imperious, Paddy Handley making his debut off the bench. By the time Dean Bell arrived to take up his post in early September, Castleford had triumphed at Wheldon Road where two-try hooker Colin Maskill haunted his former side. Warrington were swept aside in the opening home game, Garry Schofield?s first start of the season after a hernia operation, at scrum half, bringing him a try double as Paul Cook continued to impress on the wing with 20 points, half the team total. Nick Fozzard?s first senior try saw St Helens downed in front of over 12,000 fans in Bell?s first match in physical charge, re-appointed skipper Schofield having a hand in six of the seven Leeds touchdowns.

The Loiners played in a quartered commemorative centenary kit for the first time and sealed a pulsating 36-24 victory with Francis Cummins? late score fashioned by Faimalo, Forshaw and Gary Mercer. In a third successive Headingley encounter, Haifax were soundly beaten, Innes scoring a hat trick as Leeds ran in 50 second half points without reply, but the winning run disappointingly came to an end at Brentford against London Broncos where Jamie Field made his debut. Next new ?cab off the rank?, who made his debut against Bradford five days later, was Wigan prop Barrie McDermott, snared from Wigan for ?100,000. A knee injury restricted him to 17 minutes on debut in a clash that saw try scorer James Lowes ? who spent part of the game in the second row with Mick Shaw continuing to make an impact off the bench ? make a staggering 53 tackles. Marvin Golden posted a try on his first start in a 32-30 success.

Big wins over Workington at home, with full back Alan Tait crossing for his 100th career try and at Oldham, which saw Craig Innes go over in his first start at loose forward set up a massive home clash with Wigan at the half way stage of the season, the first week back after the month long World extravaganza. That was won by Brad Fittler?s Kangaroos at Wembley in front of 66,500 fans while Headingley hosted one game, 14,000 watching England?s 46-0 win over the South African Rhinos; Paul Cook ? Leeds? sole England representative ? performing well at full back. Richie Eyres appeared for Wales, Kevin Iro and Tony Kemp wore the black and white of New Zealand while George Mann strengthened the Tonga pack. Physiotherapist Seamus McCallion was in the Ireland side that lost to the Cook Islands in the Emerging National Final at Bury?s Gigg Lane, Alan Tait captaining Scotland in that tournament.

Back to domestic action, more than 17,000 fans witnessed a magnificent encounter with the cherry and whites which included Garry Schofield claiming the 300th try of his illustrious career in a pulsating 23-11 success. It saw Leeds move to within two points of the Riversiders at the top and reinvigorate the truncated season. The home pack, with Mann to the fore, was outstanding in a wonderful team effort. Countering Jason Robinson?s first half 90 metre interception try, Mann sent in Tait before crashing through Radlinski and Robinson to set up a breathtaking finale. Jim Fallon spun out of tackles, Tait and Kemp freed Innes and his majestic pass with three defenders round him allowed Cook to sail over for the clinching try and goal. It was a fitting tribute to Edgar Curtis who returned to Auckland after the game but had worked tirelessly with the squad during their month off.

Salford were comfortably beaten in the second round of the Regal Trophy, Fallon crossing for four blistering tries in 28 minutes and Workington were just seen off in torrential rain at Derwent Park. Then, as so often, the Championship wheels began to come off as Leeds failed to maintain their momentum.

The heart warming display against Wigan counted for little when Sheffield grabbed their first win at Headingley thanks to Anthony Farrell?s astonishing late 70 metre try. Leeds led 22-19 with ten minutes to go but Mark Aston returned from the sin bin and sent Andy Hay over for his second try and Farrell sealed it for Gary Hetherington?s men. Brian Smith?s Bradford were downed at Headingley in the next round of the John Player but, despite coasting at 40-12 after 55 minutes ? Cook landing an impeccable 9 goals ? lacklustre Leeds were left hanging on in the end after the sides scored six tries each. Any lingering title hopes disappeared with comprehensive away defeats at Warrington and Halifax inside five days.

The 47-14 mauling at Widerspool, which saw Barrie McDermott sent off, was the Loiners? biggest defeat there since the re-introduction of two divisions just over 20 years before with youngsters Iestyn Harris and Paul Sculthorpe superb. At inhospitable Thrum Hall, Anthony Gibbons scored on his full debut but there was little else to cheer for the visiting fans. In the Regal Quarter Final, a third consecutive home tie saw second division Carlisle put up some stern resistance before succumbing 44-22, thanks to two late tries from speedy hooker Mick Shaw. The talking point before the away game at Bradford was the unexpected swap deal between the clubs that saw young winger Paul Cook, who had kicked 74 goals, move to Odsal in exchange for Kiwi international centre Carl Hall and cash of around ?50,000, as Dean Bell looked to reshape the squad.

Leeds also had a bid for Salford?s Nathan McAvoy, involving ex-Widnes trio Alan Tait, transfer listed Richie Eyres and Harvey Howard in exchange, rejected and an offer for Batley?s record breaking scrum half Glen Tomlinson turned down. The Bulls were downed 16-12 in a dour clash and then revenge gained over London, James Lowes totalling 103 tackles in the two clashes and skippering the side against the Broncos. Neil Harmon scored his first try double against the Bulls and Graham Holroyd a superb solo effort but he was one of three players to leave the battle, Leeds hanging on with just 12 men in the final quarter. Nine teenagers ? including a debut for winger Jon Riley ? were in the side that beat London 30-12, Adrian Morley outstanding while George Mann filled in at stand off and Francis Cummins scored a wonder try.

Castleford were beaten at home 28-16 on Boxing Day, 18,000 present to see Marvin Golden score two tries in one of only two games to survive severe frost and Leeds entered the New Year on a high, ending a long losing streak at Knowsley Road 20-14 on January 1st to virtually ensure second spot. The sides went in level at the break but just after it a flowing 70 metre move saw the returning Innes capitalise on great work from Fallon, Hall and Holroyd; Hall then scoring a terrific solo effort.

The season came to a stuttering end thanks to the Wigan nemesis. In the Regal Trophy semi final at Central Park, the cherry and whites raced to a 32-0 lead, Gary Connolly grabbing a superb long range touchdown but Leeds refused to throw in the towel, scoring three tries in last 12 minutes gain some respectability.

A Graham Holroyd goal proved to be the difference in the final home match of the shortened season against Oldham, the last competitive winter fixture being back at Central Park on 21st January when Wigan again triumphed 34-20, Craig Innes scoring a hat trick. Jim Fallon was the club?s top try scorer with 13 from 20 games and among the juniors signed were Kris Smith, Leroy Rivett, Broughton Red Rose?s Ryan McDonald, David Wrench and highly rated Chris Windas.