Mount Albert Lions

Mount Albert Lions

Club information
Full name	Mount Albert Rugby League
Founded	1927
Current details
Ground(s)	Fowlds Park
Coach(s)	Steve Buckingham
Competition	Auckland Rugby League
Records
Premierships	1939, 1947, 1950, 1951, 1968, 1969, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009
Minor premiership	1950, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1970, 1981, 1983, 1992, 2006
Bartercard Cup	2002, 2004, 2005
National Club Champions	1984
Roope Rooster	1947, 1948, 1950, 1964, 1984, 2006, 2008-2009
Stormont Shield	1939, 1947, 1948, 1964, 1969, 1970, 1981, 1985, 1987, 1993
Sharman Cup	1980

The Mount Albert Lions are a rugby league club based in Mount Albert, New Zealand. The Lions home ground is at Fowlds Park. Their patron is the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark. In 2008 and 2009 the Lions won the Fox Memorial.

In 2010 the team is coached by Steve Buckingham.^[1]

History

Mt Albert kick off in the 2010 grand final

The club was founded in 1927, splitting from the Marist club. In the early 1930's the club moved to its current location at Fowlds Park in Morningside. They gained senior status from the Auckland Rugby League in 1935.

The club has won the Fox Memorial trophy fifteen times; in 1939, 1947, 1950, 1951, 1968, 1969, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009. In 1984 the Lions won the National Club Competition and in 2002, 2004 and 2005 they won the Bartercard Cup.

In 2006 they defended the Roope Rooster Challenge trophy in all eleven of their games and went on to win the Fox Memorial. In early 2007 they lost the trophy to the Te Atatu Roosters.

Bartercard Cup

Between 2000 and 2005 the Lions competed in the national Bartercard Cup competition. Under the guidance of Brian McClennan they were the most successful club in the competitions history, being champions three times and twice winning the minor premiership. However the club had a slow start to the competition, not making the playoffs in the first two years. Their place in the Bartercard Cup was taken over by the Auckland Lions, an entity which represented Mount Albert as well as other neighbouring clubs. In 2007 the Auckland Lions also competed in the NSWRL Premier League but they were replaced in 2008 by the Auckland Vulcans.

Season	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Position (Teams)	Finals
2000	22	12	1	9	593	584	9	25	Sixth (Twelve)	N/A
2001	21	8	0	13	414	630	-216	18*	Tenth (Twelve)	N/A
2002	16	15	0	1	620	270	350	30	Minor Premiers (Twelve)	Champions
2003	16	13	0	3	530	328	202	26	Second (Twelve)	Defeated in Preliminary Final
2004	16	12	0	4	522	378	144	24	Third (Twelve)	Champions
2005	16	12	0	4	570	326	244	24	Minor Premiers (Twelve)	Champions

*Two points for a Bye as the Ngongotaha Chiefs withdrew from the competition

References

1. ^ "What they said", Super League, Issue 1 2010. p.17

External links

• Official Club Website
• Mount Albert's NZRL Page