Rotherham Titans to play in special shirts to mark centenary

ROTHERHAM Titans will wear centenary replica shirts this weekend similar to the ones worn at the club’s very first match 100 years ago.

The design, light blue at the top and bottom with a thick brown band in between, were sported in Rotherham Rugby Club’s inaugural fixture against Dewsbury on October 13, 1923.

A limited number have been made for Saturday’s match against Fylde at Clifton Lane, which is the nearest home fixture to the landmark date.

Numbers 1-15 have already been auctioned for the successful bidders to collect, “game worn,” after the final whistle on Saturday.

Numbers 16-20, covering the replacements’ bench, will be available via a raffle on the day of the match.

Rotherham lost that very first game to Dewsbury 9-6 but a week later 2,000 curious spectators turned up at Herringthorpe to see them take on The Bohemians, from Leeds.

The home team scored a last-minute try to draw 3-3.

On Saturday, Titans will be chasing a sixth straight win in National Two North against Fylde, who finished runners-up last season.

"There are lots of people coming along and we are expecting a really good game,” said commercial director John Whaling.

Kick-off is 2pm.

A book, When Men Became Titans – Celebrating 100 Years of Rotherham Rugby Club, is available from the club shop at Clifton Lane for £14.99 (softback), £45 (hardback).

Titans: page 53