Swinton Lions CEO Steve Wild and fellow Director Andy Unwin were recently joined by RFL CEO Ralph Rimmer, as they held a catch up with Glossop Caravans Stan Laing, who was also joined by his sons Paul, Rob and Stanley.
Glossop Caravans, as well as being the UK's biggest caravan dealership, is the Lions' principal sponsor and commercial club partner. Managing Director Stan Laing is himself a former Lion, having played for the club in the late 60s and early 70s.
His most treasured memory of his time at Swinton was when the Lions defeated Salford in the 1970 Lancashire Shield Final, but sadly his winner's medal was to go permanently missing in a subsequent house move.
Steve Wild takes up the story: "Stan and his family team at Glossop Caravans have been fantastic supporters of the Lions for a number of years, so when we heard Stan's account of the missing medal we were determined to do something about it.
"First of all we tracked down an original medal from the game in question, and for that we need to thank Gary Robinson, whose dad Brian captained the Swinton team when the final was won 51 years ago. We then engaged a specialist jeweller to make an exact copy in solid silver, and finally with the assistance of Ralph Rimmer, we were able to 're-unite' Stan with his lost medal!
"It was a fantastic feeling to be able to give something back to Stan as a token of our appreciation."
Ralph Rimmer said: "I have been a resident of Glossop for a long time, and Stan and I have come across each other several times and discussed our mutual love of the sport over a brew.
"He is a proper character, and I was delighted when Steve at Swinton Lions contacted me to ask if I could pop down and help out - It was a privilege to do so.
"Medals are hard earned in Rugby League, and Stan will have fought hard for this one and it's another piece of the rich tapestry of the sport."
On receiving the medal, Stan Laing commented: "Glossop Caravans have supported Swinton Lions for the past 5 or 6 years and as a proud ex-Lion myself it's something we’ve been very happy do do. It was a lovely gesture by Steve and the club to replace my medal. It was very hard won and It was a very proud moment in my career."
