It's time for Telford Raiders to enter the Challenge Cup...
Telford Raiders are another team preparing for their first ever Challenge Cup appearance this weekend, as Chairman Fred Baker offers us an insight into the club’s history and life in present day.
Getting to know Telford Raiders…
Based in the Midlands, Telford Raiders can date their history back to 1995 where couple Dave and Janet Berry moved over from Hull and set up a primary school competition that grew to around six or seven school-based clubs.
This was an initial success, but a lack of volunteers made it hard to maintain and just one club remained on the suburb of Telford – and that was Randley Raiders.
They managed to keep a group together who played a few games here and there, and in 2003, entered the Midlands Division, where they have been competing ever since.
Now going by the name of Telford Raiders, the expansionist club are thriving in the Midlands League, as Baker explains:
“We compete in the Midlands Premier Division, and we have been Champions for the past two seasons. As Harry Jepson Trophy holders, this is the first time we have been a part of the Challenge Cup and it’s very exciting.
“I’m the chairman of the club, but I also coach the women’s team. I joined in 2001 and incidentally moved from Hull to work in this area.
“To my amazement there was a Rugby League club in Telford. I went along and met with Dave and asked if they would have a junior team my son’s age.
“He said we can do, but you’ll have to coach them, so off I went to do a coaching qualification! I was the club’s press officer to eventually the chairman, and have been that ever since.”
Telford Raiders are at the heart of their community and are keen to attract as many people as possible as they continue to grow their success.
“We have a lot of activity going on at the club,” Baker said. “We have a year-round Tag Rugby team, we’re currently trying to get a Masters team off the ground, and we have the women’s team, where it’s their third season next year.
“The men’s team’s priority aim will be to win that Midlands League again. It’s quite a busy little club.
“We’ve had a strong junior set up in the past but due to a lack of volunteers we aren’t so strong there at the moment. We’re hoping that the positivity surrounding our club and community of being a part of the Challenge Cup will help lift that.”
On being a a part of the prestigious Challenge Cup competition for 2025, Baker recognises its potential and is excited for Round One to begin:
“It’s really important. We’re not the first Midlands team to be in the Challenge Cup but the history of the competition and its magic means that it’s a real story for us.
“We’re really hopeful that it will lift our profile and encourage interest, whether this be players, sponsorships, extra finances, or volunteers. It’s a great vehicle for promoting the club and it’s a competition where you can refer to the fact that you could be going to Wembley!
“Everybody knows about the Challenge Cup Final and because it’s so steeped in history, it’s something we can really easily promote and it get people's attention.
“I think it’s massive for us and from our point of view and our player’s point of views, it’s an opportunity to represent the town and represent the club in such a fantastic competition and manner. It’s priceless.”
The Raiders will travel to face Rochdale Mayfield in the First Round on Saturday, with a place in the Second Round and a game against newly promoted Oldham at Boundary Park at stake.
On this opportunity, Baker continued:
“It’s fairytale stuff, isn’t it? Sport is all about raising people’s aspirations and giving them something to dream about. The players win two games, and you could be playing Wigan or Leeds – it’s just crazy to think about.
“I think it speaks volumes for the fact that the community game is at the heart of Rugby League – I’m not quite sure what a lot of the Super League clubs might think about maybe facing a community team!
“It shows that we have a really open sport and if you can put some performances together, goodness knows where it could take you!”
Ready to make history, the Raiders have been training much earlier than usual as they eagerly await their first ever cup tie:
“Ordinarily, we wouldn’t be training at this time of year. It’s only a short summer season here at the Midlands so we wouldn’t usually start training until March, but the players went back into training in December.
“I think this shows their commitment and determination to show themselves to the best advantage in this game.
“They’ll be training right to the point we play Rochdale Mayfield. They’re back on it and super keen and doing everything they can to make themselves as ready as possible."
Baker added:
“We pride ourselves as being central to our little community and open to everyone, and hopefully we can attract more people.
“In an area like this, I think sometimes people worry that they wouldn’t be able to make a contribution because rugby league is new to them, but if there’s somebody who wants to be our volunteer co-ordinator or help as a social media person or something to do with marketing – you don’t have to know anything about rugby league – so hopefully on the back of this, we can attract some more faces to the club and we can add value to people’s lives.
“That’s what community sport does – it’s about giving people opportunities on and off the field.
“We’re really hoping that our profile as an opening and welcoming club will be raised and we encourage more people to join Telford Raiders.”
Telford Raiders
Telford Raiders will take on Rochdale Mayfield in Round One of the Betfred Challenge Cup on Saturday 18 January, K.O. 1.30pm.
Saturday 7 June is Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day 2025 – also including the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final, AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final, and RFL Champion Schools Year 7 Boys Final. Tickets are on sale now!
