2000 NFP grand final

[creditwhereitsdews]

This is now up on YouTube and is well worth a watch. I don't think I've seen it since I ditched my video recorder in 2005.
What struck me is how fast the game seems and what a great occasion it was, with the sport having a higher profile, an impressive sponsor and ITV coverage. And where did all those Dewsbury fans come from?
Neil Kelly was a very shrewd coach and his squad selection and substitutions were spot on. Eaton was class and our players were fearless, although a Shayne Williams rumble made the game much closer than it should have been.
Have only vague memories of going to the match and despite the celebrations it all felt a bit flat after as it seemed inevitable that we were never going to be fashionable enough to be let into Super League. How good would it have been to see this team have a crack at it though? We might just have held our own.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 10, 2024 by creditwhereitsdews

[Blind side johnny]

It was nothing to do with being fashionable even though this myth does keep getting propagated. None of us realistically expected to go up and the club was completely unprepared for such a promotion. Many people seem to believe that, even then, the only difference is in the players. In reality an entirely different club structure would have been required.

The fact that we almost went bust not long after was no coincidence either.

[Rambo]

49 minutes ago, Blind side johnny said:

It was nothing to do with being fashionable even though this myth does keep getting propagated. None of us realistically expected to go up and the club was completely unprepared for such a promotion. Many people seem to believe that, even then, the only difference is in the players. In reality an entirely different club structure would have been required.

The fact that we almost went bust not long after was no coincidence either.

Were we denied promotion by the RFL then and if so what was the reason they gave? Or did the club turn down the opportunity of promotion?

I remember talk of taking games to Sheffield or temporary stands been erected but that maybe just my memory playing tricks on me.

Edited December 10, 2024 by Rambo

[creditwhereitsdews]

I didn't say that being unfashionable was the reason we were denied promotion, but it's an open secret that we weren't wanted – whatever the official reason given was.

This from the Guardian: Thursday 3 August 2000

Gateshead Thunder were unanimously welcomed back to the professional ranks at yesterday's meeting of the Rugby League Council in Salford but Dewsbury's hopes of playing in the Super League next season are now more remote than ever.

The council confirmed that Dewsbury could not play at Sheffield's Don Valley Stadium while they are bringing their own Ram Stadium up to the Super League's minimum requirements. They have been given until August 31 to find an alternative, probably Wakefield's Belle Vue, in addition to proving they can extend the capacity of Ram Stadium from 4,000 to 10,000 by next April.

The chairman Bob McDermott said he was still "very confident" of securing promotion. But he was unable to provide evidence of planning permission for the stadium renovation, and the Independent Franchise Panel has still to look at Dewsbury's financial plans. "They haven't a cat in hell's chance," said one Super League source.

Dewsbury now seem almost certain to stay in the Northern Ford Premiership, where they will be joined by Gateshead, who now have 17 weeks to get a team together from scratch but claim to have sold more season tickets already than in the last Super League season.

[Ackroman]

My recollection at the time was after Hunslet's denial the year before, we had a good idea Dewsbury didn't have the infrastructure to get promoted but I would also add that I had the overriding feeling Dewsbury weren't fashionable either. We just weren't the Bulls in any sense and Bob McDermott was trying his best to alter that image but without the money or plans in place. However IMHO I think the RFL would have kept moving the goalposts to make sure clubs like Dewsbury didn't get in SL - it felt like that anyway. At the time there were clubs like Hull KR, Leigh and Widnes (where our players and coach ended up), who had a better image and recent history that added "more" to the SL brand, and I suppose they have, whereas the Bulls have proven the SL brand can endure without fashionable clubs.

In conclusion I think what RL has proven over time is that fashion is everything and that promotion criteria is based on current fashion/trends and not the other way round.

PS If my memory serves me correctly, I think Bob was well liked (before it all went "pop") but I could never square the fact he ran a stall on Dewsbury market selling Kitchen cupboards (am I right about that - was it his missus and he was a solicitor?). I was always wondering where his money and authority came from. A bit Peter Ridsdale.

PPS - what a time to be a Dewsbury fan!

[Ackroman]

One other thing - IIRC Huddersfield-Sheffield Giants came bottom of SL that year. There was no way the RFL would let that experiment fail considering the tangible investment made and to be made. Dewsbury were never going to replace them, or the Broncos who finished second last.

[Wakefield Ram]

Back to the actual game. Yes it was fast with a lot of passing.

A lot more entertaining than the one man drives and laying on that happens now. 

[Blind side johnny]

21 hours ago, Rambo said:

Were we denied promotion by the RFL then and if so what was the reason they gave? Or did the club turn down the opportunity of promotion?

I remember talk of taking games to Sheffield or temporary stands been erected but that maybe just my memory playing tricks on me.

The ground criteria for clubs to enter SL was laid down well in advance and a number of clubs who were felt able to win the final had their facilities inspected. We were told very clearly that ours fell well short and that a detailed plan to improve it was required. We never produced such a plan.

I wouldn't suggest for one minute that this was fair as clubs already in SL had inadequate grounds, but we were aware of the requirements to get into the league and we fell short all round, except on the pitch.

The financial position of the club was also appalling, apparently, but this was never revealed to the actual owners.

Edited December 11, 2024 by Blind side johnny

[Hugh Jarce]

I was talking to Brendan O'Meara earlier this morning, I think someone at the Club is trying to get the players together during the season to celebrate their achievements. He had been approached, so I assume so have the others, he was keen to attend.

I hope this happens, and is publicised as much as possible. I would encourage everyone to like and share every post on Facebook, Instagram & X (Twitter). The players deserve recognition for what they did, and to have as many of them as possible attend along with supporters will be good fun, but also good for the Club.

[horbury ram]

The forthcoming season is celebration of the 2000 season. The home shirt , based on the grand  final one, is the first stage and there are plans afoot for further events over the year,  with an offical event taking place in the summer, which will be announced in the the new year, once plans have been finalised.

[Ramification]

My 15 yr old son has just watched this for the first time. Loved it, he couldn't believe the difference in quality between how he has seen us play and how that game went. 

[coolie]

On 13/12/2024 at 09:27, Hugh Jarce said:

I was talking to Brendan O'Meara earlier this morning, I think someone at the Club is trying to get the players together during the season to celebrate their achievements. He had been approached, so I assume so have the others, he was keen to attend.

I hope this happens, and is publicised as much as possible. I would encourage everyone to like and share every post on Facebook, Instagram & X (Twitter). The players deserve recognition for what they did, and to have as many of them as possible attend along with supporters will be good fun, but also good for the Club.

It's all in hand behind the scenes

[Wakefield Ram]

On 20/12/2024 at 17:49, coolie said:

It's all in hand behind the scenes

Any chance of knowing when any events will be just so I don't book a holiday etc...?

[coolie]

3 hours ago, Wakefield Ram said:

Any chance of knowing when any events will be just so I don't book a holiday etc...?

Message horbury ram he will have more info mate

[myview]

Just seen the video of the 2000 Northern Ford final ( Dewsbury v Leigh) posted by “creditwhereitsdews” posted above. Thoroughly enjoyed it and many thanks. Just the best finishing touch to my Xmas.First visit to this forum for about 2 years. Can I be tempted back to games by rugby of a similar enthusiasm?

[coolie]

I've uploaded some more games

Last game at crown flatt

The draw with St Helens 

And various tries of the season 

[creditwhereitsdews]

Those are amazing, never thought I'd see some of those moments again. Keep em coming if you have any more. Thanks Coolie.

[coolie]

7 hours ago, creditwhereitsdews said:

Those are amazing, never thought I'd see some of those moments again. Keep em coming if you have any more. Thanks Coolie.

There's our full back catalogue of games we've got in the archive to be uploaded to the Dewsbury Rams YouTube page. 

Once I get the log in details to do it 

I'll post some more today 

[Hugh Jarce]

3 hours ago, coolie said:

There's our full back catalogue of games we've got in the archive to be uploaded to the Dewsbury Rams YouTube page. 

Once I get the log in details to do it 

I'll post some more today 

It might be worth setting up a new topic on here just for the games, with links to each game, it might create more traffic on the forum and YouTube which all helps. I would also post them on the forum of whoever we are playing, I'm sure the opposition fans would want to see them.

Also, could the links to YouTube be put on the website, Facebook and Instagram? This will again provide valuable traffic.

[creditwhereitsdews]

Flicked through Coolie's videos last night and will sit down and watch them properly when I get time, but the games and highlights I enjoyed seeing most were the 3-2 midweek over Hull KR (what a nailbiter), beating Wakefield in the Yorkshire Cup (how good were Willie Johnson, Chris Wilkinson etc?) and the footage from around Crown Flatt at the final game there – especially when Nathan Graham kicks the last goal and the fans run on the pitc h to You'll Never Walk Alone. Some real magic moments that seem a lifetime ago but also seem like yesterday.

[Wakefield Ram]

What's the YouTube channel for these please?

[coolie]

12 hours ago, Wakefield Ram said:

What's the YouTube channel for these please?

Search 

Neil Coulson 

[Reverend Ram]

On 09/01/2025 at 10:23, coolie said:

There's our full back catalogue of games we've got in the archive to be uploaded to the Dewsbury Rams YouTube page. 

Once I get the log in details to do it 

I'll post some more today 

Thanks for these Coolie - I missed the Saints draw so have thoroughly enjoyed watching it, even down to the hilarious bias of the commentator.The more I think about it this must rank as one of our greatest performances- Dennis Trembath was outstanding and remember this was no shadow Saints side with Hunte, Golding, Mann, Griffiths, Haggerty et al - marvellous try from Nathan Graham in particular. Interesting to see the number of run-arounds by both sides too. Such memories!

[creditwhereitsdews]

Mann has a tremendous battle with fellow countryman Trembath in that match. And comes out worst, for me anyway.

[NickD]

Just watched the Saints game and what a game that was.   just reminded my why I loved that team under MB so much.   Forwards who could pass a ball and who looked to offload at very opportunity, make no wonder I keep going on about it, that's what I was brought up on.   Forwards who could play 80 minutes too, and the game was faster than most people remember.   There was barely a break in the whole game.  Thought the ref was outstanding,   could see a forward pass, but let the game go if he could.  Best 80 minutes of Youtube there is I reckon.

Hard to pick anyone one out to be honest, everyone of them gave 100% but thought Coughlan was immense and that try by Nathan was class.

Anyone know how old Carroll was at the time?   he just went and went and not sure he was tackled once without releasing the ball.   Happy days...