The club began life-playing friendly matches in the mid-1970s and joined the North West Counties as an official club in 1977. Then called the 'Upton Tavern' and coached by ex-professional John Mullarkey, they gained promotion from the Third Division in their first season.

 

Two years later they were in the first division and renamed themselves 'Farnworth Ring O' Bells'. Under ex-Widnes star, John Foran, 'Ring O'Bells' continued to improve, beating premier outfit St Maries in the Widnes Cup Final.

 

John Foran had three spells at the club, with 'Ring O'Bells' also having the benefit of the coaching experiences of ex-professionals Brian Grady, Dennis O'Neill, Peter Middlehurst and Ian Daintith. Ex-players Peter Doyle, Tony Bridle, Vin O'Connor and Paul Maher were also contributors. Local coaching 'guru' Charlie Henshaw also had a brief spell in the 90's as senior coach.

 

In 1982, Farnworth reached the first of their three BARLA Cup quarterfinal appearances, losing narrowly to Lock Lane. Soon after, they gained their own pitch and training facilities with a move to Lunts Heath Sports & Social Club. Success on the pitch continued and Farnworth finally gained promotion to the prestigious NW Counties Premier Division in 1987, losing out by one point on going up as Champions.

 

Ten Years Later saw the club's finest hour when they became Champions of the Premier Division under the guidance of Ian Daintith and Vin O'Connor. In the meantime Farnworth had appeared in a Lancashire Cup Final, won the Widnes Cup and beaten Simms Cross 6-0 in a tense North West Counties Cup Final at Naughton Park.

 

By now the team was based at the Village Club in Appleton, having spent a happy few years at the Upton Tavern. The following season, with home games played at Fairfield school it seemed proper for the club to return to its natural name and home in Farnworth at the Farnworth Sports & Social Club.

 

Work commitments took Daintith away from the town, but Connor steered the club to its first ever Challenge Cup Third Round appearance, resulting in a valiant defeat against Barrow RLFC, as well as a runners up place in the league. The success continued in 1999, though the season ended in ultimate heartbreak with defeats to Thatto Heath in the play off for the League Title, St Maries in the Widnes Cup Final and Rosebridge in the Premier Cup Final; all three in the space of a week.

 

Peter Middlehurst took over the coaching role the following season and steered the team through a difficult rebuilding period. The results of his efforts were witnessed in the 2000-2001 season. Led by ex-Widnes hard man Paul Hulme and top amateur coach Wayne Harris, Farnworth reached the Lancashire Cup Final, Challenged for the League and produced an awesome display in the Challenge Cup before going out to Rochdale Hornets, in a blaze of glory, in the Third Round.

 

Hopes of another great season seemed to be dashed in September when a rash of injuries and work commitments took fifteen established players from the club. Fortunately, a combination of effort, youth and experience turned Farnworth's season around and reaching the Widnes Cup Final and the Premier Cup Final has topped a respectable finish in the League.

 

[End]

 

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