Rochdale Hornets is an English Rugby League Football Club from Rochdale, Lancashire, England. They currently play in Rugby League National League One.

History

Rugby was started at Rochdale in 1867 by a magistrate and numerous business owners and self-employed men. Within a year they were all playing alongside new members when working class men were allowed to join as well. This club was the forerunner of Rochdale Hornets who arrived in 1871 with an open door approach to membership. Rochdale were able to insist on gate money as they played on an enclosed field.

They were founder members of the Northern Union in 1895. They played their games at the Athletic Grounds, Rochdale.

Hornets won the Northern Union Cup (later renamed the Rugby League Challenge Cup) in 1922 by beating Hull 10-9 at Headingley, Leeds. That was Hornets’ one and only Challenge Cup final. Due to the ferocity of their play, their pack of forwards were known as ‘The Terrible Six.’

In 1940-41, Hornets dropped out of the wartime Lancashire League, they returned to league competition in 1945-46.

In 1947 and 1958, Rochdale Hornets made it to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup but both times Wigan ended their hopes of a Wembley final.

In 1965, Hornets appeared in the final of the Lancashire Cup when a 19,000 crowd saw them lose to Warrington at Knowsley Road, St Helens.

In 1987 both Rochdale Hornets and Rochdale A.F.C. were in financial trouble. Deep in debt, Rochdale could not resist Morrison's £2.7m offer for the Athletic Grounds and following the sale of the land moved to Rochdale A.F.C.'s Spotland stadium in 1988. The stadium became jointly owned by Hornets, Rochdale Council and Rochdale A.F.C..

In 1989, Hornets got promoted from the Second Division to the top tier.

Bobbie Goulding was in charge of Rochdale Hornets for two seasons, twice being nominated for coach of the year. He left in November 2005, citing frustration at the club's financial problems and his lack of a proper contract.

Darren Abram was appointed head coach two weeks later.

Team 2007

Eric Andrews

Andrew Bailey

Simon Baldwin

Rob Ball

Ryan Benjafield

Chris Giles

Ian Marsh

Kev King

Bolu Fagborun

Simon Svabic

Gary Hulse

Dave McConnell

Byron Smith

Andrew Gorski

Mark Blanchard

Tommy Goulding

Phil Hasty

John Gledhill

Paul Anderson

Mathew Whittaker

Nick Johnson

Paul Norman

Craig Robinson

Mark McCully

Lee Patterson

Wayne Cocorran