Mirfield ARLFC are about to make history in the Challenge Cup...
There are three new teams set to feature in the 2025 Betfred Challenge Cup, with Mirfield ARLFC, coached by former Super League star Shaun Lunt, ready to make their debut in the sport’s oldest competition this weekend.
The West Yorkshire side will face the Royal Navy in Round One, where the winner will progress into the Second Round and host Betfred League One’s Workington Town.
But first, who are Mirfield ARLFC?
Rugby League in Mirfield first came about in the 1970s, founded by a man called Frank Middleton, who drew players and supporters from the town and surrounding areas.
But the club’s influence waned as financial and operational challenges mounted, leading to its eventual dissolution in the mid-2000s. This left a void in the community that the Mirfield Stags temporarily filled until their own closure prompted the relaunch of the new Mirfield ARLFC. Read about the club's full history here.
Fast forward to 2022, Mikey Otty and two others, Phil (Middleton's uncle) and Tom, embarked on a mission to revive Rugby League tradition in Mirfield. Together, along with former players, fans and community members, they reestablished the club.
They reinstated the original name, before reverting to their original colours and club house. Otty admitted there were only ever plans for an open-age men’s team, but the reception they received exceeded all expectations, with Mirfield ARLFC are now proudly holding a men’s and women’s team, as well as multiple junior teams.
They currently compete in the Pennine League's Premier Division.
It’s been a whirlwind three years for the club, but undoubtedly an impressive and upward trajectory with Lunt at the helm.
“Our first season was a bit of a struggle,” Otty said. “We competed in the Pennine League, and it was a case of whoever would put their hand up on a Sunday afternoon.
“We finished second that season and then in Shaun’s first year, we managed to get over twenty people training and made every final.
“We’ve done that again in 2024 and went on to win the league.”
Lunt, who announced his retirement from the professional game in 2021, was grateful to be given the coaching opportunity:
“I was a little lost from retiring and a little bit lost to the world. Then one day, Mikey said why don’t I come down and coach and I’ve loved it ever since,” explained Lunt.
“It’s like my family here.
“Where the club are concerned, it’s all about growth and getting better and better each year. It’s about having a strong and stable club on and off the pitch and it’s all about giving the kids on the streets of Mirfield somewhere to be at night.
“We want to get all age groups, and more people involved in this great game.”
And Lunt is no stranger to the Challenge Cup competition, having featured in three finals with Huddersfield, Leeds and Hull KR respectively throughout his playing career.
He also knows how important Mirfield’s inclusion will be this year:
“It’s massive. A Challenge Cup appearance was one of our underlying goals when we first got together, and we’ve done all the right things to be here.
“It’s the oldest cup game going in rugby league, so to be a part of that and have Mirfield be a part of that history, is huge.”
Looking ahead to Round One, Mirfield will entertain the Royal Navy in an enticing home tie at Frank Middleton Park, and Otty and Lunt can hardly contain their excitement:
“Since the draw has been made, we’ve been brainstorming,” said Otty. “We’ve been working on a programme; we’ve been in touch with the Navy for team photos and we’ve booked out function rooms. We’re going to sort a hotel with Navy and make a night of it with them too.
“I think it’s brilliant for a team like Royal Navy to come to Mirfield, because when else are they going to come here? It’s a one-off really.
“There’s such a buzz and there’s going to be a big crowd here on the day. For us, it’s about promoting this cup game and making sure the whole of Mirfield is there and watching – more than there would be on a typical Saturday or Sunday afternoon.”
A victory for Mirfield would send them straight into the Second Round with the chance of hosting Cumbrian side Workington, who coincidentally happen to be Lunt’s hometown club, in which he made over 70 appearances for between 2006 and 2008.
Without getting too carried away, Lunt has admitted having one eye on those draw results:
“When I saw the draw, I was buzzing. But we’ve got the Navy to beat first, and that’s going to be a tough test.
“However, looking at that Workington tie – this is something I’ve actually said in the past – that I’d love to coach in the Challenge Cup and play Workington. That was one of my goals.
“Sometimes things do get written for you, but I’m sure the Navy will have something to say about that.
“We’ll just take each round as it comes but a chance to play them would be great and great for the lads as well.”
Will there be magic of the cup for Mirfield?
“The magic of the cup is great,” Lunt continued.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to get to the final and unfortunate to win it, but as a kid you fall in love with the sport and cups and it’s something I used to look up to.
“The Challenge Cup has a massive place in my heart, and I want to light that magic for everyone in Mirfield.
“I want all the people of Mirfield to enjoy something I’ve been fortunate enough to take part in.”
And his Mirfield side were back in training pre-Christmas, as they gear up for their historic Challenge Cup match on Saturday.
“We train on a Wednesday evening and a Saturday morning. This is a hobby for them, and we try and make it a really family-like community.
“Rugby League and life is hard enough, so we want to create a strong family vibe. You can come to training if you’ve had a bad day and be around everybody – that’s the culture we want around the club.
“We’ve had a really good response and hopefully we can kick on and raise our profile further.”
Proud of how far the club has come in such a short space of time, Lunt is enjoying every step of the journey:
“I’m absolutely loving it. As I mentioned before, when I retired, I got lost a little bit - I wasn’t necessarily missing the rugby, but you start to miss the people around you.
“I’m not from round here and when I retired, I had nobody except my wife and kids, but this club has given me everything. I feel part of the town and have that zest for rugby again. I love the game and I’m an avid supporter, so for me, coaching and giving back a bit of what I’ve had means a lot to me.
“Rugby has given me everything, so now I want to help people achieve their dreams.”
Otty added:
“For us, we are an all-inclusive club. We want everyone to come and join – it’s not just the men’s team – there’s the women’s too, and we want tots to teens. We’re looking at Masters and Tag in the future too.
“Our ambition is the grow and become a hub of the town for people to come to, so if anyone wants to get in contact – whether this be through sponsorship or to take part in anything on game day – from playing to coaching to media. If there's anyone interested, please get in touch via our socials.”
Mirfield ARLFC
Mirfield will take on Royal Navy in Round One of the Betfred Challenge Cup on Saturday 11 January, K.O. 2pm.
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!
