Premiership winners Hull Kingston Rovers Top point-scorer(s) Steve Hesford 310 Start date 1980 | Man of Steel Ken Kelly Top try-scorer(s) Terry Richardson 28 Number of teams 16 | |
Promoted from Second Division York
Wigan
Fulham
Whitehaven Relegated to Second Division Halifax
Salford
Workington Town
Oldham Champions Bradford Bulls, York Wasps People also search for 1979–80 Northern Rugby Football League season | ||
The 1980–81 Rugby Football League season was the 86th season of professional rugby league football in Britain. Sixteen teams competed from August 1980 until May 1981 for the Slalom Lager Championship.
Contents
Season summary
For the only time in their history, Wigan competed outside the top flight of Rugby League in this season. Fulham RLFC joined the competition in Division Two, later becoming the London Crusaders, London Broncos (twice), and Harlequins Rugby League.
Bradford Northern finished on top of the First Division table to claim their second championship, and Hull Kingston Rovers won the Rugby League Premiership competition.
Warrington beat Wigan 26–10 to win the Lancashire Cup, and Leeds beat Hull Kingston Rovers 8–7 to win the Yorkshire Cup.
Challenge Cup
The 1980-81 State Express Challenge Cup was won by Widnes after defeating Hull Kingston Rovers 18-9 in the final.
The Final was played at Wembley before a crowd of 92,496.