Big year ahead for new National Conference League side Mirfield Spartans
YML Premier Division champions Mirfield Spartans are looking ahead to an exciting 2026.
The club – formed by a merger between Mirfield ARLFC and Spartans ARLFC – are starting life in the National Conference this year after moving up from the Yorkshire Men’s League.
They will play in the newly-formed NCL Yorkshire A division, where they will face neighbours Thornhill Trojans as well as Beverley, Bradford Dudley Hill, Drighlington, Keighley Albion, King Cross Park, Moldgreen, Myton Warriors and Stanley Rangers.
Their opening game will see them face a trip to play local rivals Moldgreen on March 7 with a first home game against Myton Warriors the week after.
They will face the short trip to Thornhill on Saturday, March 21.
Before then comes the start of the Challenge Cup with the Spartans earning a second consecutive entry into the prestigious competition in 2026.
They face a trip to Woodhouse Warriors this Saturday in a first round tie, with the winners set to host Championship side Goole Vikings in round two.
For their momentous season the club has a range of match sponsorship packages available. Message the Mirfield Facebook page or contact head of men's rugby Craig Morgan on 07808 187603 to be involved.
Kian Morgan and Jordan Paga will coach the first team while the A Team will be led by Matty Dearnley and Tom Coates.
Spartans, meanwhile, are recruiting for 2026 when they will have a team in the YML as well as the NCL and Challenge Cup and are offering opportunities to all players and volunteers. Anyone interested can contact Craig Morgan.
Mirfield and Spartans announced their historic partnership last year when they merged to form one club, based in Mirfield, from the start of the forthcoming season.
As part of the agreement, Mirfield’s open age players and coaches moved to Spartans for the 2025 campaign, before returning to the town permanently as one combined team from 2026.
Mirfield ARLFC dates back several decades, with the current guise established in 2022, following from the original Mirfield ARLFC, and later Mirfield Stags. Spartans ARLFC were founded as Almondbury Spartans in 2018 before moving to Lepton in 2022.