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Bramley Buffaloes
Bramley Buffaloes were founded in 1879, and in 1881 they moved to their first major ground at Barley Mow. In 1896 they were allowed entrance into the Northern Union. In 1907 Bramley Buffaloes were the first ever side that entertaind a touring team when they played in New Zealand. In 1942-1943 Bramley Buffaloes were forced to drop out of the wartime Yorkshire League and they did not choose to return to rugby league fully until the 1945-1946 season. More land was purchased adjacent to their existing ground at Barley Mow and a new ground was developed, and in the 60's they moved to this new location which was dubbed McClaren Field. Bramley Buffaloes went on to beat Wakefield Trinity, Castleford and St Helens and then went on to reach the 1973 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy. Bramley Buffaloes took their first trophy 15-7 from Widnes in 1973. In 1974 they beat Doncaster 52-17 in a home game in the Yorkshire Cup first round tie, this broke the club record that had stood since 1946.
Financial difficulties throughout the 80's almost forced Bramley Buffaloes into liquidation, fortunately the team were able to pull through and continue to play. McClaren Field was deteriorating by this time but Bramley Buffaloes managed to continue to play there until the end of the 1994-1995 season. They played at Clarence Field before moving to Headingley in 1997. All of this moving around had a negative impact on crowd numbers and the team became more and more overshadowed by local rivals Leeds. By the end of the 1999 season Bramley resigned from the Northern Ford Premiership to play as a feeder team for Leeds, but this deal never materialised. The Buffaloes realised the mistake they had made and attempted to re-apply to the Northern Ford Premiership but they were rejected in 2000. Bramley Buffaloes were reformed as a supporter-owned club and played in National League Three and also the Rugby League Conference. They ended up as runners up in the competition in 2005 and went on to take the title in 2006 beating Hemel Stags 30-8.
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