Leeds Rhinos A to Z – ‘L’ is for Loiners

Loiner is believed to be derived from Loidis, an eighth century term for the area, which later became Ledes or Leedes and eventually Leeds.

An alternative theory suggests in the 19th century there were many yards and closes around Briggate, the back entrances of which were known as ‘low ins’ or ‘loins’, sparking the term Loiner.

Another suggestion is that locals used to refer to streets around the Briggate area as ‘loins’ – a corruption of lanes – and people who gathered there were named Loiners.

The name was heavily backed in a public vote for a new nickname ahead of the 1997 campaign, but the club instead opted to become Rhinos.

The award for man of the match in the Challenge Cup final is named after a New Zealander who featured on the 1907 All Golds tour to England, later played for Wigan and Dewsbury and was manager at Salford before dying in a road accident in 1942.

‘L’ is also for Lance Todd Trophy.

The award, voted for by the rugby league media, was inaugurated in 1946 and the first Leeds player to win it was scrum-half Jeff Stevenson against Barrow 11 years later.

Other Leeds winners are Steve Pitchford (prop, against Widnes in 1977), Leroy Rivett (winger, London, 1999), Gary Connolly (full-back, Bradford Bulls, 2003), Kevin Sinfield (stand-off, Hull FC, 2005), Ryan Hall (winger, Castleford Tigers, 2014) and Tom Briscoe (winger, Hull KR, 2015).

Connolly and Sinfield both featured on the losing side. Wakefield Trinity’s Don Fox in 1968 and George Nicholl, of St Helens, a decade later, both won the trophy despite their team being beaten by Leeds.

‘L’ is also for...Late.

Kick off of Rhinos’ Super League 2009 clash with Crusaders in Newport was delayed after the visitors got stuck on the M4 in traffic heading to a U2 concert at Cardiff. Leeds won 68-0.

In January, 1985, Bridgend, heading the other way for a Challenge Cup tie, were delayed by a blizzard on the M62, got changed on the coach and turned up at what should have been half-time. Leeds won 68-6.