The ground was famously (or infamously) known for miles around as “Back o’t Wall”. Sharlston were founded around 1881, where results have been found, although no exact formation date can be found. They first started winning trophies back in 1895 when they were crowned Wakefield and District Champions.

Gareth Davies in try scoring action in the 2005 Yorkshire Cup Final

The famous Fox brothers, Peter, Don and Neil all hail from the village of Sharlston and learned their tricks at the ‘Back o’t Wall’. Herbert Goodfellow, one of the best scrum halves of his time also learned his football here. The village also boasts producing three Lance Todd trophy winners in Neil Fox (Wakefield v Huddersfield 1962), Carl Dooler (Featherstone v Barrow 1967) and Don Fox (Wakefield v Leeds 1968).
 
Sharlston have been a force within the amateur circles for many years and have especially turned head since the turn of the millennium. The 2001-02 season saw the appointment of Gordy Long and Dean Blankley who took Rovers to the Semi final of the Yorkshire cup missing out to Calderdale force Elland 17-6 at Headingley. The following season brought a new coaching partnership with Long being joined by Martyn Wood who was part of the 1998 Wigan beating challenge cup side of Sheffield Eagles.

The team continued to do well in the Yorkshire Premier league and Wakefield cup competitions but the best was yet to come when in 2003 season Sharlston hit the headlines with their emphatic 30-28 challenge cup victory over Professional opposition Dewsbury Rams in the third round. The season continued in fine style getting to the semi final of the Yorkshire cup before adding the Yorkshire Premier Division, Yorkshire Senior cup and Wakefield City Plasterers Trophy to their list of honours.
 
Another successful season this time Jon Agar and Gordy Long at the helm gave Rovers another bulging trophy cabinet winning the Premier league once again and scooping all Wakefield District Cups. The team were rewarded for the their efforts of the season gaining passage to the Champion of Champions final at Blackpool where they were narrowly defeated by NWC champions Halton Simms Cross 12-13. The Long and Agar partnership continued into the 2005 season where the team had transferred to the Pennine League seeking more competition than available in the Yorkshire league. Christmas brought the Yorkshire Cup to Sharlston having beaten fellow Pennine team Queensbury 21-18 at Dewsbury Rams Stadium. In the same season Sharlston lifted the Pennine Presidents cup but fell at the final hurdle when competing for the league championship when Drighlington nipped the accolade with a winner takes all game at Drighlington. The following season ended the same but this time Rovers had the home advantage but lost out 10-12.
 
This season Sharlston are coached by Andy Fisher who has had professional experience at Dewsbury Rams and coached National Conference League side Eastmoor Dragons into the Premier league. Andy has assembled a strong team who remain unbeaten in their Pennine league campaign with their only loss to the hands of Queens in the Yorkshire Cup final.
 
In 2002/03 the club was boosted by the birth of an A team who have, since conception have been coached by John Brewerton. The ‘A’ team competed for their first 4 season in Yorkshire League Division 3 where they gained promotional in their final season although in 2006-07 season the ‘A’ team decided to join the first team in the Pennine league and reached the semi final of the Andy Bennet Memorial Trophy and the final of the Buildbase final in their most successful season.
 
ROVERS PLAYER PROFILES

Lee Maskill – sponsored by Tommy Mullaney
Joined 4 seasons ago from Normanton Knights, an expert ball handler and defender with deceptive turn of pace and strength. Toured South Africa in the summer for BARLA Great Britain just back from France after beating Morocco.
 
Stephen Harber – sponsored by Spring Green Nurseries
New to the side this season, has played conference football at Eastmoor for last 4 years. A safe pair of hands under the high ball and takes the ball in at some pace.
 
James Byrom – sponsored by Addecco Recruitment
Jimmy is enjoying his rugby in this his second season with the first team after stepping up from the A team. Superb defence when under pressure and always on hand to take the ball forwards.
 
Johnny Czopczyc – sponsored by Kenmar Camping & Leisure
Johny joins the club from Junior outfit Walton Warriors at only age 18 he is improving with each game and has proved he knows how to finish.
 
Gareth Davis – sponsored by Dave Brown Construction
Undoubtedly one of the best centres in the amateur game, blessed with blistering pace and the ability to shrug off defenders. Former Bradford Bulls Academy player and Yorkshire squad member, Gareth is a prolific scorer heading the try tally with 20 tries this season, only 7 tries off his last seasons total.
 
Jonathan  Waddle –  sponsored by Ken Luvve & Anne
Jonathan joins the team from Eastmoor having played at Dewsbury in 2003. This 6ft+ center takes some stopping and has proved it so far with 8 tries.
 
Matthew Bell – sponsored by Billy Mitchell Construction
Aussie tourist who last year was still finding his feet after a spell out of the game, has played some of his best rugby this season, always on hand to back up any attack.
Lee Bettison –sponsored by Peter Fish Decorator
Former BARLA tourist, Lee played professionally for Sheffield Eagles, before joining the club four years ago. Has a high work rate from dummy half and is a solid defender, misses today’s game and a large majority of the season with a broken sternum.
 
Carl Saville – sponsored by ARL Property Solutions
Sav has fitted well into the Rovers team having missed the beginning of the season whilst completing military training. Quick to act from dummy half and a strong no nonsense defence.
 
Craig Duda - sponsored by Tony Bailey
Dudes has come back from a knee injury last season and is comfortable at half position or in the pack . Craig puts a lot back into the game, coaching his home club Knottingley Rockware juniors.
 
Andy Booth - sponsored by P.S Groundworks
Experienced front rower, who is playing some great rugby this season. A strong, hard working player ‘Booey’ produces his best performances in the big games. One of the longest serving members of the team after joining nine years ago from Crofton.
 
Andy Fisher – sponsored by Total Quality Garage Doors
Andy this year has taken the reigns from Gordy Long and Jon Agar and has already so far gained some great results. When playing will take several players to slow him down and almost impossible to take to ground.
 
Kevin Dickens – sponsored by Ravensport
After a 5 year stint out the game Kev can merge the strength of a prop forward with the hands of a stand off. Toured South Africa last summer for BARLA Great Britain just back from France after beating Morocco.
 
James Lockwood – sponsored by Dave Brown Construction
Locky showed his potential last season earning the players player of the year and is improving in every game and is now one of the mainstays of the side. Exceptional work rate and is deceptively strong.
 
Steven Hall – sponsored by Billy Wood
Hally joins the team from Eastmoor and has really fit into the club well, smart rugby brain and always on hand to take the team forward.
 
Keith Brook – sponsored by A.K Building & Plastering Services
Brooky is back from injury this season having suffered a leg break which could have been the end of his RL career, but his determination to play for Rovers again see’s Brooky in full fitness and playing some excellent Rugby. Big motivator for the team, keeps all the lads on their toes.
 
Chris Bingham – sponsored by Owlett Hall Landscapes
Bing joins us from local neighbours Crofton where he was captain for 2 years. Excellent defence and great go forward. Missed the start of the season with a fractured cheek bone and eerily sustained the same injury in training only weeks after recovery.
 
Dale Potter - sponsored by John Lingard Properties
Highly versatile player who can play just about anywhere on the park. Dale has been a permanent fixture in the team since joining five years ago from Ackworth. Coming back from injury last season Potter has played some superb Rugby especially in the big games.
 
Craig Miles – sponsored by Total Quality Garage Doors
Milesy joins the team from Eastmoor, takes some stopping and has some great footwork gaining him 9 tries so far. Craig’s defence is immense and puts some massive hits on the opposition usually tops the tackle count.