Family affair as Lions show their teeth for ‘massive’ win
SWINTON boss Stuart Littler revealed he encouraged his players to put in a performance for their families during the crunch survival shoot-out against Oldham on Sunday.
“We spoke all week about it being a massive game for the club after all the lads have been through this year,” said the ex-Salford and Leigh centre.
“We spoke about family, what your family mean to you and who you lean on when times get dark.
“Bringing them to the game – and putting that performance together for your family and your other family, which is ourselves as a group.”
The 29-6 win over Roughyeds means the Lions are essentially safe from relegation as their points difference is almost 200 greater than Scott Naylor’s team.
It is a remarkable achievement for a club threatened with extinction just over a month ago.
“This group has had everything thrown at them this year,” added Littler.
“We’ve lost a chairman, we’ve lost a coach, we’ve had no money, we’ve nearly been bust, but we had 80 minutes and we had to fight.
“We gave ourselves an opportunity to end the season and stay up, which was the goal when I first came into the job.
“We needed to see desire and hunger in their actions and what it meant to actually play for the badge of Swinton.”
Littler confirmed progress has already been made in putting together his squad for next season.
“We’re planning for success on the pitch but the main thing is becoming sustainable as a club.”