1909 Auckland Rugby League season
The 1909 Auckland Rugby League season was the league's first ever official season. It celebrated its centenary in 2009. Four representative matches had been played in 1908 as players in Auckland attempted to showcase the new code to both Auckland residents and those elsewhere.
Curtain raiser between the North Shore Albions and City Rovers.
The North Shore Albions were a rugby league club based on the North Shore of Auckland in Devonport before moving to Bayswater at a later time. They formed in 1909 and folded in the early 2000s due to a lack of playing numbers. At the start of the 1920 season they were renamed Devonport United when they amalgamated with the Sunnyside club. It was proposed at the merger that they be known as North Shore Albions but Sunnyside objected and the name of Devonport United was chosen. In 1937, 17 years later at their annual general meeting they decided to revert to the name "North Shore Albions" as they had been commonly referred to as "shore" for many years. Chairman H. Mann made the proposal and it was adopted by the club. Aside from Northcote and Birkenhead Ramblers they were the only club on the North Shore at that time. They closed their doors in 2005. The only remaining club connected to them are the Northern Brothers who are based at Ngataringa Bay Sports Field. Their senior team is an amalgamation of East Coast Bays Barracudas and Glenfield Greyhounds but are based more in the North Shore Albions traditional area which includes the navy ground which has provided many players and teams over the years. The predominant colours are black and green which have been common colours of all the North Shore clubs over the decades.
The 1929 team which finished runner up to Ponsonby. Captain, Alf Scott is seated in the centre. To his left is Kiwi Allan Seagar, standing behind him slightly to the right is his cousin, Kiwi, Len Scott.
Devonport United (North Shore) championship winning team in 1933 at Carlaw Park. This photo was taken before their 17-12 win over City Rovers which sealed the title.
Jim Rutherford of St George chasing the ball with Bert Leatherbarrow and John Donald of Devonport following behind.
Grave of Stanley Webb in the Birkenhead/Glenfield Cemetery