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The acceptance of Telford Raiders Rugby League Club into the prestigious Rugby League Conference was a significant step for the game in the West Midlands. It was also a richly deserved reward for the many years of hard work by a few dedicated enthusiasts who have striven to give the thirteen-man code of rugby a presence in their town. Rugby League has been played in the Telford area for many years with varying degrees of success. The Telford All Blacks played for several years in the Northwest Counties leagues at both senior and youth levels but for a number of reasons they became unable to continue and folded. In the early 1990's Dave and Janet Berry moved to Telford, determined that their young sons should be able to continue playing the game they had grown up with in their old home of Hull. Over a number of years they built up the Randlay Raiders youth team, which in turn inspired the formation of other boys teams, and a Shropshire league was formed. At it's peak the Shropshire league had more than 150 registered youth players, and the Randlay Raiders also travelled throughout the country to play. However, as so frequently happens, players succumbed to the many distractions available to teenagers, and financial and administrative pressures mounted, other teams ceased to operate, leaving the Raiders on their own. However their enthusiasm and commitment remained undiminished, knowing that the newly created Rugby League Conference gave them something to which they could aspire. In the autumn of 2002 the committee of the Raiders club applied to enter an open-age (adult) team in the Conference competition, to play under the name of Telford Raiders. Richard Lewis, Executive Chairman of the Rugby Football League, confirmed their acceptance at a ceremony in Portcullis House Westminster, in January 2003. 
The first Telford Raiders team who played Birmingham Bulldogs at Oakengates Leisure Centre May 3rd. 2003. Back row: Dave Berry(Head Coach), Jack Baker(Ball boy), Alistair Hendry, Chris Tinsley, Matt Smith, Pete Jones, John Broadhead, Ed Proffitt, Dave Broadhead, Adrian Payne, Tom Broadhead(Ball boy), Fred Baker (Kit man). Front row: Ben Taylor, Dan Pugh(Captain), Paul Lambert, Chris Dixon, James Pirie, Phil Berry, Jim Berry, Lee Drummond, Chris Watson,Steve Berry(Video cameraman). In 2003 the young Raiders team had a tough, but enjoyable, first season in which they always gave 100%. They impressed many with their entertaining style of Rugby League, and were always great ambassadors for the Borough of Telford and Wrekin. Everyone at the club was very proud of Phil Berry's nomination as RLC Young Player of the Year. His exciting attacking play, and never-say-die defence made him a worthy nominee. The Club also won many new friends as a result of its off-field operations, and the committee fully deserved the RLC prize for 'Best Administration' in the Rugby League Conference. In the autumn of 2003 the club won the BBC Radio Shropshire 'Breakthrough' award for its work in promoting and developing Rugby League in the county. The committee continue to work on several new initiatives to build for the future in a planned and structured manner. 
Dave Berry and Fred Baker receive the BBC Radio Shropshire 'Breakthrough' Award 2003 from the BBC's James Bond. The 2004 season saw the club placed in the RLC South-West division and they faced Bristol Sonics, Gloucestershire Warriors, Oxford Cavaliers, Worcester Saints and Somerset Vikings. A slow start was soon turned around with a memorable run in the end of season play-offs. Competing in the plate competition the Raiders progressed to the National Quarter Finals, beating Oxford, South London Storm A before losing in their first game in Wales against Cardiff Demons. The season ended with the Raiders having their first International player as Daz White was capped for England Lionhearts. Telford Raiders faced a new challenge in 2005, having been selected as members of Rugby Leagues newest National competition. An additional tier in grass roots Rugby League. | | ? |
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