In Stanley rugby league has been played since 1919, when the original name of the club was Stanley Nibs. The headquarters were at the Wagons and Horses pub and then the club moved to the Miners' Arms at Lee Moor in 1964. When the Miners' Arms was closed by the brewery, the rugby club was offered similar facilities at the Ship Inn across the road from the Miners' Arms.

The club then formed a junior section, run by Ian Harris and David Sampson, with Alan Gibb joining a few years later. The junior section has become one of the most respected setups in amateur rugby league circles, providing the professional game with an abundance of players,some who have gone on to also represent their county and especially their country at international level (see the Roll of Honour page).

Stanley Rangers at Yorkshire Cup Final, Belle Vue 1970-71 Back Row: Les Starkey, Stuart Ansell, Colin Hargrave, Pete Darling, Pete Brook, Steve Way, Malcolm Grainger Front Row: Ray Kilburn, Dave Bentley, Colin Brook, Dave Way, Nick Bedford, John Tate, Ray Stanley

In the late 1980's, there was a split within the club which brought about the forming of the Stanley Rangers Old Boys open age team. What was left of the club went on to form a partnership with the local cricket club, Stanley Falcons, who between them went on to develop the facilities that are now in evidence on Lee Moor Road as Stanley Sports and Social Club.

In the 1997-98 season, negotiations started and Stanley Rangers and the Old Boys rejoined under the Head Coach, Dean Sampson. This made for one of the most successful seasons ever at Stanley, with a trophy haul of 15 cups and League titles between all the reformed club sides.

The progression is now coming to fruition with Stanley Rangers Open Age now having been accepted into the National Conference League, Division Two in 2007. With such a large selection of youth development to follow through to the open age group the future looks very rosy for the club.

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