Mount Albert Lions


The Mount Albert Lions are a rugby league club based in Mount Albert, New Zealand. The Lions home ground is at Fowlds Park. Their patron is the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark. In 2008 and 2009 [Auckland Rugby League season|2009] the Lions won the Fox Memorial.
As of 2025 the team is coached by Trent Wallace.

History

The club was founded in 1928, after a meeting was held in April of that year. They fielded teams in the 3rd and 4th grades. In the early 1930s the club moved to its current location at Fowlds Park in Morningside. In their initial seasons they had trained on Springleigh Avenue at what is now Phyllis Street Reserve. Up until 1934 Auckland [Rugby League season|1934] the club had played in mauve colours but in April of that year they applied to the junior management committee to change their club colours to blue and gold. They gained senior status from the Auckland Rugby League in 1935.
The club has won the Fox Memorial trophy fifteen times; in 1939, 1947, 1950, 1951, 1968, 1969, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009. In 1984 the Lions won the National Club Competition and in 2002, 2004 and 2005 they won the Bartercard Cup.

2000's

In 2006 they defended the Roope Rooster Challenge trophy in all eleven of their games and went on to win the Fox Memorial. In early 2007 they lost the trophy to the Te Atatu Roosters. In 2025 they won the Roope Rooster from Ponsonby Ponies at Victoria Park before losing it weeks later to Otahuhu Leopards.

Notable players

Kiwis

Australians

Other NZ representatives

Players who represented New Zealand before or after playing for Mt Albert.

Auckland Representatives (1935-1945)

  • Des Herring
  • Robert Morrissey
  • Clarrie Petersen
  • Joseph Gunning
  • Bert Leatherbarrow
  • William McCallum
  • Clarry McNeil
  • Richard Shadbolt
  • Walter Cameron
  • Bruce Donaldson
  • Bill Walker
  • Jack Tristram
  • Les Clement
  • Ivan Sumich
  • Bob Borich
  • Alan Wiles
  • Selwyn Thomassen

Bartercard Cup

Between 2000 and 2005 the Lions competed in the national Bartercard Cup competition. Under the guidance of Brian McClennan they were the most successful club in the competition's history, being champions three times and twice winning the minor premiership. However the club had a slow start to the competition, not making the playoffs in the first two years. Their place in the Bartercard Cup was taken over by the Auckland Lions, an entity which represented Mount Albert as well as other neighbouring clubs. In 2007 the Auckland Lions also competed in the NSWRL Premier League but they were replaced in 2008 by the Auckland Vulcans.
SeasonPldWDLPFPAPDPtsPosition Finals
2000221219593584925Sixth N/A
2001218013414630-21618*Tenth N/A
200216150162027035030Minor Premiers Champions
200316130353032820226Second Defeated in Preliminary Final
200416120452237814424Third Champions
200516120457032624424Minor Premiers Champions

*Two points for a Bye as the Ngongotaha Chiefs withdrew from the competition

Mount Albert Senior Team Records (1928-1944) & (2022-25)

The season record for the most senior men’s team in the club.
SeasonGradeNamePlayWDLPFPAPDPtsFinishing position & notes
19283rd GradeMount Albert United15111314831117232nd of 14
19292nd GradeMount Albert United12100214137+104202nd of 7
1930B GradeMount Albert United1141682101-1923rd of 7
19312nd GradeMount Albert United15110412826102222nd of 8
19322nd GradeMount Albert United16815965244174th of 9, lost Ko final 15-18 to Māngere United
19332nd GradeMount Albert United1241756105-4995th of 7
19342nd GradeMount Albert United146178196-15133rd of 6, lost semi final of KO competition 5-13 to Papakura
19351st Grade Mount Albert United1383218414836192nd of 7
19361st Grade Mount Albert United137151551496154th of 8
19371st Grade Mount Albert United14100421912495202nd of 8
19381st Grade Mount Albert United16110527720572222nd of 9
19391st Grade Mount Albert United161312284165119271st of 9
19401st Grade Mount Albert United16100628520679203rd of 9
19411st Grade Mount Albert United155010187238-51108th of 9
19421st Grade Newton-Mount Albert15609160208-48124th of 6
19431st Grade Mount Albert United1690720916247185th of 9
19441st Grade Mount Albert United19114419015832262nd of 10 Mt Albert Lions8503274170104103rd of 9 in section 1
Playoffs11015862-4W v Otara 36-18 in PF, L v Pt Chevalier 40-22 in QF
2023Fox QualifiersMt Albert Lions31023690-5423rd of 4 Pool B
Fox Memorial11416219260-4197th of 12
2024Fox QualifiersMt Albert Lions33009620+7661st of 4 Pool B
Fox Memorial11515302280+22116th of 12
Playoffs10011022-1211L v Te Atatu 10-22 in SF
2025Fox MemorialMt Albert Lions12903320171+149182nd of 10
Playoffs21012624+22W v Manukau 22-16 in SF, L v Otahuhu 4-8 in Final
1928-44 + 2022-2025TOTAL4282272117866926184+808465

All time top point scorers (1935-1945)

The point scoring lists are compiled from all matches played in matches for the first grade side irrespective of whether they were organised Auckland Rugby League competition games, games against touring sides, or friendly matches outside of Auckland. The matches and point scorers includes the combined Newton-Mount Albert side of 1942.