Ahead of their historic Challenge Cup debut, Telford Raiders are aiming to prove rugby league can succeed outside the heartlands.
When you think of rugby league outside of its northern England heartlands, what clubs do you think of?
BBC Sport spoke to club chairman Fred Baker about the club's 20-year journey from inception to being two games away from bringing Super League opposition to Shropshire.Although Telford might not spring to mind for most rugby league fans as having a premier rugby league club in its confines, the Raiders have a fair pedigree among the sport's amateur sides.
"I joined the Raiders because I wanted my son to play," Baker, who coincidentally also moved to Telford from Hull, said. Ricky Bailey is one such example, having come through Telford's system to eventually play two Super League games for St Helens, while he also had a spell on loan with Leigh. "I think at times you just recruit a good group of players who stick together for some years, and then they start to retire or move away, and you then find yourself perhaps not so strong."When you are successful, people notice and want to come and see what it's all about and want to join.
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