The Renegades were formed in February 1964, the original lineup being Geoff Howard on vocals and bass, Donald Pattinson on lead guitar (formerly with Marshall Scott & The Deputies), Alan Thompson on rhythm guitar and Harry Gilmore on drums. Joe Semple was added shortly afterwards on vocals.

In June 1964 the Renegades won the "Golden Gate" competition in Curwen Park, Workington, beating ten other bands from Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness. The competition was judged by television producer Brian Izzard, compere and interviewer David Reynolds and a representative of EMI records. The stage consisted of two lorries parked back to back. The prize was a fifty guinea voucher and a trophy which was presented to Joe Semple by "Miss Personality" Judith Dean. The runners up were Formula One and in third place were Rue & The Rockets.

Second place went to the Electrons who played Manfred Mann's "Come Tomorrow", the Beatles "Mister Moonlight" and the Rolling Stones' "if You Need Me".

In third place were the Dukes who played "The Nitty Gritty", "It Must Be Love", the Hollies' "Yes I Will" and Chuck Berry's "Too Much Monkey Business".

Other bands appearing were The Konchords from Wigton who played "I'll Cry Instead","Getting Over To You" and "A Little Too Much", the Invaders from Whitehaven who played "Rock & Roll Music", "Cops & Robbers" and "Tell Me", the Meteors from Maryport, Ray & The Teen Beats from Westmorland , The Phlok from Workington, Cherry & The Cherry Stones from Westmorland and Maureen and Her Thunderbeats from Scotland who performed the contrasting "My Boy Lollipop" and "24 Hours From Tulsa", Just Us from Workington and the J's from Appleby.