A general history of amateur Rugby League from its origins in 1874 to the present day. Written by historian and author Andrew Hardcastle, the three-part history follows the timeline of the development of the local league in Halifax and District including the stories of many long-forgotten teams.
History Part One – 1873-1918
Long before the start of the game we now know as Rugby League in 1895, there were amateur teams in the Halifax area playing rugby. The first was Halifax Football and Athletic Club, now Halifax Panthers, formed in 1873.
History Part Two – 1919-1945
It took some time for the junior game to resume after the War. The professionals had restarted in January 1919, but for local clubs it took much longer to reorganise, muster players and find grounds.
History Part Three – 1946-2025
The local league had struggled at open-age level for many years, so immediately looked to expand beyond their own boundaries when it came to organising rugby for the post-war 1945-6 season.