Runcorn was a hotbed of rugby the town’s club a proud founder member of the Northern Union after the 1895 split. That great tradition was ended by WW1. With a detailed biographical & records section to complement the narrative, this is one of the most comprehensive histories ever written & contains around 300 photographs, many rare.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Summary
Runcorn was a hotbed of rugby the town’s club a proud founder member of the Northern Union after the 1895 split. That great tradition was ended by WW1. With a detailed biographical & records section to complement the narrative, this is one of the most comprehensive histories ever written & contains around 300 photographs, many rare.
Description
Runcorn was a hotbed of rugby in the late Victorian era, the town’s club a proud founder member in 1895 of the Northern Union – the breakaway game that became known as Rugby League.Yet that great rugby tradition was ended by the First World War, with devastating effects for many Runcornians, including members of the rugby club, who served and lost their lives.Runcorn nurtured ten international rugby players in total, all but one born within a few hundred yards of the Irwell Lane ground.Respected sports writer and historian Michael Latham recreates those far-off days when the oval ball dominated and the town’s heroes included Harry Speakman, a member of the first rugby tourists to Australia, Sam Houghton, Jimmy Butterworth, Jimmy Jolley and Dick Padbury, among just a few in a gallery of colourful characters, the rugby league superstars of their day.With a detailed biographical and records section to complement the deeply researched narrative, this is one of the most comprehensive histories ever written about the Northern Union and contains around three hundred photographs.Harry Price was once a promising Runcorn player, snapped up by Wigan in 1906, where he became a highly regarded and popular player and captain. The report announcing his signing in the Wigan newspaper had a simple, approving testimonial: “Price was born in Runcorn, the home of footballers.” Hence the book’s title.
Product Details
Returns
This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.
