Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 11hIn the Yorkshire Post on 4th October 1939 Jim Brough, Leeds rugby league International, was named in the Roundhay RUFC XV for the game against an Army XV. On 5th October it was announced that Brough wouldn't be allowed to play in the game. A decision that surprised many rugby people in Yorkshire. 300
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 18/09/2026The story of how the club was formed is told in 'The Other Rugby' For more information check out: dropkickbooks.com 001
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 18/09/2026On the 18th September 1977 Rotherham Rangers Amateur Rugby League Club played its first league game. 100
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 13/09/2026On 12th September 1939 the Rugby Football Union announced that all rugby union fixtures were cancelled for the duration of the War and then this happened. 011
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 29/08/2026The Northern Union (Rugby League) was formed on 29th August 1895 at a meeting held at the George Hotel in Huddersfield. One of the clubs at the meeting was Liversedge, the strongest of the three clubs in the Spen Valley. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comRugby in Spen ValleyThe version of football that we know today as rugby first became established in the Spen Valley in the early 1870s when the Heckmondwike club was formed. Cleckheaton Football Club followed in 1875, wi... 011
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 29/08/2026The Northern Union (Rugby League) was formed on 29th August 1895 at a meeting held at the George Hotel in Huddersfield. One of the clubs at the meeting was Liversedge, the strongest of the three clubs in the Spen Valley. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comRugby in Spen ValleyThe version of football that we know today as rugby first became established in the Spen Valley in the early 1870s when the Heckmondwike club was formed. Cleckheaton Football Club followed in 1875, wi... 011
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 10/08/2026Who were the James brothers? www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comThe James BrothersThe trials and tribulations of two talented rugby players. 000
Reposted by Stuart SheardHistory and Heritage Yorkshire @handhyorkshire.bsky.social · 28/07/2026"The real problem was abandonment. When the pits closed and the mills shut down, they weren’t replaced with secure, well-paying jobs. Over the decades, these towns didn’t just lose employment, they lost their banks, their community centres, their local shops and their sense of pride." 15916
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 14/07/2026In 1906 the Northern Union reduced the number of players on each side from 15 to 13. In 1907 Warrington won the first 13 a side Challenge Cup final. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.com1907 Challenge Cup - The first 13 a side cup competitionThe clubs that took part in the 1906/07 Challenge Cup fielded teams with thirteen rather than fifteen players. 000
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 29/05/2026Before 1987 a rugby union club was able to manage its own fixtures. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comBefore LeaguesWas club rugby union better when a club was able to manage its own fixtures? 000
Reposted by Stuart SheardHistory and Heritage Yorkshire @handhyorkshire.bsky.social · 18/05/2026Manor. Around 1400, the Percy family exchanged their Wharram holdings with the Hylton family. It was the subsequent landlords who later initiated the sheep-farming evictions that played an important part in the village's demise. 0302
Reposted by Stuart SheardHistory and Heritage Yorkshire @handhyorkshire.bsky.social · 18/05/2026establishing new peasant houses (tofts and crofts) that allowed the village to reach its peak population of roughly 200 residents. They actively managed the manorial focus of the village. demolishing the South Manor and shifting the community's administrative centre to the newly constructed North 1322
Reposted by Stuart SheardHistory and Heritage Yorkshire @handhyorkshire.bsky.social · 18/05/2026🧵 For years the prominent Percy family were the primary medieval landlords of Wharram Percy, and their influence shaped its development, expansion, and subsequent division. Under their control in the 12th and 13th centuries, the village expanded and the layout was changed. They 26610
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 05/05/2026Rossington Hornets - a rugby union club in a rugby league stronghold. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comRossington Hornets rugby union clubThe story of Rossington Hornets rugby union club 011
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 05/05/2026Rossington Hornets - a rugby union club in a rugby league stronghold. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comRossington Hornets rugby union clubThe story of Rossington Hornets rugby union club 011
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 21/04/2026On the 20th April 1940 the final of the Yorkshire Rugby Football Union's Wartime Cup was played at Odsal Stadium, Bradford. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comThe Yorkshire Wartime CupOn the 20th of April 1940 a rugby union cup final was played at a rugby league club's ground. 001
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 21/04/2026On the 20th April 1940 the final of the Yorkshire Rugby Football Union's Wartime Cup was played at Odsal Stadium, Bradford. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comThe Yorkshire Wartime CupOn the 20th of April 1940 a rugby union cup final was played at a rugby league club's ground. 001
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 05/04/2026On the 5th April 1977 the first ever Rotherham amateur rugby league club was formed. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comRugby league arrives in RotherhamHow the first ever Rotherham rugby league club came into existence. 011
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 05/04/2026On the 5th April 1977 the first ever Rotherham amateur rugby league club was formed. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comRugby league arrives in RotherhamHow the first ever Rotherham rugby league club came into existence. 011
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 30/03/2026On the 30th March 1983 International rugby league was played at Scarborough. Some interesting names in the British team. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comScarborough InternationalOver recent years International rugby league has been played in a number of towns and cities that wouldn't be considered to be in the 'heartlands' of the game. 010
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 25/03/2026There are now fifty blog posts - Rugby League - Rugby Union - History and Heritage on: www.dropkickbooks.comdropkickbooks.comDrop Kick Books – Preserving Rugby’s Past: History, Clubs & StoriesDiscover the rich history of rugby. We publish books and blog stories shining a light on clubs, personalities & events from both rugby union and rugby league. 000
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 24/03/2026The Australian Aboriginal Rugby League tour 1996 www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comThe Australian Aboriginal Tour 1996In 1996 the first Aboriginal rugby league tour of England took place. 001
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 24/03/2026The Australian Aboriginal Rugby League tour 1996 www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comThe Australian Aboriginal Tour 1996In 1996 the first Aboriginal rugby league tour of England took place. 001
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 13/03/2026Only people of a certain age will remember this rugby league publication! www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comRugby League MagazineIn the days before the Internet, websites and social media, rugby league fans had to rely on newspapers and magazines for rugby league stories, match reports and gossip about the game. 011
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 13/03/2026Only people of a certain age will remember this rugby league publication! www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comRugby League MagazineIn the days before the Internet, websites and social media, rugby league fans had to rely on newspapers and magazines for rugby league stories, match reports and gossip about the game. 011
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 26/02/2026Rugby in Tadcaster. A small town that between 1880 and 1969 had seven rugby clubs. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comRugby in TadcasterThe story of Tadcaster's rugby clubs. 000
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 11/02/2026On this day in 1933 Askern Welfare played Wigan in the Rugby League Challenge Cup. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comAskern Welfare v WiganThe day that Askern Welfare played Wigan in the Rugby League Challenge Cup 001
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 11/02/2026On this day in 1933 Askern Welfare played Wigan in the Rugby League Challenge Cup. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comAskern Welfare v WiganThe day that Askern Welfare played Wigan in the Rugby League Challenge Cup 001
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 29/01/2026On 29th January 1908 the All Golds played York at Clarence Street. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comThe All Golds in YorkThe 1907/08 New Zealand tour of Australia and Great Britain arrived in York on the 29th January 1908. 031
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 29/01/2026On 29th January 1908 the All Golds played York at Clarence Street. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comThe All Golds in YorkThe 1907/08 New Zealand tour of Australia and Great Britain arrived in York on the 29th January 1908. 031
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 26/01/2026Unfortunately, there were no 'giant killing' acts in the 2nd round of the 2026 Rugby League Challenge Cup. That wasn't always the case. Follow the link to read about a century of 'giant killers' www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comA century of giant killersThe Rugby League Challenge Cup started life as the Northern Union Challenge Cup in 1897. The competition was re-named the Rugby League Challenge Cup in 1922 when the Northern Union became Rugby Footba... 031
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 16/01/2026The story of Yorkshire rugby union in World War Two. www.dropkickbooks.com/books/post.p...dropkickbooks.comLet Them Play By All MeansLet Them Play By All Means is the story of Yorkshire rugby union during World War Two, one of the most difficult times in the lives of many people in Britain, and a largely unrecorded period in the hi... 021
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 16/01/2026On 17th January 1984 New Zealand Universities RL team played England Universities. In the England team was a player who played a part in helping England win the 2003 RU World Cup. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comNew Zealand Universities 1984 TourThe New Zealand Universities team was the first student representative side to tour the UK. 121
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 16/01/2026The story of Yorkshire rugby union in World War Two. www.dropkickbooks.com/books/post.p...dropkickbooks.comLet Them Play By All MeansLet Them Play By All Means is the story of Yorkshire rugby union during World War Two, one of the most difficult times in the lives of many people in Britain, and a largely unrecorded period in the hi... 021
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 16/01/2026On 17th January 1984 New Zealand Universities RL team played England Universities. In the England team was a player who played a part in helping England win the 2003 RU World Cup. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comNew Zealand Universities 1984 TourThe New Zealand Universities team was the first student representative side to tour the UK. 121
Reposted by Stuart SheardCuriosity @curiosityhull.bsky.social · 15/01/2026Why Does Hull Have Two Rugby Teams But Only One Football Team? Sports writer Tony Collins gets to the bottom of a mystery that keeps sports fans awake at night. Supplementals: tinyurl.com/58tjt8ym @hulllibraries.bsky.social @collinstony.bsky.social @hullfcofficial.bsky.social @hullkr.bsky.social 032
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 12/01/2026Rugby was first played in Barnsley 152 years ago. To read about what happened next follow the link: www.dropkickbooks.com/books/post.p...dropkickbooks.comRugby in BarnsleyThis book tells the story of rugby in Barnsley over the past one hundred and fifty years. 011
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 12/01/2026Rugby was first played in Barnsley 152 years ago. To read about what happened next follow the link: www.dropkickbooks.com/books/post.p...dropkickbooks.comRugby in BarnsleyThis book tells the story of rugby in Barnsley over the past one hundred and fifty years. 011
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 09/01/2026Barnsley Football Club On the 10th January 1874 the first ever game of rugby in Barnsley was played at the Shaw Lane Ground. To read the match report - a work of art Follow the link: www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comBarnsley Football ClubThe first ever game of rugby in Barnsley was played at Shaw Lane on the 10th of January 1874. 011
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 09/01/2026Barnsley Football Club On the 10th January 1874 the first ever game of rugby in Barnsley was played at the Shaw Lane Ground. To read the match report - a work of art Follow the link: www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comBarnsley Football ClubThe first ever game of rugby in Barnsley was played at Shaw Lane on the 10th of January 1874. 011
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 02/01/2026On Saturday the 3rd of January 1903 Barnsley Rugby Union Club played its first game. To read about the game check out: www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph... 021
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 02/01/2026On Saturday the 3rd of January 1903 Barnsley Rugby Union Club played its first game. To read about the game check out: www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph... 021
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 18/12/2025What happened to Headingley? For most of the 20th century it was the strongest rugby union club in Yorkshire. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comHeadingley Football ClubWhat happened to Headingley?It was Yorkshire’s leading rugby union club for over a century. 021
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 18/12/2025What happened to Headingley? For most of the 20th century it was the strongest rugby union club in Yorkshire. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comHeadingley Football ClubWhat happened to Headingley?It was Yorkshire’s leading rugby union club for over a century. 021
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 15/12/2025Read the story of when Askern Welfare played Wigan in the Rugby League Challenge Cup. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comAskern Welfare v WiganThe day that Askern Welfare played Wigan in the Rugby League Challenge Cup 031
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 12/12/2025150 years of rugby in Barnsley. This article appeared in the Barnsley Chronicle newspaper on 13th December 1873. The story of what happened next is told in Rugby in Barnsley 1874 - 2024.' Follow the link to buy the book. www.dropkickbooks.com/books/post.p... 011
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 12/12/2025150 years of rugby in Barnsley. This article appeared in the Barnsley Chronicle newspaper on 13th December 1873. The story of what happened next is told in Rugby in Barnsley 1874 - 2024.' Follow the link to buy the book. www.dropkickbooks.com/books/post.p... 011
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 09/12/2025 Rugby books - both codes - available via: www.dropkickbooks.com/books/ Delivered in time for Christmasdropkickbooks.comBooks | My Website 000
Stuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 08/12/2025Were there any amateur rugby league clubs in South Yorkshire before World War Two? Click on the link below to find the answer. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comRugby league in South Yorkshire before World War TwoIn the 1920s there was some interest in rugby league in the south of the county. 010
Reposted by Stuart SheardStuart Sheard @dropkickbooks.bsky.social · 04/12/2025After yesterday's sad news about Salford's winding up order I thought I would post an article I wrote in 2009 about happier times at the club. www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...dropkickbooks.comDavid WatkinsI had watched David Watkins on television playing rugby union for Wales and the British Lions and when he changed codes in October 1967 I thought, as I am sure many other people did, that his signing ... 043