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The West Yorkshire derbies are a series of football matches or rugby league matches taking place between football or rugby league clubs from West Yorkshire.
This section needs expansionwith: events prior to 2007. You can help by adding to it. (April 2021) |
Leeds United's relegation to League One in 2007 may have reignited this rivalry, although Bradford's relegation to League Two removed the possibility that the three major West Yorkshire football teams (Bradford, Huddersfield and Leeds) might be in the same division for the first time since the 1980s in the 2007–08 season; ultimately only Huddersfield and Leeds met each other in the third tier. In the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons all three teams involved in the West Yorkshire Derby were in different leagues, Bradford City were in League Two, Huddersfield Town were in League One and Leeds United played in the Championship. At the end of the 2011–12 season, Huddersfield were promoted from League One to the Championship, rekindling the rivalry with Leeds. In 2016–17 Huddersfield were promoted to the Premier League, making the rivalry go into hiatus again. Huddersfield were relegated at the end of the 2018–19 season and Leeds completed the double over their local rivals in the 2019–20 EFL Championship season on their way to winning promotion back to the Premier League after a 16 year absence. In the 2023–24 EFL Championship, the rivalry made a return, with Leeds winning 4–1 at Elland Road in October 2023 before a 1–1 draw at the John Smith's Stadium in March 2024.
Location | West Yorkshire |
---|---|
Teams | Bradford City Leeds United Leeds City (until dissolution) |
First meeting | Leeds United 1–0 Bradford City (23 September 1922) 1922–23 Second Division |
Latest meeting | Bradford City 2–1 Leeds United (27 August 2014) 2014–15 League Cup |
Stadiums | Valley Parade Elland Road |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 31 (6 v Leeds City) |
Most wins | Leeds United (14) |
Largest victory | Bradford City 5–0 Leeds City (September 1905) 1905–06 Second Division Leeds United 6–1 Bradford City (13 May 2001) 2000–01 Premier League |
Bradford City has a long-standing rivalry with Leeds United in the modern era.
This rivalry is mainly due to the two cities' proximity to one another, which has exacerbated in later years because there has been some football fans within Bradford choosing to travel the short distance to support Leeds rather than the home town's City. Although Leeds fans are unlikely to raise the same level of emotion talking about Bradford that a City fan would in talking about Leeds. There may be other reasons, including the setting alight of a chip van by Leeds fans during a game between the two sides at Odsal perceived by some as a mockery of the Bradford City stadium fire.
The last meeting between these two sides was at Valley Parade on 27 August 2014 in the Football League Cup, Leeds took a 1–0 lead in the 82nd minute, but Bradford won the game with goals from Billy Knott and James Hanson.
Before formation of Leeds United, Bradford City had with rivalry Leeds City, until its dissolution in 1919. Both the clubs met 6 times in Football League Second Division, where Bradford City won 4 times and 2 matches ended in a draw.
Competition | Played | Bradford City wins | Draws | Leeds City wins | Bradford City goals | Leeds City goals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
League | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 3 |
Total | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 3 |
Competition | Played | Bradford City wins | Draws | Leeds United wins | Bradford City goals | Leeds United goals |
League | 20 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 16 | 24 |
League Cup | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
EFL Trophy | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Full Members' Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Total | 25 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 22 | 31 |
Overall total | 31 | 8 | 9 | 14 | 34 | 34 |
Current as of 27 August 2014. Statistics obtained from Soccerbase. [1]
# | Season | Date | Competition | Home Team | Result | Away Team | Venue |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bradford City vs Leeds City | |||||||
1 | 1905–06 | 2 September 1905 | Division Two | Bradford City | 1–0 | Leeds City | Valley Parade |
2 | 30 December 1905 | Leeds City | 0–2 | Bradford City | Elland Road | ||
3 | 1906–07 | 1 September 1906 | Division Two | Leeds City | 1–1 | Bradford City | Elland Road |
4 | 29 December 1906 | Bradford City | 2–2 | Leeds City | Valley Parade | ||
5 | 1907–08 | 1 September 1906 | Division Two | Bradford City | 5–0 | Leeds City | Valley Parade |
6 | 1 February 1908 | Leeds City | 0–1 | Bradford City | Elland Road | ||
Bradford City vs Leeds United | |||||||
1 | 1922–23 | 23 September 1922 | Division Two | Leeds United | 1–0 | Bradford City | Elland Road |
2 | 30 September 1922 | Bradford City | 0–2 | Leeds United | Valley Parade | ||
3 | 1923–24 | 3 November 1923 | Division Two | Leeds United | 1–0 | Bradford City | Elland Road |
4 | 10 November 1923 | Bradford City | 0–0 | Leeds United | Valley Parade | ||
5 | 1931–32 | 28 March 1932 | Division Two | Bradford City | 4–1 | Leeds United | Valley Parade |
6 | 29 March 1932 | Leeds United | 1–1 | Bradford City | Elland Road | ||
7 | 1985–86 | 21 September 1985 | Division Two | Leeds United | 2–1 | Bradford City | Elland Road |
8 | 9 April 1986 | Bradford City | 0–1 | Leeds United | Valley Parade | ||
9 | 1986–87 | 20 September 1986 | Division Two | Bradford City | 2–0 | Leeds United | Valley Parade |
10 | 1 October 1986 | Full Members' Cup | Leeds United | 0–1 | Bradford City | Elland Road | |
11 | 28 February 1987 | Division Two | Leeds United | 1–0 | Bradford City | Elland Road | |
12 | 1987–88 | 29 August 1987 | Division Two | Bradford City | 0–0 | Leeds United | Valley Parade |
13 | 1 January 1988 | Leeds United | 2–0 | Bradford City | Elland Road | ||
14 | 1988–89 | 26 October 1988 | Division Two | Bradford City | 1–1 | Leeds United | Valley Parade |
15 | 1 March 1989 | Leeds United | 3–3 | Bradford City | Elland Road | ||
16 | 1989–90 | 28 October 1989 | Division Two | Bradford City | 0–1 | Leeds United | Valley Parade |
17 | 7 April 1990 | Leeds United | 1–1 | Bradford City | Elland Road | ||
18 | 1998–99 | 28 October 1998 | League Cup | Leeds United | 1–0 | Bradford City | Elland Road |
19 | 1999–2000 | 20 November 1999 | Premier League | Leeds United | 2–1 | Bradford City | Elland Road |
20 | 12 March 2000 | Bradford City | 1–2 | Leeds United | Valley Road | ||
21 | 2000–01 | 29 October 2000 | Premier League | Bradford City | 1–1 | Leeds United | Valley Road |
22 | 13 May 2001 | Leeds United | 6–1 | Bradford City | Elland Road | ||
23 | 2008–09 | 2 September 2008 | EFL Trophy | Leeds United | 2–1 | Bradford City | Elland |
24 | 2011–12 | 9 August 2011 | League Cup | Leeds United | 3–2 | Bradford City | Elland Road |
25 | 2014–15 | 27 August 2014 | League Cup | Bradford City | 2–1 | Leeds United | Valley Parade |
Location | West Yorkshire, England |
---|---|
Teams | Bradford City Huddersfield Town |
First meeting | 11 September 1920 (Huddersfield Town 1–0 Bradford City) |
Latest meeting | 6 August 2013 (Huddersfield Town 2–1 Bradford City) |
Stadiums | Valley Parade Kirklees Stadium |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 49 |
Most wins | Huddersfield Town (20) |
Largest victory | 12 August 2008 (Huddersfield Town 4–0 Bradford City) |
Bradford City and Huddersfield Town have had roughly the same league status for the last couple of decades and so it could be argued that they are closest rivals out of the three West Yorkshire teams.
Matches against these sides have produced both amazing spectacles and some terrible moments—the 1996–97 season providing examples of both. On 1 February 1997, Huddersfield Town defender Kevin Gray broke the leg of Bradford City striker Gordon Watson in two places with a horrific sliding tackle. Watson was, at that time, the most expensive player in Bradford City's history having cost them £575,000, and was playing in only his third match for the club. He required a six-inch plate and seven screws in his leg. It took Gordon almost two years of recovery and five further operations before he was able to return to football, after which he made just a handful of appearances for City before leaving the club. At Leeds High Court in October 1998 he succeeded in becoming only the second player in the history of football to prove negligence by another player and was later awarded in excess of £900,000 in damages, [2] [3] making it "the most expensive tackle in British football and legal history".
The return fixture that season was a happier affair. It provided a spectacular display of goals in which City took a 3–0 lead, including one famous goal scored directly from a corner by ex-England star Chris Waddle, before the game swung in Huddersfield's favour as they fought back to the final score of 3–3.
The most recent derby with Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's Stadium ended in a 2–1 victory for the home team in the first round of the Capital One Cup on 6 August 2013. [4]
Competition | Played | Bradford City | Draw | Huddersfield Town |
---|---|---|---|---|
League | 42 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
FA Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
League Cup | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Football League Trophy | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
Totals | 52 | 14 | 18 | 21 |
Current as of 21 March 2021. Statistics obtained from Soccerbase. [5]
Location | West Yorkshire, England |
---|---|
Teams | Leeds United Huddersfield Town |
First meeting | 27 September 1924 (Leeds United 1–1 Huddersfield Town) |
Latest meeting | 2 March 2024 (Huddersfield Town 1–1 Leeds United) |
Next meeting | TBA |
Stadiums | Elland Road Kirklees Stadium |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 83 |
Most wins | Huddersfield Town (32) |
Largest victory | 15 September 1928 (Huddersfield Town 6–1 Leeds United) 5 October 1946 (Leeds United 5–0 Huddersfield Town) |
Leeds United's best period of success was in the 1960s, and 1970s under the management of the legendary Don Revie. Between 1963 and 1975, Leeds became feared and respected across the country and in Europe. Revie guided them to two league championships, a FA Cup, one League Cup, two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups and a Charity Shield. Despite the success, Leeds had some notable disappointments, they were runners-up five times in the league, FA Cup finalists three times and UEFA Cup Winners Cup and European Cup finalists once. In 1992, Howard Wilkinson guided Leeds to their third top flight title, just two years after getting them promoted from the old Second Division, where they had played for eight years. Leeds also had sustained success in the Premier League, between 1997 and 2002 the club never finished outside of the top five and reached the UEFA Cup and Champions League semi-finals. However Leeds' success during this latter period came at a huge cost with tens of millions of pounds spent gambling on sustained Champions League involvement. When Leeds could only finish 5th in the 2001–02 season the clubs debt were around £80 million and a number of highly paid stars had to be sold to reduce the debt. By the end of the 2003–04 Premier League season, Leeds were relegated after 14 years in the top flight and three years later were relegated to League One and spent three years in the third tier before returning to the Championship at the end of the 2009–10 season. Leeds returned to the top flight in the 2020–21 season for the first time since 2004.
Huddersfield Town were the first team in English football to win the First Division title three times in a row back in the 1920s – a feat only matched by Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal – they also claimed the FA Cup, Charity Shield and finished as runners-up in the league three times in this period. Huddersfield spent 45 years outside of the top flight between 1972 and 2017. The Terriers had numerous promotions and relegations between the second, third and fourth tiers of English football. However, under their new manager David Wagner, Huddersfield won promotion to the Premier League for the first time by defeating Reading in the 2017 Championship play-off final.
Competition | Played | Huddersfield Town wins | Draw | Leeds United wins | Huddersfield Town goals | Leeds United goals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
League | 71 | 29 | 18 | 25 | 78 | 75 |
FA Cup | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 |
League Cup | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 9 |
Totals | 81 | 32 | 19 | 25 | 92 | 88 |
Current as of 2 March 2024. Statistics obtained from Soccerbase. [6]
Bradford City historically have a fierce rivalry with other Bradfordian team Bradford (Park Avenue) A.F.C., which can also be considered a "West Yorkshire derby", however this is rivalry is commonly known as the "Bradford derby". Park Avenue were formerly an English Football League team until 1970.
FC Halifax Town, another West Yorkshire football team playing in the National League, consider Huddersfield Town to be one of their main rivals. They have played against each other when their predecessor, Halifax Town A.F.C., was in the Football League.
Farsley Celtic has a 'one-way' rivalry with Leeds United. They are based in the Leeds Metropolitan district however they have never reached the Football League.
In the Northern Premier League, matches between Liversedge and Ossett United are regularly played on a Friday night, and attract crowds of more than 1000, which is very high for this level of football.
Rugby league is also big in West Yorkshire. The teams who are, or have been, in the Super League are; Bradford Bulls, Castleford Tigers, Halifax, Huddersfield Giants, Leeds Rhinos, and Wakefield Trinity. Other rugby league clubs in West Yorkshire are Batley Bulldogs, Dewsbury Rams, Featherstone Rovers, Hunslet and Keighley Cougars. Like football, the most commonly termed West Yorkshire derby has been between Leeds and Bradford (when they played in the same division), [7] however any combination of West Yorkshire teams playing against each other could be called a West Yorkshire derby, even if the rivalry is not as great as other rivalries between teams in the area. Specific named derbies include the Calder Derby between Castleford and Wakefield, and the Heavy Woollen Derby between Batley and Dewsbury. In addition, the Leeds versus Wakefield rivalry also sees them compete in the Festive Challenge. Castleford versus Leeds has also become a more prominent derby in recent times. [8] [9]
Location | West Yorkshire, England |
---|---|
Teams | Bradford Bulls Leeds Rhinos |
First meeting | 27 October 1906 (Bradford Bulls 21–5 Leeds Rhinos) |
Latest meeting | 28 January 2024 (Bradford Bulls 34–8 Leeds Rhinos) |
Stadiums | Headingley Odsal Stadium |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 142 |
Most wins | Bradford Bulls (68) |
The rivalry between the Leeds Rhinos and the Bradford Bulls was one of the great regular rivalries in English Rugby League and was commonly referred to as "The West Yorkshire Derby". The cities are next to one another and the teams have met in countless cup finals. During the early years of the Super League the rivalry peaked, with both Leeds and Bradford being dominant forces in Rugby League, challenging for numerous titles whilst meeting in Grand Finals and Challenge Cups. Bradford fell into financial trouble in 2011 and 2012, had not won or appeared in a final since 2005 and had to sell players to keep the club alive. The rivalry remains passionate despite Bradford's decline and Leeds continuing to win many more titles. Bradford were relegated in 2014, the first time in 40 years, ending competitive league fixtures between the sides. The most recent competitive meeting between the two sides was a Challenge Cup sixth round tie in May 2019, which Bradford won 24–22 to progress to the quarter finals.
In all competitions, competitive and uncompetitive:
Played | Bradford | Drawn | Leeds |
---|---|---|---|
142 | 68 | 8 | 66 |
Bradford Bulls | Honour | Leeds Rhinos | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | No. | No. | Rank | |
5th | 6 | League | 11 | 3rd |
7th | 5 | Challenge Cup | 14 | 2nd |
7th | 1 | Premiership | 2 | 4th |
3rd | 2 | League Cup | 2 | 3rd |
— | 0 | Charity Shield | 0 | — |
3rd | 3 | World Club Challenge | 3 | 3rd |
11th | 1 | Yorkshire League | 15 | 1st |
3rd | 11 | Yorkshire Cup | 17 | 1st |
— | 0 | BBC2 Floodlit Trophy | 1 | 5th |
Location | West Yorkshire, England |
---|---|
Teams | Leeds Rhinos Wakefield Trinity |
First meeting | 21 February 1903 (Leeds Rhinos 13–0 Wakefield Trinity) |
Latest meeting | 27 March 2021 (Leeds Rhinos 28–22 Wakefield Trinity) |
Stadiums | Headingley Belle Vue |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 123 |
Most wins | Leeds Rhinos (84) |
In all competitions, competitive and uncompetitive:
Played | Leeds | Drawn | Wakefield |
---|---|---|---|
123 | 83 | 6 | 34 |
Leeds Rhinos | Honour | Wakefield Trinity | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | No. | No. | Rank | |
3rd | 11 | League Championships | 2 | 14th |
2nd | 14 | Challenge Cup | 5 | 7th |
4th | 2 | Premiership | 0 | — |
3rd | 2 | League Cup | 0 | — |
— | 0 | Charity Shield | 0 | — |
3rd | 3 | World Club Challenge | 0 | — |
1st | 15 | Yorkshire League | 7 | 3rd |
1st | 17 | Yorkshire Cup | 10 | 4th |
5th | 1 | BBC2 Floodlit Trophy | 0 | — |
Location | West Yorkshire, England |
---|---|
Teams | Castleford Tigers Wakefield Trinity |
First meeting | 3 October 1934 (Wakefield Trinity 10–0 Castleford Tigers) |
Latest meeting | 18 August 2023 (Wakefield Trinity 12–28 Castleford Tigers) |
Stadiums | Wheldon Road Belle Vue |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 103 |
Most wins | Wakefield Trinity (66) |
The Calder Derby is contested between Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity, with both Wakefield and Castleford being part of the City of Wakefield metropolitan borough, which the River Calder flows through.
Historically Wakefield have been the more successful side, winning two league titles and five Challenge Cups. However, Castleford have been the more successful side in recent years winning five out the six games played in the 2014 and 2015 season by large margins. In terms of silverware, Castleford have also been the most successful in modern times winning three Challenge Cups since 1969 and appearing in five finals. Wakefield have only appeared in one final during this period. In 2006, Wakefield Trinity and Castleford met on the final day of the Super League season with the losing team facing relegation to National League One. Wakefield would go on to win the match 29–17 which relegated Castleford. [12]
In all competitions, competitive and uncompetitive:
Played | Castleford | Drawn | Wakefield |
---|---|---|---|
103 | 35 | 2 | 66 |
Castleford Tigers | Honour | Wakefield Trinity | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | No. | No. | Rank | |
— | 0 | League | 2 | 14th |
11th | 4 | Challenge Cup | 5 | 7th |
— | 0 | Premiership | 0 | — |
3rd | 2 | League Cup | 0 | — |
— | 0 | Charity Shield | 0 | — |
— | 0 | World Club Challenge | 0 | — |
6th | 3 | Yorkshire League | 7 | 3rd |
6th | 5 | Yorkshire Cup | 10 | 4th |
1st | 3 | BBC2 Floodlit Trophy | 0 | — |
Location | West Yorkshire, England |
---|---|
Teams | Castleford Tigers Leeds Rhinos |
First meeting | 26 October 1932 (Leeds Rhinos 9–2 Castleford Tigers) |
Latest meeting | 3 June 2023 (Castleford Tigers 26–24 Leeds Rhinos) |
Stadiums | Headingley Wheldon Road |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 148 |
Most wins | Leeds Rhinos (85) |
In all competitions, competitive and uncompetitive:
Played | Castleford | Drawn | Leeds |
---|---|---|---|
148 | 56 | 7 | 85 |
Castleford Tigers | Honour | Leeds Rhinos | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | No. | No. | Rank | |
— | 0 | League | 11 | 3rd |
11th | 4 | Challenge Cup | 14 | 2nd |
— | 0 | Premiership | 2 | 4th |
3rd | 2 | League Cup | 2 | 3rd |
— | 0 | Charity Shield | 0 | — |
— | 0 | World Club Challenge | 3 | 3rd |
6th | 3 | Yorkshire League | 15 | 1st |
6th | 5 | Yorkshire Cup | 17 | 1st |
1st | 3 | BBC2 Floodlit Trophy | 1 | 5th |
Location | West Yorkshire, England |
---|---|
Teams | Huddersfield Giants Leeds Rhinos |
First meeting | 29 March 1902 (Huddersfield Giants 11–0 Leeds Rhinos) |
Latest meeting | 19 August 2021 (Leeds Rhinos 18–12 Huddersfield Giants) |
Stadiums | Kirklees Stadium Headingley |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 90 |
Most wins | Leeds Rhinos (50) |
In all competitions, competitive and uncompetitive:
Played | Huddersfield | Drawn | Leeds |
---|---|---|---|
90 | 36 | 4 | 50 |
Huddersfield Giants | Honour | Leeds Rhinos | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | No. | No. | Rank | |
4th | 7 | League | 11 | 3rd |
6th | 6 | Challenge Cup | 14 | 2nd |
— | 0 | Premiership | 2 | 4th |
3rd | 2 | League Cup | 2 | 3rd |
— | 0 | Charity Shield | 0 | — |
— | 0 | World Club Challenge | 3 | 3rd |
2nd | 11 | Yorkshire League | 15 | 1st |
2nd | 12 | Yorkshire Cup | 17 | 1st |
— | 0 | BBC2 Floodlit Trophy | 1 | 5th |
In addition to the major rivalries listed above: [16]
Since their relegation in 2014, the Bradford Bulls main local rivals in the RL Championship are the Halifax Panthers, their stadiums located within six miles of each other.
Leeds Rhinos share a fairly one-way rivalry with League 1 and fellow Leeds based side Hunslet. The lack of competitive fixtures sees Rhinos supporters view other West Yorkshire teams as greater rivals.
Similarly, Castleford and Wakefield both share a rivalry with Featherstone Rovers, but seen as Rovers have played most of their recent years in the Championship competitive fixtures are few and far between.
The Heavy Woollen Derby is contested by Championship sides Batley Bulldogs and Dewsbury Rams. This derby generally receives less attention that other West Yorkshire derbies due to it not taking place in the top tier of British rugby league.
Due to their proximity to East Lancashire, roses rivalries see Halifax Panthers and Huddersfield Giants also view Oldham Roughyeds and Rochdale Hornets as rivals. This has a higher presence in rugby than football partly due to historic roses competition and the limited popularity of rugby league outside of the two historic counties.
The Leeds Rhinos are a professional rugby league club in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The club play their home games at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium and compete in the Super League, the top tier of British rugby league.
Wakefield Trinity is a professional rugby league club in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England. The club play their home fixtures at the DIY Kitchen Stadium, Belle Vue and currently compete in the Super League, the top tier of the British rugby league system.
The Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club in Castleford, West Yorkshire, England. They play their home games at Wheldon Road and compete in the Super League, the top flight of the British rugby league system.
Brett Ryan Ferres is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays for Goole Vikings in the RFL League 1, and has played for England at international level, initially as a centre and later as a second-row or loose forward.
John Kear is an English professional rugby league coach, for the Wales national rugby league team. He also works as a pundit for BBC Sport and is a former professional rugby league footballer.
Daryl A. Powell is an English rugby league coach and former professional rugby league footballer. He is the head coach of Wakefield Trinity who play in the RFL Championship.
The History of the Bradford Bulls stretches back from their former incarnation as Bradford F.C. in 1863 to 2017.
Engage Super League XII is the official name for the year 2007's Super League season in the sport of rugby league.
Matt Diskin an English professional rugby league coach was the head coach of Oldham in the Championship, and a former professional rugby league footballer who played as a hooker in the 2000s and 2010s.
Craig Huby is an English rugby league footballer. He has previously played as a prop for Wakefield Trinity and the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League, and spent 11 years with the Castleford Tigers, playing in the Super League and the second tier of English rugby league.
Thomas "Tommy" Smales was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and coached in the 1960s and 1970s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Castleford, Huddersfield (captain), Bradford Northern, North Sydney Bears and Wakefield Trinity as a scrum-half, and coached at club level for Castleford and Featherstone Rovers.
The 1934–35 Rugby Football League season was the 40th season of rugby league football. A single league Championship was contested by twenty eight teams. The Challenge Cup was contested for the 35th time and the first European Championship took place between England, France and Wales.
Lock Lane ARLFC are an amateur Rugby league Club in Castleford, West Yorkshire. Their home ground is the Hicksons Arena, part of the Lock Lane Sports Centre. The first team currently play in the National Conference Division One and the Academy team in the Yorkshire Men's League.
Anthony Winston Mullally, also known by the nickname of "Vegan Warrior", is a former Ireland international rugby league footballer who last played as a prop for Cornwall in Betfred League One
Liam Sutcliffe is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays in a variety of positions for the Huddersfield Giants in the Super league. He has previously played for Hull FC and Leeds Rhinos in the Super League and England and the England Knights at international level.
Alex Mellor is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward or centre for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.
Daniel Smith is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop and loose forward for Bradford Bulls in the RFL Championship.
Whilst the sport of rugby league is played across Great Britain, it is most popular in its heartlands, the traditional counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire with the majority of professional and semi-professional clubs coming from this area of the country. Many fixtures are considered to be local derbies, where both teams come from the same town or city, or two that are very close to each other.
Rugby League in Yorkshire refers to the sport of rugby league in relation to its participation and history within Yorkshire, England. The traditional county is the largest in the United Kingdom and as thus has many rugby clubs, professional and amateur.
The Castleford Tigers Women are a female rugby league club in Castleford, West Yorkshire, England. Nicknamed the Tigresses, the club formed in 2016 and in 2017 were one of the four teams that participated in the inaugural season of the Women's Super League, the top-level Women's rugby league club competition in the United Kingdom. As of 2024 they compete in the Northern Women's Championship.