1895 Rugby League T-Shirt Vintage Red

Description

An Introduction to the 1895 Rugby League T-Shirt Vintage Red

The 1895 Rugby League T-Shirt is inspired by the formation of the game of Rugby League Football. At the George Hotel, Huddersfield. Members of twenty-two northern clubs met. And they agreed to form a new code of football – Rugby Football League.

Before the break-away. Both Lancashire and Yorkshire players dominated the England Rugby teams. However, these players had no permission to earn any money for playing. It, therefore, became difficult for the northern teams whose players were working class to play to their full potential. In many cases, their time to play and to train was limited by the need to earn a wage. Also, if they became injured, they had to pay their own medical bills. It might also result in financial hardship if they had to take time off work to recover.

Bradford and Leeds were both charged with professionalism in 1892. This followed the issuing of payments made to players for missing work. There was a feeling the successful northern clubs were being discriminated against as the Rugby Union authorities who had previously paid players on the 1888 British Isles tour of Australia.

By 1893 Yorkshire Clubs were in conflict with the Rugby Union Committee. They complained that southern clubs’ were over-represented on the committee. And as the meetings were held in London it made it difficult for northern members to attend. Also, they argued that this affected the Committee’s voting on the issue of “broken time” payments. This is something the northern clubs who made up the majority of English clubs strongly supported.

Read More

The “broken time” payments had compensated players for the loss of income. And a proposal put in place forward by the Yorkshire clubs. The proposal would allow players to receive up to six shillings (30p) (equivalent to £34 in present-day terms) when they missed work because of match commitments. The proposal was voted down. And the northern clubs broke away to form the Rugby Football League.

The game in the northern heartland grew significantly over the following years. Soon matches became major events attracting large paying crowds. The Yorkshire Cup particularly drew large attendances and the game thrived and soon spread to Australia and New Zealand.

With every sale, Rugby League Cares receives donations as a charity that helps players transition out of the sport. And supports players’ past and present who are enduring poor health or hardship.

Manufactured from 100% cotton, the Ellis Rugby 1895 Rugby League T-shirt Vintage Red features a classic print celebrating the formation of the game of Rugby League. Also, this garment includes a decorative woven label.

This T-Shirt is available in sizes S – 5XL.

We offer the 1895 Rugby League T-shirt Vintage Red. Besides, we also offer this style in Grey and our World Rugby League T-Shirts in Navy and Red.