Inspired by a love of rugby and fashion we produce clothing that’s manufactured to the highest standards and has a unique concept that is derived from the rich history of rugby football.

Being inducted in to the Rugby League Hall of Fame is the highest honour to which any player can aspire. There are only twenty eight inductees in the games 120 year history.

To commemorate the Hall of Fame, Ellis Rugby are producing an exclusive heritage clothing collection to celebrate the magical careers of four truly outstanding players – Johnny Whiteley MBE, Alex Murphy OBE, Lewis Jones and Brian Bevan.

JOHNNY WHITELEY MBE – HULL FC

Johnny Whiteley MBE Captained his home town club Hull FC from 1956 and that same year the team won the league championship when Colin Hutton kicked a last minute penalty in the final against Halifax at Maine Road, Manchester. In 1958 Hull FC won the play-offs again, against Workington Town.Our designs include a jersey and polo shirt inspired by those two famous victories.

ALEX MURPHY OBE – ST HELENS & WARRINGTON

Alex Murphy OBE Captained St Helens in the 21-2 victory over Wigan in the 1966 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, in front of a crowd of 98,536. He’d already won a Challenge Cup with Saints in 1961 when they also defeated Wigan.In 1971 having left Saints he joined Leigh and once again took the team to Wembley where they defeated Leeds 24-7.

A successful spell at Warrington was capped off with the team’s 24-9 victory over Featherstone Rovers in the 1974 Final.

Our designs include a jersey and polo shirt inspired by the St Helens success in 1966 and the Warrington victory of 1974.

1958 GREAT BRITAIN RUGBY LEAGUE

Both Johnny Whiteley MBE and Alex Murphy OBE were key players in the Great Britain Rugby League Lions Ashes victory over Australia in 1958. Whiteley packed down in the second row alongside Dick Huddart with Vince Karalius at Loose Forward.At half-time in the Second Test, the Australian doctor told Captain Prescott to come off the field as he’d broken his arm.

He refused and played the majority of the game, simply doing the tackling with his left shoulder. His heroics have gone down in history – referred to the game as “Prescott’s Epic”.

In the Third Test Murphy was once again outstanding, the 19 year old St Helens scum half tormented the home side and was rightly awarded the Man of the Match. So, Great Britain wrapped up the 1958 Ashes Series with a comprehensive 40-17 win over Australia with over 68,000 packed in to the Sydney Cricket Ground. Our vintage quarter zipper sweat top, jersey and T-Shirt celebrate one of the greatest Great Britain Rugby League Lions teams.

LEWIS JONES – LEEDS

In November 1952 Lewis Jones signed for Leeds from Welsh Rugby Union for a record £6000.00.In 1956-57 season he scored a record 496 points. Leeds also reached Wembley with Jones playing in the Centres. They beat Barrow 9-7 before a crowd of 76,318. This season was a great success for Leeds as well as the Challenge Cup, they also won the Yorkshire League Competition.

For the most of the year the team wore the unfamiliar blue jersey with amber ‘V’, but for the Wembley trip they reverted to the traditional jersey. We include these heritage style designs in our polo and jersey.

BRIAN BEVAN – WARRINGTON

Brian Bevan played most of his career in Britain. Although he was never selected to represent his native Australia in a Test match – he did mesmerise Kangaroo touring sides with his guile and skill for almost two decades.In all he scored 796 tries in his career in Britain – a world record by a rugby player of either code. He scored 740 for Warrington.

Bevan played in Warrington’s 19-0 victory over Widnes in the 1950 Challenge Cup Final and the kit worn by Captain Harry Bath’s team inspired our jersey design. Bevan also played in the Warrington team that beat Halifax in the Final replay in 1954 at Odsal in front of a record crowd of 102,575.

THE QUALITY

The detailed embroidery of the crests will be combined with soft heavy brushed cotton and chunky pique fabric.The result will be an exceptional range of heritage fashion garments inspired by the legends from the Rugby League Hall of Fame.

We now need your support to reach our minimums for manufacturing.

It couldn’t be simpler, your pledge pays for a garment or garments of your choice – and with your support it will allow me to manufacture this exciting range.

We’re hoping to create our piece of history with these unique products and with every sale a donation is made by Ellis Rugby to the charity Rugby League Cares that helps players transition out of the sport, and supports past and present who are enduring poor heath or hardship.

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