The George Hotel, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England, situated in the centre of the city, is a Grade II listed building famous as the birthplace of rugby league football.[1]
The three-star rated George Hotel, which has an Italian façade, was designed by William Walker.[2][3][4] The Victorian era hotel was built around 1851.[3
Birth of Rugby League
Further information: History of rugby league
It was in the George Hotel, Huddersfield on August 29, 1895 that 21 northern clubs held a meeting and by a majority of 20 to 1 voted to secede from the Rugby Football Union to set up their own Northern Rugby Football Union. In 1922 this became the Rugby Football League.
Stockport was also accepted into the league via telephone to the hotel.[5]
Memorabilia recalling the meeting can be found throughout the hotel as well as in the Heritage Centre.[3]
British Amateur Rugby League Association
The British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) was also founded at the George Hotel in 1973.
Rugby League Heritage Centre
Main article: Rugby League Heritage Centre
The Rugby League Heritage Centre is located in the basement of the George. It is the UK’s only rugby league heritage museum. It was the brainchild of sports presenter Mike Stephenson.
The Rugby League Heritage centre was opened on 30 August 2005 by former players Billy Boston, Neil Fox and Mick Sullivan.[6]
Within the Centre are displays of memorabilia, including rare shirts, medals, caps, programmes and photographs. There is also footage played on several plasma screens. The British Rugby League Hall of Fame is now located in the Heritage Centre.
