George Hotel, Huddersfield

Coordinates: 53°38′53″N 1°47′00″W / 53.6480°N 1.7833°W / 53.6480; -1.7833

George Hotel, Huddersfield

The George Hotel, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England, situated in the centre of the town, is a Grade II listed building famous as the birthplace of rugby league football in 1895.[1] The 60 bed hotel was built in 1851 and closed in January 2013, with the receivers looking for a new buyer.[2]

The three-star rated George Hotel, which has an Italianate façade, was designed by William Walker.[3][4][5] The Victorian era hotel was built around 1851.[4]

Birth of Rugby League

Further information: History of rugby league

It was in the George Hotel, Huddersfield on 29 August 1895 that 21 Lancashire and Yorkshire 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.[6]

Memorabilia recalling the meeting can be found throughout the hotel as well as in the Heritage Centre.[4]

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

The Rugby League Heritage Centre was located in the basement of the George. It was 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.[7]

Within the centre were displays of memorabilia, including rare jerseys, medals, caps, programmes and photographs. There was also footage played on several plasma screens. The British Rugby League Hall of Fame is now located in the Heritage Centre.

References

  1. ↑ "The George Hotel". The George Hotel. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
  2. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-20900561
  3. ↑ "Property Information: George Hotel, Huddersfield". Direct Hotels. Archived from the original on 2008-04-06. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
  4. 1 2 3 "George Hotel". Expedia. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
  5. ↑ "West Yorkshire in 360°! - Founders' Room, Huddersfield". British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
  6. ↑ "Rugby League Founders' Room". British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
  7. ↑ "Gillette Rugby League Heritage Centre". Rugby League Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
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