Rugby League was created 125 years ago, when 22* clubs met in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, on Aug. 29 1895 to secede from RFU and create Northern Union.

This thread is my collector’s take to celebrate: 22 Baines cards ;)

#NRL125
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* I know, it’s a wee bit more complicated !

So, here are the 22 founding clubs of Northern Rugby Football Union - usually called Northern Union, and later renamed Rugby Football League @theRFL in 1922.

By alphabetical order + club date of foundation

1. Batley (1880)
2. Bradford (1863)
3. Brighthouse Rangers (1878)

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Nb 1 : ok, not only Baines cards... but also some Richardson, Sharpe, etc... collector’s stuff!

Nb 2 : 19/22 cards from my collection.. I had to «borrow» 3 cards. I hope the owners will read this thread and recognize their cards ;)

4. Broughton Rangers (1877)
5. Halifax (1873)

6. Huddersfield (1864)
7. Hull (1865)
8. Hunslet (1883)
9. Leeds (1870)

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10. Leigh (1878)
11. Liversedge (1877)
12. Manningham (1876)
13. Oldham (1876)

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14. Rochdale Hornets (1871 - poke @_philmcgowan )
15. Runcorn (1895 - good timing!)
16. Stockport (1895 - same!)
17. St Helens (1873)

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18. Tyldesley (1879)
19. Wakefield Trinity (1873 - poke @tackler7 )
20. Warrington (1876)
21. Widnes (1875)

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And 22. Wigan (1872)

Bonus : in 1995, a memorabilia box of 22 pins reproducing « Baines cards » of the 22 founding clubs was produced to celebrate the centenary of Rugby League... maybe time to wear them now!!

Teaser: 150th anniversary of RFU + international rugby in 2021

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