English Championship

This section represents the winter era of top tier league competitions of English rugby league that ran from the sport's inception in 1895 through to the centenary season in 1995/96. It began with all 22 inaugural clubs competing in a single unified competition called the Northern Rugby Football Union, later renamed to Northern Rugby League.

Despite a few adjustments through the years (which are described below), the single league structure remained until 1972/73, with many teams coming and going throughout. After almost 80 years, the 30 remaining teams were split into First and Second Division leagues for 1973/74. It was attempt number three at a tiered system, and this time it remained. The lower divisions are not included in this section.

A name change to the Championship in 1980 remained in place until April 1995, when the celebration of the game's centenary season was gatecrashed by the new Super League. One last shortened winter season was played under a heavy cloud of uncertainty mixed with hope and excitement for the future, and then in January 1996, top-tier winter rugby league in England came to an end.

This section includes match results, which covers progressive competition tables which can be reviewed based on any date, as well as end of season tables. From 1980/81, you will find all individual player records including scorers and appearances.

Yorkshire & Lancashire Competitions

As those pioneering 22 teams competed week in week out to become the first ever Northern Rugby champions, they all simultaneously competed for their corresponding county titles - but only if the match was played between two sides competing in the same division. It wasn't until 1970 that the Yorkshire and Lancashire leagues came to an end.

Formative years - 1896/97 to 1900/01

After the inaugural 1895/96 season, enthusiasm was high and 8 more clubs joined the fold. With enough interest and competition in the two counties, the Northern Union was broken into two individual Yorkshire and Lancashire competitions. Both of these leagues are included in this section for this period, and the two-county setup remained for 5 years.

One season, three leagues - 1901/02

By 1901, a number of dissatisfied teams approached the Northern Union to play in a single competition. Three leagues with 41 teams in total - the Northern Union, Yorkshire and Lancashire - all ran concurrently for one season. This was not a tiered system, and all three are included here.

Postwar - 1919

With a late post-new year commencement, single seasons of shortened county competitions were carried out as the country got back on its feet. Both of these leagues are present in this section. The Northern Rugby Football Union returned in its usual form in August 1919 for the first full season in 5 years.

History of county leagues

You can find the full county competition history pages, with results and competition tables, here:

• Yorkshire League
• Lancashire League

First and Second Division

1902/03 to 1904/05

The split of 1901/02 was resolved with the creation of the first tiered structure in 1902/03. The First and Second division leagues were established, with each initially made up of 18 sides. Three seasons later, the Northern Rugby Football Union returned as a single league competition.

1962/63 and 1963/64

Once again, in 1962/63, the First and Second Divisions returned. They were on trial for a three year probationary period, but were dropped again after just two.

The Great War - 1915/16 to 1917/18

While war in Europe broke out in July 1914, the subsequent 1914/15 season was still completed. After its conclusion, the competition was put on pause. It wasn't until early 1919 that "peace time football" returned after a number of years of intermittently played fixtures, none of which are counted in this category.

World War 2 - 1939/40 to 1944/45

The now named Northern Rugby League was again disrupted by the onset of war in Europe in 1939. The season had already commenced when England declared war in September, but this time sport gatherings were quickly banned. The touring New Zealand side had to be sent home. The rules were soon relaxed however, and for the next 5 winters, "War Emergency" Leagues took place. These leagues are not included in this category.