1939–40 Northern Rugby Football League Wartime Emergency League season

English rugby league season March 2018 March 2018 1939–40 Northern Rugby Football League Wartime Emergency League season Northern Rugby League 1939–40 Season Bradford Northern League Champions Lancashire competition Swinton 12 Yorkshire competition Bradford Northern 15 1938–39 Northern Rugby Football League season 1938-39 1940–41 Northern Rugby Football League Wartime Emergency League season 1940–41 The 1939–40 Northern Rugby Football League season was an emergency season of English rugby league fixtures necessitated by the outbreak of the Second World War. The regular league season had started at the end of August 1939, but on the outbreak of war all sport was suspended. When government permission for sport to be resumed was given, the league was reorganised into two regional competitions, Yorkshire and Lancashire. The winners of each league playing against each other to decide the overall champions. The Yorkshire competition was won by Bradford Northern who beat Swinton, winners of the Lancashire competition, in the two-legged league final. The season also saw the resumption of County Cup competition, as well as some representative matches arranged to raise funds for the British Red Cross. The Challenge Cup competition, traditionally run alongside the league, was not played for the first time since 1919. Planned season The planned 1939–40 season had begun as scheduled on Saturday 26 August 1939 with 27 clubs starting the season. This was one less than the previous season as St Helens Recs had disbanded at the end of the 1938–39 season.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19390429/183/0007 St Helens Recs. Go Out Of Existence To-Day Liverpool Echo 7 29 April 1939 ((18,495)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The withdrawal of St Helens Recs required a change in the way fixtures were organised. With 28 clubs in the league, each club was a member of the 14 team Lancashire League or the 14 team Yorkshire League. The actual geographical split of clubs was 15 clubs based in Yorkshire and 13 in Lancashire, so Halifax played as a member of the Lancashire League.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000748/19390512/213/0009 Rugby League's New Fixture Scheme Leeds Mercury 12 May 1939 9 ((31,025)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Each teams' fixture list comprised a home and away fixture against all the teams in their county league (26), as well as home and away fixtures against seven teams in the other county league (14) for a total of 40 games.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19380705/172/0004 Rugby League fixtures for next season Yorkshire Post 5 July 1938 4 ((28,368)) subscription British Newspaper Archive With only 27 clubs the League's secretary, John Wilson, proposed a 36-game season for each club with Halifax remaining in the Lancashire league, and Dewsbury, who were the lowest finishing Yorkshire team in the previous season, playing as a member of neither county league. For the purposes of determining fixture lists Dewsbury would be considered the 14th team of both county leagues. Excepting Dewsbury, each team's fixture list would comprise the other teams in their own county league (24 games) together with six teams from the other county (12 games).https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/19390511/081/0011 Rugby League: New Fixture System, Clubs to be asked for sanction Hull Daily Mail 11 May 1939 11 ((16,702)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Dewsbury's opponents would be nine clubs from each county. At the League's annual general meeting on 7 June 1939 the clubs accepted Wilson's proposal regarding the positions of Halifax and Dewsbury, but voted for a 40-game fixture list instead of Wilson's 36 game proposal.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000310/19390610/267/0014 Rugby League Alterations Rochdale Observer 10 June 1939 14 ((7,110)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The fixture lists were issued later in June. Each team, except Dewsbury, had home and away fixtures against all the teams in their own county league (24 games). They also had home and away fixtures against eight teams in the other county league (16 games). Dewsbury's fixture list comprised home and away fixtures against 10 teams from each county league.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000273/19390623/074/0005 Northern Rugby League fixture for 1939–40 Yorkshire Evening Post 23 June 1939 5 ((15,193)) subscription British Newspaper Archive A full programme of games was played up to Saturday 2 September. By that date most clubs had played two or three games as some clubs had played midweek matches.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000748/19390826/266/0011 Big Rugby League Season Leeds Mercury 26 August 1939 11 ((31,116)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000687/19390904/358/0012 Northern Rugby League Yorkshire Post 4 September 1939 12 ((28,731)) subscription British Newspaper Archive International tour 1939 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France The touring New Zealand side had played one match of their tour before the declaration of war.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000271/19390902/423/0013 New Zealand soon find land legs Liverpool Echo 2 September 1939 5 & 8 ((18,603)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The tour was cancelled on 5 September and the team returned home shortly afterwards, although they did manage to play a hastily arranged fixture against Dewsbury on 9 September.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000748/19390906/158/0007 24,000 miles for one match Leeds Mercury 6 September 1939 7 ((31,125)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttp://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19390909/256/0008 New Zealand rugby team to play Dewsbury this afternoon Yorkshire Post 9 September 1939 8 ((28,736)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Suspension of the League On Monday 4 September the day after the declaration of war, all rugby league games and all other spectator sports and public entertainments were suspended by provisions of the Prohibition of Public Entertainments (Defence) Order, one of numerous orders made following the enactment of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001898/19390904/171/0007 Theatres and Cinemas to close: No Public Sports Nottingham Journal 4 September 1939 7 ((85,469)) subscription British Newspaper Archive As a result, some clubs like Wigan and Salford announced they were closing for the duration of the war and that their players were released.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000272/19390904/180/0008 Closed Down Manchester Evening News 4 September 1939 8 ((21,943)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000771/19390905/145/0005 Wigan R.L. club closes down Liverpool Evening Express 5 September 1939 5 ((21,222)) subscription British Newspaper Archive One issue clubs had to consider was what to do with the monies paid for season-tickets, the holders of which may have only seen one or two games. Barrow, for one, resolved to repay season-ticket holders less a deduction for games seen,https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000711/19390915/080/0003 Barrow Rugby League Club Lancashire Evening Post 15 September 1939 3 ((16,417)) subscription British Newspaper Archive while Oldham decided not to give any refunds stating, "We are up against it and must appeal to our members to make this sacrifice".https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0001336/19390909/107/0004 Sportsman's Daily Log Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph 9 September 1939 4 ((15,820)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Under the defence regulations and air raid precautions, all areas of the country were designated as evacuation,The evacuation areas in Yorkshire and Lancashire were Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield, Kingston, Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Middlesbrough, Rotherham, Liverpool, Bootle, Wallasey, Birkenhead, Manchester, Salford, Crosby, Stretford, Widnes, Litherland and Runcorn.Titmuss 1950 footnote 35 This meant that the grounds of Bradford Northern, Leeds, Hunslet, Bramley, Hull, Hull Kingston Rovers, Liverpool Stanley, Salford, Widnes and Broughton Rangers were all in evacuation areas.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000271/19390911/098/0002 Rugby League Outlook Liverpool Echo 11 September 1939 2 ((18,610)) subscription British Newspaper Archive neutral or reception areas depending on the assessment of an area as an enemy target and its ability to receive people from the evacuation areas.Titmuss 1950 32 The defence regulations allowed for the resumption of sporting events within reception or neutral areas and on 9 September the Home Secretary issued the Public Entertainments (Restriction) Order allowing events to go ahead outside evacuation areas.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000525/19390909/151/000 The Decision on Football 9 September 1939 Staffordshire Evening Sentinel 6 ((23,350)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Attendances were limited to 8,000 or 15,000 at grounds with a capacity over 60,000.Collins 2006 74 On 11 September the Rugby League Council agreed to clubs playing friendlies on the following two Saturdays, while the League Secretary, John Wilson, arranged a programme of games. Players were to be paid 10s per match and their travelling expenses, while the minimum entrance fee was set at 6d.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000273/19390912/021/0003 R.L. Council Decisions Yorkshire Evening Post 12 September 1939 3 ((15,263)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The meeting also appointed a wartime committee to run the league for the duration of the war.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000273/19390912/021/0003 Football clubs ready for kick-off Yorkshire Evening Post 12 September 1939 3 ((15,263)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Seven games were played on 16 September and eleven on 23 September.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000378/19390916/135/0004 Rugby League - friendly matches Northern Daily Mail 16 September 1939 4 ((19,142)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000748/19390925/168/0007 Rugby League Leeds Mercury 25 September 1939 7 ((31,141)) subscription British Newspaper Archive A further change in the defence orders allowed games to go ahead in evacuation areas as long as the consent of the local chief constable had been obtained.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000768/19390921/322/0010 Wartime Football Birmingham Mail 21 September 1939 10 ((22,947)) subscription British Newspaper Archive County competitions Wilson's proposal, which was accepted on 11 September, was for the league to run as two parallel county competitions, a Yorkshire Competition and a Lancashire Competition under the umbrella name of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Emergency Period League. The leagues would be played on a simple home and away basis; gate money was to be split equally between the two clubs after deducting player expenses and travel expenses for 15 players of the away club.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000324/19390925/053/0005 New Yorkshire Emergency Rugby League Hull Daily Mail 25 September 1939 5 ((16,819)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Players' expenses were limited to 10s per game plus meal expenses if they had to travel more than 25 miles km 1 to an away game. These allowances replaced any previous contractual arrangements between the players and the clubs and in effect removed the professional status from the players.Collins 2006 75https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000272/19390913/058/0003 R.L. stars fall in as amateurs Manchester Evening News 3 ((21,951)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Referees were to be allowed 10s plus travel expenses and touch judges 5s plus travel expenses. Players were also allowed to play for another club if that club was closer to home or work, subject to agreement of their first club. This was to alleviate travelling for players who worked away. No inter-competition games were planned, but in January 1940 it was proposed and agreed that there should be a two-legged final between the winner of each competition to decide the overall league champions.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000273/19400118/066/0003 Wartime Championship Final Yorkshire Evening Post 18 January 1940 3 ((15,371)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Clubs were asked to notify Wilson as soon as possible if they intended to play in the competitions. In the end all 27 clubs, including those like Salford and Wigan who had previously decided to cease operating, had entered when the fixture list was issued.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000706/19390914/192/0006 War Time Sport Sheffield Evening Telegraph 14 September 1939 6 ((16,497)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000324/19390923/032/0003 First War Fixtures Hull Daily Mail 23 September 1939 3 ((16,818)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The rules also allowed alternative venues to be used if a club's home ground was unavailable, either temporarily or permanently. Broughton Rangers home ground, Belle Vue was unavailable to them all season so they played at a variety of other grounds, while Salford and Swinton shared Swinton's Station Road.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000771/19391124/110/0006 Tomorrow's R.L. Duels Liverpool Evening Express 24 November 1939 6 ((21,291)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000272/19390913/278/0008 Home for Both Manchester Evening News 13 September 1939 8 ((21,951)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Player protest Even before the season started players at Bradford Northern, Halifax and Huddersfield protested that the expense limit of 10s per game was insufficient and that they would not play unless the expenses were increased.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000272/19390925/274/0008 Clubs' threat to form own league Manchester Evening News 25 September 1939 8 ((21,961)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The Lord Mayor of Bradford, T. J. Robinson had anticipated the players' stance. At a lunch for the wartime committee, he was reported as saying "the committee members would have difficulty in getting first-class footballers, used to getting £4 or £5 to accept remuneration of 10s per match, but no doubt the difficulties would be surmounted".https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0001358/19390923/228/0007 Rugby League Plans for Emergency Period Halifax Courier 23 September 1939 7 ((18,131)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The players most opposed to the expense limit were those of Bradford Northern who were unanimous in their opposition and had made it clear to the club secretary that they were not prepared to play for 10s per game. The secretary had informed Wilson of this asking for a special meeting of the clubs to discuss the issue. At this stage Wilson did not consider discussion appropriate unless 20 or more of the clubs requested it. The Huddersfield players also informed their club committee that they were not prepared to play on the following Saturday.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000748/19390926/186/0007 Two teams refuse to play Leeds Mercury 26 September 1939 7 ((31,142)) subscription British Newspaper Archive At Halifax the secretary stated reports of a strike were exaggerated and that the "players were quite willing, indeed they were anxious to play but they were not prepared to run the risk of losing the jobs they had got, or of being off work, for the small amount they were permitted to receive".https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000273/19390925/216/0007 Protest by Rugby League players Yorkshire Evening Post 25 September 1939 7 ((15,274)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The chairman of the Rugby League Council, G.F. Hutchins, responded by asking all players to give the 10s expenses a month's trial after which the issue would be reviewed.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000273/19390927/218/0008 Higher Pay—Or No Play Yorkshire Evening Post 27 September 1939 8 ((15,276)) subscription British Newspaper Archive While players at St. Helens accepted the 10s limit, at Barrow team selection for Saturday was delayed because of the issue; while some clubs, including Halifax, Dewsbury and Batley, called for an increase in the limit.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000271/19390927/204/0005 St. Helens R.L. players agree Liverpool Echo 27 September 1939 5 ((18,624)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000711/19390927/111/0005 A Barrow problem Lancashire Evening Post 27 September 1939 5 ((16,428)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000748/19390927/202/0007 Support for the Rugby rebels Leeds Mercury 7 27 September 1939 ((31,143)) subscription British Newspaper Archive On Friday 29 September the Halifax players agreed to play but remained dissatisfied by the expense allowance; the Bradford players remained adamant leaving the club no alternative but to inform their opponents for Saturday, Hull Kingston Rovers that the game could not go ahead.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000748/19390929/191/0007 Northern Team refuse to turn out Leeds Mercury 29 September 1939 7 ((31,145)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Players from many clubs met on 2 October and agreed to continue to press the issue with the Rugby Football League, but they would play "on Saturday in order to keep faith with the public".https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000687/19391003/079/0002 Match payment protest Yorkshire Post 3 October 1939 2 ((28,756)) subscription British Newspaper Archive After the second weekend of the competitions, the Rugby League Council met to discuss the expenses issue and agreed a doubling of the expenses limit to £1. Expenses for referees were also increased to £1, but touch judges' expenses remained unchanged at 5s. Also, clubs could make an additional payment of 5s to each player for away games played in Barrow or Hull due to the extra travelling time needed. To increase the likelihood that gates would be adequate, the minimum entry for a game was increased to 1s but remained at 6d for women, children and any uniformed members of the armed forces.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000687/19391012/109/0002 More Pay for R.L. Players Yorkshire Post 12 October 1939 2 ((28,764)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The players responded by welcoming the rise but asked the Rugby League Council to consider changing the system to a payment of 25s to players on the winning team and 15s to the members of the losing team. The players felt this would increase competitiveness in the games.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000687/19391017/065/0002 Lack of interest in war-time games Yorkshire Post 17 October 1939 2 ((28,768)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The wartime committee met the following week but made no response to the player's suggestion. Bonuses were not discussed further except at the end of the season when the league awarded monetary prizes rather than medals.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000273/19391028/074/0002 Sport and Sportsmen Yorkshire Evening Post 28 October 1939 2 ((15,303)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000273/19400518/080/0003 Sport and Sportsmen Yorkshire Evening Post 18 May 1940 3 ((15,474)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Yorkshire competition With 15 teams the fixture list for the Yorkshire competition contained 28 fixtures for each team with the season end date being 11 May. Until Christmas 1939 the competition progressed as planned although at least one game was concluded early; Hull v Batley on 21 October was ended after 65 minutes due to an air raid warning.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000687/19391026/317/0012 Charity Matches Yorkshire Post 26 October 1939 12 ((28,776)) subscription British Newspaper ArchiveThe result of the game stood as this circumstance had been anticipated and the competition rules stated that results would stand as long as 60 minutes had been played. The last week of December 1939 was the start of the third coldest winter of the 20th century and the most severe in the United Kingdom since 1895.Nature 145 376–377 9 March 1940 10.1038/145376a0 The Severe Winter of 1939–40 free Heavy snow and prolonged cold periods,https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/jan/05/coldest-winters-britain-snow The coldest winters in the UK The Guardian 5 January 2010https://britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/article_files/V34/V34_N06/V34_N06_P118_132_A027.pdf Report of the effect of the severe winter of 1939-40 on bird-life in the British Isles The winter weather of 1939-40 in the British Isles, pp. 121–126 Hawke E.L. British Birds XXXIV 1 November 1940 together with the lack of material to protect the pitches, meant that after the games played on Boxing Day 1939 no games were played in Yorkshire until 24 February when a single match, Hull F.C. v Leeds beat the weather; it was the following Saturday, 2 March 1940, before a full schedule resumed.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000273/19391228/077/0002 No straw to cover R.L. pitches Yorkshire Evening Post 28 December 1939 2 ((15,353)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19400226/265/0008 Leeds win by odd point at Hull Yorkshire Post 26 February 1940 8 ((28,879)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000687/19400304/345/0010 Rugby League: Lancashire Cup Surprises, Yorkshire Leaders All Win Yorkshire Post 4 March 1940 10 ((28,885)) subscription British Newspaper Archive A backlog of over 100 games built up and it became apparent that it would be impossible to complete the fixtures by the end of April without many midweek games being played.Midweek games were unpopular with clubs and spectators due to clashes with work commitments.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000650/19400208/186/0008 Yorkshire want Cup competition Liverpool Daily Post 6 February 1940 8 ((26,386)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The decision was taken to extend the season. The clubs were urged to complete their fixtures by 4 May, but as the backlog grew the date was moved to 11 May with the Championship final scheduled for 18 and 25 May.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000650/19400222/162/0007 Rugby League will play in June Liverpool Daily Post 22 February 1940 7 ((26,398)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000324/19400215/017/0003 Season extended Hull Daily Mail 15 February 1940 3 ((16,490)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The extension required a ballot of all the clubs as the games' by-laws specified that they could not be played between the second Saturday in May and the last Saturday in August.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19391212/218/0008 Move for Summer Football Yorkshire Post 12 December 1939 8 ((28,816)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Despite all the urging, the games did not finish on time. By 31 May there were still three fixtures outstanding. Hull F.C. had away fixtures against Batley and Keighley to play, and Hull Kingston Rovers were still to play Dewsbury at home.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000273/19400515/217/0008 Rugby League Final Yorkshire Evening Post 15 May 1940 8 ((15,471)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000273/19400531/078/0004 League doubts Yorkshire Evening Post 31 May 1940 4 ((15,485)) subscription British Newspaper Archive These games never were played as Hull F.C. reported in July that their two fixtures were unplayed and both Keighley and Batley had withdrawn from the Yorkshire Cup ending their seasons in May due to problems raising teams.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000324/19400716/029/0003 Hull F.C. war season loss of £516 Hull Daily Mail 16 July 1940 3 ((17,069)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000687/19400531/201/0006 Batley withdraw from Yorkshire Cup Yorkshire Post 31 May 1940 6 ((28,960)) subscription British Newspaper Archive With two points awarded for a win, the non-playing of these three games had no bearing on the outcome of the competition. Bradford secured the title with a game to spare when they beat Hull Kingston Rovers on 13 May giving them a three-point lead over Huddersfield, and a six-point lead over Hull F.C.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19400514/198/0006 Northern are Champions Yorkshire Post 14 May 1940 6 ((28,945)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Results main complete Yorkshire Post and Liverpool Daily Post FBR BRA BAT BRM CAS DEW FEV HFX HUD HUL HKR HUN KEI LDS WAK YRK Bradford Northern Bfd Batley Bat Bramley Brm Castleford Cas Dewsbury Dew Featherstone Rovers Fev Halifax Hfx Huddersfield Hud Hull Hull Hull Kingston Rovers HKR Hunslet Hun Keighley Kly Leeds Lds Wakefield Trinity Wak York Yrk 36–12 38–2 24–10 31–9 26–5 33–14 23–26 36–17 31–3 23–14 20–10 15–8 12–11 34–13 0–18 18–9 24–19 15–8 4–2 2–18 5–10 Not played 32–0 3–12 29–2 5–8 10–5 6–18 10–13 0–9 5–11 6–2 8–10 4–21 9–17 10–12 6–32 13–11 24–3 8–30 10–42 8–18 15–19 20–10 33–4 13–2 13–11 18–4 13–3 18–2 12–7 15–8 14–8 10–9 8–6 34–8 14–13 12–2 35–14 13–5 15–16 12–10 15–36 3–7 7–8 12–26 19–8 10–4 13–11 12–12 5–6 24–2 22–14 16–13 13–21 13–32 10–5 25–8 11–23 15–27 38–8 17–13 27–8 2–16 22–18 9–8 24–15 12–9 22–6 11–23 8–10 30–11 39–10 7–15 33–14 15–6 20–11 26–5 4–5 28–10 44–7 12–5 28–8 16–6 8–20 7–10 15–17 15–9 74–10 27–17 38–17 22–10 13–2 28–0 27–2 13–12 4–8 25–5 17–2 12–5 11–10 18–9 25–18 6–7 20–11 22–5 18–23 15–10 21–16 5–11 Not played 15–12 12–2 6–10 7–14 23–5 8–5 18–15 13–8 36–10 10–5 17–3 32–13 15–7 4–8 8–20 16–29 17–17 7–6 28–4 16–2 14–4 20–15 29–10 0–32 17–3 2–5 5–5 6–2 0–2 14–4 9–11 Not played 11–8 21–11 4–10 2–5 10–10 17–5 20–18 33–8 4–10 24–6 13–8 10–5 7–10 6–23 29–6 15–8 31–7 5–18 20–9 16–5 24–6 42–6 31–0 45–3 5–7 6–13 34–18 8–18 23–0 8–16 19–6 14–13 24–5 4–16 27–5 15–12 20–6 15–15 5–8 13–10 13–20 11–3 38–18 8–26 18–19 13–12 0–8 Final table PosTeamPWDLPFPAPDPts1Bradford Northern282107574302272422Huddersfield281918545340205393Hull261808376265111364Halifax2817011462339123345Hunslet281611143033991336Castleford281611136430064337Featherstone Rovers28150133733658308Wakefield Trinity2814014479314165289Leeds2814014390330602810Hull Kingston Rovers2713014343434-912611Dewsbury2711214291406-1152412York2810315349467-1182313Batley278019255406-1511614Keighley276219221476-2551415Bramley284024248617-3698 Source:Rothman's Yearbook 1982 205 Lancashire competition The 12 teams of the Lancashire competition each had 22 fixtures to play. A season end date of 2 March was given when the fixture list was issued.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000310/19391018/100/0005 Hornet Fixtures Rochdale Observer 18 October 1939 5 ((7,146)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Like the Yorkshire competition, the Lancashire competition progressed well until the end of 1939 but was hit badly by the hard winter. The absence of games was not as long as the barren spell experienced in Yorkshire; in the first two weeks of January 1940 three games were played all in the Lancashire competition.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19400112/294/0011 A Serious Outlook Liverpool Echo 12 January 1940 11 ((18,714)) subscription British Newspaper Archive After that it was the last weekend in February before any more games were played.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19400226/257/0006 Rugby League: New League Leaders Liverpool Echo 26 February 1940 6 ((18,752)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Catching up on the outstanding fixtures required some games to be scheduled close to each other. Oldham and Warrington rescheduled the two games between the clubs. Both were played over the Easter weekend, Oldham at home on Saturday and Warrington at home on Monday.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19400130/262/0007 Rugby League: Rearranged Warrington Game Liverpool Echo 30 January 1940 7 ((18,729)) subscription British Newspaper Archive With a smaller backlog of games and fewer fixtures to be played, by the end of May there was only one fixture left to be played—Oldham v Rochdale. The game had previously been postponed twice at the request of Rochdale who then proposed the fixture be played on 1 June. However Oldham had already arranged a friendly against Huddersfield for the same day which they did not wish to postpone and instead proposed 8 June. Rochdale objected as they considered the outstanding league fixture should take precedence over a friendly. When Oldham refused, Rochdale wrote to the league and Oldham, stating that Rochdale did not intend to fulfil the fixture.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000310/19400601/056/0003 Hornet's Ultimatum Rochdale Observer 1 June 1940 3 ((7,210)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The games' points were awarded to Oldham.https://www.newspapers.com/image/259615224/ Lancashire Competition: Final Table Manchester Guardian 10 June 1940 2 ((29,239)) subscription newspapers.com The title was won by Swinton on points difference ahead of Salford.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19400513/153/0006 Leaders Lose by a Point Yorkshire Evening Post 13 May 1940 6 ((28,944)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Results main complete Yorkshire Post and Liverpool Daily Post FBR BAR BRO LEI LIV OLD ROC SAL STH SWI WAR WID WIG Barrow Bar Broughton Rangers Bro Leigh Lei Liverpool Stanley Liv Oldham Old Rochdale Hornets Roc Salford Sal St Helens StH Swinton Swi Warrington War Widnes Wid Wigan Wig 26–7 50–11 22–5 22–14 25–3 5–14 17–15 20–2 19–0 5–16 18–14 9–7 2–8 10–8 17–25 3–5 11–18 5–16 9–14 10–14 6–31 3–15 11–8 35–3 10–6 22–11 3–16 0–2 5–16 2–21 10–15 8–18 11–30 13–13 6–3 13–10 12–38 12–5 7–7 0–20 0–26 2–18 8–9 2–9 7–2 Abandoned after 72 minutes due to bad lighthttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000711/19391209/215/0006 Game abandoned Lancashire Evening Post 9 December 1939 6 ((16,491)) subscription British Newspaper Archive 18–0 2–2 5–5 15–11 13–16 7–3 7–8 18–2 19–3 2–5 12–18 3–2 12–4 7–12 Not played 4–12 12–10 9–14 14–7 20–11 10–9 12–9 31–12 35–5 26–4 21–14 25–5 10–5 0–6 30–4 17–3 9–9 23–3 27–9 11–5 18–8 12–5 28–9 10–15 15–7 13–0 11–20 9–12 37–10 28–0 38–5 37–10 9–5 32–11 16–6 41–2 9–4 12–4 9–0 16–5 39–10 14–13 23–7 46–11 10–5 12–14 8–6 17–5 10–10 3–24 18–5 15–3 37–0 18–5 8–0 29–9 5–3 6–6 13–5 7–3 13–8 27–4 26–8 0–3 16–7 16–5 25–6 12–5 6–0 9–2 16–7 13–11 Final table PosTeamPWDLPFPAPDPts1Swinton221705378158220342Salford221624328171157343Wigan221615301157144334Widnes221525305176129325St. Helens221111028822464236Warrington221111028125823237Barrow221011130328617218Oldham219Oldham Oldham were awarded a win and Rochdale a loss from the unplayed game between the two clubs due to Rochdale declining to play the game. 211241242-1209Rochdale Hornets218014Oldham197306-1091610Leigh226115188346-1581311Liverpool Stanley224315152350-1981112Broughton Rangers222020153441-2884 Source: Championship play-off The Championship was decided by a two leg play-off between Swinton and Bradford Northern on a home and away basis. Bradford Northern won 37–22 on aggregate having won both legs.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19400527/135/0006 Northern Worthy Champions Yorkshire Post 27 May 1940 6 ((28,956)) subscription British Newspaper Archive First leg 18 May 1940 Swinton 13 – 21 Bradford Northern Tries: Shaw, Hopkin, McGurkGoals: Hodgson (2) Tries: Harrison, Smith, Davies, Whitcombe, BrogdenGoals: Carmichael (3) Station Road 4,800 J.E. Taylor n right y red #FDE910 black blue white blue Swinton Bradford Northern 13 n Bartram Hopkin Lewis Shaw McGurk Bowyer Holland Wright Armitt Stoddart Hodgson Williams Garner Carmichael JenkinsGuest player from Keighley Winnard BrogdenGuest player from Hull F.C. Walters Davies D. Ward Whitcombe Dilorenzo W. Smith Harrison Foster Moore Source: The first leg was played at Swinton's Station Rd on 18 May 1940 in front of a crowd of 4,800. Gate receipts totalled £237.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000687/19400520/183/0006 Bradford Northern's step to Championship Honours Yorkshire Post 20 May 1940 6 ((28,950)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Swinton took a 3–0 lead when Hopkin scored a try. But within minutes Bradford took the lead as Harrison scored a try which Carmichael converted to put Bradford 5–3 ahead. Swinton regained the lead through a McGurk try, converted by Hodgson, cancelled out by Bradford's second try by Smith which Carmichael again converted. This gave Bradford a half-time lead 10–8. In the second half it was Bradford who scored first with a Whitcombe try to which Carmichael added the conversion to make the score 15–8. Swinton reduced the gap to two points as Shaw scored with Hodgson converting. Bradford's fourth try came from a Swinton penalty kick that hit the post and rebounded into the field of play. It was gathered up by Bradford's Davies who ran the length of the pitch to score. A fifth try for Bradford, scored by Brogden, made the final score 21–13 to Bradford.https://www.newspapers.com/image/259610472/ Swinton Beaten. Bradford Profit by Lapses Manchester Guardian 20 May 1940 2 ((29,221)) subscription newspapers.com Second leg 25 May 1940 Bradford Northern 16 – 9 Swinton Tries: WilliamsGoals: Hodgson (3) Tries: Winnard (2), Davies, WhitcombeGoals: Carmichael (2) Odsal Stadium 11,271 P. Cowell n right y red #FDE910 black blue white blue Swinton Bradford Northern 13 n Carmichael Foster Winnard JenkinsGuest player from Keighley Lambert D. Ward Hayes Whitcombe Dilorenzo W. Smith Harrison Higson Moore Bartram Hopkin Lewis Shaw McGurk Bowyer Holland Wright Armitt Stoddart Hodgson Williams Garner Source: The second leg was played the following Saturday, 25 May 1940 at Odsal Stadium. The crowd was 11,271 generating gate receipts of £570. Bradford made a number of changes for the first leg due to injuries and players unable to get time off work. Bradford scored first with a Ward try to which Swinton replied with a Hodgson drop goal. This was Swinton's only score of the first half. Bradford scored two more tries through Winnard and Whitcombe, one of which Carmichael converted to give Bradford an 11–2 lead at half-time. Swinton got a try back in the second half, but another try by Winnard and a Carmichael conversion extended Bradford's lead to 16–5. Two Hodgson penalties, the second of which was kicked from very close to the halfway line making the kick approximately 60 m yd flip from the goal posts, improved Swinton's score. Shortly before the end Jenkins (Bradford) and Bowyer (Swinton) were sent off for fighting. As Swinton had already lost Hopkin to injury they finished the game with only 11 players on the field as the game ended 16–9 to Bradford.https://www.newspapers.com/image/259612154/ Bradford defeat Swinton Manchester Guardian 27 May 1940 2 ((29,227)) subscription newspapers.com Cup competitions Challenge Cup The Challenge Cup was suspended at the start of the war at the same time as all competitive games and it did not feature in the Rugby League's proposals for competitive football.https://www.newspapers.com/image/259485780/ Rugby League Decision Manchester Guardian 12 September 1939 2 ((29,009)) subscription newspapers.com As late as December 1939 the Lancashire County Committee were considering a proposal to reinstate the competition but the practicalities of scheduling and travel during wartime were considered too great to overcome.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000272/19391204/149/0006 No R.L. Challenge Cup this season Manchester Evening News 4 December 1939 6 ((22,021)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Lancashire Cup 1939–40 Lancashire Cup Although all cup competitions had been suspended at the outbreak of the war, as the season progressed there were calls for the County Cup competitions to be re-introduced. In December 1939 the wartime committee gave permission for the Lancashire Cup to be played. All ties including the final were to be two-legged with the winner being decided by aggregate score.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000273/19391214/092/0004 Lancashire takes Lead in R.L. Yorkshire Evening Post 14 December 1939 4 ((15,343)) subscription British Newspaper Archive With only 12 clubs participating only four rounds of competition were needed and these were scheduled for March and April 1940.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000310/19391230/177/0010 Lancashire Cup Rochdale Observer 30 December 1939 10 ((7,166)) subscription British Newspaper Archive After the first round the six winning clubs were drawn for the second round with two teams being given byes into the semi-finals. The two teams given byes were Swinton and Widnes who went on to win their semi-final matches.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/19400312/060/0007 Lancashire R.L. Cup Draw Hull Daily Mail 12 March 1940 7 ((16,962)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000650/19400415/203/0008 Rugby League — Lancashire Cup Liverpool Daily Post 15 April 1940 8 ((26,442)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The winners of the cup were Swinton who won the first leg of the final 5–4 at Widnes' Naughton Park ground on 20 April. In the second leg at Station Road, at full time the score was 9–8 to Widnes making the aggregate score 13–13. Under the competition rules extra time had to be played and Swinton won 16–11 to win the Cup 21–15 on aggregate.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19400422/206/0007 Widnes disappoint Liverpool Echo 22 April 1940 7 ((18,799)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000650/19400429/227/0008 Swinton's Cup Liverpool Daily Post 29 April 1940 8 ((26,454)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Yorkshire Cup 1939–40 Yorkshire Cup Encouraged by the resumption of the Lancashire Cup, in December 1939 the Yorkshire clubs considered whether to reinstate the Yorkshire Cup but agreed to defer any decision until February 1940.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/19391221/046/0005 Yorkshire R.L. Cup Hull Daily Mail 21 December 1939 5 ((16,894)) subscription British Newspaper Archive At the club's February meeting it was agreed to ask the war-time committee for permission to play the competition on four consecutive Saturdays in May and June after the completion of the league season.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000671/19400208/196/0010 Out to extend R.L. season Evening Despatch 8 February 1940 10 ((15,163)) subscription British Newspaper Archive As the request was made at the same time the league fixture backlog was increasing, the war-time committee arranged a postal ballot of all the clubs to amend the by-laws to allow games to be played in June; the vote to extend the season was carried 21–3 with 8 clubs not replying.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19400215/280/0008 Rugby League season to be extended Yorkshire Post 15 February 1940 8 ((28,870)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000671/19400221/215/0008 Rugby League to extend season Evening Despatch 21 February 1940 8 ((15,174)) subscription British Newspaper Archive A secondary proposal to pay match bonuses to players for cup games after the first round was rejected after a ballot of the clubs.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000273/19400422/238/0008 No R.L. Cup Bonus Yorkshire Evening Post 22 April 1940 8 ((15,451)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Unlike the Lancashire Cup, the Yorkshire Cup was to be a straightforward knockout competition. It was agreed that the first round fixtures would be those that had been drawn in May 1939 in anticipation of the Cup being at its regular dates in the season.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000273/19400207/276/0008 Yorkshire R.L. Cup Decision Yorkshire Evening Post 7 February 1940 8 ((15,388)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The draw gave Huddersfield a bye; they would join the winners of the seven ties in the draw for the second round.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000324/19390526/079/0011 Hull and Rovers at Home in Yorkshire Cup Hull Daily Mail 26 May 1939 11 ((16,715)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Shortly before the first round ties were played on 1 June 1940, Batley, Bramley and Keighley all withdrew from the competition because they could not raise teams due to war work commitments or active service. The three ties were all awarded to their opponents.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000687/19400531/201/0006 Batley Withdraw from Yorkshire Cup Yorkshire Post 31 May 1940 6 ((28,960)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000273/19400531/243/0010 Barley Mow Cup-Tie Off Yorkshire Evening Post 31 May 1940 10 ((15,485)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The final was contested by Featherstone Rovers and Wakefield Trinity at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on 22 June 1940. Featherstone won 12–9 to win the Cup for the first time.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19400624/149/0005 Featherstone Win Their First Cup 24 June 1940 5 ((28,980)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Lancashire Summer Competition In April 1940 eight of the Lancashire clubs agreed to play in a new league called the Lancashire Summer Competition. The teams were split into two groups of four with the two group leaders meeting in a single-legged play-off final on 22 June. The two groups, titled East and West comprised Barrow, Liverpool Stanley, Warrington and Wigan in the East group with Broughton Rangers, Leigh, Salford and Swinton in the West group.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19400417/261/0008 New Rugby Competition Yorkshire Post 17 April 1940 8 ((28,922)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Players from the four teams who had decided not to enter were not allowed to play as guests in the competition. The games were to be played as a two-legged knockout tournament in the same manner as the Lancashire Cup.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19400510/203/0007 The Summer Cup Liverpool Echo 10 May 1940 7 ((18,815)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Fixtures began on 11 May with Broughton Rangers playing Leigh,https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000650/19400511/202/0007 Rugby League Liverpool Daily Post 11 May 1940 7 ((26,465)) subscription British Newspaper Archive but within two weeks Barrow and Swinton withdrew from the competition.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000273/19400523/068/0003 Swinton team for Odsal Yorkshire Evening Post 23 May 1940 3 ((15,478)) subscription British Newspaper Archive With only six teams left in the competition, the league committee decided to abandon the competition at the end of May.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000271/19400530/183/0005 A Rugby League Competition Stops Liverpool Echo 30 May 1940 5 ((18,832)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Representative matches In October 1939 the league resolved to play three representative matches to raise funds for the Red Cross; England v Wales on 23 December 1939, Lancashire v Yorkshire at Barrow on 1 January 1940, and the 1936 Tourists v the Rest on 10 February 1940 at a venue to be confirmed.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000324/19391026/022/0003 R.L. Representative Matches Hull Daily Mail 26 October 1939 3 ((16,846)) subscription British Newspaper Archive In total the three games generated £1,561 for the British Red Cross.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000650/19400516/099/0005 Rugby League Decisions Liverpool Daily Post 16 May 1940 5 ((26,469)) subscription British Newspaper Archive England v Wales 23 December 1939 1:30pm England Batten 3–16 Wales Davies, Foster Sullivan (5) Odsal Stadium, Bradford 15,257 P. Cowell n right y England Wales 13 n Billy Belshaw Eric Batten Jim Croston Johnny Lawrenson Ossie Peake Tom Kenny Herbert Goodfellow Francis Gregory Tommy Armitt Harry Dyer Robert Roberts Charlie Booth Ted Sadler Jim Sullivan Arthur Bassett Cliff Evans Gus Risman Alan Edwards Willie Davies Dai Jenkins Frank Whitcombe Con Murphy Dai Davies Trevor Foster Sandy Orford Alex Givvons The first game, England v Wales, was played at Odsal, Bradford on 23 December 1939. A crowd of over 15,000 saw Wales win 16–3.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000653/19391223/120/0004 Rugby League International Sports Argus 23 December 1939 4 ((2,171)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Lancashire v Yorkshire 23 March 1940 3:15pm Lancashire Hodgson, Marklew Hodgson (2) Yorkshire Batten (2), Foster Lockwood (2) n right y Lancashire Yorkshire 13 n Billy Belshaw Stanley Powell Albert Butler Gus Risman Alan Edwards Jack Bowker Billy Little Cod Miller Tommy Armitt Francis Gregory Bob Ayres Martin Hodgson Alf Marklew Hubert Lockwood Eric Batten Cliff Evans Henry Mills James Milner Willie Davies Dai Jenkins Frank Whitcombe Billy Watson Hudson Irving Charlie Booth Trevor Foster Harry Beverley The second game was scheduled for 1 January 1940 and was a match between representative teams of the Lancashire and Yorkshire clubs. It was postponed in December 1939 at the request of the Barrow club as the Barrow shipyards were not taking New Years Day, a Monday, as a holiday.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000711/19391206/188/0006 Barrow Rugby League Club Lancashire Evening Post 6 December 1939 6 ((16,488)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Eventually played at Craven Park on 23 March before a crowd of 8,683, Yorkshire beat Lancashire 13–10 having been 2–10 behind at half-time.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000650/19400325/197/0008 Rugby League: Lancashire 10 pts., Yorkshire 13 pts. Liverpool Daily Post 25 March 1940 8 ((26,424)) subscription British Newspaper Archive 1940 Probables v 1936 Tourists 4 May 1940 1940 Probables Williams, Jenkins (2), Foster (2), Brooks, Irving Kelly, Fiddes, Croston (2) 29–21 1936 Tourists Brogden (2), Edwards (3) Risman, Hodgson (2) The Willows, Salford 7,000 G S Phillips n right y 1940 Probables 1936 Tourists 13 n Jack Kelly Bill Johnson Alex Fiddes Jim Croston Syd Williams Willie Davies Dai Jenkins Frank Whitcombe Edgar Brooks Glyn Jones Hudson Irving Jack Fearnley Trevor Foster Billy Belshaw Barney Hudson Stan Brogden Gus Risman Alan Edwards Tommy McCue Billy Watkins (rugby) Dai Davies Tommy Armitt Cod Miller Harold Thomas Martin Hodgson Jack Feetham The third game, postponed from 10 February, was played at Salford on 4 May between the 1936 Tourists (players from the 1936 team that toured Australia) and the 1940 Probables (players who probably would have toured Australia in 1940 had the war not intervened).https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19400120/056/0002 Rugby League Representatives Liverpool Echo 20 January 1940 2 ((18,721)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Last minute changes in availability meant that the Tourists side included three Salford players who had not been part of the tour team. The 1940 Probables won the game 29–21 in front of a crowd of 7,000.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000650/19400506/172/0008 R.L. Red Cross Match Liverpool Daily Post 6 May 1940 8 ((26,460)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Finances The season was costly both to the Rugby Football League and to many clubs. The Rugby Football League had income of only £899 in the year to 31 May 1940 and lost £3,015, reducing its assets to £23,304. This compared to a loss of £1,710 in the previous year.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000687/19400610/192/0005 Rugby League's Heavy Loss Yorkshire Post 10 June 1940 5 ((28,968)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/19390608/082/0011 Rugby League Annual Meeting Hull Daily Mail 8 June 1939 11 ((16,726)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The two County Leagues had mixed fortunes. Lancashire made a profit of £63 while Yorkshire made a loss of £121.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000271/19400613/186/0005 Lancashire County Profit Liverpool Echo 13 June 1940 5 ((18,844)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000273/19400725/205/0006 Rugby League View Yorkshire Evening Post 25 July 1940 6 ((15,532)) subscription British Newspaper Archive At club level many clubs reported losses, these ranged from £47 at Batley and £87 at Rochdale to £998 at Castleford and £1,314 at Wigan.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000687/19400525/349/0009 Batley Rugby Affairs Yorkshire Post 25 May 1940 9 ((28,955)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000310/19400629/139/0006 Hornet's mark time Rochdale Observer 29 June 1940 6 ((7,218)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000273/19400627/081/0003 Castleford Rugby League Club's Loss Yorkshire Evening Post 27 June 1940 3 ((15,508)) subscription British Newspaper Archive A minority of clubs reported making a profit; St Helens £5 Oldham £114, Swinton £515 and Dewsbury £750, but these club were far fewer in number than the clubs reporting losses.https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000272/19400730/210/0006 St. Helens R.F.C. Profit Manchester Evening News 30 July 1940 6 ((22,223)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000273/19400712/054/0003 A Crown Flatt Record: Biggest R.L. Profit So Far Yorkshire Evening Post 12 July 1940 3 ((15,521)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Notes References 30em Sources Collins Tony Tony Collins (historian) Rugby League in Twentieth Century Britain: A Social and Cultural History 2006 Routledge 978-0415396158 Rothmans Rugby League 1982–83 Yearbook Rothman's Yearbook 1982 1982 Fletcher Raymond Howes David 0 907574 15 7 http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-Civil-Social/UK-Civil-Social-3.html#fn35 Problems of Social Policy Titmuss Richard Richard Titmuss Chapter III Preparations: Evacuations 1950 HMSO Category:1939 in English rugby league Category:1940 in English rugby league Category:Northern Rugby Football League seasons