1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season


The 1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season was the second ever season of rugby league football. Following the success of the Northern Union's first season, several more clubs from the established Rugby Football Union joined the rebel competition. This resulted in the decision that for the 1896–97 season the competition should be split into two separate county championships: Lancashire and Yorkshire. This season also saw the introduction of the Challenge Cup, with Batley defeating St Helens in the inaugural final.

Season summary

Eight new teams joined the twenty-two teams already in the breakaway Northern Union, and so it was split into two county leagues for the 1896–97 season. The new teams were Bramley, Castleford, Heckmondwike, Holbeck, Leeds Parish Church, Morecambe, Swinton and Salford. Salford's first game was a 10-0 defeat away to Widnes on 5 September 1896.
Mr J.E. Warren of the Warrington club was elected as the new President of the Northern Union. Warren, previously Warrington's secretary, had played a key role in Warrington's involvement in the foundation of the Northern Union.
The leading try scorer overall this season was Hannah of Hunslet, who crossed the line 19 times. The leading goal kickers were Albert Goldthorpe of Hunslet and Sharpe of Liversedge who both successful 26 times. The leading points scorer was Archie Rigg of Halifax with 112 points.

Lancashire Senior Competition

After finishing second from the bottom of the competition in the previous season, Broughton Rangers made a remarkable turnaround to finish the 1896–97 competition at the top of the Lancashire division, just one competition point ahead of Oldham, who had won more matches and had a better points differential. Although participating in the Lancashire Senior Competition, Runcorn and Stockport were from Cheshire.
TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts
1 Broughton Rangers26195220152+14943
2 Oldham26202424359+18442
3Tyldesley26152915980+7932
4Runcorn26135813462+7231
5Stockport2614210157137+2030
6 Swinton26125912582+4329
7 Warrington2611510100124-2427
8 Leigh2611411105147-4226
9 St. Helens2610412122160-3824
10 Widnes2610313113164-5123
11 Wigan26871173118-4523
12 Rochdale Hornets268117121167-4617
13 Salford26351876191-11511
14Morecambe26302352238-1866


Source: .

League points: for win = 2; for draw = 1; for loss = 0.

Pld = Games played; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; PF = Match points scored; PA = Match points conceded; PD = Points difference; Pts = League points.

Yorkshire Senior Competition

The previous season's champions, Manningham continued their good form in the Northern Union's second season, finishing in second place. However Brighouse took the Yorkshire championship with one win more than Manningham.
TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts
1Brighouse Rangers3022442136814548
2 Manningham30214529112916246
3 Halifax30184821911210740
4 Hunslet30164102111387336
5 Hull3015691521252736
6 Batley30155101641263835
7 Bradford30153121701571333
8 Wakefield Trinity30134131721541830
9 Castleford30116131781611728
10 Huddersfield3010713142179-3727
11Liversedge3013017176233-5726
12 Leeds3010416115123-824
13Leeds Parish Church309417129162-3322
14Bramley309318101193-9221
15Holbeck30741986223-13718
16Heckmondwike30342372308-23610


Source: .

League points: for win = 2; for draw = 1; for loss = 0.

Pld = Games played; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; PF = Match points scored; PA = Match points conceded; PD = Points difference; Pts = League points.