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Welcome to the official website of the Rugby League Record Keepers’ Club (RKC).

The RKC is a group of statisticians and historians aiming to create and share a comprehensive record of rugby league’s history.

The history of rugby league as a separate form of rugby football goes back to 1895, when the Northern Rugby Football Union broke away from England’s established Rugby Football Union to administer its own separate competition.

Similar schisms occurred in Australia and New Zealand in 1907. Gradually the rugby played in these breakaway competitions evolved into a distinctly separate sport that took its name from the professional leagues that administered it.

All work in this archive is undertaken by members of the RKC on a voluntary basis.  Membership is available to everyone, with no obligation to contribute directly to the work, though any help is definitely appreciated.  Details of how to join can be found here.

We hope you find the information available on the site interesting and useful.  Should you wish to provide feedback, or have any questions, please contact Neil Ormston.

RKC data launch confirmed
Neil Ormston

RKC data launch confirmed

Email Updates
Home grounds list – input required
Neil Ormston

Home grounds list – input required

Email Updates
RL RKC update – going global
Neil Ormston

RL RKC update – going global

Email Updates
Rugby Reloaded #149
Albert Rosenfeld
Neil Ormston

Rugby Reloaded #149

Articles
2021 – off with a bang
Neil Ormston

2021 – off with a bang

Email Updates
January Update
Neil Ormston

January Update

Latest News
RL Record Keepers’ Club update & 2021 membership info
Neil Ormston

RL Record Keepers’ Club update & 2021 membership info

Email Updates
October Update
Chris Lines

October Update

Latest News
Record Keepers’ Club update
Neil Ormston

Record Keepers’ Club update

Email Updates
2020 Stats treatment
Neil Ormston

2020 Stats treatment

Email Updates
July Updates
Odsal
Neil Ormston

July Updates

Latest News
Status update & website launch
Neil Ormston

Status update & website launch

Email Updates
Announcement of partnership between RL RKC & Rugby League Cares, & other news
Neil Ormston

Announcement of partnership between RL RKC & Rugby League Cares, & other news

Email Updates
Welcome to the re-formed RL Record Keepers Club
Neil Ormston

Welcome to the re-formed RL Record Keepers Club

Email Updates

Facebook Talk

I must have missed this. I was aware that win percentage was being used but not aware of the use of points percentage. Why change a system that has been in place for 125 years and not massively publicise the fact? ... See MoreSee Less

Mailbox: Why Featherstone aren't top of the Championship | LoveRugbyLeague

buff.ly

In the latest mailbox, a fan asks why Featherstone still aren't top of the Championship after 13 wins from 13. [Read more...]

4 days ago  ·  

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As work continues on the international match records, I thought I'd open up a discussion on a couple of thorny points that need a final resolution.Firstly, International Rugby League's Recognised Senior International Match list was drawn up with a broad scope, such that it includes some games that at the time were not included in player career appearances (e.g. Ireland V. Scotland 1995, the Emerging Nations World Cup, etc). In attempting to deal with this conflict, I drew up the definition of Full International matches, to determine which games should be included in career records; this had the effect of removing c. 300 games on the IRL list, including some by non-national teams like Aborigines, FIji President's XIII, Rotuma and BARLA, and those not generally recognised as Full Internationals at the time (such as Ireland-Scotland referred to above) - however, some teams such as Maori & NZ Residents still remain in the FI list. The question is, do people agree that such exclusions should happen, or should we align fully to the IRL list & include all games they recognise in player career records?Secondly, IRL do not intend to define 'Test matches', preferring to stick to the less contentious Recognised Senior International Match term. Given it would only be an exercise for stats purposes, do people think there's any value in agreeing a definition of the term for use in modern day games: something such as only matches between two Full Members of IRL? Would views be different if we could get a couple of governing bodies such as the RFL & ARL to agree to this?Any input on the above much appreciated. ... See MoreSee Less

5 days ago  ·  

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Does anyone have info on Yorkshire Cup fixtures for 1877-78 and 1878-79? I've dug up Leeds St Johns teams and scorers from 1879-80 to 1890 when they became Leeds, and the first round in 1878-79. I have the team for that game (they beat Bradford Juniors on 22nd Feb 1879). However, I can't find any reference to later games, but I know they didn't get to the final. In 1877 I've got the only result - lost to Wakefield in the first round (8th Dec 1877) but can't find the teamlists anywhere. Any help gratefully received.With a little luck I'll soon have complete teamlists and scorers for Leeds in every competitive game from 1877. Happy to share all things pre 1895 with anyone interested. ... See MoreSee Less

1 week ago  ·  

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A quick query in case anyone can help please: I'm trying to find match details (teams and scorers) for the 2004 Med Cup, especially France's details (V. Morocco 02/10/2004; V. Serbia 05/10/2004 & V. Lebanon 09/10/2004). Any help much appreciated. ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago  ·  

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Another quick request: could anyone share an image of the team line-ups from the original RKC sheets for St Helens from 1896-97 season please? ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago  ·  

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Today Joe Summers played for Fev in the 1895 Cup Final. It was his first ever first grade match. Do you know of anyone else who made their first grade début at Wembley? It would be interesting to know if this is unique. ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago  ·  

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It’s Cup Final day, and my programme has just arrived. There’s a record keeping related article in there as you’ve hopefully now come to expect, plus my flick through spotted at least 3 other members with contributions that I’m looking forward to reading later 😊 ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago  ·  

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Good morning ladies and gentlemen, or good good evening depending on where you are on the planet. I am trying to track down the TVNZ footage of my old league clubs game in 1985 Manukau Magpies vs St Helen's @ Carlaw Park on behalf of my family. The late Ian Bell ( R.I.P) was captain for Manukau and Harry Pinner for Saints. I have tried TV New Zealand archive without any luck. Any help would be greatly appreciated, Neil Smithson Jnr. Thank you. ... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago  ·  

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Hi all. Does anyone have records of Heckmondwike? I saw an old pic of them marked c1900 and there's a player called J Coleman in the lineup. I'm trying to find out if it could be James Coleman who played for Leeds. ... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago  ·  

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