Grade-I listed building set to be home of rugby museum

BRADFORD’S grade I-listed city hall is set to be home of a Rugby League museum when the sport celebrates its 125-year anniversary in 2020.

Bradford beat stiff competition from other towns and cities to host the museum which will display extensive collections from rugby league’s past.

Bradford was selected as the home of Rugby League’s first ever National Museum following a consultation process led by Dr Kevin Moore, the director of the celebrated National Football Museum, and involving local authorities, the Rugby Football League and other key stakeholders.

The city has proven its rugby credentials over the years – it still holds the record for the biggest crowd for a rugby match in the UK of 102,575 for the 1954 Challenge Cup final replay, Halifax v Warrington at Odsal Stadium, and the Manningham club were founder members of the Northern Union in 1895 before switching codes and changing their name to Bradford City.

In Super League, Bradford Bulls are one of the most successful clubs of the summer rugby era with six Grand Final appearances, including three wins.

Chris Rostron, the head of Rugby League Cares, said: “It gives me great pleasure to confirm that Bradford will be the home of the new National Rugby League Museum from 2020.

“Through all our discussions with the city council and its officers we have been overwhelmed by the positivity for this very prestigious project. The city’s commitment to working with Rugby League Cares to help us realise our ambitions to make the museum a world-class attraction shone through from Day 1.

“Bradford’s enthusiasm to host the National Rugby League Museum is matched by the energy within a city which is rapidly becoming one of the UK’s top destination venues: our location in City Hall could not be more central or accessible.”

Bradford Council leader, Coun Susan Hinchcliffe, said: “It’s fantastic that Bradford has been chosen as the preferred partner by Rugby League Cares to host the National Rugby League Museum in Bradford.

“We are delighted by this news and are committed to working with all relevant parties to ensure that the museum is a success. It is a wonderful opportunity for Bradford and we are very proud City Hall has been chosen as the location for the museum.”