Little Red Ramble Little Red Books

Last Christmas, Tom Danby was 96 years of age and the oldest man alive to have played for England in rugby union and Great Britain in Rugby League. This episode is a short tribute to Tom, who sadly passed away on Boxing Day, touching on his playing career in rugby league. But we’ll also broach the subject of why his signing from Harlequins may be historically significant.

The first Englishman to score both a try in professional rugby league and a first-class century in cricket did so while playing for Salford RLFC and Lancashire CCC. But who was he?

By the early 1970s average attendances at Rugby League matches were at all-time lows. Meanwhile, Salford RLFC under the guidance of its chairman Brian Snape were one of few clubs bucking the trend. Snape sought to use his influence within the Rugby Football League to help pull the game back from the brink. But the result stoked division and ended the careers of the key men involved.

This year marks 150 years since Salford Red Devils were formed, and it’s great to see the club is actively promoting this landmark. However, back in October 1979, Salford played host to Widnes in what was dubbed Salford’s centenary match. This clearly points to a foundation year of 1879. So, when was the club formed: 1873 or 1879?

It might surprise you that Salford played on December 25th on nearly forty occasions. Proper league fixtures we’re talking about here, but how did they come about and how did the away fans get to the ground? Why not settle in with a mince pie and snowball and we’ll tell you all about it.

In what is the first and quite possibly only episode, we thank you for listening and, hopefully, subscribing.