2 Articles by:
Tony Collins is emeritus professor of history at De Montfort University. His books include Raising the Red Flag, Sport in Capitalist Society and Rugby League: A People’s History.
In 1919, a wave of race riots erupted across Britain following anti-immigrant incitement, including from leading labour movement figures — serving as a warning against the Left’s failure to challenge far-right narratives.
125 years ago, rugby league was formed in a split with rugby union. The dividing lines were based on class – and shaped both codes for decades to come.