Tony Collins

Got a free ten minutes? Read this brilliant article on Roy Francis and his career at Hull FC, Leeds Rhinos and North Sydney/Perth Bears from Patrick Skene. skeneinthegame.substack.com/p/forgotten-sp… #rugbyleague #BlackHistoryMonth

6.30 pm. 29 August. 131 years to this very minute the meeting began at the George Hotel that led to rugby league. 'I say with Mark Twain's bold, bad boy that we glory in the sentence of outlawry pronounced on us, as freeing us from tyrannical bondage of the English Union’.

29 August 1895. 6.30pm. The George Hotel, Huddersfield. The birth of the Northern Union. 'I say with Mark Twain's bold, bad boy that we glory in the sentence of outlawry pronounced on us, as freeing us from tyrannical bondage of the English [Rugby] Union'.

Here’s my tribute to the great Billy Boston, in conversation with Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin on SkySportsRL’s podcast ‘The Bench’: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn_C...

Now that York Knights are in Super League, the latest 'Rugby Reloaded' talks to Ian Lockwood about his new book 'The History of York RL Club 1868-1914' and the fascinating early story of one of Britain's oldest rugby clubs. Listen now via: on.soundcloud.com/G7ypPfulKYvP...

Everything you ever wanted to know about Ebenezer Cobb Morley! 'Rugby Reloaded' tells the story of the man some claim is the father of #football. He wasn't, but his life is far more interesting than that. And 'Cobb Morley' wasn't even his name! Listen via: on.soundcloud.com/4PPGUsBaraRH...

What Have The Three John Scotts Got To Do With Sport? This is a fabulous twisty-turny tale from sports writer Tony Collins involving a high-achieving family with numerous fingers in several significant pies. Supplementals: tinyurl.com/ykrv6m7w @hulllibraries.bsky.social @collinstony.bsky.social

One of my favourites in a good while. Love a good origin myth buster and no-one does it better than @collinstony.bsky.social

Where did the term 'Derby Match' come from? And is the St Helens versus Wigan match the 'Original' Derby? This week's 'Rugby Reloaded' digs deep: on.soundcloud.com/mYcbBmim1oL2...

New Roy Francis film for schools on its way! Great news for everyone who has worked hard for this in Brynmawr, for the sport of rugby league, and for the black community in Wales. www.heritagefund.org.uk/projects/cel...

A discussion with the great @collinstony.bsky.social about the early days of the Sydney Cricket Ground ... www.rugbyreloaded.com

Interesting and insightful article in ‘The Times’ from Elgan Alderman about the state of British rugby league and potential NRL involvement (declaration of interest: I’m quoted in it). www.thetimes.com/article/58cf...

The new Rugby Reloaded talks to Mike Meehall Wood about what Antonio Gramsci has to do with rugby league, why the game underplays its complexity and why Jonny Lomax and Todd Carney might be 'organic intellectuals'. Listen on: soundcloud.com/rugbyreloade...

Here’s my article exploring France’s expulsion from #rugbyunion 5 Nations in the 1930s and return in the 1940s. Big thanks to the excellent ‘Football(s)’ journal. (It’s in French but translation apps are available): journals.openedition.org/footballs/479

What Has The Spanish Civil War Got To Do With Hull Rugby League? Soaking-wet sports writer Tony Collins outlines the part a Hull lad played in both rugby and defeating fascism. Supplementals: tinyurl.com/3xzjdp58 @hulllibraries.bsky.social @collinstony.bsky.social @hullfcofficial.bsky.social

Terrible news that Sydney rugby league historian Terry Williams has died. A great bloke, a good friend, and a man who brought the history of the game to life. He was a huge help when I wrote my Roy Francis bio. He’s a massive loss for us all - the game is poorer for his passing.

Before Andy Gregory, before Alex Murphy, there was Jonty Parkin of @wtrinityrl.bsky.social the man who defined the rugby league scrum-half as a cocky, rebellious, trickster; and a leader. 'Rugby Reloaded' talks to Lee Robinson about his new biography 'Jonty': on.soundcloud.com/DThmiJkKEFiB...

Before Andy Gregory, before Alex Murphy, there was Jonty Parkin of @wtrinityrl.bsky.social the man who defined the rugby league scrum-half as a cocky, rebellious, trickster; and a leader. 'Rugby Reloaded' talks to Lee Robinson about his new biography 'Jonty': on.soundcloud.com/DThmiJkKEFiB...

Good article by @collinstony.bsky.social on the state of rugby league in the UK post-Ashes. "The strategy of the RFL has simply been to squeeze more revenue out of existing supporters." (Also an e.g. of UK rugby league discourse using the word "soccer".) www.rugbyleaguehub.com/what-the-hel...

What Does A Sweet Shop Have To Do With Hull City’s Greatest Ever Player? Sports writer Tony Collins heads to some waste ground on Anlaby Road to link goodies and a very good player. Supplementals: tinyurl.com/2txcwhy6 @hulllibraries.bsky.social @collinstony.bsky.social

Great episode from @collinstony.bsky.social putting into context arguments for Scotland having ‘invented’ football open.spotify.com/episode/4tvc...

The Scots revolutionised football, but did Scotland invent soccer? It's complicated... The new episode of 'Rugby Reloaded' unravels the tangled origins of the round-ball game north and south of the border: on.soundcloud.com/jfgUfdyTeFiE...

If you want to find out more about Roy Francis, race, and #RugbyLeague I'm talking about my new book on the Progressive Rugby League podcast, which you can listen to here: shows.acast.com/the-progress...

If you haven’t yet read “Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader” a certain major online retailer is offering the hardback for just £6.99 - it also makes a great Xmas gift (or so I’ve been told).

If you’re interested in the origins of American football - or any of the football codes - I’m discussing the birth of the gridiron game on the new ‘Who Invented This Sport?’ podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...

The new 'Rugby Reloaded' asks 'what the hell is going on in British rugby league? Listen to a historian's view of the state of the game in Britain: on.soundcloud.com/wJ3BsqOt4TxI...

Our latest episode with @collinstony.bsky.social of @icshc.bsky.social & @lborouniversity.bsky.social discussing his book on rugby league legend Roy Francis earlier this year is now LIVE! Well worth a listen for lovers of rugby league and/or Black British history! shows.acast.com/sport-in-his...

The new episode of 'Rugby Reloaded' talks to Kevin Fitzpatrick about his new Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust Hall of Fame documentary, and updates us on plans for the club's 150th anniversary next year. Listen now via: on.soundcloud.com/QXB7G78bsQNZ...

With just two days before the decisive second Ashes Test at Everton, relive the excitement of the 1986 Kangaroo tour with author Mark Flanagan in this classic 'Rugby Reloaded' episode: soundcloud.com/rugbyreloade...

Could Germany have become a rugby-playing nation? Or could the US have been a bastion of soccer? Join me and Thomas Adam on the new 'Rugby Reloaded' as we discuss his new book 'The Global Spread of Football from the 1860s to the 1880s': on.soundcloud.com/jxKxLGPf5sgU...

Before rugby league’s Ashes series kicks off this afternoon, watch the brand new documentary from @lucy_itv about Scotland’s rugby codebreakers and the struggles they suffered: youtu.be/S9jcj5k2pIA?...

The Countdown to the rugby league Ashes begins - and to kick it off here's a 'Rugby Reloaded' classic episode charting the incredible story of the 1946 'Indomitables' and the first post-war Ashes series: on.soundcloud.com/EMF3GoRrQUuD...

With the rugby league Ashes' series almost here, 'Rugby Reloaded' resumes its look at the cultural and social history of Anglo-Australian league, exploring how Australia turned the tables on England to become the game's dominant world power. Listen now via: on.soundcloud.com/qkAQwcAbifus...

With the rugby league Ashes' series almost here, 'Rugby Reloaded' resumes its look at the cultural and social history of Anglo-Australian league, exploring how Australia turned the tables on England to become the game's dominant world power. Listen now via: on.soundcloud.com/qkAQwcAbifus...

Who Was Britain’s First Black Professional Sports Coach? Sports writer @collinstony.bsky.social visits Airlie Street to discuss a Hull legend who revolutionised rugby. Supplementals: tinyurl.com/3yrpeazn @hulllibraries.bsky.social @hullfcofficial.bsky.social @hullkr.bsky.social

And massive thanks to you @collinstony.bsky.social for a great book that does full justice to the brilliant Roy Francis. Buy it, people.

Why have American football and American soccer shared the same origin story from the 1860s? Find out more about the Boston Game and its curious afterlife with me, Mike Cronin and Kevin Tallec Marston on the new 'Rugby Reloaded': on.soundcloud.com/eZysXDAFx0x2...

If you’re able to get to London on Monday 29 Sept, come to the launch of the new edition of one of the foundational texts of the history of sport in Britain (and I’m very chuffed to be invited as a panellist) - details below:

Heads Up! You can now listen to ‘Rugby Reloaded’ and its back catalogue via YouTube. Just search ‘Rugby Reloaded’ and every episode is available conveniently at your fingertips!

Ahead of today’s Hull rugby league derby, find out about the sliding doors moment that could have turned this afternoon’s match inside out! curiosityhull.co.uk/why-is-merse...

As we approach tomorrow’s massive East v West derby in Hull, I reveal the bone-chilling truth about Hull and Rovers!

Massive thanks to Gavin Willacy for this review of ‘Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader’ in @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/sport/no-hel...

The new ‘Rugby Reloaded’ takes a long look at the history of concussion in men’s rugby union. Can the concussion crisis be solved simply by changing the rules of the game, or is it more deeply rooted in the traditional culture of the sport. Listen now at: on.soundcloud.com/znn4SnROyaaH...

What Does A Hull Office Supply Company Have To Do With The Birth Of Modern Football? Sports writer Tony Collins visits the street corner where history was (sort of) made. Supplementals: tinyurl.com/2s3h6vp6 @hulllibraries.bsky.social @collinstony.bsky.social

The new 'Rugby Reloaded' looks at the life of Tonga's first-ever professional rugby player, Nan Halafihi, who played for Hull FC in the 1960 Rugby League Challenge Cup at Wembley. His son Nick talks about his incredible trailblazing father: on.soundcloud.com/wUT5LV2Nro3Y...

I had a great time talking about the life and times of black rugby pioneer Roy Francis on the William Hill Sports Book podcast - watch it on YouTube here: youtu.be/zcljJVKGFK0?...

Tonight at 6.30! ‘Roy Francis: Wales’ Black Leader in a White World’ - the story of the pioneer of rugby coaching - available on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Sounds #RugbyLeague #BlackHistory #Wales t.co/7GzPOw94Kl

Lend me your ears! The documentary 'Roy Francis: Wales' Black Leader in a White World' is on BBC Radio Wales tomorrow (Monday) at 6.30pm. t.co/7GzPOw94Kl

Radio alert! If you missed it the first time around, 'Roy Francis: Wales' Black Leader in a White World' - my BBC radio documentary - will be broadcast again on BBC Radio Wales next Monday at 6.30pm. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Radio alert! If you missed it the first time around, 'Roy Francis: Wales' Black Leader in a White World' - my BBC radio documentary - will be broadcast again on BBC Radio Wales next Monday at 6.30pm. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...