We've searched the web for rugby league history and can recommend the following web site links.

Rugby league in Melbourne had a long history well before the arrival of the Storm - the struggle for the Essendon RL Club (founded in 1951) is told in this article:
Essendon RLFC

Cyril Connell lived and breathed the game of rugby league - from a Kangaroos and Maroons rep in the 1950s, to being a talent scout of for the Brisbane Broncos:
Cyril Connell

Ipswich rugby league reaches its centenary in 2010 - the game will be celebrated with a photographic essay at the Ipswich Art Gallery from 17 April to 18 July 2010:
"The Queensland Times" & Ipswich Art Gallery

It is difficult to do justice to the career of Albert Goldthorpe, the Gentleman of Yorkshire football - one of the best known figures in English rugby league both before and after the 1895 split. He was the most popular footballer in Yorkshire, and to the local fans he was a hero in an age when heroes really were just that. This web site features Albert Goldthorpe, his brothers and other rugby league memorabilia.
http://www.goldthorpes.cjb.net/

Rugby league in France made remarkable progress through the 1930s, and entered 1939 arguably the dominant rugby code, particularly in the South-West. Article looking at the history of French rugby league on its 75th anniversary (6 April 2009) in "The 75-year War" by Lyle Beaton. Also The Independent has an extensive look at what happened to French rugby league during WW2 - the almost fatal damage inflicted upon rugby league by the collaborationist Vichy regime, the role of the Federation Française de Rugby (French RU), and the fight for the 13-man code's restitution: Badge of Dishonour.

Newcastle rugby league celebrates its centenary in 2008. The Newcastle Council has an Exhibition which the Newcastle Herald has reviewed, along with creating an on-line slideshow of: Newcastle history.

Inside Sport magazine recently interviewed ARL Team of the Century inductees Johnny Raper and Graeme Langlands re the past - St George Dragons and the Kangaroos - as well asfooty today, and the Rugby League World Cup. A Few Drinks With Chook and Chang

Dennis Tutty fought for against an unjust principle, opening up the door for the big-dollar contracts of the NRL and other football codes today, but there are very few footballers who know his story. Dennis Tutty

The National Museum of Australia has produced a terrific website to coincide with their "League of Legends" exhibition: League of Legends. The exhibition is also reviewed on-line (with extensive photos) in the NMA Journal.

The Centenary of Rugby League website includes profiles on the Top 100 players and all 2008 events. Centenary of Rugby League

Article by Bernie Pramberg on Ken Booth, stalwart clubman of Brisbane Easts - a good example of the power of bush clubs and "Sunday comps" of the 1950s. Ken Booth - Brisbane Easts

The Balmain Tigers have launched their Centenary of Rugby League website with history and details for 2008 events: Tigers Centenary

With the assistance of RFL's historian, Tony Collins, the BBC takes a look the history of the silverware presented to the winners of the Challenge Cup. Also there are BBC pages listing the Cup Final results since 1897 and winners of the Lance Todd Trophy.

A terrific history web site is now on-line from Western Suburbs Magpies - a testament to the tireless research work being done by the
"Wests Archives Volunteers" group. See emblems, jerseys, photos of the museum, and more: Wests Archives

The QRL has begun adding a Queensland rugby league history section to its website: QRL history

Newspaper articles relating to the history of the American All-Stars rugby league team (see story) which visited Australia and New Zealand in 1953 can be found here: All Stars

Up and Under: The Rugby League Oral History Project.
"Our aim is to record the reminiscences of those who have been, and remain, part of the Rugby League community in West Yorkshire. This will not only enable their experiences to be preserved for posterity, but will also make them available to anyone with an interest in the social and cultural history of Rugby League and the places in which it is played." A tremendous initiative for the history of rugby league in England, and a web site (with numerous interviews with long-retired players) that we encourage all fans to visit:
Rugby League Oral History Project

If you've got a rugby league trivia question that you need answered, Sydney's Paul Carter is the man to answer it - questions can be asked via his website:
PaulKnowsSport.com

The home ground of rugby league in Auckland reaches its end.
Farewell to Carlaw Park

New rugby league history section added to the "League Freak" web site, concentrating on award medals and trophies. Includes an investigation into the colourful - and sometimes bizarre - history of the various trophies used for the Rugby League World Cup.
League Freak's RL History Site

They survived the bombs of the German Luftwaffe, but not summer Super League and new fire safety standards - the last decade or so has seen the demise of many of England's famous rugby league grounds.
Yorkshire's Lost Grounds

The historic Maher Cup (NSW Group 9) has a legend all its own in bush football. The National LIbrary has the sheet music to a song about the cup.
The Maher Cup "March Song"

For 90 years, Hull's Jack Harrison was thought to be the only rugby league footballer to win the Victoria Cross during WW1 - the stories of two more men from English rugby league clubs have been found - Thomas Steele and Thomas Bryan..
For Valour – VC heroes game forgot

A founding club of the Northern Union in 1895, the Hunslet RFC has a rich and proud history, celebrated in this website - "We've swept the seas before boys, and so we shall again!": Hunslet

Interesting UK initiative helping to share rugby league history:
Rugby League Heritage Project

The "Fabulous French" of the post-WW2 decades: Les treizistes français.

A wonderful initiative has been launched in Great Britain, with the arrival of The National Archive of Rugby League Interviews. The Archive records and releases (DVD) interviews with the great players of British rugby league - first offer is on Billy Boston: National Archive of RL Interviews.

Download video or view online frame by frame, footage of rugby league matches back to the 1920s from England, Australia and elsewhere at British Pathe. Be aware some files of RL matches (particularly Test matches) do not have the word 'league' in their description. British Pathe

The Australian War Memorial has an extensive on-line photo archive that includes rugby league images from WW2 onwards. Enter "rugby league" at in the search page at the AWM: Search

On the eve of the 2005 Grand Final, ABC's Sports Factor looks at the decade of progress made by the North Queensland Cowboys and rugby league in the far north. Cowboys

The George Hotel in Huddersfield is now home to
The Rugby League Heritage Centre

Good summary of English rugby league milestones

ABC Radio's Sports Factor takes an extensive look at the resurgence in interest in rugby league, the new Gold Coast team, and Steve Renouf's biography book. The Sports Factor

The Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust are doing some wonderful work to document the heritage of the game in their town: Oldham Heritage Trust

An analysis on the past and the future of the 'football' codes in Australia:
The Battle of the Codes

Site dedicated to one of the Balmain Tiger's greatest:
The Gary Jack Tribute Stand

Kelly's Kids is dedicated to the players who took the field for Western Suburbs Magpies between the years of 1966 to 1969 - not only first grade but also reserve and third grades. Noel Kelly coached Wests' first grade for these 4 years hence the name Kelly's Kids

If you have an interest in Rugby League statistics there are two web sites worth a visit: The Vault & rleague stats

An interesting look at the Manningham rugby club, one of the founding members of the Northern Union (Rugby League) at the George Hotel in 1895. After winning the championship in the 1895/96 season, within a decade Manningham had transferred their allegiance to soccer and became Bradford F.C. - Manningham rugby club

Interesting article on New Zealand's Robert Edwin Walker - a rugby union player who travelled to England in 1930 to play for the Huddersfield Rugby League club. Robert Edwin Walker

The Foley Shield is played amongst teams of North Queensland. There have been many fierce battles involving both famous and lesser known names in its 50 years plus history. Teams include Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, Mt. Isa, Innisfail and Herbert River. Foley Shield

Finally someone in England has put together a tribute to the English Rugby League 'Hall of Fame' - the site includes player profiles and other historical accounts and information: RLHallofFame

Some very interesting words and photos on the origins of Rugby League in the Manly district in the 1930s and 40s can be viewed at
Soaring Sea Eagles

Famous England rugby league player and coach Maurice Bamford is the subject of this informative and entertaining interview. Bamford: "I'm 68 in April, but I need involvement in the game like I need oxygen to breath!" A recommended read for all thanks to PrestonToday.net

It wasn't so long ago that rugby league was a game that produced many fiery on-field clashes amongst the hard men. Relive the memories of club and international rugby league's most famous tough guys and their dust-ups at The Era Of The Biff

The English RFL web site has history section, including the Hall of Fame, All-Time Records and the history of the game: http://www.rfl.co.uk/

Came across a page dedicated to rugby league on postage stamps & covers from the UK, Australia and New Zealand http://www.footystamps.com

The Former Origin Greats (Queensland) group has their own website. Membership of FOGS is restricted to players who have worn the maroon of Queensland in Origin football. The FOGS group plays an important role in the community through its fundraising activities, with all money raised going towards important and vital charities. Their website has profiles on each Qld Origin player, series results and stats, as well as links to memorabilia & merchandise. http://www.fogs.com.au/

The Sports Factor is heard on ABC's Radio National. One of the most heated debates in Australia during the First World War was whether sporting events should continue. Rugby League kept running its competitions, while the Union game did not. Some of the reasons for these decisions were discussed on the show: you can listen to the audio or view a written transcript here.
[RL1908 article: "The Call for Men"]