Dan H
danieljhayes.bsky.social
Dan H
@danieljhayes.bsky.social
🏉 Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪

📚 Author: The Town's Game: The origins of rugby and association football in Southport (1872-1889)

⚽ Southport FC 🟡⚫
⚽ Wigan Athletic 🌳👑 🔵⚪
⚽ Celtic 🍀 🟢⚪
November 14, 2025 at 8:25 AM
I think I speak for everyone when I say this.

Oh f*** off Liam Moore.
October 25, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Now we have a 14 team league and no loop fixtures how about making magic a dedicated Nines tournament.

16 teams divided into 4 regionalised groups of 4. Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Yorkshire & Humber and Expansion.

Group Stage: Each team plays all three other teams in its group (full round-robin).
October 19, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Reposted by Dan H
🧵 1/ Rugby league’s IMG grading system rewards sustainability and good governance, not just results.

Could football adopt something similar under the new Independent Regulator? 👇
October 18, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Reposted by Dan H
If Football Adopted IMG-Style Grading: How Would Your Club Fare?

The IMG gradings introduced in rugby league have certainly divided opinion. Their aim is to reward sustainable, well-run clubs rather than those relying on short-term spending, but the shift has been controversial. Supporters of the…
If Football Adopted IMG-Style Grading: How Would Your Club Fare?
The IMG gradings introduced in rugby league have certainly divided opinion. Their aim is to reward sustainable, well-run clubs rather than those relying on short-term spending, but the shift has been controversial. Supporters of the system argue it will protect the sport’s future; critics say it undermines the idea that results should always decide who goes up and who goes down.
www.southportcentral.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 9:01 AM
All we need now is to know what's happening with Magic weekend (if anything) and the structure of the play offs. Back to top 8?
October 17, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Wish there was a dedicated Sky Sports Rugby channel. If they can have Golf, Cricket, F1, Tennis and the rest, why isn't there Rugby? With Super League and NRL rights plus Pacific champs etc... and a massive historical library surely there's enough content.
October 14, 2025 at 8:11 PM
EFL Trophy. Worst competition ever.
October 7, 2025 at 5:56 PM
RL Nines 🏆
Challenge Cup 🏆
League Leaders 🏆
Grand Final 🏆

Coach of the year 🏆
Woman of Steel (all 3 nominations!) 🥇🥈🥉

This is how you inspired a generation of girls in the town. Magnificent from the Wigan Warriors Women.
October 7, 2025 at 5:38 AM
Bevan French.
It's like playing with a cheat code on the computer.
Frightening.
August 24, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Willie Peters "We were very grubby in defence"

Yes Willie...his name is Michael.
August 21, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Can't have Latics running out to Erasure.
Gonna be thinking of that little grubber Lewis every time.

#wafc
August 2, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Paris...go on then...Booked!
🍒⚪🏉
July 26, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Spotted 👀🥧
July 26, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Well...that wasn't very good.
We're missing Miski a lot more than French. Goodness knows what kind of team we'll put out on Friday with Field, Miski, French, Thompson, Walters, Farrimond and Eckersley all missing.
July 19, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I'm loving Rugby League 26 so far.
July 17, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Champagne Rugby League from the champions 🍒⚪💪🍾
July 11, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Why is this semi final being played at the Totally Dickhead stadium?

Surely they could have played it at Wigan so that nobody had a home advantage today?
May 11, 2025 at 1:17 PM
What do you mean I've done nothing for two days?! I've watched 12 games of Rugby....

Do I want a cup of tea? Not sure, I best check with the video referee first.
May 5, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Reposted by Dan H
From Ash Lane to the Ashes. The untold Southport story of the first Kangaroo Tour.

As the Rugby League Ashes return to England for the first time in 22 years, excitement is building like never before. Headingley and the new Everton Stadium are already sold out, Wembley tickets are flying, and this…
From Ash Lane to the Ashes. The untold Southport story of the first Kangaroo Tour.
As the Rugby League Ashes return to England for the first time in 22 years, excitement is building like never before. Headingley and the new Everton Stadium are already sold out, Wembley tickets are flying, and this year’s series is on track to be the best attended in history. But while today's players will be backed by a slick professional operation and a global audience, the roots of this great rivalry lie in much humbler settings.
www.southportfootballclub.co.uk
April 17, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Would be a good PR piece if Southport FC could persuade the Kangaroos to visit Haig Avenue in advance of the second Ashes test, which is just up the road, later this year.
On NYD 1909 a RL game between the new Australian RL national Team and Widnes was staged at Southport Central's Ash Lane ground.
The Kangaroos, making their first tour of England won 55-3. They took a house in Albert Rd as its HQ and conducted their entire tour from there while training at Ash lane.
April 15, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Reposted by Dan H
Not 1881. Not 1872.
Southport FC and Southport Rugby Club were not founded when most people think.
The real dates — and full story — are finally told in The Town’s Game.
Free with Kindle Unlimited or buy now:
www.southportfootballclub.co.uk/the-towns-ga...
#Southport #RugbyHistory #FootballHistory
The Town’s Game
The Origins of Rugby and Association Football in Southport (1872-1889) Updated Second Edition OUT NOW The Town’s Game first edition is still available to buy on Amazon throughout the world. Order N…
www.southportfootballclub.co.uk
April 15, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Amen.
I do think it's a shame that clubs feel they have to pretend they are older than they are.

Wigan's 1872 & St Helens' 1873 formation dates don't stand up to proper scrutiny.

My frustration comes from the fact this hides the really interesting story behind their actual formations.
April 15, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Hoof #wafc
April 8, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Reposted by Dan H
It's the last day of the season down at Southport RFC with the visit of league winners Wigan RUFC.
Don't be bored over Easter...
"The Town’s Game: The Origins of Rugby and Association Football in Southport (1872–1889)" is available to buy right now.

www.southportfootballclub.co.uk/the-unbroken...
The Unbroken Legacy of Rugby in Southport
When Southport Olympic, the town’s leading rugby club, folded in 1889, it seemed like the end of rugby in Southport. For years, Olympic had been the beating heart of the sport, a club that brought …
www.southportfootballclub.co.uk
April 5, 2025 at 9:29 AM