Holbeck Rugby Club

The exact date Holbeck were formed is unknown, but they joined the Northern Union in time for its second season in 1896–97. They played for eight seasons, from 1896–97 to 1903–04. As semi-professionals, Holbeck played at the Recreation Ground on Elland Road. The city of Leeds had an abundance of rugby football clubs and although members of the Yorkshire RFU, which was in turn part of the RFU, it was decided to form a more local association. It was for this reason that the Leeds & District organization was formalised when a meeting took place at the Green Dragon Hotel, Leeds, on 27 September 1888. The founding clubs were Bramley, Holbeck, Hunslet, Kirkstall, Leeds Parish Church, Leeds St John’s and Wortley. In the 1896–97 season, the league was divided into Yorkshire and Lancashire Senior Competitions, Holbeck entering the former. They finished 15th (second bottom) with 18 points from 30 games. In 1897, when the lease was not renewed on Holbeck Recreation Ground, they bought the Old Peacock Ground from Bentley's Brewery for £1,100, with a stipulation that it remained a football ground for at least seven years, == Successor clubs ==

At a meeting at the Griffin Hotel in Boar Lane in August 1904, a new Association football club, Leeds City Association Football Club, was formed and it was agreed that the Elland Road ground would be rented for the upcoming season. It has been suggested that Holbeck Rugby Club reformed as Leeds City but there does not appear to be any hard evidence to support this claim. Leeds City were expelled from the Football League in 1919 but Leeds United took their place five years later and have played at Elland Road ever since. == Club colours ==

Several articles suggest that Holbeck RFC played in blue and yellow (or gold), which are the sporting colours of Leeds. == Internationals to have played for Holbeck ==

• Tom Pook (b 1869 d 21 February 1948) was a "small" (only 5’6" tall) forward who played rugby union for Newport and Wales before turning semi-professional with Holbeck, making his Holbeck debut on 3 September 1898. == Club records ==

Club scoring record Club league record Source: Heading Abbreviations Pl = Games played; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Lose; PF = Points for; PA = Points against; Diff = Points difference (+ or -); Pts = League Points League points: for win = 2; for draw = 1; for loss = 0. Several fixtures and results The following are a selection of Holbeck's fixtures from the eight seasons in which they played semi-professional rugby league :- Competition Abbreviations YSC = Yorkshire Senior Competition; D2 = 2nd Division D2 PO = 2nd Division Promotion Play-Off CC R2 = Challenge Cup, round 2 • 1 – Holbeck Rec = Holbeck Recreation Ground. • 2 – Old Peacock = Old Peacock Ground before it became established. ==Notable players==

• Jacky Braithwaite • Tom Pook • Kelly of Holbeck played, and G. Hainsworth of Holbeck played, and scored a goal in The Rest's 5-7 defeat by Leeds in the 1901–02 Yorkshire Senior Competition Champions versus The Rest match at Headingley Stadium on Saturday 19 April 1902. == See also ==