Huddersfield, famous as the birthplace of Rugby League, was set to become pioneers of Women’s RL.

A team was reformed during the previous season under the expert guidance of Colts coach Neil Whittaker and the girls from Arena 84 were raring to start the new campaign.

There was every chance that a league would be formed. There were already teams in Ulverston  (Barrow), Guiseley, Keighley and Bradford and the Huddersfield Ladies were due to meet Halifax in a curtain-raiser to the Yorkshire Cup first round tie between the Barracudas and the Thrum Hall men.

Here, Neil puts some of the girls through their exercises in a training session at Arena 84.

Nostalgia: It's August, 1985 - Here's what was going on in Huddersfield
The Rev Benjamin Grey addressed the congregation at a special service of adoration and praise to mark the opening and re-dedication of the New Testament Church of God in Greater Northern Street, Huddersfield. More than 500 people attended the service including special guests from all over the country. For the last two years, the church had been undergoing a £200,000 modernisation, much of it being paid for by the life-savings of its own members. Work included a new central heating system, lowering the roof, pointing and redecoration
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