IT was a fitting tribute to the town that gave birth to a new sports.

Dozens of walkers turned out in Huddersfield to take part in the Founders Walk, helping to mark the 120th anniversary of rugby league.

And former players and officials led the way as the 20-mile stage of the walk took in some of the original clubs.

The sport, of course, was founded in The George Hotel in 1895 and had 22 original member clubs.

The Huddersfield leg of the walk featured the former Fartown home of Huddersfield and four other clubs: Liversedge, Brighouse Rangers, Batley and Dewsbury.

As well as visiting the homes of the 22 clubs, the Founders Walk provides people with the opportunity to raise money for clubs or charities of their choice.

Rugby League founders walk starts from Fartown, RFL Chief Exec Nigel Wood addresses the walkers
Rugby League founders walk starts from Fartown, RFL Chief Exec Nigel Wood addresses the walkers

Nigel Wood, the Rugby Football League chief executive, led the walk and was joined by former player Adam Fogarty and veteran official Maurice Oldroyd.

Wood played at the old Fartown ground in in his playing days and said: “Rugby League has a great heritage and tradition and in this, our 120th year, the Founders Walk is a terrific opportunity for the sport to come together and raise as much money as it can for worthy causes.

“The sport should be very proud of its ability to rally round and do the right thing and the Founders Walk enables the whole Rugby League family to do just that.

“It’s an important anniversary and I hope as many people as possible engage with the walk to celebrate a special birthday and a very special sport.”