HUDDERSFIELD is set to become the most important centre in the world for the study of rugby league.

The university is to pump £85,000 into a research project into the history of the game - which was born in Huddersfield - over the next three years.

Work will fittingly get under way in Huddersfield, with the initial research taking place throughout West Yorkshire.

The project will be an oral history of the game and will concentrate on interviewing players, fans, administrators and officials.

Its overall objective is to bring to life the history of rugby league.

"It's most appropriate that such a project is being launched in the town where rugby league was born," said lecturer Steve Kelly, who runs the university's sports journalism degree course.

"The game was founded at the George Hotel in 1895 and has a rich and distinguished history.

"We want to recapture some of that history through recording interviews with people involved in the game.

"We'll be able to talk to those who remember the days when Harold Wagstaff was starring for the Fartown club, which itself was one of the greats of the game.

"Of course, we'll only be able to go back to just before the Second World War, but it's important we collect these memories while we can.

"Work on the project will begin straight away. University staff will be appealing to anyone who has supported the game since the war - or even before - to come forward and give their memories.

"We intend to publish a book incorporating many of these interviews and there will also be regular pamphlets, newsletters, exhibitions and a conference.

"On top of that, we aim to create a website where fans can get in touch with people working on the project and where they will be able to record their own memories.

"It is our intention, through this project, to make Huddersfield the world's leading university for the study of rugby league.

"We are already the major sponsor of the Huddersfield Giants' Super League team, and this research project makes are link with rugby league even stronger."

The project manager is Rob Light, who has been working on a cricket history project in Huddersfield with Dr Peter Davies.

He has appealed for people who want to contribute to get in touch on 01484 473032 or e-mail at r.f.light@ hud.ac.uk