A FORMER rugby league club historian who nearly battered a friend to death over a job he lost 12 years before has been jailed.

Matthew Price’s anger at being ousted from the role at Batley Bulldogs had “festered”, Leeds Crown Court heard.

The 35-year-old tried to strangle Andrew Watson on Bradford Road in Batley on February 21, then bludgeoned him with a stick.

He later armed himself with a carving knife with the intention of murdering his sister, the court was told.

Price, of Lansdowne Close, Batley, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a knife and criminal damage.

He was jailed indefinitely after Judge Hoffman ruled Price posed a significant risk of danger to the public.

He was ordered to serve at least six years before being considered for parole.