Hopping Mad

The RFL produced a digital programme for the 31/8 final of the 1895 Cup at Warrington. In the hospitality offer blurb, there was a reference to 'complimentary match programme'. Was there a printed alternative? https://www.rugby-league.com/uploads/docs/2026 1895 Cup Final Programme.pdf 2/9 update Pro/semi-pro clubs Printed programme: Barrow (44pp, £3), Keighley (28pp, £3), Leeds (48pp, £4 [league], 32pp, £3 [friendlies]), Midlands (24pp, £3), Rochdale (£3), Swinton (24pp, £3), Wigan (76pp, £4), Workington (£3, Challenge Cup, one-off). Printed 'special' programme: Hull KR v Brisbane, World Club Challenge, 19/2 (64pp, £10). Printed team or squad sheet (discounting any available only to 'hospitality' punters): Bradford (free), Dewsbury (free), Doncaster (free), Hunslet (free), Keighley (free), London Broncos (free), Oldham (free), Rochdale (free), Salford, Sheffield (free), Whitehaven (free), Widnes. Digital programme: Bradford (free to download from club's social media), St Helens (free to download from club's website and social media), Widnes (free to download from club's social media), Wigan (£3, available to download two hours before kick-off), York (free to download via QR code at ground). Nothing: Batley, Castleford, Catalans (other than a printed programme for the 6/6 Wigan game in Paris), Goole, Halifax (newco), Huddersfield, Hull, Hull KR, Leigh, London, Newcastle, North Wales, Toulouse, Wakefield, Warrington, Workington (other than 6/2 Challenge Cup one-off printed programme versus St Helens). Note: Curtis Sport produced printed programmes for the May 9-10 Challenge Cup semi-finals (£5), for the May 30 Challenge Cup finals (£10), and for the July 4-5 Magic Weekend (£5). Note: The RFL produced a digital programme for the 31/8 final of the 1895 Cup at Warrington. Note: Liquidated Halifax (1873) issued a digital programme for an 8/2 Challenge Cup tie with Goole. Printed testimonial brochure: Liam Marshall, Wigan (£10). Amateur clubs Printed programme: Bedford (NLSC and Challenge Cup), Brighouse (Challenge Cup, one-off), Dewsbury Celtic (NLL1), Dewsbury Moor (£3, w/a, NLL1), Egremont (£3, w/a, NLL1), Ellenborough (£3, w/a, 4pp, NLCC), Hammersmith (Challenge Cup, one off), Hensingham (8pp, £3, w/a, NLCC), Heworth (Challenge Cup), Hunslet (4pp plus teamsheet, £4, w/a, NLPD), Ince (Challenge Cup, one-off), Keighley Albion (£4, w/a, NLYAC), Kells (£3, w/a, NLL1), Leigh East (24pp, NLNWC), Lock Lane (NLPD), Maryport (£3, w/a, NLCC), Pilkington Recs (12pp, £3, w/a, NLL1), Stanningley (£3, Challenge Cup, one-off), Thornhill (£2.50, NLYAC), Wath Brow (16pp, £3, w/a, NLPD), Wigan St Judes (12pp, £3, Challenge Cup, one-off), Wigan St Patricks (24pp, £3, w/a, NLL1), York Acorn (£3, w/a, NLPD). Printed team or squad sheet: Stanningley (NLL1). Digital programme: Bradford Dudley Hill (9pp, NLYAC, free to download from club socials), Crosfields (16pp, NLNWC, free to download from club socials), Distington (4pp, NLCC, free to download from club socials), Heworth (reel, free to download from club socials), Hunslet (34pp, NLPD and Challenge Cup, free to download from club socials), Leigh Miners (34pp, NLL1, free to download from club socials), Woolston (36pp, NLNWC, free to download from club socials). Nothing: Aberavon (WRLC), Ashton, Barrow Island, Bentley, Beverley, Border Barbarians (SMP), Brentwood, Bristol, Cockermouth (CML), Dalton, Eastern Rhinos, Flimby (CML), Hindpool, East Leeds, Featherstone Lions, Fryston, King Cross Park, Kippax, Mirfield, Moldgreen, Myton, Newsome, Orrell St James, Rochdale Mayfield, Saddleworth, Siddal, Siddal Academy, Shaw Cross, Stanley, Thatto Heath, Ulverston, West Bowling, West Hull. Women Printed programme: Wigan (20pp, £2). Digital programme: Wigan (20pp, free).

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Welsh cyclist Finlay Tarling, 19. theguardian.com Finlay Tarling, the younger brother of Netcompany Ineos rider, Josh Tarling, has been killed while racing in stage eight of the Volta a Portugal. Although the details are yet to be confirmed, reports in the Portugese and French media suggest that the 19-year-old Welsh rider was hit by a non-race vehicle travelling on the course in the opposite direction to the peloton. In a statement, the race organisation said: “The organisers of the Volta a Portugal em Bicicleta, Jogos Santa Casa, deeply regret to announce the death of British cyclist Finlay Tarling, from the NSN Development Team, following a serious accident that occurred during the eighth stage of the race, between Melgaço and Fafe. “At this time of profound sorrow, the organisers of the Volta a Portugal and the Portuguese Cycling Federation extend their deepest condolences to Finlay Tarling’s family, his teammates, the NSN Development Team, and all his friends and loved ones.”

Statements from the RL and RU clubs refer to them as Crusaders Rugby League.

Down in Norfolk last week. During an Eastern Counties League football match at Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers, I got chatting to a Norwich-based fellow spectator who was a rugby league fan. Still, clearly, disappointed Wymondham-based Anglian Vipers did not get the nod to join the semi-pro ranks. Said if he lived up North, he'd be watching a rugby league match every week.

Black is white, then.

I spotted a guy wearing a Keighley Cougars shirt - the classic white with red and green chevron - during the Sheffield-Northampton Premiership speedway meeting at Owlerton Stadium last night.

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Golcar United is hopeless. No room to expand (most of their facilities are along one side), and a poor pitch. Not that long ago, when Golcar were in the WRCAL, the ground was merely a railed pitch.

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An attendee tells me "circa 200" were at Mansfield Park, Hawick, for the Scotland-Canada 'International Test match' (as it was described).

Curtis Sport did a special - a fiver - for the July 4-5 Magic Weekend at Everton FC: https://www.curtis-sport.com/all-programmes/2026-Magic-Weekend-4-5-07-26-p843003511

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There are barely any full time clubs in the Isthmian League, and none in Harrow's division. Looks as though Harrow's attempts to flog their ground to a property developer, with the intention of sharing somebody else's, have come to nothing. Article on harrowonline.org suggests Harrow are struggling to cope with the increased costs affecting small businesses: energy prices, business rates, minimum wage. Along with changing demographics, in their area, resulting in lack of interest in watching football. An inevitable consequence of the massive wage increases at the top end of football has been a trickle down of pay demands right to its lowest levels. Some clubs, such as Brighouse Town, are conceding they simply cannot afford to pay the going rate at their level, and are opting (in their case) to return to county/park league stuff.

While today's 'star' players can make small fortunes in a few short weeks, many non-league clubs continue to struggle (hey, it's what the spineless FA voted for when backing the creation of the Premier League). Harrow Borough, of the Isthmian League, report via their socials: "The club needs to raise £180,000 before the start of the new season to secure its future. The campaign continues, and there have been some encouraging discussions around potential new revenue streams and donors - but there is still a long way to go." Elsewhere, clubs as far afield as Brighouse Town and Mousehole have requested - and been granted - voluntary demotions because they can no longer afford to play at the level their quality on the pitch has secured.