Winner of the 2007 Aberdare Prize for Sports History book of the year.
‘There is no doubt that Tony Collins’ Rugby League in 20th Century Britain is the major publishing event of the year ... treasures lurk on every page to make it worth every penny.’ Dave Hadfield, The Independent.
‘Collins’s social history of rugby league acts as a study of the northern working class through the lens of sport. And the story he tells is a fascinating one. There are informative asides aplenty including ... the story of how Wiganers became known as pie-eaters - miners at a few of Wigan’s pits went back to work before the end of the seven month lockout in 1926, leading fans of St Helens to accuse them of eating humble pie. You don’t have to be a fan of rugby league to read this book.’ Paul Blackledge, International Socialism.