Heritage Centre information

The Rugby League Heritage Centre is open for business this weekend, thanks to Sky Sports own' Mike 'Stevo' Stephenson.

The centre, at the birthplace of the game, the George Hotel in Huddersfield, is a tribute to the sport's 110-year history, from it's very beginning back in 1895.

With a little help from his friends Stevo has put together a "mind-blowing" collection of photos, film, memorabilia and mementos from the very first days of the game to the current crop of Super League superstars.

Exhibits have been brought in from all over the world to adorn the hotel lobby, bar and the museum itself and with stars of the game past and present all impressed by what they saw, it is only going to get bigger and better.

Brooks Hotel, and managing director Umesh Ummat, have already promised to expand the project next year and for Stevo and those that have come to his aid, the Rugby League Heritage Centre could not have gone better.

"We're very, very proud of it," says Stevo. "It's been a heck of a long time coming, just over 12 months, but when I went along to see Umesh at the George Hotel, he was very, very receptive and within 15 minutes he said 'let's do it'.

"We're very pleased because there have been some fantastic rugby league players and a lot of the youngsters don't realise that it started in 1895. I want those youngsters to come and see how it all started, how it developed over the years.

"Also it is an insight into the quality of players there have been. There are old films and the people there were just aghast, saying 'look at so-and-so'! There's Neil Fox, Mick Sullivan and Billy Boston, all in action. It's mind-blowing!

Messrs Fox, Boston and Sullivan - who claims to have provided half the pictures - are of course some of the stars of the show, but to underline the fact that the museum is as much about 2005 as 1895, there was also a glowing reputation from current St Helens and Great Britain skipper Paul Sculthorpe.

"It's great for the game," he said. "It's especially interesting for me as a current player, looking at the great players and things that had happened before.

"You don't realise that until you see it, but it's going to be great for everyone old and young."

And much like the game itself, the Centre will be constantly changing.

Every week there will be a special feature on a particular game, be it a Challenge Cup final, Tri-Nations game, Super League encounter or World Cup final.

There will be archive footage, mementos from the game, pictures and something from the men involved all week long.

As Stevo says: "Now we've created the shrine, I hope the fans come along and pray!"

HERITAGE CENTRE INFORMATION

OPENING TIMES:  10am-5pm. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

ADMISSION: Adults £3, Children £1, Families £6, OAP's Free

ADDRESS: George Hotel, St George's Square (next to Huddersfield British Rail station), Huddersfield, West Yorkshire