Salford rugby fans are being invited to put their best boots forward to celebrate 120 years of rugby.
The six day Founders Walk will see fans visit the original home stadiums of the 22 clubs that founded the Northern Union.
In Salford fans are being invited to walk from Grosvenor Park, off Clarence Street, New Broughton to Buile Hill park on Eccles Old Road. Grosvenor Park, on the site of the Broughton Rangers ground Wheater’s Field, was the home of the club when they joined the Northern Union as founder members on August 29, 1895.
The Salford leg is on July 23 and starts at 9.30am from Riverview Primary school, Wheater’s Street.
The full walk, which starts in Hull and ends in Warrington and St Helens, runs from Sunday July 19 to Friday July 24 and covers 120 miles. It has been organised in association with the sport’s charity, Rugby League Cares. Walkers can join in as much of the route as they wish and are being invited to raise money for good causes in the sport.
Councillor Ann-Marie Humphreys, assistant mayor for culture, leisure and sport, welcomed the walk to Salford and said: “This is a great way to remember the pioneers of rugby and raise money for good causes. I hope rugby fans will put their best boots forward and pay tribute to the origins of their sport.”
Registration for the Salford leg or any part of the walk is by email to Katharine.Irwin@RLCares.org.uk
The full route is listed below.
Day 1 (Sunday July 19) is an eight-mile stroll around Hull, starting from the Walton Street car park and taking in The Boulevard before ending at the KC Stadium.
Day 2 (Monday July 20) starts at Fartown in Huddersfield and passes through Brighouse, Batley and Dewsbury before reaching Wakefield Trinity at the end of the 20-mile stage.
Day 3 (Tuesday July 21) covers 24.5 miles between Hunslet and Halifax, taking in Headingley, Manningham, Bradford Park Avenue and Illingworth on the way.
Day 4 (Wednesday July 22) is 22 miles starting at Rochdale and ending at Edgeley Park via Oldham.
Day 5 (Thursday July 23) is when weary legs will be tested over 22.5 miles between Wheater Street in Broughton and the DW Stadium in Wigan.
Day 6 (Friday July 24) sees the walk conclude with a 23-mile stage between Fletcher Street in Warrington and Langtree Park in St Helens.
<i>Adam Fogerty (actor) Alex Murphy OBE (former GB Player), Nigel Wood (CEO of the Rugby Football League) and Garry Schofield OBE (former GB Player)</i>
