This film is part of Free
Oldham v Swinton (1901)
The evolution of Rugby League in a top of the table match between rival Lancashire clubs.
Overview
A crowd of 20,000 watched this top-of-the-table Lancashire League clash at Oldham's Watersheddings ground. After the breakaway from the Rugby Football Union in 1895, the Northern Union gradually introduced rule changes. By 1906 the 15-a-side game, as here, would become 13-a-side, while 'play the ball' replaced the use of scrums to restart after every tackle. Oldham emerged 1901's League winners.
The Northern Rugby Football Union, better known as Northern Union, was formed in 1895, when prominent Yorkshire and Lancashire clubs resigned from the Rugby Football Union in a dispute over compensation for players taking time off work. All the major differences between the two codes would be established by 1907.
Related
Factory Chimney Fire Factory Chimney Fire
Non-Fiction 1900 2 mins Silent
A veritable Victorian Towering Inferno.
Arrival of Train-load of Visitors at Henley Station Arrival of Train-load of Visitors at Henley Station
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent Location: Henley-on-Thames
Jolly boating weather as the hordes descend on Henley for the Regatta.
Bumping Race (Cambridge May Races) Bumping Race (Cambridge May Races)
Non-Fiction 1900 0 mins Silent Location: Cambridge
University teams navigate a bend on the river Cam in no ordinary rowing race.
Blackburn Rovers V. West Bromwich 1898 Blackburn Rovers V. West Bromwich 1898
Non-Fiction 1898 1 mins Silent Location: Ewood Park, Blackburn
A little piece of football history from the people's game: possibly the earliest surviving game on film
Launch of H.M.S. Albion Launch of H.M.S. Albion
Non-Fiction 1898 2 mins Silent Location: Blackwall
The launch of H.M.S Albion, which was marred by the collapse of a gangway which resulted in many spectators drowning.
Solar Eclipse Solar Eclipse
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins
The magic of a real solar eclipse filmed by a famous magician
A Centre is Made A Centre is Made
Amateur film 1956 33 mins Location: Oldham
Disabled people working in the community in Oldham.
Power behind the Spindle Power behind the Spindle
Documentary 1969 22 mins Location: Oldham
A last look at the mighty steam engines that once powered Lancashire's mills.
Lancashire's Time for Adventure Lancashire's Time for Adventure
1948 21 mins Silent Location: Oldham
"Britain's bread hangs by Lancashire's thread" – cotton, Britain's great post-war hope.
Platt's Lap Converter Platt's Lap Converter
Promotional 1951 13 mins Location: Oldham
Forget the carding machine - you need a lap convertor. Puzzled? Find out more here.
The George Saxon Engine, Magnet Mill The George Saxon Engine, Magnet Mill
Documentary 1966 7 mins Location: Chadderton
See how steam powered the textile industry of Lancashire.
Two Lancashire Cotton Workers Discuss Safeguarding Two Lancashire Cotton Workers Discuss Safeguarding
Party political broadcast 1935 8 mins Location: Oldham
Not a politician in sight in this clever Conservative election campaign film.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.