Fartown Rugby and Cricket Grounds, Huddersfield.
Fartown, originally known as St. John's Ground, has a rich sporting history that spans from cricket to rugby league. Its story begins in 1868, hosting cricket matches. In 1875, a pivotal merger took place, uniting Huddersfield St. John's Cricket Club with Huddersfield Athletic Club, which had already established a rugby club in 1866. This union laid the groundwork for Fartown's future as a rugby stronghold. By November 2nd, 1878, the ground had been sufficiently developed to host its first rugby match, a contest against the Manchester Rangers Rugby Club.
Fartown's significance in rugby history was further cemented in 1895 when the sport underwent a major split. Huddersfield joined the Northern Rugby Football Union, the breakaway faction that eventually evolved into the modern game of rugby league. Fartown became their home ground, a relationship that would last for nearly a century.
For almost a hundred years, Fartown echoed with the roar of the crowd and the clash of tackles. Its most glorious moment likely came in 1947 when it hosted a Challenge Cup Semi-Final, packing in over 35,000 spectators – a testament to the ground's capacity and the passion for rugby league in Huddersfield.
However, the stadium's fortunes began to decline in the 1980s. Despite its illustrious past, Fartown fell into disrepair. In 1992, Huddersfield Rugby League Football Club moved to the Leeds Road Stadium, marking the end of an era. Shortly after their departure, Fartown was demolished, erasing much of its physical presence. Today, only the floodlights, perimeter fencing, and the pitch itself remain as silent witnesses to the stadium's vibrant past, a reminder of the thousands of fans and the countless sporting memories forged within its boundaries. Fartown's story, though its stands may be gone, continues to resonate within the history of Huddersfield and the story of rugby league.
