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Rugby Town

What if a simple advertisement in the local paper could spark a movement that would forever shape a community?
Did a group of lads in 1873 Halifax truly create a sporting legacy that has endured for over 150 years?
What untold stories lie hidden within the history of one of the oldest Rugby League clubs?
Through the eyes of passionate fans and players, this captivating documentary invites you to join us on a journey through the stunning towns and countryside of Calderdale in central United Kingdom, as we uncover the remarkable story of how the development of Rugby League transformed Halifax into a true Rugby Town.
Discover the warmth, humour, and unwavering spirit that have kept the sport of Rugby League at the heart of the Halifax community.

Witness the pivotal moment when Huddersfield native responded to the advert and ignited a flame that would burn brightly for generations, leading to the many highs and lows experienced by the Rugby club and its passionate supporters.

This touching non-fiction film celebrates the power of community, the enduring love of the game, and the timeless traditions that have made Halifax a true Rugby heartland. Welcome to Rugby Town!

  • James Mellor
    Director
    The Inflight Food Trip
  • James Mellor
    Writer
  • Cameron Stott
    Writer
    The Inflight Food Trip
  • James Mellor
    Producer
    The Inflight Food Trip
  • Linda Kitson
    Producer
  • Daimen Gibson
    Key Cast
    "Past Player"
  • Andrew Hardcastle
    Key Cast
    "Club Historian"
  • Kara Colvin
    Key Cast
  • Ian Uttley
    Key Cast
    "Pantherrs Director"
  • Frank Watene
    Key Cast
    "Past Player"
  • Johnny Lawless
    Key Cast
    "Past Player"
  • Marty Moana
    Key Cast
    "Past Player"
  • Sir Lindsay Hoyle
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    39 minutes 59 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 30, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    8,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • 3rd International Sport Film Festival Slovenia
    Rogaška Slatina
    Slovenia
    June 21, 2024
    European Premiere
    Winner - Films & TV show about team sports
  • NYIFA® • New York International Film Awards
    New York
    United States
    Winner - Best Sport Film - October 2024
  • “SPORT MOVIES & TV 2024” World FICTS Challenge” Championship of Television, Cinema, Communication and Sport Culture
    Milan
    Italy
    November 7, 2024
    Winner & Honourable Mention in Team Sport
  • British Urban Film Festival (BUFF) 2024
    Halifax
    United Kingdom
    October 18, 2024
    Official Selection
  • The White Rose International Film Festival 2025
    Harrogate
    United Kingdom
    Finalist
  • London Director Awards 2024
    London
    United Kingdom
    Honourable Mention - Documentary Short Film
  • Paladino d'Oro Sport film festival
    Paladino
    Italy
    December 14, 2024
    Finalist
  • London Indie Film Festival 2025
    London
    United Kingdom
    Winner - Best Documentary
  • 2024 ARFF Berlin // International Awards
    Berlin
    Germany
    Honourable Mention
  • Beausoleil Côte d'Azur International FICTS Festival du Cinéma Sportif
    Nice
    France
    Official Selection
  • Istanbul Sports Film Festival 2025
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    May 7, 2025
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • James Mellor
    Country: United Kingdom
Director Biography - James Mellor

James has directed and produced a wide range of corporate films, promos, commercials, documentaries and short films. He started Rainbow Trout Films back in 2010 to offer a range of filmmaking services to his clients. Several of the films have gone on to win multiple international awards. Based out of Halifax, UK they work with clients and partners all around the globe.

James has been in the film & TV industry for nearly 30 years and has had the good fortune to work on many Film and Television productions from the set of Red Dwarf to Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban, Last of The Summer Wine, London’s Burning, Doctors, Rocket Man, Wheeler Dealers, Car of the Year, The Real Holiday Show and many more. James started out as a Runner and worked his way up the Assistant Director ranks, before becoming a Producer and Director.

James directed and produced the documentary series ‘The Inflight Food Trip’ which launched in 2020 on Amazon Prime Video. James directed a short film called 'Wheeling Dealing' back in 2004, which has been shown at Cannes in the Short Film Corner and at the BFI Disability Film Festival along with many other film festivals.

Rainbow Trout Films is now based at Albion Street Studios in Halifax, and our recent work includes Tik Tok commercials, BFI development funded project The Bridge, A Documentary on 150 of Rugby League in Halifax called Rugby Town, and the development of several other projects.

James lives in Ripponden, West Yorkshire, He studied Media Technology at Thames Valley University.

James is 47, married with a young son.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Rugby Town – The Story of Halifax Rugby League

I directed ‘Rugby Town’ because I thought it was an important story to tell, especially in the 150th anniversary year of Halifax’s rugby league history. I’ve worked previously on several community films and feel, in this instance, I have a story of universal relevance.

In making this film, I want the viewer to not just get a history lesson, but to connect emotionally with the story and to make it a film for everyone, not just sports enthusiasts.

I want it to have wide appeal too, and not be just a film for locals; to get the story out to an international audience, to get people connected with rugby league, as well as with all sport around the globe. Ultimately, to get a strong sense of how team involvement feels.

The challenges in making this film involved working with people from different organisations. Having been commissioned by the Halifax Supporters’ Trust originally, it was very important to get the buy-in from the local rugby club too, the Halifax Panthers.

One area of the film I really enjoyed filming was the recreation of old Halifax footage, from 150 years ago, using some of the supporters from the Halifax Supporters Trust to great effect. Several local landmarks were used, including Wainhouse Town, The Town Hall and The Calderdale Industrial Museum, filming interviews and historical recreations of workers using the old industrial machinery; Halifax being famous for its textile history.

The great thing about making documentaries is that you have a base idea at the beginning; but then it’s interesting to see how stories unfold, through interviews and research, weaving to a wider picture, becoming something truly distinctive and original.

To fund rugby town, we used a combination of grant funding from the local Calderdale Community Foundation (vital in getting the initial pot of money). We then initiated two crowdfunding campaigns, further boosting the prospects for the production while also gaining traction with the rugby fans. We are proud of what we’ve achieved on the micro budget we raised, and we have the option to extend to feature film duration in the future.
My big hope is that we’re able to showcase, to a wide audience, Halifax’s people and sport, revealing a slice of our town life, so rich in its history, and its hope for the future.

I take this opportunity to thank all cast and crew, as well as all who supported the film.

Please enjoy and thank you for your consideration.