Last updated at 14:26, Tuesday, 08 January 2013

MILLOM Rugby League club will host the 2013 Challenge Cup second round draw on Friday, January 18, as part of the Cumbrian club’s 140th birthday celebrations.

The draw will involve 14 Conference League Premier clubs, the three Armed Services teams and the five clubs that have progressed from the first round.

The balls will be drawn by Millom club stalwart Gary Kelly and Workington Town player Peter Lupton (pictured), who played for Millom as a junior before signing professional terms at London Broncos.

Kelly said: “Millom Rugby League club is recognised as the oldest amateur club in the world, and as we enter our 140th year it is an honour that we have been chosen to host the prestigious Challenge Cup draw. I have been involved with Millom since the age of 12 and have represented the club at all amateur levels. For me it is a privilege to be drawing the teams in the second round of the 2013 Rugby League Challenge Cup.”

Millom football club was originally formed as Victoria Rangers on December 5, 1873, at a meeting held at the Station Hotel, in Millom, with the formal opening of their pitch and first game taking place on December 13, 1873.

Such was the interest created, that a rival team by the name of Millom Rangers was formed following a meeting in a washhouse of a terraced house in the town.

The White Star and Rangers teams could not accommodate all the local talent and soon the town boasted four clubs with the emergence of Millom St George and Millom St James.

This situation continued until December 1883, when influential supporters called a meeting, where the decision was taken to amalgamate the White Star, the Rangers and Millom St George into one club, to be called Millom Rugby Football Club.

Clubs involved in the Challenge Cup second round draw are : Wath Brow Hornets, Siddal, Myton Warriors, Thatto Heath Crusaders, Leigh Miners Rangers, West Hull, Wigan St Patricks, Hull Dockers, Ince Rose Bridge, East Hull, Skirlaugh, Leigh East, Oulton Raiders, Saddleworth Rangers, RAF, Royal Navy, British Army, Leeds Met University, East Leeds, Hunslet Old Boys, Milford Marlins, Blackbrook.

First published at 16:34, Monday, 07 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk