1895: The day rugby league can trace its origins back to as the Northern League was formed from a meeting of 21 Yorkshire and Lancashire clubs at the George Hotel in Huddersfield.

1947: Formula One drivers' champion James Hunt was born. Hunt, who won the title in 1976, died of a heart attack in 1993 at the age of 45.

2002: Newly-promoted Premiership side West Brom smashed their transfer record twice in one day, signing Jason Koumas for £2.25million from Tranmere and Lee Hughes for £2.5million from Coventry.

2004: Craig Brown left Preston by mutual consent, becoming the first Championship managerial casualty of the season.

2005: World-renowned Italian referee Pierluigi Collina retired from officiating.

2006: Tottenham agreed a deal to sign Egyptian striker Mido on a permanent basis from Roma.

2007: Aston Villa signed Fulham defender Zat Knight for £3.5million. Arsenal defeated Sparta Prague 3-0 to reach the group stages of the Champions League with a 5-0 aggregate score.

2008: Manchester City completed the signing of England international Shaun Wright-Phillips from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee, having previously served City between 1998 and 2005.