Unlucky 13. The Rugby League ban in Vichy France with Melissa McMahon

About this episode

Melissa McMahon discusses the banning of Rugby League in Vichy France and its historical significance.

The banning of Rugby League in Vichy France continues to intrigue and appal 85 years on. Melissa McMahon, author of Unlucky 13: Amateurism as a weapon of war in Vichy France , joins the pod to discuss how it all went down, the key characters involved and the political and cultural context.  There is simply no sporting story quite like it. Drop us a line - progressiverugbyleague@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: PRLSA

Guest: Melissa McMahon

Topics covered

• Rugby League
• Vichy France
• Sports history
• Political context
• Cultural impact

Keywords

• Rugby League
• Vichy France
• Melissa McMahon
• sports history
• political context
• cultural impact
• Unlucky 13

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Unlucky 13: Amateurism as a weapon of war in Vichy France

More episodes of The Progressive Rugby League Podcast

• Philosophies of Rugby League Data with Mike Meehall Wood · May 19, 2026 · 1h 9m
• Geoff Armstrong: My Favourite Rugby League Books - Special PRL Book Club Edition · March 9, 2026 · 1h 58m
• The Miracle of Rugby League - An Essay · January 14, 2026 · 15 min
• PRL BOOK CLUB - Roy Francis: Rugby's Forgotten Black Leader by Tony Collins · December 4, 2025 · 51 min
• Steve Mascord on the question of the French connection to Super League · September 8, 2025 · 51 min
• PRL BOOK CLUB - Melanesia: Travels in Black Oceania by Hamish McDonald · May 12, 2025 · 44 min