James came up with the idea to create the magazine with Code 13 creative consultant Steven Devonshire.

Gap in the market

He said: “We considered sending out newsletters for Last Tackle users and realised there was a gap in the market for a magazine as there aren’t many around that specialise in rugby league.”

James has built up his own rugby league empire over the last few years with Last Tackle going from strength to strength since its launch in 2005. Last year it was re-designed with help from Code 13 Consulting and now covers Super League, NRL, the National Leagues and amateur rugby.

He hopes Code 13 magazine will work alongside the website.

“We may include highlights from an interview on the website and then include it in full in the magazine or vice versa” he commented.

As the editor of the magazine and the website James says he is constantly thinking of new ideas and now has more writers on board.

“For the site there are writers that specialise in each area from Super League through to amateur rugby. They all put a lot of work in, especially Tony Williams who has been involved in the project from the start and we have managed to secure some really good stories on players for Code 13 by building up a good contact list.”

Sponsorship

James’s aim for Last Tackle in the next 12 months is to increase its hit rate, profile, coverage and activity on its forum. Recently the website became sponsors of National League 2 side Gateshead Thunder.

“The team have printed our logo on their shirts and include a newsfeed on their website as do Whitehaven and Workington. We just want as many fans as possible to know Last Tackle is the place to go for rugby league news.”

James’s long term goal has always been to edit Last Tackle on a full-time basis after he finishes his BA (Hons) Journalism degree in 2009 and this now includes Code 13 magazine.

He said: “It’s early days for the magazine but if we can get up to a 5,000 circulation mark then I think it can make a big impact. We recently reached an all time hit rate on Last Tackle of 10,500 hits from 1500 users after we introduced a live score update so it is growing.”

James added: “I always said my ambition was to be the number one website for rugby league and I think now we are starting to rival the BBC and Sky. By introducing the magazine as well we want to provide a modern and alternative approach to rugby league.”