There are few bigger things in rugby league than a Hull derby between Hull FC and Hull KR. But how about a derby match on Christmas Day morning?

From 1915 to 1968, the Airlie Birds and the Robins regularly put their turkey dinners on hold to lock horns at either the Boulevard, Craven Street, or the old Craven Park as the city gathered to watch their heroes partake in some festive clashes. Here, Hull Live takes a look at two that stand out for both camps, including Johnny Whiteley's first and one that sadly cut short an Australian ace's time at Rovers.

1919 - Hull KR 5 Hull FC 16 (Craven Street)

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The first 'proper' Hull Derby on Christmas Day took place after the First World War in 1919. The Airlie Birds, playing in their famous Black and White irregular hoops, were becoming a force in the game, and after the war ended, they hit their straps. With the likes of Billy Batten and Ned Rogers in the side, they were flying, and come the festive period, they were challenging at the top of the table.

Crossing the river on Christmas Day, Hull beat Hull KR 16-5 thanks to two tries from Jim Kennedy and one each for Alf Francis and Jack Holdsworth. Hull would go on to win the Championship Final for the first time in their history at the end of the season, beating Huddersfield 3-2 courtesy of a try from who else but Billy Batten. What a player he was.

1920 - Hull FC 4-8 Hull KR (The Boulevard)

At the time, Hull FC were the reigning champions and would go on to beat the Robins in the Championship final 16-14 at Headingley Stadium to retain their crown. Still, turning the Black and Whites away from home when they were such a dominant force, led by the great Billy Batten, was no mean feat.

It was the first time both sides rose to the top of the rugby league ranks, wreaked havoc, and left plenty in their wake. Rovers had players such as Laurence "Laurie" Osborne, Arthur Moore, and Frank Beilby in their ranks that season, and they all played their part that day. The two sides would meet again in the Championship Final at the end of the season, with Hull running out 16-14 winners to secure back-to-back titles.

1950 - Hull FC 3 Hull KR 3 (The Boulevard)

This Christmas Day affair at the Boulevard might not be remembered for the result, given a 3-3 draw, but it held extra significance as the first derby match that Johnny Whiteley played in. The greatest player to ever come out of the city of Hull, Whiteley was playing in just his second appearance for the Black and Whites as a 20-year-old. He made his debut at York two days earlier and was thrown into the Derby during the festive period.

"I wasn’t really physically equipped to play; all the teams had huge packs, and at 20, I didn’t exactly feel big in those days," Whiteley said on his first derby experience back in 2019. "Prior to signing for Hull a month earlier, I had played for Hull Boys Club and then Rugby Union in the army, but when I came out of the army, Hull signed me and put me straight into the first team.

"I remember going out there and taking some big hits, and I remember thinking, 'Christ, how am I going to cope with this for the rest of my career?' But I had a decent game and came through the baptism of fire, and it built the foundations for some extremely special years for me. As a Hessle Road lad, to play at Christmas for Hull and against Rovers, what a memory. To walk out there for Hull Football Club was like all your Christmas’ coming at once."

Hull would go on to win the 1956 and 1958 Championships with Whiteley in the side, locking horns with Rovers on Christmas Day morning throughout the 1950s.

1968 - Hull KR 9-0 Hull FC (Old Craven Park)

As the regular tradition of a Christmas derby was dying off, the Robins managed to get the final festive bragging rights of the much-loved Christmas morning encounters. Johnny Whiteley was now Hull's coach, and the Black and Whites had the great Clive Sullivan in their side.

The game, meanwhile, will always be remembered for the tragic end to Arthur Beetson's time at Hull KR. The Australian legend sustained a broken leg, bringing an end to his spell with the Red and Whites, even though he did try to play on. A Cliff Wallis try and three goals from Terry Clawson brought the curtain down on a memorable period that spanned over 50 years.

Every Christmas Day derby between Hull FC and Hull KR

1915 - Hull FC 27-5 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1919 - Hull KR 5-16 Hull FC (Craven Street)
1920 - Hull FC 4-8 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1922 - Hull FC 19-6 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1923 - Hull KR 18-9 Hull FC (Old Craven Park)
1924 - Hull FC 4-4 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1925 - Hull FC 9-4 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1926 - Hull FC 3-2 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1928 - Hull FC 2-6 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1929 - Hull FC 2-2 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1930 - Hull FC 8-0 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1931 - Hull FC 0-10 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1934 - Hull FC 26-12 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1935 - Hull KR 5-15 Hull FC (Old Craven Park)
1936 - Hull FC 6-3 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1937 - Hull FC 27-5 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1939 - Hull FC 11-10 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1945 - Hull FC 25-9 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1946 - Hull FC 9-5 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1947 - Hull KR 9-5 Hull FC (Old Craven Park)
1948 - Hull FC 15-0 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1950 - Hull FC 3-3 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1951 - Hull KR 10-18 Hull FC (Old Craven Park)
1952 - Hull FC 9-16 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1953 - Hull FC 32-2 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1954 - Hull FC 16-6 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1956 - Hull FC 30-2 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1958 - Hull FC 11-2 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1959 - Hull KR 2-13 Hull FC (Old Craven Park)
1965 - Hull FC 0-2 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1967 - Hull FC 9-15 Hull KR (The Boulevard)
1968 - Hull KR 9-0 Hull FC (Old Craven Park)