History - 1930-1950 The early years
1930-1950 The early years
The earliest recorded meeting of The Old Rishworthian RUFC (the Club) was at the Old Cock Hotel Halifax on Friday June 27th 1930. This followed an inaugural meeting on January 12th 1930 at the Battinson Road Palais de Danse where a committee was appointed to find a suitable ground for the Old Boys of Rishworth School to play upon. After a far and wide search from Northowram to Warley suitable fields and changing facilities were located at Southowram.. Changing at the Cock and Bottle Hotel, near the tram terminus the ground was off Pinnar Lane amid the quarries and was reached after a walk along the road across four fields.
The first President of the Club was C L Johnson, E Hirst Captain and Secretary, H Scholefield Vice Captain (later replaced by G R Williams,) J T Bottomley - Treasurer with TV Watkin, EC Nethergate and J R Rollinson as committee members
A full fixture list had been compiled for one team and the Club's first fixture was played against Heath A team on September 13th 1930 whom we beat 3-0 in a scrappy game. The season was moderately successful with the Club winning 14 of the 24 games played and scoring 240 points against 168. The A team was formed in 1931-32.
Season 1933-34 saw a change of dressing accommodation for the Club, moving from the Cock and Bottle to The Manor House Hotel. Whilst this was further from the ground, it provided more space. Training was one aspect of the club's life in which most members showed little interest. The few who did train must have been keen, as there were no facilities at Southowram. Running round the lanes seemed to be the only way players kept fit followed by snooker, beef sandwiches and pickles at the Old Cock Hotel in Halifax.
The Club suspended activities between 1941 and 1946 owing to the outbreak of war. An extra ordinary meeting was held at the Old Cock Hotel on June 19th 1946 to discuss the re-formation of the Old Rishworthian RUFC. It was unanimously resolved that the club be reformed with Mr G C Hoyle becoming President. Harry Ludlam who had been a regular playing member became captain. The club played at Ovenden Park for one season paying £15 for the use of the ground and changing accommodation.
At the 13th AGM it was agreed that players needed to be encouraged to join the Club and it was agreed that non Old Rishworthians be invited to play for the A team. However they would not be able to play for the 1stXV whatever standard they might attain.
The club's search for a better ground had continued after the war years. Harry Ludlam was instrumental in arranging for the use of a field at the Duke of Wellington's Barracks, Highroad Well. A donation of 10 guineas was given to the Regimental Memorial Fund for the use of the pitches and bath. Meetings were then held at the Beehive and Cross Keys Hotel.
The Club had a busy social committee and dances were held at the White Swan Hotel Halifax. Motor rallies, pie and pea suppers and an Annual Ball which regularly attracted over 350 people - formed the main source of income for the Club. Major contributions also came from The Old Rishworthian Club and the hard working Ladies Section.
The earliest recorded meeting of The Old Rishworthian RUFC (the Club) was at the Old Cock Hotel Halifax on Friday June 27th 1930. This followed an inaugural meeting on January 12th 1930 at the Battinson Road Palais de Danse where a committee was appointed to find a suitable ground for the Old Boys of Rishworth School to play upon. After a far and wide search from Northowram to Warley suitable fields and changing facilities were located at Southowram.. Changing at the Cock and Bottle Hotel, near the tram terminus the ground was off Pinnar Lane amid the quarries and was reached after a walk along the road across four fields.
The first President of the Club was C L Johnson, E Hirst Captain and Secretary, H Scholefield Vice Captain (later replaced by G R Williams,) J T Bottomley - Treasurer with TV Watkin, EC Nethergate and J R Rollinson as committee members
A full fixture list had been compiled for one team and the Club's first fixture was played against Heath A team on September 13th 1930 whom we beat 3-0 in a scrappy game. The season was moderately successful with the Club winning 14 of the 24 games played and scoring 240 points against 168. The A team was formed in 1931-32.
Season 1933-34 saw a change of dressing accommodation for the Club, moving from the Cock and Bottle to The Manor House Hotel. Whilst this was further from the ground, it provided more space. Training was one aspect of the club's life in which most members showed little interest. The few who did train must have been keen, as there were no facilities at Southowram. Running round the lanes seemed to be the only way players kept fit followed by snooker, beef sandwiches and pickles at the Old Cock Hotel in Halifax.
The Club suspended activities between 1941 and 1946 owing to the outbreak of war. An extra ordinary meeting was held at the Old Cock Hotel on June 19th 1946 to discuss the re-formation of the Old Rishworthian RUFC. It was unanimously resolved that the club be reformed with Mr G C Hoyle becoming President. Harry Ludlam who had been a regular playing member became captain. The club played at Ovenden Park for one season paying £15 for the use of the ground and changing accommodation.
At the 13th AGM it was agreed that players needed to be encouraged to join the Club and it was agreed that non Old Rishworthians be invited to play for the A team. However they would not be able to play for the 1stXV whatever standard they might attain.
The club's search for a better ground had continued after the war years. Harry Ludlam was instrumental in arranging for the use of a field at the Duke of Wellington's Barracks, Highroad Well. A donation of 10 guineas was given to the Regimental Memorial Fund for the use of the pitches and bath. Meetings were then held at the Beehive and Cross Keys Hotel.
The Club had a busy social committee and dances were held at the White Swan Hotel Halifax. Motor rallies, pie and pea suppers and an Annual Ball which regularly attracted over 350 people - formed the main source of income for the Club. Major contributions also came from The Old Rishworthian Club and the hard working Ladies Section.
RSS Feeds