In common with every other club in the country, the activities of Heaton Moor were suspended from 1914 to 1919, but fortunately, the War caused the Club a relatively light casually list. The first peacetime season proved to be a most successful one with sizeable victories over Broughton Park, Liverpool and Sale and a fine double over Waterloo. Other successful seasons were to follow, but the main focus of attention was to be the securing of a permanent home on Green Lane which had been used since the resumption of playing in 1919.

The driving force behind this venture was the President, William Brown, J.P., one of the most significant members the Club has ever had. Inspired by his energy, influence, and generosity (remember Affleck & Brown, the department store?), members and their friends raised what was then a considerable amour of money, Â£5,000, to purchase and equip the present ground. Mrs. Brown officially opened the new facilities on 14th. October 1922. The Rugby Football Union had loaned the Club Â£2,000 to achieve its goal and this naturally had to be repaid. Despite the fact that the Club was now running four or five sides, it was proving difficult to make the repayments as well as meeting ongoing expenditure (plus ca change ....), so a major event was planned in 1929 to repay the loan. A Bazaar took place over three days in February of that year. A look at the programme of events might tempt todays readers to view it as "bizarre", including as it did ......... A Ladies Instrumental Trio, A Concert Party, Crystal Reader and Clairvoyant. Play by local junior schoolchildren Display of Classical Greek Dancing Public Dances each evening to the "Metronomes" and the "Heatonians". Given that the highest entry fee charged was 6d. (2 1/2p.}, it was to realise a total of Â£1,200.

Having largely paid off the R.F.U. loan, the Club continued to flourish during the 1930s, even though victories over the major northern clubs were now becoming regrettably rarer. Nevertheless, Moor at this time possessed two of the most versatile and talented players ever to wear the Red, Black and Amber. Joe Heap, wing-forward, fly-half, or centre, was to be Treasurer for many years, whilst Ian McKay, scrum-half, fly-half, or centre, was a consistent goal-kicker and inspiring Club Captain.

When World War II broke out in 1939, the Club lost most of its players to the armed forces and in May 1942, the Army requisitioned the ground for the site of an anti-aircraft battery. So ended the first era in the proud history of Heaton Moor R.U.F.C.

There are many references in minute books to these hard and austere days shortly after the war. Tea and sugar coupons were required before the opposition could have a drink. Records show that for an eight week period as late as 1952 the allowances were two pounds of tea, four pounds of butler, four pounds of margarine, two pounds of cheese and eight pounds of sugar. Later that season it had been reduced to no tea, two pounds of butter, two pounds of margarine, one pound of cheese and four pounds of sugar. The constant search for unwanted clothing coupons in order that jerseys could be obtained was another problem. Letters to local sports shop Tyldesley & Holbrook elicited the information that a total of four jerseys were in stock, four coupons were required per jersey and that they were not allowed to manufacture hopped jerseys, only plain ones. The R.F.U. wrote back to say they were unable lo help over clothing coupons. The Club resorted to writing to all ex-players offering to buy their jerseys back. Boots and balls seemed to be an equally difficult problem.

From correspondence it appears that in 1946 the Club were offering lo buy out H. Nelson' entire stock of six pairs of rugby boots (sizes 7, 8 and 9). The Club begged four old balls from Manchester University. Pies appeared, even then, to be the main post-match fodder.

On one Saturday in November 1945, W.F. Mason's pies had gone down so well the previous week that four dozen were ordered. The alterations made by the Army to the pavilion and the consequent use of the Army's ablution block made changing and bathing facilities a trifle primitive. From memory, ten old, soiled and generally abused household baths provided the entire bathing system for two, and later, four sides.

On 23rd. September 1949, The Club's 50th, Anniversary was celebrated with a Dinner at The Reunion Club in Heaton Moor. A galaxy of rugby personalities from all over the country attended. However, in spite of the many difficulties and with much hard work of a few really devoted members the whole Club moved forward. In 1949/50 Stuart MacDonald Captained the team prior to leaving with his brother Peter to join Sale. There was quite a family connection here with his father and uncles having played for the Club prior to World War I, The six victories of 1946/47 increased to nineteen under Geoff Sykes in 1950/51 and out of the twenty-nine games played, a further three were drawn. Important players like Steve Pape, a scrum-half from South Wales and Duncan McLean, who in 1946 won two caps for Scotland, joined an influx of new members who came to the Club from Burnage High School.

These members were followed by a large number of medical students from Manchester University - Norman Shaw, Brian Chant, John Garland and Peter Morris to mention a few.

In 1952 Fred Jagger died, after serving as President in continuity from 1934. In the following year, a further blow befell the administration with the death of Bill Dixon who had first been Honorary Secretary as far back as 1930. The Club appointed Reg Hall as President and, along with people of the calibre of Ian McKay, Jim Marsh, Ian Sinclair, Ken Jones and Alf Bullivant, progress was maintained.

Reg Hall had returned to the Club from Preston Grasshoppers and during the post-war years took on a tremendous workload in various capacities for the Club. If a job needed doing, down even to the marking out of the pitches, Reg was willing to do it. His name became synonymous with the Club and even in the local press and Lancashire circles he was known as "Mr Heaton Moor". He was his own man and many are the young players or older officials who suffered from his tongue, but his contribution to the Club cannot be underestimated.

As one reads some of the correspondence of the General Secretaries of the period, it is interesting to note how little changes in the problems besetting an amateur rugby club. In 1945/46 we received a letter from the Referees Society complaining that we had not paid our subscription. At the end of that season, a letter of resignation from the then Team Secretary highlighted the problems of cry-offs on Friday night and Saturday morning. This was reiterated by the 1955 Team Secretary who wrote to players regarding cry-offs. In 1952 a letter was sent to the Army complaining that their failure to mend a fence had led to local youths entering the ground and vandalising the pavilion. In 1953 there was a long dispute with a local coach firm, Fred Corkills, over damage to a coach on the way back from a game. In the same year an Irlam shopkeeper complained about a missing ice-cream board. In 1951 a letter went out to all players complaining about poor attendance at training. If you thought that the recent practice of inviting established star Sale players to take training was a new one - think again. Eric Evans and Joe Mycock, both England internationals, took several sessions in 1953. Some things do change however; playing subscriptions in 1915/46 were twenty -five shillings - That is Â£1.25 for those too young to remember shillings.

In 1953 Robert Huntley of West Point, Levenshulme was commissioned to design a club badge. He submitted two designs and the one that featured the Lancashire roses, the moorhens and part of the Stockport coat-of-arms was chosen. It remains the Clubs badge to this day.

In 1955 the ground, as it now is, was eventually de-requisitioned and the long and protracted dealings over compensation, with the War Office were finally completed. Removal of the concrete alone cost the then huge amount of Â£550. In terms of results, the Club's fortunes fluctuated considerably during the 1950s, but there was steady progress and, in 1955/56, an 'Ex B' (4th.) XV was formed with an occasional 5th. team to follow. In 1959/60 the Club added a Colts XV to the four sides which were being fielded each week. Ian McKay, who had been Club Captain during one of its most successful era in the middle '30s was in charge of fixtures and Dennis Huxstep, who had joined in 1950 did a six year spell as Team Secretary before taking over the fixtures job in 1961. Noel Atkinson, then a virile young medical student, captained the senior side in 19S7/58 and has since given yeoman service to Men in many ways not least as Secretary, and then as out President. Ian Sinclair and Jim Walsh shared out almost equally thirteen years as Club Secretary between them.

Other notable characters of this period were, Peter Allen, both as a player and an active participant in all Club affairs, Jim Marsh, a pre-war stalwart, who did two periods as Treasurer, Ted Whiteside, one of the numerous people who have come to the Club from the Vale of Lune. Three-times captain of the Club, Stewart Cresswell, was the man who first became involved with the Colts, and, along with Percy Atack, developed them into a good side, winning a couple of "Sevens" trophies en route to providing the Club with some fine playing material. One of these, Tony Parkinson, played for the Club for nearly twenty years serving a lengthy term as â€˜Aâ€™ team skipper.

Many of these Heaton Moor members went on to serve valuable roles for Lancashire and even England. The Club has provided no less than four post-war Lancashire Presidents, Reg Hall (1973/74), Jim Walsh (1979/80), Ian Sinclair (1987/88) and Noel Atkinson (1990/91). Jim was, for seven years, County Secretary. Noel served as Honorary Doctor to the County for many years and also took that role on England tours. Ian served the County as both Schools' Secretary and Disciplinary Secretary for many years.

Seldom do Captains of junior sides receive the acclaim to which they are entitled. During this period we were fortunate to have two members willing to look after the 'odds & sods'. Brian Fitton for the first three years, and Les Clarke for a further three years, ensured that the newly formed Fourth XV was in good hands. Both Geoff Sykes and Jim Walsh, when their days with the senior side were over, did extensive spells as "A" team captain, to the advantage of the Club.

The Bowdon "Sevens" was won in 1955 and the Club staged a series of charity games in the 50s for various worthy causes and, proving our constant improvement through the post-war years, were able to make significant donations to the Lynmouth Flood Relief Fund, the National Playing Fields Association, Stockport Lads Club and Christie's Cancer Research from the proceeds of these matches. Des Pastore, then of Sale and Cheshire, and more recently of Old Bedians and Egor, produced sides of Barbarian - like capabilities and Moor's President's XVs were of similar calibre.

Other sporting activities occasionally took place at Green Lane. An Archery Club hired the premises one summer - evidence of which is still to be seen in the old pavilion - as they once forgot to remove their gear after a shoot. Hounds too, were once to be seen coursing round the ground, though there appears to be no permanent mark of their intrusion. Hiring our premises, and other fund raising activities, some equally unrewarding, but others more successful, were a constant part of Club life. The object of all these efforts was to be able to build the pavilion in which the Club is now housed. In 1959, fifty years of fixtures with Huddersfield was marked with a Hot Pot Supper after our home game with them that year. Regrettably they beat us once again, but it is worth recalling that their first fixture in Lancashire was with us. Years of talking, planning and saving eventually materialised in this year, with the start of the building of the new pavilion.

The majority of the work on this project was placed in the hands of Peter Kerr who designed the building and who acted as Clerk of Works. Most active members contributed their own brand of labouring towards the building - either in digging foundations, laying floors and joists, and other less specialist building jobs. The more sophisticated work, plumbing, brick laying, roofing, etc., was given out on a contract basis, so in the end the building cost what, even in 1960, was the ridiculous figure of about Â£4,500. The design allowed for future development and improvements and it is to the eternal credit of those involved in the original project that we have such a fine clubhouse today. Also in 1959, Roger Markland joined the Club and in his years at Moor was a prolific points-scorer and contributed to many of the Club's activities. He was also very involved in the building of the present pavilion.

So ended another phase in the history of the Club - a period which saw probably the biggest changes in the whole aspect of amateur rugby. During the post-war years Moor could claim fairly to be one of the more sociable clubs. The Saturday evening socials became well-known, even notorious, and went a long way towards not only providing funds for the building of the new pavilion, but also to fostering a Club image. On the playing side, results were not spectacular but the fixture list was still strong. We had lost Broughton Park and Fylde but still played Preston Grasshoppers, Vale of Lune, Sandal and Huddersfield. Perhaps more an indication of success was that we were regularly turning out four sides and a Colts XV on a Saturday. Indeed on three occasions in 1960/61 we turned out two Colts XVs.

The motor car became more and more influential in the travelling habits of players. In the early days after the War, coaches were the norm to travel even the short journey to Bowdon. Other local clubs arrived by local buses, prompting a letter of complaint re late arrival of Broughton Park players. Such revolutionary ideas as providing jerseys for the senior side were introduced.

There is no doubt however, that the men who set out to re-form the Heaton Moor Club after the war, could look, if not with complacency, at least with a certain amount of satisfaction at the result of their labours.

The Club entered the 1960s with a great deal of optimism and was literally built on sound foundations with a new clubhouse. The present clubhouse was completed in December 1961 and was officially opened on 4th. April 1962 by Mr A.G. Butler, a Vice-President of the Rugby Football Union. There was continuity amongst the senior officers and an influx of new members bolstered the administrative and playing Strengths. In 1960 Tony Kyffin started a five-year run as Secretary and Jim Marsh became Treasurer for the next four years, Ted Whiteside. a hooker, was starling his third consecutive season as First XV captain and they all had the support of two very worthy Presidents in Reg Hall (1960-62) and Ian Sinclair (1952-64), who became President again (1966-68). left Smith and Graham Williams joined Moor in the late 1950s, Brian Duckworth came from Fylde during the 1959/60 season and by 1965 Jim Dearden. Joe Larnes, Mike McDermott and John Royle had all joined the Club. Schoolmaster Dave Turner introduced several youngsters from Moseley Hall Grammar School, Cheadle, notably Geoff Costello (at one time turned down for the schools rugby team for being too 'slight' I!!), who made his first-team debut in the 1965/66 season. Bob Howard joined from Old Aldwinians during the 1965/66 season and was the first team hooker for the following two seasons. Bill Maynard followed in the 1966/67 season, John Jeskins joined in 1968 and Graham Drage moved up from Northampton in 1969. All these members have made big contributions to club life in various capacities during the past forty years and all still retain a strong interest today.

John Whelan was appointed First XV captain for the 1961/62 season and his personality and enthusiasm for the game spread throughout the whole Club. He had brought his considerable talents and first-class experience from Bradford in 1958 and his two years in the captaincy led to progressively improving playing standards within the Club.

After a lapse of several years the Annual Club Dinner was revived in 1963 and was held, with great success, for three consecutive years at the Cafe Royal in Manchester. On each occasion the Club were privileged to have top guests from the Rugby Football Union. In 1963 Sir Lawrie Edwards, a Vice-President of the R.F.U. was the Guest of Honour, he was followed in 1964 by Mr W. C. Ramsay, Honorary Treasurer, then in 1965 by Robin Prescott, Secretary.

During Easter 1963 the Club went on tour for the first time since the 1930s with a visit to Glasgow. In October 1963, Lancashire staged their final County Trial at Green Lane and a month earlier the Club had been honoured by having Ian Stewart, who was just embarking on two years of captaincy, Roger Markland and Malcolm Oliver selected to play for the Lancashire Presidents XV in a game at Broughton Park.

During 1964/65 negotiations were concluded with Stockport Corporation for the making-up and paving of Green Lane, in return for a small amount of the Club's frontage. Those who did not know Green Lane before this improvement cannot possibly imagine how bad the approach to the Club had been prior to this improvement, the coach for away games left from the Chapel House Hotel.

Schoolmaster Phil Thomas was the First XV captain in 1965/66 and enjoyed a very successful season, winning 22 of the 33 games played. A double over Davenport, now named Stockport, and a highly enjoyable Easter Tour to the Republic of Ireland were the highlights of the playing season. At this time the Club ran six regular teams and on occasions a Seventh XV. On the social side, Sir Augustus Walker, President of the R.F.U., was Guest of Honour at the Club Dinner which was held at The Engineers' Club, Manchester, and a very successful Ladies Evening Dinner Dance was held at Lancashire County Cricket Club, Old Trafford. Noel Atkinson was in his first of two years as Secretary and Arthur Firth was in the middle of a three year run as Treasurer. Arthur had been a hard-tackling First XV wing-forward in the early 1960s.

Ian Nixon, a former Manchester University scrum-half, captained the Club in 1966/67 when the first team won twenty-five and drew one of their thirty-four games. The side included winger Roger Markland who in the 57-0 defeat of Bowdon, scored thirty-six points (6 tries, 6 conversions and 2 penalty goals).
There were a considerable number of changes in dub officials for the 1967/68 season. Roger Davies (Secretary) and Robin Smith (Treasurer) both started three-year periods in office and Roger Taylor became the First. XV Captain. An Easter Tour, centred on Bristol, was a tremendous success with three wins in three games and the team finished the season with the creditable record of seventeen wins and two draws out of thirty-six games played. Colin Beer took over the captaincy the following season when the team finished with an almost identical record of seventeen wins and a draw out of thirty-five games played. Colin was a former England Schoolboy International winger who joined the Club from 6 am staple in 1964 and played for Moor at centre, fly-half and lull-back during his distinguished career. The Vice-Captain to Colin Beer in 1968/69 was David Hall, the son of Reg Hall. David was a hard-working back-row forward and a regular first team player for several seasons.

When Roger Goodier took over the captaincy in 1969/70 he became Moor's sixth captain in as many seasons. He was joined by former skipper Ted Whiteside as the Club's first official roach. The team won twelve and drew lour of the thirty-eight games. During the Season Roger introduced the very successful 'Player of the Year' and Geoff Costello became a very worthy first winner of this prestigious award. Unfortunately, Ted Whiteside left the area at the end of the season. He had made a valuable contribution during his years at the Club where his other official positions had included a spell as Team Secretary. In 1970/71 Roger Goodier provided some continuity by becoming the first player in ten years to captain the Club in successive seasons and John Knighton took over as player/coach. They enjoyed a very successful season only losing fifteen of the forty-one games played with twenty-one wins and five draws.

A tremendous success during the 1968/69 season was the Vice-Presidents Gala Night, which was held in the clubhouse. A team led by Peter Allen, Noel Atkinson, Dennis Huxstep and Tony Kyffin transformed the clubhouse into a 'sophisticated night spot' and raised a lot of money. In July 1969 a sponsored walk raised Â£500 for club funds. This fund-raising was to go towards the much-awaited new changing accommodation, which was opened in November 1970 at a cost of Â£7500 after several years of negotiations by Noel Atkinson and Tony Kyffin. Club member and architect Alan Philp, had kept a diligent eye on the whole project, which was built by another club member, Rick Hodson. The Club was now able to boast some of the best changing facilities in the area. Tony Kyffin who, along with Reg Hall in particular, had involved himself completely with the Club since the late-1950s, emigrated to Canada at the end of the 1968/69 season and left a huge gap in the Club's ranks.

Throughout the 60s and 70s there was a strong social side to the Club activities. Stewart Cresswell became the first official Social Secretary in 1965 arid was succeeded by Syd Horsfield for one year. Keith Nield took up the reins for the 1968/69 season and during that year he introduced Bobby Dee to the Club. The regular Saturday night 'Bobby Dee Disco' became a popular feature for members and several visiting clubs, notably Morley. The 'Bobby Dee Disco' still features on the Club's social programme today. A highly enjoyable Marquee Barbecue was held and the New Year's Eve fancy dress party was always a sell-out.

The venue for the Club Dinner changed quite a lot after 1966. moving to Lancashire County Cricket Club (1967), Belle Vue (1968), Belgrade Hotel, Stockport, (1969 & 1973) and the Southern Hotel, Manchester, (1970 & 1971). In 1972 the Club Dinner was held in Heaton Moor at the Hampton House Club, which is now The Elizabethan public house.

In tile 1970/71 season Geoff Walt began a six-year stint as Social Secretary and during this period he was well supported by Jim Dearden and Frank Ferguson. In 1972 Geoff introduced 'Folk on the Moor' which attracted a much wider audience to the Club. On one occasion the SBC national network recorded 'Folk on Two' from the Club and Heaton Moor Rugby Club gained a lot of additional publicity al this time through the local radio stations and press. Artistes of the calibre of Jasper Carrott, Mike Harding, Jake Thackray and leading playright Willy Russell appeared regularly at the Club. In July 1976, 'Folk on the Moor' moved to the Rudyard Hotel.

Throughout all these years the social activities were supported by a siring of hardworking Honorary Bar Secretaries including Arnold Brownsett, Lewis Maxwell-Clarkson, Reg Hall, Harry Lambert and Ray Hanman.

Back-row forward John Knighton took on the dual role of Club Captain/Coach for the 1971/72 season during which the Lancashire Cup competition was re-introduced. In Moor's first ever Lancashire Cup game they scored a memorable 103-6 win against a very sporting Anchor R.U.F.C, a works team from Leigh. Moor scored a total of twenty tries in the match through Geoff Costello (4), Ron Dickson (4), Andy Todd (3), John Knighton (2), David Hall (2), Ian Goswell (2) with one each from Peter Humphreys, Ken Johnson and Graham Walker. This score remained a record for the competition until well into the '80s, when it was beaten by Orrell. In December 1971, twenty-five year old Knighton surprised everyone by joining Salford R.L.F.C. for a reported four-figure signing-on fee. In 1978, John was transferred to St. Helens where he finished his rugby league career before returning to Green Lane where he is still a very enthusiastic member of the Veterans XV. Colin Beer took over the first team captaincy following John's departure to rugby league.

At the end of 1971/72, thirty-three year old winger Roger Markland played his final game for the Club and once again he finished as the leading points-scorer with 222 points in twenty-eight games. Roger scored a record total of 2185 points for the first team during his thirteen year career at Heaton Moor. At the Club Dinner, Colin Beer described John Knighton 'as one of the finest players ever to wear a Heaton Moor jersey' and wished him the best of luck in his new game'. At the same function Dennis Huxstep, who was in his second year as President, presented Roger Markland with a silver tankard in recognition of his services to the Club.

Charlie Hanley, the former Waterloo & Lancashire winger, joined as Club Coach prior to the start of the 1972/73 season and Mike Bishop look on the captaincy. They had a slow start with the first team winning only two of their first fifteen games. However, a lot of hard work by all concerned augured well for the future and the team only lost two of their last fourteen games. They also beat Waterloo in the final of the Plate Competition al the Manchester 'Sevens' and The team were to go on to even greater things in the future. Not lo be out-done, the Colts won the Buxton junior 'Sevens' at the beginning of that season. Mini-rugby was started at the Club at the beginning of 1973 under the stewardship of Dennis Huxstep who assembled a coaching team, which included Nick Hadfield, Simon Huxstep, Mike McDermott, Mark Pearson and Ted Taylor.

There were two memorable trips to France in May 1973 and May 1975. A few weeks before the first visit the Club received an invitation from the Racing Club de Versailles to take part in their Tournoi International de Rugby. The invitation included an offer to pay for the accommodation of the players and some officials. Moor officials thought that the invitation was too good to be true and that it must have been sent to the wrong club. However, after translation and further investigation the invitation proved to be genuine and arrangements were hastily made for the trip. The main party made the rather laborious four-day round trip in a coach which had been fitted with a speed governor, whilst other members flew to Paris on two-day bargain break packages. The Moor party all met up together in Versailles for a fabulous weekend which included a Civic Reception at the Town Hall and wonderful hospitality throughout the whole stay. The quadrangular tournament was played in the very fine Mountbauron Stadium and the three other clubs taking part were the host club, Saint-Germain and Cardiff HSOB.

To everyone's delight, Heaton Moor won the tournament with victories over Racing Club de Versailles (12-6) and the other French team, Saint-Germain (36-4). Winger Geoff Costello scored a total of five tries in the two games. Mike Bishop was unable to make the trip so Ron Dickson, the Second XV Captain and former first team fullÂ¬back, skippered the side and did a superb job as well as providing himself with a fitting finale to his playing career. His position as a brewery employee also ensured that the team coaches for both the Versailles trips were well stocked up with liquid refreshments.

Ron was a good servant of the Club for many years as player, touch-judge and administrator and his defection to Davenport some years ago was disappointing. A Versailles Victory Hot Pot Supper was held at the Club in June 1973. The 1973/74 season was arguably Moor's best ever season and certainly a record-breaking one. A total of 810 points scored is a record for the Club, as is the twenty-eight wins. Also a record is twenty-one year old Peter Cholerton's tremendous total of 364 points in a season (356 from kicks). The First XV played forty-six games, which is also a record, and should not detract from the other records, which were gained on a very strong fixture list. The side was skippered by Brian Wilkinson who later played for Sale & Cheshire. He was an inspirational back-row forward who led by example. Brian's vice-captain was another talented player Mike Bishop, a former Oxford University scrum-half, who played most of the season at fly-half in order to accommodate Cholerton at scrum-half. Noel Atkinson had the good fortune to be in his second year as President during this remarkable season.
The highlight of the season was a tremendous Lancashire Cup run.

Following three away wins (Manchester 16-13, Kersal 41-land Leigh 13-0) Moor were drawn at home in the quarter-finals against a highly-rated Fylde side. A very large and enthusiastic crowd saw Moor give a superb display and run out convincing 34-15 winners with Peter Cholerton kicking 19 points. The reward was a semi-final draw against Waterloo at Broughton Park. Moor were 12-9 down shortly after half-time when they were depleted through the loss of Brian Wilkinson with a dislocated shoulder. It was only in injury time that Waterloo, the eventual cup winners, made the game safe with two tries to give a rather flattering 24-9 score line.

Charlie Hanley had been joined by Ken Jones, a former Manchester & Lancashire player, to form a formidable coaching partnership. Their influence was most noticeable in the cup run when the pre-match planning and mental preparation was superb. The players' coach slopped en-route to each of the cup venues for a pre-match lunch and team-talk, which ensured that the players were fully focused each time they look to the field. Another memorable feature of the cup run was a decorated double-decker bus full of vociferous supporters who followed the team to the cup matches.

There were several other events of note during 1973/74. Reg Hall was honoured for his services to the County by being elected Lancashire President and he had alongside him Jim Walsh who was in his final year as County Secretary after seven years service. Cholerton became the first Moor player for several seasons to figure in a final county trial and his 13 points enabled The Rest to gain a surprise 21 -16 win over Lancashire at Orrell. In February 1974, the Club were hosts to Boston Massachusetts R.U.F.C., winning 19-6. Dr Ian Nixon, who captained Moor in 1966/67, should have captained the American side, but unfortunately he fractured an ankle a few days prior to the game and was a reluctant spectator. As usual the Club entered the Manchester 'Sevens' and gained what was probably their best-ever sevens result with a 12-6 defeat of a Sale side containing two internationals plus five county players. Unfortunately Moor lost to Wilmslow in the quarter-finals. The Club Dinner was held in February 1974 at the Valley Lodge Hotel, Wilmslow, when our principal guest was Tony Neary, the British Lions star. Sadly two Past-Presidents, Jim Marsh (1964-66) and Walter Deacon (1968-70) and a Vice-President, Alf Bullivant, all passed away during the year.

1973/74 was a truly memorable season and almost certainly the peak of the Club's achievements to date. It is therefore very pleasing that so many key members of that successful side can still be seen regularly at Green Lane some twenty-five years later. They include Colin Beer, Geoff Costello, Graham Drage, Roger Judson, John Royle, Brian Wilkinson and Roger Wilkinson. Our Club Solicitor, Philip Davies, was also a member of that great team.

The Club received another invitation to Paris in 1975, when the three other teams taking part were Racing Club de Versailles, the Portuguese team Belenenses Lisbon and another French side, C.A.O. Saint-Cyr. The Club was much more prepared and organised on this occasion and the luxurious Manchester United team coach was hired for the trip complete with bar, toilet, dining tables, etc. On returning, the coach was used by the England soccer team, who were staying in Manchester prior to playing an International Match in Belfast. Skipper Mike Bishop was able to take a strong and youthful side and once again Moor won the competition with wins over Saint-Cyr (33-4) and Versailles (25-0) in the final. Wingers Charlie Beadle and David Belfield were the leading try-scorers with a total of three each over the two games. Teenager Paul Roberts, who made his first team debut in December 1974, was at full-back in both games and kicked a total of 15 points. Paul, a prodigious goal-kicker, went on to enjoy a long and successful playing career with the Club. Playing at prop in both games was Paul Barlow who now lives on Green Lane and is still a regular supporter at our home games. The Tour Manager for both the Versailles trips was Bill Maynard who organised the visits in his usual efficient manner. Racing Club de Versailles were due to visit Heaton Moor in September 1974 but the trip was called off at the eleventh hour, without a satisfactory explanation. Even the French club's President, Jean-Claude Seguier, was left in the dark as he had arrived at Green Lane having cut short a family holiday in Scotland.

The Club celebrated its 75th. Anniversary during the 1974/75 season and Dennis Huxstep was honoured with the Presidency for this special year. He was the ideal choice having been completely involved with the Club over the previous twenty-five years. Dennis was Fixture Secretary from 1962-1980 and always ensured that the Club had a strong fixture list. He excelled himself in 1974/75 by including fixtures against Sale, Broughton Park, Manchester, Morley, Orrell, Otley and Worcester on an already strong fixture list. There were also two showpiece games in April 1975. The first of these games was against the well-known invitation side Anti-Assassins, which Moor won 16-10, and the final game of the season was between a combined Heaton Moor & Davenport XV and the Lancashire Presidents XV, which the combined side lost 34-0. The First XV captain was Mike Bishop and the team finished with the creditable record of nineteen wins and a draw in the forty-three games played. On 25th. October 1974, the 75th. Anniversary Dinner was held at the Valley Lodge Hotel when our guests included former England Internationals Eric Evans, Reg Higgins, Dickie Jeeps and Peter Yarranton. Other distinguished guests included His Grace, the Duke of Devonshire, who was a Vice-President of the Club for many years, Viscount Lewisham, Sir Douglas Clover, the Mayor of Stockport and representatives from the clubs on our fixture list. Jeff Smith, who was Assistant Club Secretary at the time, handled the ticket sales for this grand occasion with great efficiency.

Brian Duckworth took over the Presidency in 1975/76 after a number of years service to the Club, both on and off the field of play. His role as Publicity Officer in the previous three years helped to keep the playing exploits and the 75th. Anniversary in the public eye. These exploits helped to strengthen the fixture list and a notable addition was that of Stewart's Melville P.P. in Edinburgh. The First XV played forty-four games under the captaincy of Charlie Beadle, a number only ever bettered before or since by the forty-six played in 1973/74, and he, along with prop-forward Bob Garnett, played in all forty-four. Charlie was a former Sale and Kendal winger who made his debut for Heaton Moor in September 1973 and finished the 1975/76 season as the leading try-scorer with 13 tries. A very successful Easter tour took place to the South West, with victories over Newton Abbot, Paignton and Exmouth, but the low-point must have been the team's exit from the Lancashire Cup when they were beaten 6-0 away to Ford Halewood, a result that was even more unbelievable given their Cup run of only two years previously. Prior to the start of the season, the Club lost two key members of the pack when Philip Davies and Brian Wilkinson accepted invitations to join Sale where they both enjoyed first team rugby.

By 1976 there were eighteen primary schools playing mini-rugby in the Stockport area. This was due to the initiative taken some years earlier by the local Norris Bank Primary School headmaster, Travis Ollerenshaw, who Moor had possibly the best mini and junior rugby sections in the North West and one of the top Colts XVs in Lancashire. The Annual Dinner was held in May 1976 at the Grand Hotel, Manchester, when our principal guest was Mike Burton, the British Lions prop, who is better known today as a promoter, agent and corporate hospitality supremo. This was the last season for the operation of the General Committee in its management of club affairs as it was felt that the 'free-for-all' nature of the committee meetings was not conducive to the smooth running of the Club. The format for its replacement, the Executive Committee, was formulated by Len Mather.

Other new fixtures were added in 1976/77, and included Streatham and Croydon in London and Penarth in South Wales. This strong fixture list was proving to be a burden, however, as the First XV squad, led by prop-forward David Faulkner, had lost a number of key players following the success in recent years and some heavy defeats were registered. The new Executive Committee comprised of eight members; Bill Maynard, Bob Howard and John Royle being Chairman, General Secretary and Treasurer respectively, together with four chairmen of subÂ¬committees and the President. John Jeskins took over the role of Referees' Society.

John Whelan commenced his two-year stint as President in 1977/78, and the season was to be remembered for an event that was to have a far-reaching effect on the playing strength of the Club for nearly two decades and from which, it could be argued, it still has not fully recovered and has suppressed the development of the Club whilst others in the area have prospered. The mini and junior section had continued to flourish since its inception some five years previously and the large number of participants in every age - group up to Colts level had begun to put a strain on the Club's infrastructure. A resultant showdown between the Executive Committee and the mini organisers resulted in about half of this section leaving the Club and joining neighbouring club Burnage.

The Club Coach, Norman Heginbotham, who had joined from Oldham towards the end of the previous season, had the job of reÂ¬building the First XV forwards as the entire regular front-row from the preceding year had left to join Manchester. In his second term as Second XV captain, Alan Corlett fractured his leg at the start of the season, severely curtailing his playing career for the rest of the year. This was doubly cruel, as the same set of circumstances had occurred only twelve months earlier! And they say that lightning never strikes twice... On a brighter note, the Third XV, captained by David Hall, son of Reg, lost only once before Christmas and suffered only nine defeats in the whole season. David had come out of retirement and had encouraged others, including Mike Bishop, Colin Beer, Graham Drage and Geoff Costello, to do likewise, forming a formidable side with consequential success.

The Colts XV also enjoyed a rewarding year under Alistair Perkins, winning twenty-two and drawing one of their thirty-five games and completed an undefeated tour of the North East at Easter, beating Durham City, Blaydon.

John Morgan continued as a popular Club Captain in 1978/79, a job he had taken over half-way through the previous season as a result of the resignation of the previous incumbent due to domestic reasons. The Club won the Toc H Sevens tournament at' the end of this season and it also proved to be the last time for^ seventeen years that the First XV won more games than they lost.

The Presidency passed to Bill Maynard in 1979/80 and completed an eminent career for him as player and administrator in the Club stretching back to the 1960s. Brian Wilkinson returned from Sale to captain the Club and brought other experienced players with him to boost the playing strength. Whilst at Sale, Brian had distinguished himself by winning a number of Cheshire caps. With the decline in the number of schools in the area playing rugby, together with the Club's own junior section being decimated by the split two years earlier, the Colts XV was beginning to struggle to field a side each week and the season proved to be their last for a couple of years. Another era was brought to a close when Dennis Huxstep retired as Fixture Secretary after eighteen consecutive years. In 1980/81, Dr. John Lansbury, who was one of the players to have moved from Sale the previous year, became Club Captain. John had the distinction of being an ex-Sale captain and the hooker in the victorious North West Counties side that beat the All Blacks at Workington in 1972. Under his leadership, the First XV had a good run in the Lancashire Cup, losing in the fourth round to Widnes, and winning the 15-aside Whitchurch tournament. For the first time in five years, a Club tour was organised, this time to East Anglia, with narrow defeats against Diss, North Walsham and Norwich.

After eight successive years as Fifth XV captain, Neville Mars retired from the game. Nev was unsurpassed in his ability to conjure up a side on a Friday night from the clientele of the local hostelries. Many a subsequent First XV player started on his team, having just moved into the area and been persuaded by Nev that his was the only side worth playing for! The mini section had success in the Glengarth Finals with two age groups getting through to their respective finals, winning one of them. Sadly, Reg Hall passed away during the season. Much has previously been written about Reg regarding his unflinching support and promotion of Moor and Lancashire rugby and his death meant the loss of one of the game's real characters. David Goddard began his spell as President in 1981 /82 following two years as Chairman of the Executive Committee and other playing and administrative roles in the '60s and '70s. John Ashley was made Club Captain following his move from Manchester and had the job of re-building and consolidating the First XV after a number of retirements at the end of the previous season. Former Colts XV captain, Neil Sinclair, son of Ian, gained his first Cheshire cap whilst playing at Sale, and followed it up with an England U23 squad place the following season. Neil had previously gained representative honours with Manchester and Cheshire Schools and Lancashire Schools 19 Croup in the '70s whilst playing at Moor.

The 1982/83 Captain was Bob Garnett who had re-joined the Club after a stint at Manchester. The Colts XV was restarted after an absence of two years by Bob Howard and Dennis Huxstep as it was recognised that a youth team was vital to the progression of the Club. During this season, ex-First XV captain, Dr. Ian Nixon, who had moved to the U.S.A. in 1972, took charge of the Canada vs. England rugby match in Vancouver, one of six international matches that he refereed in the '80s. Ian went on to further distinguish himself in the '90s by becoming President of U.S.A. Rugby for four years and the U.S.A. representative on the International Rugby Board for eight years. This season was also notable for the formation of a touring side, the Groundhogs, by Nigel Slater, Martin McKeown and Ian Jennings-Brown. The bulk of the players on this side were from the Fifth XV, but membership was open to anyone from our own Club or from outside. The 'Hogs have toured to all four of the Home nations, but have made a speciality of going to the Isle of Man and it is fair to say that over the years, emphasis has been put more on the social activities than on the playing side of each tour! For the first time in a number of years, the incoming President for 1983/84 was not a current club officer. Jim Walsh, who had served the Club with distinction in the '50s and '60s, followed by eight years with the County, took on the job with enthusiasm, bringing to the post all the experience he had gained with Lancashire.

The new Club Captain was Dr. Mike Allan who had joined in 1980 from the R.A.F., having played for them in Germany. Little did he know that during the season the Club would play its most prestigious game for ten years. In early 1984, an invitation was received from the R.F.U. to host a game against Toshiba from Japan, who were on a five-match tour of England. This game was to be at the end of March and was the third of their tour. Moor readily accepted the invitation and set about the task of organising the game with a vigour not often seen before or since. Sight-seeing trips were arranged for the visitors in the days prior to the game, including a visit to Rugby School on their way to Stockport, and training facilities were arranged at Manchester Grammar School.

On the day of the game, over 1000 spectators watched an entertaining match with Moor leading 7-0 at half-time, from a Neil Sinclair penalty and an Eamon McLaughlin try, and only relinquished the lead five minutes from time to eventually lose 7-8. After the game, the Club was presented with a television set (which is still going!) and for the next five years, Toshiba (U.K.) joined as corporate members, providing much needed funds. Ex-Colt, Simon Roberts, earned the distinction of winning a Blue when playing at scrum-half for Cambridge University in the 'varsity Match in December 1983 and went on win a half-Blue the following February, this time playing for the university's Rugby League side! On a more dismal note, the mini and junior section ceased operation at the end of the season due to a lack of players and coaches and it was to be another nine years before it recommenced. In July of that year, Nick Mason, ex-Colt and First XV player, set a world record for inflating a standard 1000 gramme weather balloon to a height of eight feet in 1 hour, 10 minutes and 25 seconds. This took place in the Club lounge at the annual summer barbeque, and this record stood until early 1999.A new dining room and kitchen was added in 1984/85, although this is now no longer used for its original purpose. John Ashley again took on the mantle of Club Captain in this season and was followed by Mike Owen in 1985/86. At the same time, Roger Taylor, 'CR', became President after four years as General Secretary and many years as a player in the '60s, which included the captaincy of the First XV. During his term of office, he reÂ¬launched the annual President's Ladies Evening which has always proved to be an enjoyable and successful event in our social calendar. This was also the season in which a momentous change was made to the game in our area and to the rest of the game in England two years later; namely, the commencement of leagues.

The R.F.U. had decided to introduce a league structure on an experimental basis in the North West and the Eastern Counties for a period of two years, with both leagues being sponsored by Girobank. Participation was voluntary and senior clubs in our region elected not to take part and, as a result, Moor was placed along with ten other clubs in the top division. Involvement meant having to abandon many long-established fixtures and expose the Club to the cut and thrust of league rugby, an experience in which we did not fare at all well, finishing bottom of the division without a single win and being relegated to Division Two. This inauspicious start to our association with leagues was linked to the steady decline in our playing strength throughout the Club that had been occurring insidiously for the past few seasons. Of note, is that our first ever league game was against old rivals Davenport, which we lost 3-29. The inaugural 'Alan Corlett Memorial' game between Glossop and Moor took place at the start of the season. This was in memory of Alan who had tragically died a year before whilst playing for Glossop. Simon Roberts was again in the news as he achieved the rare feat of gaining another Blue, but this time for Oxford University and followed it up by playing for two consecutive years in the Combined England Students XV.

The first of twelve annual Heatons 10km. and 2km. road races was held and provided much-needed funds. Credit for their formulation and success must go to Jim Dearden and are another example of his many fund-raising activities over the years. Our decline continued into the next season when the First XV produced their worst playing record since World War II, winning only four matches and the senior teams together won a total of fifteen. Only the Colts XV acquitted themselves satisfactorily, winning eight out of fifteen games. This deterioration was not helped by the fact that the Club Captain originally selected for the job, Terry Jobson, had to resign for personal reasons and the First XV existed without a captain for some time, until Mike Evans stepped into the breach. Nevertheless, the first league games were won; 10-0 against Netherall, followed by a 16-10 victory over Egremont. Not surprisingly, the Fifth XV folded, not having managed to raise a side all season. One bright spot emerged from the year, however, as hot showers were installed for the first time in the changing rooms with the replacement of the old oil-fired boiler!

Bob Howard took on the role of President in 1987/88 at a time when the playing strength of the Club was at an all-time low and the long-term financial situation looked extremely bleak. Recognising the potentially parlous state of the Club, he immediately set about persuading able and willing members to help in the administration of the Club. Individuals with proven track records were brought onto the Executive Committee and for the first time in a number of years, a Club Coach, in the shape of Colin Beer, was appointed. A Club Captain had not been elected, but Phil Raw, in his capacity as Chairman of Playing, stepped in to fill the void. The experimental Girobank Leagues were deemed to have been successful and so nationÂ¬wide leagues were formed, under the sponsorship of Courage, and Moor was placed in North West - East Division One. A not very promising start was made to the season, however, and it soon became apparent that we would no longer be able to field a Colts XV, a situation that has not changed up to present. During the season, our last game against Monkstown from Dublin took place, thus ending an eighteen-year association between our clubs, and a presentation was made to Ian McKay to mark the 60th. anniversary of his membership.

Neil Sinclair added to his representative honours by playing for Middlesex, which followed a place in the Anglo-Scots side the previous season.A slow improvement in playing results continued in 1988/89 and the First XV, under the captaincy of David Beckler, progressed to the third round of the new Lancashire Trophy competition. The consolidation of performances continued into 1989/90 although the playing membership continued to dwindle. Another stalwart of the Club, Graham Drage, became President in this season. Graham had joined the Club in 1969 and was a mainstay of the First XV until he retired from playing and had served for ten consecutive years on the Executive Committee immediately prior to his Presidency. Nigel Cruddos was elected Club Captain, becoming the first ex-Colt to do so. The now annual tours to Benidorm in Spain commenced at the end of this season and included a game against Murcia University, a side we have played on each tour since. They intend to return the compliment in our Centenary year with a visit in January 2000. During the summer of 1990, Dennis Huxstep moved to East Anglia, thus severing a forty-year connection with the Club.

A Veterans XV was formed in 1990/91 at the instigation of David Todd and was made up entirely of players who had retired from the game. This additional team was vital at this time, as the Fourth XV had begun to struggle to raise a side each week and did, in fact, fold the following year, with the Vets, taking over its fixtures. The decline in playing membership not only had the effect of weakening the playing strength but also reduced the income of the Club, resulting in an ever-increasing strain on our finances. This situation was not unique to Moor, however, as most other rugby clubs in the area faced the same problems. It was a case of too many clubs chasing too few players. It was with this in mind, that early in 1991 exploratory talks were held between Broughton Park, Burnage and Heaton Moor with a view to a merger of all three clubs.

Such a prospect helped to focus the attention of the membership to the Club's predicament and an immediate result was for a new social committee to be formed, comprising mainly of non-playing members, which went under the title of the HOMBRES. This group set about organising various fund- raising activities and an indication of their success is the fact that they reduced the Club's overdraft from Â£7500 to Â£1200 in only three months. An open meeting was held in November 1991 to discuss the Club's future and the almost unanimous decision was for the Club not to merge. Other areas of fund-raising were investigated, including the sale of the clubhouse and the area immediately around it, but it was found that the cost of rebuilding elsewhere on the grounds would nullify any gains. Geoff Costello had taken over as President in this decisive season and made his own bit of history by playing for the First XV in four decades. He had started his career at Moor as a schoolboy in 1965 and continued playing until the early '80s. In his capacity as President, he had turned up to watch Moor play at St. Mary's O.B. in a Lancashire Trophy match and on finding out that Moor was a man short, volunteered to play. (The flying pig on the wing - again) Such dedication... The local squadron of the Air Training Corps had used our old pavilion as their headquarters for nearly twenty years, but at the end of this season, they moved out into purpose-built premises.

Season 1992/93 marked a turning-point in the fortunes of the Club, both on and off the field of play. Joe James began his two-year term as President and Paul Koller took over as Club Captain. The league structure had been reorganised and Moor was placed in North Lancashire Division One. With the appointment of Alan Pearson as Club Coach, there was a noticeable improvement in the playing performances throughout the Club, although, ironically, the First XV were relegated at the end of the season. The Second XV under captain John Tiny' Goodwin, however, set a Club record of ten consecutive wins. John, a former Moseley Hall schoolboy, made his First XV debut in 1975 and celebrates twenty-five years as a player with the Club in the Centenary season. In early '93, mini and junior rugby was reintroduced to the Club under the control of Peter Heath and an enthusiastic and committed group of coaches. The post of Chairman of Junior Rugby was also created on the Executive Committee as an acknowledgement of the importance of this group to the future of the Club and to prevent any similar confrontation of fifteen years previously. Peter Jackson became General Secretary, a position he still holds some seven years later. During the summer of 1993, we were saddened to learn of the death of Dennis Huxstep. Tom Whelan became Club Captain for the second time in two years in 1993/94 and together with Bill Kindon as Coach, the playing performance of the First XV continued to improve, resulting in their promotion as undefeated champions of North Lancashire Division Two having been relegated to that division the season before.

Stuart McDonald commenced the first of his three years as President in 1994/95. An accomplished writer and artist, he has had a number of books published and some of his portraits and caricatures hang in the clubhouse. On his retirement he volunteered his services to the Club and was Chairman of Playing for three years prior to his Presidency. Anton Taylor assumed the role of Club Captain in this season, returning from a two-year stint at Sale. He was only the second ex-Colt to take on this job within the Club.

For the first time in seventeen years, the First XV won more games than they lost in 1995/96 and under the captaincy of Tony Murton, they finished third in the league, missing the second place spot on points difference. In vogue with other rugby clubs, a ladies team was formed in this season, but to date have struggled to find sufficient numbers to field a full XV and have often had to join with other teams in a similar position to make up a side. Ian Sinclair was presented with a silver salver to mark the 50th. anniversary as a member. The Club was left a substantial legacy by Ted Rostron, a member back in the '40s and '50s, and in appreciation the lounge bar was renamed in his memory.

Tony Murton continued as captain in the next season, 1996/97, again, an occurrence not seen for seventeen years. Moor also had five players from the under-1 3 side in the Lancashire County trials, with Philip Koller making it to the county representative side. Sadly, Ian Sinclair and Ian McKay both died during the season, having between them put 120 years of hard work and devotion into the Club.

The 1997/98 President, Gary Walsh, was the first to take on the position whilst still actively playing, a situation that continued into 1998/99. The Club Captaincy was held by Tony Kirkham in '97/98 and he distinguished himself by not missing a single game, something almost unknown in the modern era.

He was succeeded in the following year by Phil Butcher, a position he had previously held in 1990/91, and he led the First XV on a successful run in the national Tetley Bitter Vase competition, eventually going out 5-26 in the quarter-finals, away to Old Silhillians from Solihull. The side had had the good fortune of being drawn at home in all the previous six rounds, disposing of Clitheroe (27-12), Bolton (25-19), Upper Eden (1 7-12), Oldham (24-18), Congleton (1 3-5) and Leeds Corinthians (28-15), this latter game being perhaps their best of the competition, if not the season And so to our Centenary, which quite neatly overlaps with the millennium - double cause for celebration.

In Joe James, we have a President with a proven track record of sound leadership and the ability to merge the old with the new. The Club would now appear to have put the problems of the early '90s behind them, as each year since then the successive playing records have been consolidated or improved upon and the financial difficulties have been stabilised. There are a number of able members waiting in the wings to take on higher office within the Club who are from the post-75th. Anniversary era and it is to them that we look to for skilled and business-like administration, an essential requirement in this age of professionalism within the game. Forward to the next century...

To be continued ...