Heavy Woollen Cup

As a cricket club linked to a textile company, Hopton Mills CC was ideally placed to compete in the ultimate local knockout competition: the Heavy Woollen Cup.

Originally, clubs had to be located within six miles of Batley Town Hall – no problem for a Hopton/Mirfield-based team! Hopton Mills took part in the cup between 1889 and 1892, and between 1904 and 1915. Hopton Mills overcame Spen Victoria in the semi-final of the 1911 Heavy Woollen Cup. Then, in one of the most amazing Heavy Woollen Cup finals, Hopton Mills locked horns with Batley. The game entered the record books as the highest-scoring final ever, and carried on for two days.

Whitley Lower CC

Following on from the Uncle Dickie saga, in 1921 a new cricket club was born: Whitley Lower CC.
This club had no connection with the mill – it was simply a collection of villagers. Hence the new club’s name – signifying a geographical rather than occupational identity. (The new club might even have had a link with a village church). That said, a number of ‘Hopton Mills’ players would have stayed on and played for ‘Whitley Lower’. Whitley Lower CC survived right up until 1989 and the merger with Dewsbury & Savile CC.

For decades the new club competed in the Dewsbury & District League. It prospered at its beautiful headquarters, Woodbottom, surrounded by luscious greenery and a handsome monkey tree located right next door to the pavilion!

Hopton Mills Cricket Club