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THE CLUB TO JOIN |
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CASTLEFORD RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB
CASTLEFORD COUNTY PLAYERS
CASTLEFORD INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS
The Club has a rich history and we will be reflecting upon this with features about times past. We would like to receive articles or reminiscences from old players and friends.
We are indebted to Bill Thackray for the following article; not to be mistaken as the ramblings of an old codger:
A Brief History Castleford RUFC from 1946
The club is justifiably proud of its history and the following is a mere scratching of the surface or a skeleton of the history of the club from 1946 onwards; a complete history of the Club going back to the formation year of 1870 would require and deserve more time than is available at present. The unadulterated history would cover the reminiscences of old comrades touching on the memorable games, players and characters hat have graced the club over the years.
To take up the story Castleford RUFC “suspended activities” during World War II but on the 26th July 1946 at a meeting held at the North Eastern Hotel the Old Legiolians was formed. With no club house as a base and, as it seemed as good a reason as any other, the headquarters was to be the Magnet Hotel; the games were played at Townville Recreation Ground. Ezra Taylor JP was elected as President, Pat Delaney, the man who introduced rugby to Castleford Grammar School in 1926 was elected as Senior Vice President and Tom Beaman (the flying winger) was elected as club captain.
On the 6th December that year there was a Special Meeting of the Old Legiolians held again at the NE Hotel when a proposal to amalgamate with the old Castleford RUFC, was defeated twenty four votes to three.
This issue did not rest and Donald Hardy of the old Castleford Club championed the cause and at a meeting on the 26th November 1947 another meeting requested regarding the possible merger of the two clubs was proposed. In the January of 1948 the remaining committee members of Castleford were co-opted on to the committee of the Legiolians, following a twenty five to five vote in favour. Then like a phoenix from the ashes at a Special Meeting held in March 1948 at the Magnet Hotel attended by 40 members, including former members of the old Castleford RUFC, there was a voted carried to change the name to Castleford RUFC and Mr J W (Bill) Hartley of the old club was elected as President.
It was not easy in the post war era as things were tight; due to rationing there were difficulties obtaining kit (jerseys of blue and red hoops and blue shorts) but RF Oakes, the Yorkshire RFU Secretary, came to the rescue with a sufficient number of clothing coupons.
A home had to be found and a letter was written to the Education Officer about the possibility of compensation for the loss of the old Castleford RUFC ground at Hightown. As the start of a long process enquiries were made as to the future use of the Whitwood cricket ground in March 1948. As a stopgap the club arranged to play their games at Townville recreation ground, again using the Magnet as Headquarters. Other enquires were made about the Methley Welfare Ground, Hightown, Lock Lane and Whitwood and finally at a meeting at the Magnet Hotel on the 15th May 1950 it was proposed that a Ground Committee of Messrs Keighley, Pritchard and Riddiough be charged with searching for a suitable ground that could be obtained on a more permanent basis.
This was not an easy task but from 1951 matches were played at Whitwood with players changing at the cricket club at Hightown, pre season changing being secured at the Whitwood cricket ground. A ground at Methley was discussed and it was agreed to view as soon as possible and on the 14th of February 1952 the Chairman, in company with other members of the committee, inspected the field at Pinfold Lane, Methley; all were in agreement that it had great possibilities. Mr Richardson of Mexborough Estates was approached to pursue this matter and in December that year, the Ministry Of Works was approached about the use of former prisoner of war building, hutments, at Pinfold Lane. Assistance in the form of a loan from a local estate agent, Mr. H Harrison, was accepted and the transfer to Methley was completed in 1953. Voluntary work was carried out throughout the summer in converting the prisoner of war temporary buildings to changing rooms and clubrooms including the much admired brick fireplace - a magnet for many of our visitors - and the first match was played there in the September 1953.
Unfortunately, later attempts to upgrade the facilities at Methley were defeated as the club was unable to obtain security of tenure of more than one year for an area of the land rented from Mexborough Estates. The inability to obtain any extension of tenure meant that assistance from the Sports Council Grant could not be made.
The club finally obtained the site at Whitwood when it purchased the then defunct Whitwood Miners Welfare ground in around 1973. Funding to develop the damaged cricket buildings was obtained with a Sports Council Grant in association with proceeds from the sale of a small strip of land at Methley. The new grounds and clubhouse were officially opened by the President of the Yorkshire Rugby Union in 1974, marked by an inaugural game against the Yorkshire County side.
Much work was needed on the drainage but two first class pitches have been the result of hard work from players and committee members, any of whom still pass the time by digging the odd ditch. Sterling work over the years and a wish to maintain 2 pitches at Methley has meant that the club has been able to retain two first class pitches at Methley; the main Whitwood pitch is equipped with floodlights and the second pitch benefits from the availability of training lights.
Honours
Winners of the Yorkshire Cup 1896 1901 1902 1903 1906 1908
Winners of the Yorkshire Shield 1937 1949 1999
Promotion to Yorkshire 2 1994 Promotion to Yorkshire 1 2000 Promotion to Yorkshire 3 2007
Central Yorkshire Vets trophy winners 2007
Finalists of the EDF Junior Vase 2008
Photographs
Photographs will be added and to be going on with there are 4 old photographs that can be seen by the following links; |
