Early Years

Playing their home games on Saville Park, wearing their green and white kit and coached in the early days by former Halifax half-back, Mick Blacker, the team began life in the 5th division of the Pennine League. The emphasis at the club was on having a good time on and off the field, and the club became well known for their entertainment value with players like Steven Spruce bringing his guitar along to every game. The away teams loved it and the Irish became a team that would be welcomed with open arms as they’d literally stay and put on a free gig for the locals, the reputation as ‘entertainers’ became synonymous with the club and they even featured on Sky Sports Boots ‘N’ All programme for their feelgood factor and great craic! In the early years not many trophies would be won but the lads certainly had a good time.

In the 1996-97 season, the team won 15 of their 22 games and finished 3^rd in the 5^th Division of the Pennine League. The team continued to climb steadily through the divisions of the Pennine League. In the 1997-98 season, the club moved to play their home games at the former Mackintosh sports ground but this lasted only for one season before they reverted to playing home games on Saville Park.