Boothtown Terriers

Evie Godfrey

black and white photo of team standing with Halifax Building Society cheque for £500, wearing their kits, in two rows

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Boothtown Terriers

With the 10th anniversary of the club’s inception due in 1996 and the move to Foggy’s Bar in Boothtown as well as the two-year kit sponsorship deal that came with that move, it was decided to change the club’s name to Boothtown for the 1996-97 season. Charlie explained,

“We decided that as we were in the centre of the Boothtown community we should change the name to Boothtown. We also decided to keep “Terriers” in the name in memory of all the players from the Territorial Army who helped the club to where it is today”

The 1995-96 season was played with a single team as the loss of several players reduced the player squad available. Tommy Nicholson was assistant to coach Mick Wolfenden for the season and Nev Graham was appointed club captain. The club after considerable effort acquired the Ellen Royd playing field in Boothtown as its home ground. The North Bridge Leisure Centre was used as changing facility with the players walking up the hill to the ground.

Being captain obviously suited Nev Graham, as he won the Player of the Year award! Mention should also be made of Paul Rawson’s magnificent feat of kicking 55 goals in the season.

With their new name as Boothtown Terriers, the club decided to reform the “A” team for the 1996-97. They were put into Pennine League Alliance Division 2. Terry Durkin was appointed “A” coach with Steve Griffiths coaching the first team along with assistant, Andy Charlesworth.

The first team were in Pennine Division 4  and finished in a creditable sixth place. One major highlight of this  – or any season – was the 102-10 victory over Greetland All Rounders who included several players with NCL experience. Paul Rawson took the club’s highest ever individual points haul in a game 34 made up of 15 goals and a try.

Off the pitch, Graham “Jai” Taylor took the Pennine League Division 4 Clubman of the Year Award. At Boothtown’s award night, Mark Elliot was Club Player of the Year, Ian Crawshaw was 1st team Player of the year,  with Ben Harvey and Matt Hodgson sharing the “A” Player of the Year.

black and white photo of team standing with Halifax Building Society cheque for £500, wearing their kits, in two rows Still off the field, the club acquired a portacabin which was put on the ground and the coaching team and committee installed showers and refitted it as changing rooms. Sadly, it was not long before thieves broke in stealing a new generator and food and drink. The Evening Courier reported this and Halifax Building Society gave the club £500. With this generous donation, the club installed mains electricity to the changing rooms.

In 1996-97 both teams were now playing in higher divisions, the first in Pennine 3 and the “A” team in Pennine Alliance Division 1. The club had also changed its headquarters once again.

This time the move was to the  New Inn in Boothtown after the manager left Foggy’s. The season was a successful one. Richardcolour photo of the part of the exterior of The New Inn building, which has sandstone coloured brick and a sign Sadler was top try scorer with 12 and Paul Rawson continued his run as top goal kicker with 42 successful attempts. Player of the Year was Vern McGinnis and Andrew Charlesworth was once again Clubman of the Year.

At the end of the season, a Challenge match was organised between the Boothtown Terriers 1996 squad and an old Terriers Workshop team to raise money for charity. For the record the 1996 squad won the game.

A further reorganisation by the Pennine League which removed the Alliance Divisions, the Terriers teams were placed in Divisions 3 and 6. Terriers playing ranks were bolstered by players arriving from the now defunct Wainstall club including Scott Walker, Tony Smith, Daz and Simon Dewhirst in addition to Graham Walker  who joined the backroom staff.

The first team had a good season but the “A” team took the headlines as they were promoted from Division 6. Paul Rawson swapped first team top goal scorer for top try scorer and Gary Horsfall took over the goal kicking duties. Player of the Year awards went to Mathew Hodgson as Club player and Tommy Reidy and Simon Farrar took first and “A” team awards. The Terriers efforts were recognised more widely by both the Pennine League and Halifax & District. Karen Redfern took the Pennine League Division 3 Clubman of the Year and the first team won Most Sporting Team Award at the Halifax 7 District presentation night.

The Terriers took a significant step to plan for junior development with the club trying to run teams at Under 8 and Under 10’s. Darren Fleming was appointed as coach. Lack of players halted progress on the U10’s but the U8’s with boys and girls played several games during the seasons.

colour photo of Boothtown Terriers team wearing their yellow and blue kits, in two rows on grass

More progress was made in the 1999-2000 season when the Terriers finished the season with their first major final and their first trophy. The success came in the Halifax Handicap Cup. After defeating Brighouse Rangers 43-28  and then Greetland All Rounders 61-58 in the semi-final (both on handicap) the Terriers moved onto the final  where they met Shelf Lions defeating them 29-19. Captain Mick Dewhirst lifted the trophy and the celebrations started at the New Inn.

The club also secured sponsorship from local haulage company, Pennine Parcels, which was the start of a long and successfulcolour photo of Terriers team wearing their yellow and blue kits, in two rows, in front of a Pennine Parcels lorry relationship.

During the season itself the Terriers first team were in Division 3 and the “A” team newly promoted to Division 5. The first team won eighteen of their 28 games under player/coach Mick Dewhirst. Paul Rawson had again taken over kicking duties and set a club record with 112 goals in the season as well as a club point scoring record as he also scored 18 tries to give a total points tally of 296. Richard Thomas took the Player of the Year Award. Nev Graham, who had played since the 1990’s explained the ethos behind the club,

“always a good set of lads who always look after each other. If you’re short of cash after a game the lads still make sure you have a good night out, We have always been a family orientated club and enjoyed ourselves.”

Andrew Charlesworth had taken over as player/coach in the “A” team and the team responded well winning half of their games. The Pennine League also recognised “Charlie’s” work behind the scenes awarding him the Division 5 Clubman of the Year Trophy.