Clubs > Greetland All Rounders > The 1950’s
The 1950’s
The All Rounders had entered the new decade as Halifax Cup winners and Halifax Champions, so the atmosphere at the club was buoyant and positive. However, as the club prepared for the 1950-51 season, it became known that the Turbury Lane pitch would not be available.
They had nowhere to play.
The club’s situation was described as “ tragic”. Fortunately, a local, sports loving farmer agreed to let them use a small field to play on rather than see the club disband.
This gave the All Rounders committee some breathing space and it was obvious to all that drastic action was needed. In August of 1950, there was an offer from James Normanton of a 50 -year lease on 12 acres of enclosed moorland for the club to develop its own playing area.
The area needed clearing of all the rocks. This picture is from 1952 and is the view from Rochdale Road towards Norland.
Despite advice to the contrary, the club began the mammoth task of converting the moorland into a Rugby League pitch. This would take tremendous effort and dedication but the new pitch was officially opened on 26th June 1954.
The 1950-51 was another good season on the pitch with the team finishing in the top four along with Ovenden, Siddal and Pellon.
It was perhaps surprising that the playing squad in the early 1950’s included so few players from Greetland or nearby villages. The vast majority of the players had to travel up Greetland from across Halifax. There were players living in Hebden Bridge, Pellon, Ovenden, Siddal, Sowerby Bridge and Boothtown. The squad was usually well over 20 strong and there was some considerable movement during each of the seasons. It was not until the 1957-58 season that the majority of the players came from Greetland and nearby villages such as Elland and Barkisland.
Greetland continued to play well in their league games and their success brought a Halifax Championship win against Luddenden in 1955-56 and consecutive visits to Thrum Hall for Championship finals in 1957-58 and 1958-59.
As many clubs did in that era, Greetland playing in other District leagues to ensure they had enough competitive fixtures. Greetland played in the Oldham League and in the Huddersfield League across the seasons. In 1959, the All-Rounders were successful in both the Huddersfield and Halifax Leagues, reaching both Championship Finals in 1959. Unfortunately, in the Huddersfield competition they fell foul of a byelaw that prevented the use of players who had appeared for senior clubs. The All Rounders included Royce Hill and Doug Elliott, who had both played regular trials with Huddersfield “A”, in their semi-final victory team and they were duly barred from the final. Both players were able to play in the Halifax Championship final without issue.