1980’s
The decade highlight was the building and opening of Ovenden’s own club house adjacent to their ground in 1982. For the very first time the club had a home to call its own and one which would become the very centre of the Ovenden estate social scene. [See later chapter on clubhouse]
On the playing front, the success of the 1970’s could not be repeated although the club continued to produce a crop of talented Rugby League players, many of whom went on to professional clubs. By 1983, the club had two Open Age teams (in Pennine League Premier Division and in Division 4) and a range of junior teams at U13, U15, U17 and U19. These teams saw future first teamers, such as Dave Hebblewhite start their Rugby League journeys.
It was not until the 1987-88 season that Ovenden finally brought more silverware back to Four Fields when they won the Halifax Cup beating Elland by 30 points to 10 in the final.
The final year of the 1980’s saw the Ovenden club celebrate its Golden Jubilee. Fifty years of Ovenden ARLFC was royally celebrated at the Ovenden Clubhouse with past and present players addressing the room relating stories of triumphs and great deeds on and off the pitch!
There was even a special blazer badge for the occasion.