Clubs > Illingworth > The 1960’s

The 1960’s

Illingworth became members of the Halifax and District Rugby League in 1961 and played in the Halifax and Huddersfield Joint Rugby League competition alongside the existing four Halifax clubs, Ovenden, Greetland All Rounders, Hebden Bridge and Siddal. As they embarked on the season, it was clear just how inexperienced the team was. Peter Clayton described the team and squad as “ makeshift and hapless”. However, he went on to say

“the players enjoyed playing and enjoyed the social side of the games.”

By the start of the 1962 season, the club’s headquarters  changed from the Junction Inn, as landlord Geoff Slater had moved headquarters to another pub, to the White Swan public house on Holdsworth Road. The club now had sufficient money to purchase a set of new playing shirts.  These were white with one black and two maroon “V’s”.

 

The club decided it need a club badge and ran a competition for local school children to design a badge. The winning design became the club’s very first badge proudly displayed on the club’s playing shirts and on club blazers.

 

 

 

 

By 1964, Illingworth had moved their playing venue to Saville Park although training still took place on the farmer’s field.  This season also saw Illingworth field both U17 and U19 teams.

Illingworth were now starting to be a successful team and in the 1965-66 season this came to fruition when the team won their way through to the Halifax Challenge Cup Final at Thrum Hall. Illingworth captain Gerry Slattery lifted the Cup!   This would start a run of four Halifax Cup wins in the next six years.

In 1966 Illingworth also won their first 7’s tournament winning the Halifax RLFC Amateur Invitation 7’s, starting a long run of entering 7’s competitions. The following year, their 7’s success continued  by winning the Halifax and District Amateur Rugby League 7’s tournament.

The Halifax Cup returned to Illingworth in 1968 with another victory at Thrum Hall.

The club finished the decade with a successful 1968-69 season with another appearance in the Halifax Cup final although they lost to winners, Siddal.

 

 

Illingworth completed the season with another visit to Thrum Hall and another game against Siddal.  This time the Halifax Championship was at stake and the final was a thrilling game with Illingworth victorious and securing their first Halifax Championship Trophy.