1970’s
The club folded in 1973 but was quickly re-formed in 1974 by an enthusiastic group included Dave Hooson, Mick Coulter, Maurice Simpson, Jack Coulter and Barry Owen. Earlier players returned and new players were recruited and “ a spirit second to none was created on the field”. The Mixenden club was founded around the Hooson and Coulter families and their friends.
Hooson’s was the local village shop and the Hooson’s were keen supporters of the Mixenden club throughout its existence.
For the first season, Jack Lawton was quickly appointed as coach. J.B. as he was know to everyone, was a well known figure as he had signed for Halifax at the age of 16 and had also played professional Rugby League at Batley. The re-formed Mixenden team entered the newly formed Pennine League in 1974.
This first season was a reasonable success one as the team finished fifth in the league table.
The 1975-76 season is definitely one which sticks in the memory of all associated with Mixenden Rugby League. The team secured promotion to Division 2. A later report in a 1978 match programme described that promotion season
“The team gained promotion during this season with efforts on the park that took some stick from opposing supporters and that same effort and team spirit left home supporters drunk with joy week after week. To all Rugby League followers in the area Mixy (Mixenden) became a household name and a team feared by all opposition.”
The highlight of the season was Halifax Cup Final at Thrum Hall when Mixenden faced Ovenden. Ovenden were out and out favourites to win the game handsomely as this was the season Ovenden got the BARLA National Cup Final. . However, the Mixenden players had other ideas. The Mixenden changing room prior to the game had an
“ indescribable atmosphere with coach, Jimmy Lawton, receiving respect and attention from all his players whilst he build up confidence and issued tactics for the game”
The game is remembered as a fierce contest with no quarter given. Finally, in injury time Ovenden scored taking a one-point lead. From the resulting kick off an Ovenden player was adjudged to be in an offside position and Mixenden had a penalty. So it was down to the Mixenden kicker, John Coulter, to attempt to win the game with a kick at goal from just inside the Ovenden half. The kick was successful and Mixenden had won the Cup.
The following season, 1976-77, saw the formation of an “A” team to play in Division 5 of the Pennine League with the newly-promoted first team playing in Division 2. Danny Hurcombe, an experienced took over as first team coach
For the 1977-78 season, the Mixenden club promoted player Gary Beverley to the position of player/coach with assistance from Stuart Shea. Gary had played for Mixenden `U17’s as a 14-year-old and went onto to sign as a goal kicker for Oldham making his first team debut for Oldham as a 17-year-old. After trials at Halifax, Gary returned to Mixenden where he played for both the U19’s and the open age teams.
Although the first team suffered several injuries in that season and there were a number of key players suspended, the team performed well with other players moving up from the “A” team. The club entered the BARLA National Cup and were rewarded with a home tie against York team Punch Bowl.
Mixenden coveted their growing reputation as a hard, physical team in an era of physical play generally in Rugby League. Gay Beverley recalls a game against Lock Lane
“ we were struggling to get the ball and the Lock Lane forwards were running too well, I said to Barry Gravenor “they need sorting out”. Two minutes later Barry had laid out two Lock Lane players and been sent off! We won the game!”
PENNINE INFORMATION NEEDED