Clubs > Boothtown Terriers > The New Century
The New Century
As the second Millenium commenced, the Boothtown Terriers were about to see some changes and have a great season. The first team were still in Division 3 but the “A” team was now playing in Division 4. Home base was still the New Inn, Boothtown, and Pennine Parcels continued their sponsorship.
Former Illingworth star, Lee Brook had been recruited as first team player/coach and he had a spectacular season winning 10 consecutive Man of the Match awards in his total tally of 12 in the season’s 14 games. Not surprisingly, Lee won both Player of the Year and Players Player Award on Presentation Night. Gary Thomis also had a great season with 27 tries. “A” team Players’ Player went to Scott Taylor.
The Halifax & District League honoured Andrew Charlesworth with its Clubman of the Year Award.
Ahead of the 2001-02 season, the club had lost several players including Lee Brook and Paul Rawson which led to the demise of the “A” team. Scott Walker took over as coach assisted by Lee Elmore.
Off the pitch the New Inn public house closed its doors and the club moved headquarters yet again. The Coach and Horses in Boothtown which was run by Kev Charlesworth and his wife, Lynn, was the club’s new home.
Despite some good performances the season was a difficult one and the Terriers were relegated down to Division 4. Lee Elmore was a standout: he won both Players’ Player and Player of the Year Awards.
The club’s home at the Coach and Horses closed in 2002 and the Terriers moved back to the re-opened New Inn as they faced life back in Division 4 for the 2002-03 campaign. The playing roster remain largely unchanged except the welcome arrival of hooker Damian Summerscale who proved a great asset to the team. The Terriers consolidated their position in Division 4. Prop Trent Ashton was outstanding scoring 19 tries in twenty games. Vern McGinnis was Players’ Player and Trent Ashton took Player of the Year. Andrew Charles, one of the founders of the club, played his 300th game for the Terriers and took the Halifax & District Sportsman of the Year Award.
Graham Taylor who had been working tirelessly behind the scenes at the club was once again recognised by the Club being award Clubman of the Year.
Mick Dewhirst returned as assistant coach for the 2003-04 season to join coach Scott Walker. The season was a successful one both on the league and cup fronts and saw the emergence of two young players.
Ben Cornish, who had never played Rugby League before, was outstanding throughout, even breaking the club tackling record with 41. The second player was a 17-year-old who brought great speed and sparkle to the Terriers’ attack. Graham Charlesworth, son of “Charlie” scored 25 tries and 52 goals in his 24 appearances. No surprise that Graham won the Players’ Player and Player of the Year Awards. The Terriers were promoted from Division 4 for the next season.
The Terriers season was not over! The once again made the Halifax Handicap Cup Final this time facing Calder Valley. The Terriers lost the game on the field by 30-7 but won the trophy with their 25-point handicap advantage. It was a great effort by the Terriers lads which kept their line intact for the last 36 minutes of the game!
The club’s nomadic existence continued in 2004 as the New Inn closed once again and the Terriers moved back to the Coach and Horses. The Terriers home may have changed but the team, led by Graham Charlesworth continued where they left off the previous season.
Graham himself was on top form: he helped himself to a record breaking 49 tries and also broke the club points in a season record with an impressive 335 points as he added 70 goals. The support cast of players included Simon Farrar and newcomer Ryan Hodges who scored 18 and 15 tries respectively ably assisted in defence by Ben Mallas who made a record breaking 595 tackles during the season. However, it was Kev Smith who won the Players’ Player Award in his first season with the club.
Off the field it was Graham Walker doing a sterling job in pursuit of funding for the ground at Ellen Royd and was given a
special award by the club. Graham was to serve as club President from 2005 and to play for the Masters team.
At the end of an eventful season which saw some great Rugby League played, the Terriers finished in 4th position in the league and successfully applied for promotion to Pennine League Division 2.
A change of club base came round once more as the New Inn closed and the club moved to the 
Prospect Inn only a stone’s throw from their Ellen Royd ground. The 2005-06 season was the club’s 20th year and playing in Division 2 was the highest division they had played in. The increased intensity of the higher division and the higher skill levels made the season a difficult one where the Terriers were focussed on survival and consolidating their position. Kev Smith, Graham Charlesworth, Gary Lee and Ben Mallas all played 26 games . Graham Charlesworth continued his form and scored 41 tries and 69 goals. After some valiant efforts and some really hard work they achieved their goal by finishing just above the relegation positions on points difference. It was to be Scott Walker’s last season in charge of the Terriers as he stood down as coach. During his tenure the club had reached it highest league position and had won the Halifax Handicap Cup.
At the end of the season, the Terriers celebrated their 20th anniversary with a presentation night at Lee Mount Club. Many players of the original returned to celebrate their time at the Terriers.
Mick Dewhirst returned to take on the coaching role for the 2006-07 season as the team were once again in Division 2. In Mick’s first competitive game was at home to West Bowling “A”. With Paul Rawson and Simon Jeavons as well as Kev Smith in the side it was the forwards who set the platform for the Charlesworth brothers, Luke and Graham, to score tries. The season started with a great 24-16 victory.
There was more Halifax Supplementary Cup success for the Boothtown Terriers as they once again qualified for the Final. The opponents on this occasion at the end of the 2006-07 season were 4th Division Brighouse Rangers. Brighouse began with a 30-point handicap advantage but it was Graham Charlesworth led the way for the Terriers with five goals and two tries.
However, it was not until the very last minute of the final when Simon Farrar crashed over. It was a successful end to Mick Dewhirst’s return as coach and he praised Paddy Dolan and Kevin Smith. After the game Mick said:
“Paddy Dolan and Kevin Smith have been outstanding all season. (Graham) Charlesworth has scored all the tries but those two have been fantastic. I’m just delighted for them.”
Boothtown continued to play in Pennine League Division 2 with modest success and had some great times. As always the club had seen a changes of headquarters from the Prospect Inn to the Flying Dutchman and back to the Prospect Inn. The club’s main sponsor, Pennine Parcels also went through changes as its business grew and became Expect Distribution. By 2010, the Terriers were celebrating 25 years of Rugby League and they, of course, had to celebrate.
Of course, Terriers founding members, Charlie and Jai, were there for the celebrations.
The Terriers continued to play their Rugby League in Pennine Division 2 until they were promoted to Pennine 1 after a fine 2012-13 season. The season concluded with an appearance in the Pennine League’s Andrew Bennett Memorial Cup.
They remained in Division 1 for the next three seasons. In 2014-15 they finished 3rd with a record of 12 wins and a draw from 25 games in a division won by Stainland Stags.
Their best finish was as Champions in 2015-16 season with 23 victories from their 30 games during which they beat local rivals Siddal on three occasions. Another real highlight for the club that season was in the Halifax Championship when they qualified for the Top 4 play off against Stainland Stags. The Terriers finished their stay in the Pennine League with 8 wins from 14 games during the 2016-17 season.
The Terriers were now playing from the 1904 public house and Charlie described these years as
“the best of times with a successful team and a great set of lads.” We had our own changing rooms in a 40 foot container in which players and supporters installed showers.”
In 2017, the club decided to move to summer Rugby League joining the Yorkshire Men’s League in that year. It was a successful move for the Terriers as they finished 2nd in YML Division 3 with 10 wins from 14 games gaining promotion. So, in 2018, the Terriers started life in the YML Division 2 alongside teams such as West Hull and local rivals King Cross Park. The Terriers were revelling in the summer conditions and again won 10 of their 14 games finishing in a creditable 3rd place.
After several years without an Open Age team the Terriers revived their team for the 2024-25 Pennine League season coached by New Graham with several of their “younger” Masters players stepping from open age retirement to help out the younger players. They played in Division 3 finishing 4th with five wins from 10 outings although they did not complete the season.
The Terriers whether “C” Company, Halifax or Boothtown have been blessed with a hard-working committee and some dedicated coaching staff. This has given the club the impetus to progress and survive. With the club’s 30th anniversary just around the corner in 2026 it is only to be hoped that the history of the Terriers continues. The Masters and the juniors continue to thrive.