The New Century

Calder Valley entered the new century in a positive mindset and looking forward to another season in the Premier Division. Many younger players were starting to make their mark including some from the short-lived Calder Valley U18 team. These players included Adam Barrett and Andrew Cambell . The recently reformed “A” team had done well in their previous season with players such as Andy Fielden, David Williams and Darren Grogan now established first team figures.

There had also been an approach from the committee and players from Sowerby Bridge Robins, who had lost their home at the snooker club, to come up the valley and merge with Calder Valley. With agreement all round it was decided to bring the clubs together and Calder Valley Rams, as the team was renamed in acknowledgement of the Ram Kitchens/Cooke Street Rams history of the Sowerby Bridge Robins, appeared to have a wealth of players and entered three teams into the Pennine League.

The existing players were joined by several players from the Robins including Jimmy Bailey, Paul Taylor, Mark Dinsmore, Reece Mansell, Kevin Lister and Rick Smith. Sadly, a host of other players from the Robins did not make the move or quickly moved on. The season started in lively fashion for the first team but it quickly became clear that there were not enough players for three teams.

The first team were the Premier Division and had strength in depth in the playing squad. The new players were integrated into the team and there was a good balance throughout the season. However, by the end of the season numbers had dwindled and with the demise of the “A” at the end of the season all the former Robins players had departed with the notable exception of speed merchant Rick Smith who had several successful seasons with the club.

The club was now back in Division 2 and had dropped the Rams moniker. The club’s position stabilised somewhat and more younger players. They had some memorable battles in game with Boothtown and Emley. Early in the 2002-03 season, Valley had a home game against Dudley Hill “A”. Valley had managed to pull 15 players together for the game including several former “A” team players. Dudley Hill “A” arrived with 13 players. This was to be Calder Valleys highest points total in a game, their highest winning margin and Paul Field would break the club record for most points in a game. The final score was 92-4 with Valley scoring 16 tries in total. Paul Field kicked 14 conversions and helped himself to a try for a total of 32 points.

Valley continued their struggle for numbers although the core of the team remained solid. Appearances for the team in there years show the reliance on Paul Field, Eric Williams, David Williams, Andrew Cambell, Richard Parry, Lee Potter, Adam Barrett, Darren Grogan, Charlton Cockcroft and Rick Smith.

In 2003, they had an away fixture at Dodworth, Barnsley, between Christmas and New Year. This was a fixture Valley had swapped home advantage due to the state of their pitch at Brierley. With only 9 players available, the request for a postponement was rejected so Valley made the long journey with the players they had, In that team of 9 were Eric Williams and Paul Field, both of whom were in their mid-forties!

Paul Field recalls.

“The team fought for every ball, for every inch of ground. WE tackled everything about a blade of grass and ran their blood to water. Rick Smith scored a 60-yard breakaway try to put Valley 12-6 in front. Dodworth continued to throw everything down the middle at the Valley defence. At the final whistle, it was Dodworth who ran out winners by 24-18 but we felt we had won the day. The appreciation of the Dodworth spectators was amazing as they accompanied us back to the changing rooms with applause ringing in our ears all the way!”

The following week’s fixture was another away game at Keighley Albion. Valley numbers were up to 10 players. It looked like it would be another long shift! The afternoon saw Valley run out winners by 75-40.

Promotion was in the air again for the 2003-04 season as the team made bright start to the season winning 14 of their first 16 games. They looked all on favourites to be Division 2 champions but faded towards the end of the season finishing as runners up but gaining promotion back to Division 1.

For Christmas of 2003 the players provided some Christmas cheer with a club calendar. Not just any calendar but a naked calendar in the style of the “Calendar Girls.” Suggested by club secretary, Kay Lund, she explained.

“we jokingly suggested it and we were taken aback when the players were eager to do it!”

It was a remarkable success raising £250 for the club and £250 for Overgate Hospice.

Once again Calder Valley were to reach a final, this time of the 2004 version of Halifax Handicap Cup which had been introduced to replace the Halifax Championship and had a handicap system based on overall Pennine League finish from the previous season.

On the night, Man of the Match Lee Potter scored a hat trick of tries to give the Valley a 30-7 win but victory went to the Boothtown Terriers who had a 35-point handicap start.

Division 1 was Calder Valley’s home for only one season, 2004-05, as they were again relegated to Division 2 where they would remain although they started the 2005-06 season with 3 wins in their first 4 games.

The end of the season saw a change on headquarter for the final time when an offer to move to the Black Lion was accepted overwhelmingly at the AGM. Wendy’s post-match food was legendary! The Black Lion sponsored the team’s brand-new kit.

Albert Silcox was back at the club coaching and although the team played some good rugby with Albert’s son Martin steering the team around on the pitch, player number were always tight. The two full seasons at the Black Lion saw the team stay in Division 2 without any real dramas.

They club started the 2008-09 season with a small squad which for the first time did not include veteran Paul Field who retired from Open Age at the age of 50 to concentrate on Masters Rugby League. By November it was clear that the club did not have enough players nor was able to attract new players. As such the sad emotional decision was taken to confirm to the Pennine League that Calder Valley would be unable to fulfil its fixtures and would be folding. After over 20 years, Calder Valley remained only as a heap of great memories of great times and great people.