Todmorden Boys

Back in the 1950’s there was no schools’ Rugby League in Todmorden. There was a Schools Rugby League organisation in Halifax as part of the Halifax School Athletic Association and there were regular games and competitions. Schools such as Clare Hall, who won the U19 Yorkshire Cup in 1952, produced some great professional players: Peter Shearn was a good example.

Todmorden schools were just not interested in playing Rugby League.

So, it was down to Mr W McKriel, a staunch Halifax Thrum Hall supporter, with some friends to form a boys’ team. His son, Trevor, who Dad took to Thrum Hall, remembers the times well.
“I was a nine-year-old at the time and wanted to play. The team was U13 but I got on the team.”

Trevor went on to explain that there was no chance of playing Rugby League at school in Todmorden at the time, remembering that in the 1950’s it was the schools who provided youngsters with physical education not local sports clubs.

The team was formed mainly from the Carr House Estate where Trevor lived and an application was made to join the Halifax Schools Athletic Association. But there was a problem. The team was not affiliated to a school so was not allowed to register. The team was made up of lads from four different schools.

Mr McKriel had no choice than to turn to the West and look at playing in Rochdale. The reaction there could not have been more different to that from Halifax.

The team made their debut against Redbrook School, Rochdale. They played three games in the first year winning one and drawing two. This was followed by a welcome from Oldham where Higgingshaw School offered a game, a meal and this followed by a visit to Oldham’s Watersheddings ground.

The Todmorden Boys played until 1966 at U13, U15 and U17’s disbanding around 1966.