Soccer team photos are on the ball
A COUPLE of weeks ago reader Ken Aveyard appealed for information about the Birkenshaw Rovers workshops and medal competition.
Ken played for the Rovers from 1956 as a player and later became a committee member.
He recalled the competition which was organised by the club for mills, workshops and clubs within a 10-mile radius of the village.
The matches were played over a fortnight at the Rovers' ground behind the working men's club, and a trophy was awarded to the winner.
Ken was eager to find out what happened to the trophy and if anyone had a picture of it.
This week we were contacted by Leeds resident Margaret Van-Loo whose father, John Judson, was heavily involved with the Rovers, initially as trainer and then chairman and president.
She has kindly loaned us a photograph of her father presenting the cup alongside treasurer George Marriot.
The cup is being presented to Tommy Harland, who lived in the village at the time, but Mrs Van-Loo cannot recall the name of the fourth man in the picture.
The club also had a shield at one time, which she discovered following the death of her mother.
"I wanted it to be preserved so I donated it the Birkenshaw Community Hall because I felt that was where it belonged," she said.
"However, when I went to the centre recently I learned some rather upsetting news. The shield was stolen together with a TV and video a while ago.
"Why anyone should steal it I really don't know as it wouldn't have any financial value."
Mrs Van-Loo has also loaned us a second picture of the Rovers team in the 1950s.
Among the line-up is Ken Aveyard's brother, whom she remembers helped out as a linesman and secretary.
Mr Marriott is also pictured (wearing a hat) and her father is on the far left of the front row.
In the middle of the front row is the captain Jack Herd and the last player on the right of the front row is Brian Gledhill.
Mr Judson died in December 1986.
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Weather for Cleckheaton
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
