1875. The idea of establishing a rugby football club in Dewsbury originated among a few friends at a meeting at the Little Saddle Inn. Dewsbury Athletic and Football Club immediately enrolled between 30 and 40 members.
The new club’s first recorded match was against Heckmondwike Church Society XV on 20 November 1875, they lost by one goal, six tries and eight touch downs to nil. The first home game, it is generally held, took place on 4 December 1875 in a field off Sugar Lane, opposite the future Crown Flatt. In a 13-a-side "scratch" game, the two outfits – one selected by the captain and the other by the Vice-Captain – fought out a draw. The club soon realised they needed a ground, and the following year secured a sub tenancy at Crown Flatt for £200.
1879/80. Club colours changed from blue and cardinal to black, crimson and yellow.
27 March 1880, the Yorkshire Cup semi-final against Wakefield Trinity drew an estimated 16,000 supporters to Crown Flatt which the local newspaper claimed to be the “largest assemblage” ever seen on a football ground in Yorkshire. Who won?
1881, Dewsbury had their first success in the Yorkshire Challenge Cup beating Wakefield Trinity in the final with a drop goal by Alfred Newsome.
25 September 1886 When York F.C. paid a visit to Crown Flatt on, the home team took to the field wearing white jerseys that incorporated, for the first time, the borough's coat of arms – Dewsbury had a team for the town.
1889/90. The Crown Flatt ground gained a reputation for being the finest equipped ground in Yorkshire. So much so, they could host big matches – Wales RU played England RU. Wales won their first match against England outside of the principality – in a match played mostly in a snowstorm and where a Dewsbury player, William Stadden, represented Wales and scored a try.
Adapted from Dewsbury Rams - Wikipedia
More information available in “The Official History of Dewsbury Rugby League Football Club” (Scargill, Fox and Crabtree) chapter 1
