1937. By now Dewsbury were firmly at the bottom of the table but thanks to new manager, Eddie Waring, the club underwent a resurgence –mainly due to Waring’s ingenuity and the “Waring Scoop.”
The club had raised funds from a public appeal to build a new pavilion – 50,000 shillings raised from the local area – despite poor on pitch performances, the local community were firmly behind their team.
1939. At the start of the Kiwi tour, World War 2 broke out and the British Government cancelled all sport – but on 8 September, the Government relented, and sport was allowed. Eddie Waring managed to bring the New Zealand test side to Crown Flatt to play their only professional game in the British Isles. The carnival atmosphere was a celebration of sport and hopefulness amongst gas masks and community singing.
Under Waring Dewsbury enjoyed huge success during the Second World War when their side was boosted by the inclusion of numerous big-name guest players. An Army Camp was established in Caulms Wood near Dewsbury and army recruits from all over the north of England assembled there – among them some of the greatest RL players of the day. Eddie Waring signed these players for the club as “guest players” - bringing the stars of the RL world to Dewsbury and with them crowds to watch these superstar teams in action.
1941/42. Dewsbury won the Wartime Emergency League. and again, the following season, though that championship was declared null and void when it was discovered they had played an ineligible player. They were also runners-up in 1943/44.
Adapted from Dewsbury Rams - Wikipedia
More information available in “The Official History of Dewsbury Rugby League Football Club” (Scargill, Fox and Crabtree) chapters 8-9
