1973 – known as the Year of the Underdog! Dewsbury RLFC were not fancied to win against their “big club” neighbours, Leeds RLFC in the Championship Trophy Final to be played at Odsal in May 1973. Dewsbury had strengthened their squad over recent years and were an improving side, but most commentators thought that the superstars in the Leeds side … Read More
1969 John Davies Testimonial
Programme from the benefit match between Leeds and a combined Dewsbury & Batley team in 1969. John Davies tragically died on the field at Dewsbury during a game. John was injured in the 60th minute of the local derby – the Dewsbury coach, Alvin Newall appealed for a doctor from the crowd to assist. Two doctors came to his aide, … Read More
December 1967 – Leigh’s First Sunday game
Times were changing in the late sixties and clubs started to hold fixtures on Sunday afternoons – Dewsbury were Leigh’s opposition for their first Sunday fixture in 1967, a match Leigh would go on to win 15-10.
1952 Letter declining touring side invite
Mr Bell would miss the match at Crown Flatt, where a disappointing crowd of only 2485 would watch Dewsbury be well beaten (7-22) by the tourists.
50 Autographs collected by Richard Bott
An avid autograph hunter as a small boy, Richard Bott, collected these signatures from the 1949-50 Dewsbury team – quite a collection!
Harry Royal International Call up
1948 Harry Royal International Call Up Text Harry Royal received his international call up for the Welsh team against the Australians in a formal letter – he was instructed to be in Swansea at 2pm on Thursday at the St Helens ground and reminded that he would need to bring his own training kit!
1943 Dewsbury Fixtures – an eventful season
The 1942- 43 season was an eventful one for Dewsbury – the side was boosted by guest players brought into the team by the innovative Eddie Waring, resulting in bumper crowds at Crown Flatt, all keen to see the likes of Jim Sullivan, Gus Risman, Barney Hudson, Roy Francis et al in action. Dewsbury went on to a second consecutive … Read More