Wednesday 21 March 2012

Wartime Representative Rugby


Richard Lowther, who produces the excellent newsletter remembering Wakefield RUFC through memorabilia called 'Burglar Bill, sent me a copy of this programme.
There were many representative fixtures played during World War Two raising much needed funds for a variety of local charities. The provision of a mobile kitchen was obviously a priority in Harrogate.
The Catterick Garrison XV was one of the strongest Services XVs in 1940 and as you can see from the teams below Catterick was able to field a side that included international's from both codes.




Unfortunately, Richard Lowther obtained the programme after 'Let Them Play By All Means' had gone to print and so I was unable to use it in the book. I am therefore grateful to Richard for allowing me to use the programme in this article.

Wednesday 14 March 2012

Book Title

The title of my new book is taken from a announcement that Bob Oakes, the Yorkshire County Secretary, made  to the Yorkshire Post newspaper on the 13th September 1939.

'At the moment there is little that can be done officially, but if thirty people can find a football and a field then let them play by all means'

This positive announcement must have encouraged a number of clubs to re-start as by the end of November 1939 more than half the clubs in membership of the Yorkshire Rugby Football Union had begun to play regular fixtures.

Thursday 8 March 2012

Let Them Play By All Means

 Huddersfield Old Boys


Huddersfield Old Boys played right through World War Two. In 'Let Them Play By All Means' there is a section on the club and other photographs and documents from the period.