Let Them Play By All Means - Review

A great review on Amazon.co.uk

A Must read for Rugby Union Followers., 6 April 2012

This review is from: Let Them Play by All Means: The Story of Yorkshire Rugby Union in World War Two (Paperback)

Bought for me as a birthday gift. Fascinating history of Rugby Union played through the war years. As a member of one of the clubs featured (BAILDON) added interest.However the main well written well documentated historical facts remain for me the true value of this book. An insight into the games played Union V League wartime fixture, another great feature. Great buy, pity not a hard back. Donald A. Clark. Northern Highlands.

Thanks Mr Clark

Pocklington Schools Cup 1941

These boys had taken part in a schools rugby competition played at Pocklington Rugby Club during World War Two. This photograph appears in 'Let Them Play By All Means'. I think that the players' kit and the clothes the spectators on the photograph are wearing really reflect the 1940s.
I would like to thank Phil Gilbank from Pocklington Rugby Club for allowing me to use this photograph.

Rugby League in Rotherham

After Rotherham Rangers was formed on 5th April 1977 three friendlies were played, mainly to gauge interest. The club then began preparations of its first season in the West Yorkshire League.
The first official game played by Rotherham Rangers took place on 18th September 1977 at Thomas Rotherham College, it was a local derby against Sheffield Concord.

This is the team that represented Rotherham.

Back Row Left to Right

Ted Pickering, Kevin Parlett, Mike Mc Loughlin, Steve Wilmott, Dave Henshaw, Tony Lidster, Sam Mara, Kevin Ceaser, John Essex

Front Row Left to Right

Paul Mortimer, Fred Toyne, Jim Abrahams, Stuart Sheard, Alf Davies, Ray Bramham

Rotherham won the game 33 - 25

Rugby League in Rotherham

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.

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.

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.