A brief history of Altofts AFC (including Altofts Juniors FC, Altofts Ladies FC)

The beginning
The early 1890’s saw a radical change in the area of Altofts. From being a small hamlet, the village grew with the sinking of the local mine (Pope & Pearson). This led to a significant influx of workers and large areas of housing were built, including the longest unbroken row of terraced houses in Europe (Silkstone Row).

Sport became a major pastime. Whilst Rugby League was perhaps the main sport in the rest of the West Riding, association football dominated in the Altofts area. This maybe was due to the fact that much of the new workforce had come from Staffordshire, which was very much a footballing county.

The early games were played behind the small colliery school at the top of Silkstone Row. However this ground proved to be too small, as the whole village would turn up to watch the early friendly games. At that time the miners would pay 1d per week of their wages to play football and the colliery owners themselves soon developed an interest and made donations. Most significantly, they helped the team move up the road to Lock Lane, where the village cricket team had already been playing for a number of years.

Early successes
Altofts joined a new league called the “West Yorkshire League” in 1894, which included Rothwell, Castleford Town, Pontefract, Pontefract Barracks, Oulton, local rivals Normanton and Hunslet (Later to become Leeds City/United!). Gates of 2,000 or 3,000 were not unusual for cup-ties (more than lived in the village!). As the new century broke, Altofts won the County Cup (the FA Cup of West Yorkshire!) for the first time in 1903 and seasons 1904 & 1905 completed a hat-trick of County Cup wins.

As the colliery changed name, so did the team, becoming Altofts West Riding Colliery (Altofts WRC) and they joined the Yorkshire League in 1923, enjoying some worthy top 5 finishes before relegation in 1930. The County Cup was won a further six times before World War 2. The 1919 winning team was special, as all the players lived within one mile of the ground! The last win in 1937 made it nine in total and this still stands as a record for the cup, which is still played for today. The 1936-37 winning team included a young Jack Beddows, who played for the famous Pegasus and also the Combined services in the war. Jack was a loyal servant of Altofts Football Club for most of the century up until his death in 1999 and the stand overlooking the senior pitch still bears his name.

Altofts were regular winners of local leagues and cups, including the Leeds Hospital Cup, Pontefract Hospital Cup, Embleton Cup, and Castleford & Wakefield District Cup. All of them sat behind the Headmaster’s desk at the Colliery school!

The “idyllic Welfare ground”
In 1926 the Lock Lane ground underwent a major change. The football pitch was turned 180º, a bowling green and ash tennis courts were added, surrounded by rose trees and shrubs. The main attraction however was a brand new pavilion, with state of the art hot and cold showers and baths (Most miners houses still had tin baths!). It had a tearoom, overlooking the cricket pitch with a small veranda at each side facing the football and tennis. Freshly painted in green and cream, the grand building glistened as the famous Yorkshire and England cricketer, Herbert Sutcliffe had the honour of declaring it open. A cycle and running track (ash) was built around the cricket pitch and most of the village events took place at the idyllic Welfare Ground.

Meanwhile, just under a mile away, millions of tons of coal continued to be dug out of the ground.

At that time, a groundsman by the name of Billy Kirk was employed full time and woe betide anyone going onto the field unless they were actually playing!

On the football side, success in the cups continued but a return into the Yorkshire League in 1934 proved a step too far against ‘A’ teams of Leeds United, Huddersfield Town, Halifax Town and the two Bradford teams, Park Avenue and City.

The away game against Scarborough must have been some journey after a Saturday morning down the mine but if the league proved difficult the cups still rolled in, especially the County Cup up until World War II.

After the war Altofts rejoined the West Yorkshire league, winning it at the first time of asking in 1946/47. A League Cup victory in 1951/52 was soon followed by another league title in 1957/58.

1960’s to the 1990’s
In 1961, the colliery was shut down and funding was then withdrawn in 1964 and the ground handed over to the Normanton Urban District Council (later the Wakefield district Council). If the future looked uncertain, reminders of past glories could be found in the number of Altofts players who went on to play professional football: George Reed with Leeds United, Jackie Deakin with Bradford City, Jimmy Glazard with Huddersfield Town, Eddie Dunn with Sunderland, Bobby Webb with Leeds United, Alf Whittingham with Huddersfield Town, Alan Parkinson with Bradford Park Avenue, Dennis Miles with Bradford Park Avenue, Geoff Hartley with Rotherham United and Keith Ripley with Leeds United. Keith was also selected for the football league side against the Scottish league at Ibrox. Other players subsequently went on from Altofts to make the grade at a higher level, including Dave Fretwell at Bradford City, Terry Caldwell at Huddersfield Town, Dave Penny at Darlington and Ron Measham at Bolton Wanderers

The 60’s proved difficult in the league for Altofts but there was success in the Wakefield Cup and Embleton Cup, whilst in the background Jack Beddows and the Phelps brothers, Len & Kenny worked hard to keep the club afloat.

By the early 70’s, the once proud pavilion was looking tired and old but the football team won their first major trophy for years with a 1971/72 victory in the West Yorkshire Premier League Cup Final. The league title still hasn’t been regained to date but runners-up spots have shown that the club has always been able to push other teams to the limit. After the runners-up position in 1988, the first team rejoined the West Riding County Amateur League for the 88/89 season, gaining immediate success by winning promotion from Division 1 as champions. Altofts reserves also had a memorable season winning a treble of league, league cup and supplementary cups. A period of yo-yoing followed as the club went up and down between the Premier League and Division 1.

The welfare ground in the late seventies saw the tennis courts fall into disrepair. A sports committee was formed and fund raising saw the building of the Jack Beddows stand in 1979. A major revamp of the pavilion was undertaken and the old tennis courts were floodlit to provide a training area. The 1970’s also saw the introduction of a third team for the seniors.

In 1994, to celebrate 100 years of football in Altofts, a gala was held. This proved so successful that it became an annual event, although it has had to move from Lock Lane in recent years due to its size and popularity.

The beginning for the Altofts Junior football
In the early 1970s, led by Mr Harry Parkinson, a Junior section had been formed which joined the Charles Rice Junior League (Selby), which itself had only been formed in 1968. Success was not far away as the Juniors picked up their first trophy with a Charles Rice Under 13 League Cup victory in the 1973-74 season under the management of {can anyone let us know the name of this person}.

With professional clubs taking players at a young age, the Junior Section started to attract the scouts and the club provided the launch pad for the successful careers of Lee Crooks at Manchester City, Chris Greenacre at Manchester City and Lee Brisco at Sheffield Wednesday and England under 21’s. In more recent times Jamie Price has played professionally for Doncaster, Halifax, York City and Harrogate Town and subsequently returned to the club to manage the Under 19 Academy side for a spell and act as coaching mentor for the Junior teams, as part of the club’s 5 year Charter Standard Community Club Development plan.

With the loss of pitches at Silkstone Row in 1999, new pitches were provided on Church Road to accommodate the increasing number of Junior teams.

Altofts Juniors continue to grow
As the new millennium started, Junior football was starting at an ever earlier age; squad numbers often saw two teams per age group; the number of teams was growing, including the introduction of the first girls team in 2004; good relationships with local schools, Altofts Juniors and Martin Frobisher Infants, allowed the club to use their facilities as well as Lock Lane and Church Rd; formal coaching qualifications, CRB checks and other FA requirements were being introduced and developed in Junior football……….. with such changes and expansion, it was agreed in 2006 to take the step of forming a separate Junior section with its own committee and officers.

Whilst stilly fully affiliated to the Altofts AFC senior section, this allowed the Junior section to develop and grow into one of the best organised outfits in the region with an increasing reputation for playing excellent football and many of our young players have tasted success in Charles Rice and Selby League competitions (see the well-populated Roll of Honour).

Season 2011-12 saw an Altofts juniors team reach the West Yorkshire Under 16 County Cup semi-final for the first time and play at County HQ, Fleet Lane. That team also completed a Charles Rice U16 League and Cup Double that season. That season also saw a remarkable treble by the Under 11 team, winning League title, League Cup and Invitation Cups. The under 9s won their own Double that season, which they surpassed as Under 10s in 2102-13 by winning the Treble of League championship, League Cup and Invitation Cup, going through the season unbeaten. It should be noted that in that League Cup final that season their opponents were……..Altofts, showing the depth of talent at that age group and allowing the club to celebrate a remarkable Cup Final day at Lock Lane. In season 2013-14, success continued with another 8 entries on the roll of Honour, as again players at this club won more medals than perhaps any other Junior club in the region. One Under 11 team under Mark Dolman went through the entire Selby league season with a 100% win record.

Just as importantly our success can be measured by the way youngsters continue to join and enjoy their football and by the fact that we are recognised as a friendly community club. This recognition was “formalised” in 2012, when the club was granted Charter Standard Community club status by the FA., an award achieved by only a handful of other West Yorkshire clubs. The award was presented to the club at half-time at an England Under 19 match by Sir David Richards, chairman of the FA Premier League, at which over 300 Altofts Junior players, parents and supporters had arrived in style, including 3 bedecked Double-decker busses.

Altofts Girls & Ladies
Whilst the club has always welcomed girls to play alongside the boys in the younger age groups, the first all girls team was introduced in 2004-05 as Under 12’s and by 2009-10 there were four separate girl teams representing the club and winning a whole range of league titles and cups (see Roll of Honour). One team went from Under 9s to Under 13s winning 6 major trophies in the 5 seasons. The successful junior teams grew up (as they tend to do!) and many players formed the backbone of the current successful Altofts Ladies team. This team, under manager Dave Roberts, won three consecutive league titles, climbing divisions each year and in 2012-13 and 2013-14 narrowly missed out on another promotion into the West Riding County Womens Premier league. The prospects are good for next season.

We remain hopeful and totally committed to developing a new Girls team. At the time of writing , interest is growing and the aim is to form a squad and to start to gain experience with friendly fixtures.

The senior sides in the new millennium & the new “Academy”
The senior section also benefited from the new structure in 2006, with the ability to concentrate on improving the coaching set-up and playing strength within the senior section, whilst there was no let up in the steady influx of players from the junior section. The 2008-09 season was one of the most successful seasons in modern times for the seniors. The first team, under manager Andy Sibson, were champions of the West Yorkshire Alliance First Division, gaining promotion into the Premier Division. The first team also won the Wakefield & District Cyril Craven Challenge Cup that season. Often battling teams with much bigger budgets, the first team were able to maintain their Premier league status until unfortunate relegation in 2011-12, back down to Division 1. A mixed season last year saw Division 1 status maintained for the first team for the second year on the trot. The Reserves have swopped leagues a few times in the last decade but benefitted from a big influx of youth in 2012-13 and last season, having earned a place in Division 1 of the Wakefield District League, have continued to build on that successfully under the stewardship of Richard Huskins and Duncan Watts. The newly re-established 3rd team, under the leadership of Ian Beavors, played some scintillating stuff at times and won the Wakefield Division 3 title and just missed out on a double, losing after extra time in the League Cup final.

At the start of the 2007-08 season the club established an Under 19 Academy side, thanks to the vision of Terry Gill, Keith Bishop and Steve Jarvis. Competing against some long established academy sides at “big name” clubs, Altofts had a difficult first season. Since then, the side has developed and were worthy winners of the Northern Alliance U19 Central Division in 2010-11 under the management of Jamie Price. The side has continued to provide an excellent springboard for young players under the stewardship of Matty Wright and in recent seasons have put in some excellent performances against other talented sides, many with bigger budgets than ours!!

Season 2012-13 ended with a tinge of sadness as long-serving club Secretary/Treasurer Malcom Bell finally hung up his pen and minutes book after many many years of active involvement as player and committee member in the club but the club continues to develop under the stewardship now of Steve Jarvis.

The future is bright - facilities
Due to the continued growth of the club in recent years, the clubhouse at Lock Lane has been expanded and refurbished to a high standard, with a new bar and kitchen facilities. The bar has been named the Mick Brooke bar in recognition of the contribution he made to the club over many years. An annual testimonial is now established at the start of each season as further recognition of Mick’s contribution to the club. Plans have now been drawn up for new modern changing rooms and showering facilities.

The Junior football section are now a major partner in the Altofts Community and Sports foundation (ACSF), which will oversee the development of facilities both at Church Rd and St Mary’s Road. Improvements have already been made to the car park at Church Rd and the old Lee Brig Working Mens Club has been given a major facelift and has been renamed the Brig. As well as providing a base for Altofts Junior teams, it is already being used by a lot of local Community groups, including the Friends of Altofts Library (Foal) , Normanton Lions and several dance groups. The car park has been extended to accommodate football parents and a gate way link is in place to the Martin Frobisher fields. Plans are in place or being developed for new changing rooms, facilities and car parking at both locations and also for new pitches and training areas at St Mary’s Road. Both sites will be used by both senior and junior teams.

Lock Lane has now become the venue for the annual Popfest/Music festival, which attracts great local musical talent and has developed into a major attraction for music lovers in the region and other fun days and events will be developed at all three sites.

Yorkshire day craft Fayre at the start of August is now in its third year at the Brig, attracting large crowds and the Brig is increasingly being sought after as a music venue.

The future is bright – teams
Senior football, as it has for a long time, will continue to benefit from the development of local talent. Recent seasons have provided particular evidence for this as many members of the recent Under 17 squads have established themselves in Under 19 and/or open age teams. Things look good for the future as Senior and Junior management work closely together.

Altofts are one of the few local clubs to run an Academy side in the local area and it provides a superb centre of excellence for youngsters aged 16-19. Whilst increasingly attracting interest from quality players outside Altofts, priority is given to Altofts Juniors players, whose only other progression route after Junior football would otherwise be to play open age football.

The first team saw a season of consolidation last year under Paul Flynn, whose other commitments have unfortunately seen him having to stand down as manager. For season 2014-15, the club sees the first team led by newly appointed Terry Gill, whose links with the club go back a long way, including taking a very successful Junior side all the way through from a young age , through the Academy and into open age.

Richard Huskins continues as reserve team coach and Matty Wright continues in charge of the Academy, whilst Rich Deeley takes over from Ian Beevors as 3rd team manager. All open age managers have the exciting challenge of blending the experience in the club with the high number of enthusiastic, talented and loyal Altofts youngsters, which the Junior section continues to feed through.

As for the Juniors themselves, a new Under 6 squad is already well established, alongside an under 7 squad, both full to bursting with enthusiastic youngsters. The numbers of young players enjoying the club is increasing, as is the quality and enthusiasm of coaches and other volunteers. Most Junior team managers remain in place, looking to build on successes from last season, indeed 19 separate squads are entered into Junior League competitions in the 10 age groups from Under 8 to Under 17!!

For the long term, it is clear that players at all age groups of Altofts Juniors can look forward to their talents being rewarded “in-house” as long as they continue to maintain the high standards their managers expect of them….the future belongs very much to that young talent and is very, very promising!

Dave Hill
Altofts Junior Chairman

Thanks to Craig Teasdale for providing most of the above information up to 2009. Please feel free to add to or correct any information above by e-mailing davecarol@sky.com

Altofts Juniors & Altofts FC

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