By far the most successful team in Northowram AFC's history is the 1980/81 Halifax Challenge Cup winning team. This trophy is still the only major silverware in the Rams' trophy cabinet and to this day little, if anything, is known about them amongst the current squad. Yes, the current First Team captain is Matthew Rushworth, son of Alan Rushworth who featured in this team, but other than that not a lot is known about the "Class of 81"...well that is until now !!...step forward with a synopsis, the aforementioned Alan Rushworth.....

"We beat Stump Cross Reserves 2-1 in the Semi-final and then Stump Cross Firsts 1-0 in the Final at Natty Lane with the winning goal coming from Ian Routledge (none of this conceding 5 and scoring 6 in my day!). We then played Stump Cross Firsts in the league the following day but, funnily enough, we weren't that bothered who won. Cedric Thomas (ex Halifax Town), who was our trainer at the time, won quite a sizeable bet off Jack Bottomley of Stump on the result and all the money went behind the bar at the Stocks Arms."

The Class Of '81

Back Row L-R : John Heppenstall (Assistant Manager), Alan Rushworth ,Gerry Gore, Kevin Barker, Ian McDonald, Dave Womersley, Ian Routledge & Dave Beecroft (Manager)
Front Row L-R : Mick Holroyde, Martin Jack, Mick Uttley, John Holdsworth, Alan Cuttle & Jimmy Nolan.