A Hundred Years and More
A Brief History of the Heavy Woollen District Football Association
Revised: March 09, 2005
On the 7th March 1898, a group of Officials from Dewsbury Football Club called a meeting of interested parties in the area with the intention of forming an Association to assist in the development of local football and after a further meeting the newly formed Association sent a copy of its rules to the West Yorkshire Football Association for approval. These rules were received at a meeting held on 25th March 1898 and it was resolved that they be recommended to the Football Association for approval.
Thus was born the HEAVY WOOLLEN DISTRICT FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION - the first of thirteen District Association in the West Riding County area.
The first President of the Heavy Woollen District F.A. was Mr Richard Wheatley who was a playing member of Dewsbury F.C. and his family owned mills in Mirfield. Mr Wheatley also donated ten guineas to the Association to buy a trophy to be competed for each year and the Association bought a silver cup which was to be known as the Wheatley Cup and that trophy is still played for today.
Twenty one teams entered the first Wheatley Cup competition held in 1899 and there were many problems with both players and spectators involved in both fighting and foul language in many of the games. Referees were also reported for having lack of control. The cup was won by Morley who beat Mirfield United by the only goal.
The District Associations based in Heavy Woollen, Huddersfield, Bradford, Halifax, Leeds and Barkston Ash were, in 1902 each allocated areas over which they had control and these areas were set out on maps and documents by the Football Association.
At the A.G.M. in 1902 it was reported that the Secretary had said he had lost receipts for bills paid but, in fact he had not paid those bills and he could not be persuaded to attend the meeting. He was suspended sine-die.
Problems with players behaviour continued and one serious occurrence was in 1913 when a Horbury player was fined 10 shillings for assaulting the referee and threatening to throw him into the River Calder the next time he refereed at Horbury.
During the First World War, little football was played and the Wheatley Cup is reported to have been held by a local firm for a period of time due to unpaid bills, but the debt was repaid and the cup was played for again in 1919.
A big upsurge in interest was seen in the early 1920's and there were nine Open Age leagues operating in the area and with eighty-one entries for the Wheatley Cup. Dewsbury Moor Albion were find one shilling for allowing a ladies match to take place on their ground in 1932 when ladies football was very much frowned upon by the Football Association.
The Association lost their long serving secretary, Mr Harold Chapman, in tragic circumstances in May 1936, when he collapsed after watching the F.A. Cup Final between Sheffield Wednesday and Arsenal and died in a London Hospital the same evening.
The Wheatley Cup competition continued throughout the Second World War but had limited entries due to the lack of teams. The local leagues combined to form the Heavy Woollen Combination League for the duration of the war.
The Fiftieth Anniversary of the Association was celebrated with a Jubilee Dinner at the Masonic Hall, Heckmondwike in April 1948 when guests paid seven shillings and sixpence for a roast beef dinner and the chief guest was Mr A Brook Hirst, Chairman of the Football Association.
The Minor team won the West Riding County Minor Cup in May 1949, the first time since 1933, beating Wharfedale in the final. They later shared the trophy with Goole in 1954.
In January 1955, the Association obtained permission to set up its own Benevolent Fund, hoping that if the scheme was administered locally, the clubs would be more inclined to provide donations. At the end of the season, sixty-eight donations had been received totalling over £137
Sunday Football was introduced in 1964 when the Heavy Woollen Sunday League was formed with nine teams competing in the first season and playing on Sunday Afternoons. Three years later the Gate Sunday Morning League was formed.
The Brook-Butler Cup was introduced in 1967 for teams playing on Sundays. It was presented to the Association by two of the Council members, Mr Arthur Brook and Mr Wilf Butler.
The two Sunday Leagues amalgamated for season 1985/86 and became known as the Heavy Woollen Gate Sunday Alliance Football League, playing their games on Sunday Mornings.
In 1993, Mr W (Bill) Secker resigned as Secretary of the Association, a position he had held since 1946. His place was taken by Mr R Blythe.
The Minor team won the West Riding County Minor Cup for the third time in 1997 beating Barkston Ash by a record breaking 10 - 0 score line in the final after going through their group games with a 100% record.
The Association celebrated its centenary in 1998 with a Dinner at the Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield. Over 250 guests were in attendance, the principal guest being Graham Kelly, then the Chief Executive of the Football Association.
For the 2000/2001 Season, the Association issued an 'Official Handbook' for the first time in over 30 years, thanks to the efforts of David Fuller for the preparation and John Byrne for arranging the printing.
In 2001 the Minor team repeated their success of 1997 by beating Leeds 1 - 0 in the final of the West Riding County Minor Cup. At a Presentation Evening at Thornhill CC a month later, Leigh Bromby, a member of the 1997 side and now with Sheffield Wednesday re-presented the Trophy.
Bill Secker, the Association's Secretary from 1946 until 1993 died on 26th March 2002 at the age of 91. He had also been a Life Vice president of the West Riding County F.A. and served as President from 1977 until 1988 during which time he had also represented the County F.A. at the Football Association in London.
At the 2003 AGM, David Fuller replaced Roger Blythe as Secretary/Treasurer and Bob Secker took over the Presidency from Peter Hodgson.
Past Officials of the Heavy Woollen District Football Association
President
| 1898 - 1907 | R N Wheatley |
| 1907 - 1908 | Dr G Prior |
| 1908 - 1920 | R N Wheatley |
| 1920 - 1921 | J Wilson |
| 1921 - 1923 | P Mara |
| 1923 - 1924 | C Rawson |
| 1924 - 1926 | J H Driver |
| 1926 - 1944 | * See note below |
| 1944 - 1962 | H Blackburn |
| 1962 - 1970 | W Butler |
| 1970 - 1994 | J Carter |
| 1994 - 2003 | P Hodgson |
| 2003 | R G Secker |
Between 1926 and 1944, the President was elected from
Council Members on the basis of long service and the following gentlemen
held office:
Messrs H Blackburn (2), H Clough, J H Driver, H Chapman,
T H Jefferson, J H Scargill, J D Maloney, J Carr, J Shires (2),
C. Rawson, L Haley, A Wardman, A Dewar,
W Andrew, R Lee, J Carter and W Ford.
Secretary
| 1898 - 1902 | S N Knowles |
| 1902 - 1905 | R Lockwood |
| 1905 - 1918 | J G Skinner |
| 1918 - 1919 | C Laycock |
| 1919 - 1936 | H Chapman |
| 1936 | T H Jefferson |
| 1936 - 1941 | E L Harrop |
| 1941 - 1946 | T H Jefferson |
| 1946 - 1993 | W Secker |
| 1993 - 2003 | F R Blythe |
| 2003 | D Fuller |