Local men Reg
Rowbottom and John Flynn were both in the Greenbottle Pub in Knottingley.
John Flynn was playing darts when Reg asked him if he fancied doing
something for the lads of Knottingley. As both were keen rugby league
supporters, they decided it would be a good idea to form a junior rugby
league club.
Featherstone
Rovers player, Keith Bell was approached for some advice on how to start
the ball rolling, and made sure they got off to a good start.
On hearing
about this new venture, Dave Minter offered his services and also became
involved with the club.
A committee
was formed for the 1977 season and as well as Reg, Jon and Dave, Eric
Jones, Ron Sewell, Peter Alexander, and Mrs Marlis Alexander. The first
Knottingley Junior Rugby Team were formed and based at The Greenbottle.
At first, the
club ran a team at Under 9's and Under 11's and they played their home
games at the Greenhouse playing fields in Knottingley (which is adjacent
to the Sleepy Valley pitch). The local council marked out the pitch, cut
the grass, and allowed the use of the Pavilion changing rooms.
The first
ever game was played against local rivals Half Acres from Castleford. The
first kit comprised of yellow, brown and green shirts, white shorts, and
green socks. That first game was refereed by professional rugby leagues
Billy Thompson, one of the games most famous referees past or present.
A few months
after starting out, the age groups were changed to even ages of Under 10's
and Under 12's, but as recruitment progressed, the club reverted back to
the original Under 9's and Under 11's, with a further Under 13's side
added soon afterwards. At the end of the first season, the club held its
very first presentation night in the gardens of The Greenbottle pub.
In the early
days, much as it is today, fund raising was not easy. Women involved with
the club helped by holding jumble sales. The then landlord of the
Greenbottle, Herbert Jackson, gave the club permission to hold raffles in
the pub on Friday evenings. The money raised went towards general running
costs, but also towards buying training tops and sports bags for the lads
who played.
After playing
at the Greenhouse playing fields for some time, Dave Minter suggested that
the club ought to try obtain their own field. Local company Rockware Glass
(now Rockware Stolzle) were approached and asked if the club could use the
Sleepy Valley Pitch, which at the time was in a desperate state of repair.
Rockware agreed to the club using the pitch, provided the club looked
after the upkeep, and also that the club incorporated the company name in
the teams title. Hence the team has been known as 'Knottingley Rockware'
ever since.
Following a
big clean up of the Sleepy Valley pitch, Rockware donated some rugby
posts. In the early days, the teams continued using the Pavilion changing
rooms, but Knottingley Rockware was born!
From the
early days, the club has produced some outstanding rugby league players,
many of whom have continued playing the game for enjoyment as adults at
Amateur level. A few have gone on to play for professional clubs.
The club is
organised as a non-profit making club. All monies raised by fundraising
activities and local sponsorship is put towards the running costs of the
club. The club has an elected committee made up largely by parents of past
and present players. Although money is an important aspect in keeping the
club on a good footing, goodwill from players and parents is also a key
element in keeping the club running.
Knottingley
Rockware Youth & Junior ARLFC aims to field as many teams as possible
each year, giving consideration to the limitations of facilities
available, thereby giving every child or young person the chance to
represent the club and take part in the sport of rugby league.
The club
expects all it representatives to abide by the rules and regulations of
the game, along with rules set by the games governing bodies.
The Club is
open young people from all sections of the local community, regardless of
gender, ability, or ethnic background. Each player will be treated equally
as a valued member of the club. Although we all want our players to be
successful and our teams to win, we also expect our players to be good
sportsmen or sportswomen, and to play the game fairly.
Due to
numbers of players available, and due to limited facilities however, the
club is unable to field teams at every age group (yearly intervals).
For several
years now, the club has fielded teams mainly at even number age groups
(Under 8's, 10's, 12's etc.). This means that the players who represent
the club over a number of years, sometimes have to spend a year a playing
with some players a year older, then the following year with some players
who are a year younger. Although the size difference can sometimes
handicap some of our teams, the players benefit by playing with more
experienced players.
Rugby League
is an important part of life in and around Knottingley as it is in the
immediate surrounding area. Knottingley Rockware JARLFC will hopefully
continue to be part of the local community for years to come, playing its
part in developing young talent for the game of rugby league, and also in
helping to shape local personalities through playing sport and being
valued members of a club and team.
Further
information about the club together with a list of contacts for anyone
interested in joining or offering the club their support can be found on
the clubs own web site.
