Saturday 3rd May 2025 ko 14:30

West Yorkshire League-Premier Division

LITTLETOWN 3 (Reece Thompson 8 11 31)

POOL AFC 1 (Farrimond 88)

Att c50 at Beck Lane, Heckmondwike

If you are ever stuck for a game, and wonder where to head to on a Saturday I’ve long opined that a fair stating point are either of Peter Miles’ excellent articles “20 Glorious” and “20 More Glorious Non-League Grounds“

Sadly, the likes of Consett’s wonderful Belle Vue are no more, but there are still some gems to go after, and I for one have always got Pete’s list in the back of my mind when I’m thinking about where to go. Beck Lane in Heckmondwike is on the second list, so it was an easy decision when I spotted they were at home, and I was free…

The ground has been there since the mid-1880’s and originally was a rugby ground. Heckmondwike Rugby Club played in the Northern Union, the breakaway forerunner of today’s Rugby League, but lasted only three seasons. In 1899 they lost their senior status to Hull Kingston Rovers, folded in 1903 and with that the club switched to Association Rules!

Huddersfield Town moved here in 1934 and used the place as a training ground and base for their “A” Team although they’d actually played an FA Cup game here in 1909. They installed floodlights in 1954, remarkable since Leeds Road wasn’t lit for another 6 years! Denis Law played here in an FA Youth Cup tie here in 1957 in front of a crowd of 5,000. Here’s the thing, nearly 75 years later, you walk round and can imagine it! Ironically it was the sale of Law to Manchester City in 1960 that funded Leeds Road’s lights!

After Huddersfield left a steady succession of local clubs used Beck Lane, but these days it’s Littletown who have sole tenancy. They transferred from the West Riding County Amateur League for 2024/5 and it’s fair to say that the switch had been successful. They’d won every single league game and needed a point from this game to confirm the league title.

The league official was there, with the trophy ready for what seemed for all the world like a formality. And before moving on from that sentence let’s pause and reflect on the number of leagues that wouldn’t have done that. There are even some who still award their trophies at the AGM- why?

The game was a forgone conclusion not least because Reece Thompson is playing way below his capabilities due to off-field problems. He counts the likes of York City and North Ferriby in his past and was far too good in front of goal for Pool who worked hard but had few if any answers to what was against them.

The celebrations at full-time were good to see, and thanks to the league for putting a handbook in the post for me. My only question for this next season is what’s next for Littletown? They are clearly capable of playing at a higher level.