History

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About Crosshills FC

 

In 1948 a group of young men wished to form a football club. With the enthusiastic help of Mr.Winch (the Headmaster of Glusburn School) and Mr.Renwick (a GP in Crosshills) this was done. It was decided to name it Crosshills Youth Club as it was Mr.Winch’s wish that the team should be part of the youth club which he had founded. The team entered the 2nd Division of the Craven League in 1949 playing on a field near sunny bank road in Glusburn, lent to the club by Mr.Falshaw, a local farmer. The field very quickly became known as Hill 60 owing to the steep incline, after resulting in some bizarre results e.g. against Grassington. The half time score being Grassington 6 (playing WITH the slope) Crosshills 0, with the final score Crosshills 8 (playing WITH the slope) Grassington 6.

By 1950 two teams had been formed ‘A’ and ‘B’ both in the 2nd Division and having to play each other. This was resolved however at the end of the season as the ‘A’ team gained promotion by winning the league title aswell as winning the league cup. From 1951 Crosshills has always had a team in the Premier Division, the only club in the Craven League to achieve this, a run of 48 years, a marvellous record. The same year saw the club move to a new ground, Walker Field, now Walker Close, Colne Road Glusburn. This was a much better playing area and relatively flat, here we stayed until 1955 when a futher move was made to Parks Field, our present location. Incidentally in all this time we had no changing facilities of our own. We were allowed to change in the baths hall at Glusburn Institute. From there we would walk to the various fields where we played.

Two years later in 1957 we again moved to a field in Holme Lane, Crosshills. This is now part of South Craven School playing fields. At that time the field had been played on for some years by Sutton United, now defunct, there we stayed for four years. The reason from the move from Parks Field was the fact that a farmer was razing his sheep on the football area and it wasn’t very pleasant to play on a pitch covered with sheep (sh*t) droppings.

In 1961 we moved yet again, back to Parks Field, renting the area from Skipton Council with an option to buy. There we remained ever since. In the early 70′s the option to buy was taken up and we became the owners of our ground.

In 1952 a pre-fabricated hut was purchased and served as changing rooms for the next thirty four years. As we progressed into the 70′s it was more and more obvious that the changing facilities were becoming quite inadequate, something had to be done, it was proposed that fund raising should be started specifically towards modern premises. Unfortunately, the more money was raised, the more the new building was going to cost. This situation continued for some years until the advent of the National Lottery. It was decided to apply for a grant from the Sports Council of the Lottery. The application was made in early 1995, more in hope than in expectation and much to our astonishment it was accepted. With the money raised by the club, together with the lottery grant and smaller grants from other sporting bodies, the new changing rooms could be built. The work commenced and on the 15th September 1996 the new building (see below) was officially opened by Alec Riddiough (one of the original founder members in 1949).

 

Over the years the club colours have changed a few times. In 1949 a blue and yellow strip, in 1953 yellow quartered panels, in 1957 red and white stripes and for a good number of years; All Red. In 1967 the name of the club was changed from Crosshills Youth Club to Crosshills F.C., owing to the fact that any connections with a youth club had long since disappeared.

Many honours have been won both in League and Cup competitions, on a regular basis, over the years, making the club the most successful outfit in the area (see the list below). 1986-1992 was the period I personally think of as the ”Glory Years” when the Craven League Premier Title was won five years out of six. Believing the club was capable of playing in a higher grade of football, an application was made to join the East Lancashire League. The club was accepted into the Second Division, becoming League Champions in the 1993/94 season, thereby gaining promotion to the First Division. A most successful 1997/98 season ended with the club winning the First Division Title.

The end of the 1998/99 resulted in the First Team retaining the First Division Title and also winning the East Lancashire Presidents Cup – a Unique Double! The second eleven finished fourth in the Craven Premier Division; a notable achievement considering we are the only second eleven in that division. Our juniors also won their respective league title hoping that maybe some of them will graduate to the senior teams in the future to carry on with the success.

The start of the 1999/2000 season heralded our 50th Anniversary Year. Unfortunately, the First Team could not quite emulate last season’s great double, finishing Runners-Up in both league and the Presidents Cup in what was their last season in the East Lancashire League. As the start of next season will see them move into pastures new and, hopefully, greater things in the West Lancashire League Second Division. The seconds were leading the Craven Premier up until the last couple of weeks and finished a magnificent second and to top it all off were Keighley & District Supplementary Cup Winners. Unfortunately, the juniors could not quite record the same last season together. New for next season also is the introduction of Sutton Rascals who will be sharing the clubs ground and facilities on sundays.

A great success story, achieved over the years by the untiring efforts of both players and a great team of commitee members. With the same enthusiasm which has been shown in the past, there is every reason to look to the future with confidence and optimism. I joined the club as a player in 1951 and, after my playing days came to an end, I carried on as a commitee member and later became Chairman. Most of the commitee have also played their football mainly with Crosshills and carried on their commitment to the club after their playing days ended. I am a great believer in loyalty and this is proved to me by the fact that the success the club has had, has been achieved by their efforts and their willingness to put back into the game a little of what they gained from it. 

Barry Pearce

Chairman of Crosshills F.C. 

 

 

 

 

Club Honours

(click on the year to see the team)

Craven League Premier Champions - 1991/92, 1990/91, 1989/90, 1988/89*, 1987/88, 1986/87, 1972/73, 1970/71*, 1953/54, 1951/52 & 1950/51

Runners Up - 1999/00, 1994/95, 1969/70 & 1968/69

Craven League Division One Champions - 1990/91

Runners Up - 1989/90, 1988/89 & 1987/88

Craven League Division One League Cup Winners - 1987/88

Runners Up - 1990/91 & 1989/90

Craven League Division Two Champions - 2010/11, 1986/87*, 1972/73, 1971/72, 1959/60, 1956/57, 1951/52 & 1950/51

Runners Up - 1983/84, 1980/81, 1979/80, 1977/78 & 1973/74

Craven League Division Two  Cup Winners - 2010/11, 2002/03, 1979/80, 1959/60 & 1950/51 

Runners Up - 1978/79, 1977/78, 1975/76, 1971/72 & 1961/62

Craven League Division Three Champions - 1958/59

Craven League Division Three League Cup Runners Up - 1958/59

North East Lancashire League Division One Champions - 1998/99 & 1997/98

Runners Up - 1999/00

North East Lancashire League Division Two Champions - 1993/94

North East Lancashire League Division Two Cup Winners - 1992/93

Runners Up - 1993/94

North East Lancashire League Presidents Cup Winners - 1998/99

Runners Up - 1999/00, 1997/98 & 1993/94

North East Lancashire League B.E.P. Cup Winners - 1992/93

T.A.P. Cup Winners - 1987/88

Runners Up - 1984/85

Keighley District Challenge Cup Winners - 2008/09 & 2007/08

Northern Plant Hire Trophy Winners - 2000/01

Keighley & District Cup Winners - 1995/96, 1994/95, 1990/91, 1987/88, 1986/87, 1979/80 & 1978/79

Runners Up - 1992/93, 1991/92, 1989/90, 1988/89, 1984/85, 1976/77, 1967/68, 1966/67, 1954/55 & 1953/54

Keighley & District Supplementary Cup Winners - 2006/07, 1999/00, 1998/99, 1994/95, 1988/89 & 1987/88

Runners Up - 1993/94

Other Honours include;

Craven Minors League Winners - 1962/63 & 1955/56

Craven Minors League Cup Winners - 1962/63 & 1955/56

Silsden ’6 a side’ Winners - 1970

Runners Up - 1986

Craven Association Silentnight Junior U15 Football League Champions - 1998/99