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David - born 15/11/45 Linda - born 18/12/51
I was educated at Grange Boys Grammar School in Bradford, leaving there in 1962 to work at John Rigby & Sons Ltd, Low Moor, Bradford as an Apprentice Wire Drawer. The company soon realised my potential (!!) and trained me as a Work Study Engineer. In 1971 I was transferred to their Cleckheaton factory where I worked until 1999. The company changed its name to Rigby Metal Components in 1973 when I became Production Controller. Rigby was bought out by GKN Sinter Metals in 1998 and the plant closed in August 1999. I was made redundant at the end of June and then took up the position of Traffic Co-ordinator with Pudsey Transport Ltd who specialise in 'panic' deliveries in the UK and Europe 24 hours a day. In May 2002 I moved to Carlton Cards in Dewsbury as a Production Co-ordinator.
Out of work I spend time on the computer but my passion is football. I have loved the game as long as I can remember and from a very early age became a supporter of Bradford Park Avenue. Sadly they were voted out of the Football League in 1971 but still function and have just gained promotion to the Premier Division of the Unibond League and I still watch them when I can.
In my early days at Rigby I played for and was Secretary of their football team and in 1969 I passed out as a Referees and attained Class One in 1972. I never got past the West Yorkshire League but in a career spanning 24 years I refereed over 1,900 games and took part in the Dallas Cup on 10 occasions which has made me many friends in the United States. In 1975 I became Secretary of the Heavy Woollen Sunday Football League and held that position until 1993. In that year I was elected to represent the Heavy Woollen FA on the Council of the West Riding County FA having been a member of the former since 1980.
Linda attended Princess Royal Secondary School, Batley before moving to Bruntcliffe High School for a pre-nursing course. From there she trained as a Nursery Nurse at Huddersfield Technical College before gaining employment at Dewsbury District Hospital in 1969. She has worked there in the Neo-Natal Unit ever since.
Linda and I married on 5th November 1988 - Bonfire Night - so that I could let my cracker off !!!
Revised: 26 May 2002