BATTYEFORD SPORTING CLUB	24 August 2007
	THE STORY SO FAR

Battyeford Boys Club was founded in 1973 by a local painter and decorator, Stan Rowlands BEM (RIP). Stan had a keen interest in table tennis and football, and he considered it important that his own three sons and their friends should have a place to gather where they could enjoy recreation in a creative way and not hang around street corners. The first football team of Under 9 players was formed that year.

Also in 1973 a small committee was formed to supervise the running of the club. Founder members were Fr. Humphrey Whistler of the Community of the Resurrection (RIP), Dr. Frank Higgins (RIP), his wife Dr. Elizabeth Higgins (currently club chairman) and Stan Rowlands.

Stan used his own premises for training and table tennis until 1977 when the club acquired a derelict sectional scout hut and erected it on land purchased with the help of grants from the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Trust, Mirfield Educational Charity and Kirklees Leisure Services. In 1978 the Club was officially opened by Brigadier Kenneth Hargreaves, Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire.

In 1985 the scout hut was replaced by a larger permanent building with funds provided by Kirklees Education and Leisure Services, Yorkshire Sports Council and Mirfield Round Table.

On 7 July 1994 the club changed its name to Battyeford Sporting Club.

Sadly on July 15th 2001 our founder Stan Rowlands passed away aged 71, his funeral on July 20th was attended by a great many friends made over the years through his love of sport. Stan was a great character and will be sadly missed but  the club will continue to grow from strength to strength in his memory.

In December 2002 the club achieved Charter Standard status at the Charter Standard Community Club level, one of only 4 clubs in the West Riding County FA area to achieve this at the time. The club successfully bid for Football Foundation funds (awarded) in 2002 for a new clubhouse; a project which started around 1996 initially.

Finally in 2006/7 the new clubhouse dream comes to fruition with all the parties involved agreeing the relevant leases and arrangements to let building go ahead. Much of the hold up has been caused by our local Kirklees Council putting obstructions in the way but eventually things moved on;  building work started in May 2007 and we are hoping it will be completed part way through the 2007/8 season.

Membership of the club has grown steadily since the club’s inception and in the 2007/8 season the club will have over 400 members, 26 football teams ranging from Under 7 to Open Age, with the girls section growing rapidly.