Bradford Dudley Hill

Infobox_esl_club | clubname = Bradford Dudley Hill


fullname = Bradford Dudley Hill Rugby League
emblem = Golden Pegasus (Winged Horse)
colours = Amber and blue
founded = 1948
sport = rugby league
league = Formerly National League Three
ground = Neil Hunt Memorial
web = http://www.dharlfc.co.uk/

Bradford Dudley Hill Rugby League Club is an English rugby league team based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, now playing in the prestigious National Conference League.

History

Established just after the First World War, Dudley Hill RLFC has a very long, proud and illustrious history. The team originally played from the old Bierley estate led by rugby league legend Stanley Brogden. After his top class career with Leeds, Yorkshire and Great Britain as a quality stand-off, Stanley wanted to put something back into the grassroots of Rugby League.

The club was disbanded prior to the Second World War. It was due to Les Brady and Vincent Heslop that the Club was reformed in 1948. Les Brady was running the very successful Bierley under eighteen team at the time.

Vince Heslop advertised in the Telegraph & Argus for players and together with players progressing from the Bierley under eighteen team, the Dudley Hill open age team was formed. Les Brady and Danny Cullerton were of great assistance during this period.

Funds were raised by various ways, including a football buster and a Bradford Northern Forecast.

The first match played was at Queensbury. Dudley Hill lost by over fifty points to nil, missing a free kick under the posts in the last few minutes. The first match that Dudley Hill won in the first season was at Prince Smith and Steels, 4 points to 8 points. One of the Dudley Hill Players broke his arm and Vinney Heslop had to stop playing to take him to hospital, as he had the only available transport (ex Army Wagon). As there was no insurance available, a collection was taken every week for injured players. Dudley Hill at the completion of that first season, finished just above Prince Smith & Steels who were bottom of the league.

Various changing rooms were used during this period, but eventually settled down at the Imperial Hotel on Tong Street, begging buckets of water from 'mine host' for washing.

Eventually, thanks to Bernard Dotchin who installed a boiler and Vinnie Heslop who installed a bath, washing facilities improved. Even so, players would often use the cottage baths at the entrance to Knowles Lane Recreation Ground.

The changing room was above the stables, one large room with a combustion stove which used to glow red hot. After one argument between players, the opposing player made contact with the hot stove, this did nothing to cool tempers.

For away matches, the players usually met in town, outside 'Carters' or 'Knottons Sports Shops' and proceeded to the matches by public transport. The away matches at Queensbury and Thornton were the worst venues to travel to, both being at the top of hills which had to be climbed before the match. Home matches were played on various grounds. Two on Knowles Recreation Ground, Knowles Lane and Odsal Rec.

During the next few seasons with new players coming into the team from Bierley and other sources, better results were achieved and the foundations were laid to make Dudley Hill a force in Amateur Rugby League circles.

The Coach at this time was Frank Hodgson. Together with Bernard Dotchin, then Chairman and Roger Burnham, Frank recruited key players that were to complement the sprinkling of talented young players at the club. Among them, Ian Dickinson who was then a young 18 year old and Ian Reed.

Mick Oldfield became the first Dudley Hill player to play for Yorkshire in the post-war period, Vinnie Heslop was the first player to progress to Bradford Northern and R. Rudd the first international player. During the next few decades, a host of players followed Vinnie and Mick. Some ending up in the professional ranks and some playing amateur representative football for Bradford, Yorkshire, and Great Britain.

Clifford Turnpenny and Vinny Heslop continued to be essential figures and for the next 30 years served the club with distinction. Other important figures in the early years, Bernard Dotchin and Roger Burnham, are still supporting the Hill today.

The formation of the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) in 1973 was to be the catalyst for the Hill to move forward. In that season Dudley Hill finished the old Bradford League at the bottom. As result, when the Regional Leagues were established Dudley Hill were placed in the new Pennine League 3rd Division. The Club worked tirelessly to progress in successive years from the 3rd to the 1st division before finally reaching the Premier Division.

The 1973 season saw Dudley Hill start their long climb to the very pinnacle of the amateur game. Even with the improved results and stronger team, it was not until 1979 that Dudley Hill won their first winner's Trophy. The Bradford League Seven-a-side Competition. Hill's ambition was realised in 1986 when Hill gained membership of the 10-team inaugural National League (now the National Conference League).

A major tragedy affected the development of the club. It has to be said that this tragedy kick-started the club and inspired key members to accelerate development in the memory of Neil Hunt. December 1976 was the month and year that Neil Hunt was to lose his life as a result of an accident on the field of play. Neil suffered a broken neck in a one-on-one tackle, a freak accident that we hope we have never to experience again. Neil was 16 years old and was making his way in what was becoming a very promising career that was tragically terminated.

September 1st, 1979 was the year Dudley Hill moved to the new Neil Hunt Memorial ground, the current pitch was dedicated to the memory of Neil by St Johns Vicar the Reverend Mr. J Fry. In December 2001, it will be re-dedicated in a ceremony to remember Neil Hunt 25 years on.

Along the way from 1979 until 1992 Dudley Hill won every trophy available to them at local, Regional and National Level. During the period 1984 to 1992 they were at the very top of the amateur game.

In December 2001 Dudley Hill celebrated 25 years of the clubs history, and many successes both on and off the field. On the field the club has achieved success in all the games major competitions, pride of place goes indeed to the successful years around the 1980's when the Hill were to win very trophy available to them in a purple period for the club from 1984 until 1986 wining the BARLA National Cup, BARLA Yorkshire Cup, BARLA National Sevens, Pennine League Premier Division, Pennine Cup, Bradford Cup 3 times running as well as numerous Sevens titles.

1993 saw the Hill be instrumental in establishing the new National Conference League along with the inaugural other 11 teams that made up the very premier division. In 1990 Dudley Hill won the National League title under the Coaching of Peter Roe and Kelvin Lockett. In 1991 Dudley Hill under the coaching of Kelvin Lockett also finished up a very credible runners-up in the BARLA National Cup final in Salford. A tragic car accident followed at the start of the following season when several members of the first team squad were involved in a serious accident on the way to a social event in Whitley Bay which resulted in two of the stars of the 1991 Cup Final runners up, Stuart Tighe and Paul Baxter were to receive serious injuries Stuart Tighe a current U21 International losing his leg.

The success of the Youth & Junior levels was the catalyst for the formation of a Youth & Junior development programme. The programme is the envy of all Yorkshire developing teams at every age group. 1987 saw the formation of a Women's team who were inaugural members of the fledgling first Women's League.

1993 saw the fulfilment of a dream for Dudley Hill with floodlights, new dressing rooms, and an extension and refurbishment of the clubhouse. This was made possible by an arts and sports council grant of £75,000. The work was lead by Fred Berry who saw the dream through on time for the commencement of the 1993-94 season when the improvements were opened by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Bob Sowman.

Ground and Supporters

Dudley Hill are the established Bradford pioneers of open-age rugby league, with a thriving out-of-hours social scene which dates back many years, which includes many fund-raising events, coaches organised to away fixtures, and a popular clubhouse, which serves hot snacks to their many loyal and enthusiastic supporters. Replica kits, shirts, hats, baseball caps, and scarves are on-sale to their fans.

Club Achievements

Dudley Hill are a historic club which have been at the forefront of amateur and lower-league semi-pro rugby, for several decades, and have beaten several established professional rugby league teams in recent times, including the likes of York City Knights, and Keighley Cougars.

Open Age Role Of HonourPennine 3rd Division Championship 1974-75 Pennine 2nd Division Championship 1975-75 Pennine League Champions 1987 Pennine Cup Winners 1980, 1986 Bradford Cup 1984, 1985, 1986 Winners Barla Yorkshire Cup 1985-86 Winners Barla Yorkshire Cup 1990 runners up Barla National Cup 1984 Winners Barla National Cup 1991 Runners up National Sevens 1985 Winners National Conference League 1990 Winners (Numerous Youth & Junior titles and Cups from 1979 until the present day)

"Roll of Honour"

Clifford Turnpenny, Vinny Heslop, and Frank Hodgson. Honorary Life Vice-presidents: - Roger Burnham, Jack Collett, and Bernard Dotchin. Life-Members include Ronnie Dobson, Billy Kelly, John Senior, Jack Glenton, John Minchella, Mick Watmough, Bob Hopkinson, Monty Denton, Roger Burnham, Bernard Dotchin, Barry Heslop, Andy Harland, Mark Todd, Ian Mcphearson, Rod Lacy.

"International Roll of Honour"

Mark Todd - BARLA Lions Tour 1985, BARLA Great Britain Vs France Gary Brentley - BARLA Lions Tour 1985, BARLA Great Britain Vs France Bob Jowett - BARLA Great Britain Vs France Scott Rawlinson BARLA Great Britain Vs France Mick Keebles - BARLA Lions Tour 1985, BARLA Great Britain Vs France Henry Sharp - BARLA Lions Tour 1985, BARLA Great Britain Vs France Graeme Hallas - Great Britain Lions tour 1992 Vs Australia Stan Seaman - BARLA Great Britain Vs France Jason Lee - Wales Paul (Paddy) Owen - Ireland Dick Frudd - England Amateurs Andy Lambert - England Students James Haley - England Students Alan Spencer - BARLA Great Britain Vs France Joe Berry - Scotland Kevin Whiteley - BARLA Great Britain Vs France Stuart Tighe - U21 Tour Vs South Africa Mark Rawlinson - BARLA Great Britain Vs France

"Women Internationals"

Chantel Patrick - Great Britain Lions Tour Vs Australia Vicky Studd - Great Britain Lions Tour Vs Australia Sam Pearson - Great Britain Lions Tour Vs Australia Mandy Green - Great Britain Lions Tour Vs Australia Lisa McIntosh - Captain, Great Britain Lions Tour Vs Australia

"Junior Internationals"

Joe Berry - Young Lions Tour Vs Australia 1993, France 1993 Phil Hepworth - Captain, Young Lions Tour Vs Australia 1993, France 1993 Nick Simpson - Young Lions Tour Vs Australia 1993, France 1993 Craig Robinson - Young Lions Tour Vs New Zealand 1989, France 1989 Tom Robinson Simon Robinson Mark Tordoff - Young Lions Vs France 1984 Sean Sarsfield - Young Lions Vs France 1984, 1985 Darren Collins Phil Helliwell Neil Poppleton - England Schools U16 Danny Herbert - England Schools U15 Richard Tiffany Andy Harland - Coach Young Lions Tour Vs Australia 1993, France 1993 Sean Dickinson - Young Lions Tour Vs Emerging States, Australia 2001

"Yorkshire County Open Age"

Gary Brentley 1985 Mark Todd 1985 Bob Jowett Adrian Collett 1986 Rudi Francis Granville Free Ray Priestley Kevin Whiteley Scott Rawlinson Richard Bingley Mick Keebles Henry Sharp John Jenkins Scott Rawlinson Mark Rawlinson Stan Seaman Dave Flaherty M. Oldfield

"Yorkshire County Youth Level"

Mark Todd Andy Harland 1974 Craig Robinson Simon Robinson Chris Robinson Tom Robinson James Ward Jimmy McGuire Darren Webb David Turpin Darren Murphy Mark Tordoff 1984 Darren Collins Richard Tiffany Jason Pounder Tom Robinson Graeme Hallas Dave Hall Phil Helliwell Phil Hepworth 1993 Nick Simpson 1993 Joe Berry 1993 Paul Baxter Kelvin Lockett (coach)

"Yorkshire Regional Player Development Centres"

Sean Dickinson 2001 Lewis Evens 2001 Gareth Walker 2001

"Yorkshire Youth League Tourists"

Joe Rawlins 1997 Tour to South Africa Marco Rossi 1997 Tour to South Africa

There has also been a women's team known as the Dudley Hill Thunderbirds, who played regular fixtures in the Eighties and Ninetees, however, because of funding difficulties, they were disbanded several years ago.

There is also a Dudley Hill Hall of Fame, established by life members of Dudley Hill RL, including Roger Burnham, Bernard Dotchin, Monty Denton and club stalwart Ian Dickinson. 1. Bob Jowett2. Neil Hunt 3. Ian Dickinson 4. Rodger Burnham 5. Dick Frudd 6. Andy Harland 7. Bernard Dotchin 8. Andy Meakin 9. Daryll Hanslip 10. Vinny Heslop 11. Frank Hodgson 12. Ronnie Dobson 13. Monty Denton

Current Teams

Under 8 (Modified Games), Yorkshire Junior League Under 8's, coached by Dave Pinchin Wilkins. Under 9 (Modified Games), Yorkshire Junior League Under 9's, coached by kevin whiteley and shaun barnes Under 10 - Yorkshire Junior League Under 10s, no team Under 12 - Yorkshire Junior League Under 12s, andy butterworth. Under 13 - Yorkshire Junior League under 13s, no team Under 14 - Yorkshire Junior League Under 14s, coached by kelvin lockett Under 16 - West Riding League, coached by Scott Harland. Under 18 - West Riding League coached by Marco Rossi. National League 3, formerly coached by ex-hill player hero, Graham Hallas. Total-RL Summer Conference coached by Bob Hartley. BARLA National Conference (now operational)

Football Committee

Kelvin Lockett Senior Coach Martin Brook Club Coach

Ian Dickinson Club Coach

Gary Brentley Club Coach

Stuart Tighe Senior Coach

Latest News

Due to displeasure and disappointment at the way the semi-pro National Leagues are run, with not enough fixtures to ensure financial viability, Dudley Hill have changed their senior team from National League 3, to the National Conference, and play most of their fixtures in the Autumn and Winter. Summer rugby may continue in the form of their Total RL Summer Conference League representation.

External links

* [http://www.dharlfc.co.uk/home.shtml League homepage]
* [http://www.bradforddudleyhill.piczo.com Unofficial Dudley Hill fansite]
* [http://www.leagueonline.co.uk/ Rugby League Online]