Extract copied from the Stockport Express newspaper,
dated 1950, written by reporter Ken Smith, quote.
'REBIRTH OF STOCKPORT LACROSSE CLUB'
'The sages (authorities) of lacrosse were ready with the funeral
observance for Stockport Lacrosse Club after the war (1939-45).
But before the postmortem the corpse sat up, shook its venerable
and famous head and muttered: "No you don't'.
It takes more than a war to kill the true spirit of sport
in a club formed in 1875-6. The revival of the club since the
war against every difficulty has been remarkable. This year
sees Stockport returning to their true home - the First division
of the North of England Lacrosse Association. They have also
won the Junior Flags."
The report continued....
'It was international Sam Wood and old friends and players,
Howkins Ethe present captain], Robson. Pass and Spedding, who
got together in 1946 and started nursing Stockport Lacrosse
Club back to health.
Even when they could scratch a side together they found that
their ancestral home at Cale green had been occupied by new
'lodgers'Stockport County 'A' soccer team. Davenport Rugby Club
extended a friendly hand, however, and they were able to play
at ilandley-road [Bramhall]. The players had to change behind
a hedge at this period, and it was in 1947 that the Trinity-Wesleyan
Cricketers let the Club use their pitch at Grange-road [Bramhall].
Stockport have played there since. The Club hopes to return
to the centre of things one day - Cale Green. All those with
the interests of the game at heart hope it will be soon.
FADED OUT
The Club started an unsteady spell round about 1937 when most
of the players who had been together since the 1920's retired
in a bunch, the membership fell off and there were few incoming
youngsters to fill the gaps. In the hectic year of 1940, they
managed to carry on, even playing on the 'sacred' cricket pitch
at Cale Green. But the War pressed and Lacrosse faded out like
other sports.
In 1945-46 Lacrosse began to appear here and there, and the
season following saw four leagues reformed, constituted as near
as possible to the prewar pattern. Stockport unfortunately could
not muster a team to re-enter the first division. Then, six
old Birch Club players, including the present secretary Geof
Mason, threw in their lot with Stockport. The team that resulted
had to join the second division, because division one was full.
Week after week there were team difficulties but they managed
to keep a reasonable position in the league. Sam Wood decided,
towards the end of the season, that it was time to retire and
he did so.
This season [1949-50] the Club started up with two new lads
from Hulme Grammar School - Booth in defence and Ward on attack.
Goalkeeper Jackson had to have an operation and 'Wood' came
out of 'retirement' and has played so well since that he has
been retained all season. Stockport's team spirit has done the
trick this season. Apart from Wood, they have only one other
Cheshire player in skipper Howkins. Young 'Ed' Ward is one of
the best prospects in the game to-day.
In the last four years the Club have been fortunate in having
generous and always willing officials, notably presidents Alan
Renshaw, Goeff Higson and Bill Brierly, and treasurer Jack Spedding.
So it is 'welcome back' to the first division for Stockport
next season. Here's to a future as fine as the past'. End quote.
