Post War Awakenings
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.
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