MORE YORKSHIRE FOOTBALLERS AND AN AIRSHIP

Now that you know the mnemonic (acronym) to remind you of the rivers you may pass as you head north towards Northumberland, I must add to your knowledge of Huddersfield Town FC footballers. This extra bonus is Billy Watson. I know that many will be sitting up and going "oh, yes. I remember Billy, he played for Town". It was Herbert Chapman's era.

Just before this run of success, Huddersfield's 1919-20 season had been remarkable, having been near liquidation at the start of the season. The town's folk rallied, players were sold and Town won promotion from the Second Division and were runners-up in the FA Cup losing to Aston Villa 1-0. Watson was in the team. Town won the Cup in 1922, beating Preston 1-0. Watson was there again, playing in what was described as the "worst final of all time". This was the last final, played at Stamford Bridge, before Wembley was finished in 1923.

The Terriers won the Football League in 1923-4, 1924-5 and 1925-6, were 3rd in 1922-3, 2nd in 1926-7 and 1927-8. Town were losing FA Cup finalists in 1928 (Blackburn Rovers 3-1) and 1930 losing to Chapman's Arsenal 2-0, known as the "Graf Zeppelin Final".

Billy's son, Willie! yes seriously, played for Huddersfield briefly, Sunderland, Halifax and 4 times for England including being in the squad for the Brazil World Cup tournament in 1950, that fateful tournament that saw our brave lads fall to the USA in qualification! He never got a game! Willie was also an England cricketer, playing in 23 tests between 1951-9.

Having sent the SUNWACD information to my old Geography teacher, Brian Hardcastle, he sent me the family details above. Brian was offered a contract by Willie at Halifax Town for £550 a year, but Brian had already committed to a Geography teaching job at my school in Horsham, Collyer's Grammar School. Brian came with a footballing pedigree, having played for Oxford University in the Varsity match at Wembley and for Yorkshire Schools (U18), where he found himself inside right to Howard Wilkinson, remember him? Brian then went on to be a successful school's coach, at QEGS Blackburn and Forest School, London. Coaching the Independent Schools' FA National U18 squad.

I spent a month at Bisham Abbey, in the Summer 1978, with Howard, who was one of the Football Association coaches instructing and examining what was then known as the FA Advanced Coaching Licence.

Howard Wilkinson was born on November 13th 1943, played for Hallam FC in the early 60s, then Sheffield United and went across the city to play at Wednesday. He then went south to Brighton and back to Boston. He then managed Mossley, England C, Notts County, Wednesday. Leeds, the England Full team, Sunderland and then Shanghai Shenua! Howard lately featured as a technical director and adviser to various clubs.