Huddersfield Atalanta Ladies' Football Club

The Atalanta Ladies' Football Club was formed by members of the Huddersfield Atalanta Ladies' Sports Club and played competitively between March 1921 and June 1922, including two games against the well-known Dick, Kerr Ladies Football Club.

History

The team was reportedly founded by Constance Waller (who later worked as a sports reporter) and Lucy Barraclough, and their trainer was Jack Street[1], hon. secretary of the Huddersfield & District Football League.

The team was effectively formed following the first outdoor event held by sports club on Saturday 11 December 1920, when "a football [was] provided, so that those who wanted to learn to play football later could kick it about among themselves to get into the way of kicking a ball, until it was possible to get a football coach."[2] According to a subsequent report in the Huddersfield Examiner:[3]

The footballers thoroughly enjoyed themselves in spite (or because) of the field being very muddy and slimy, and all are keen to play again. They were not so much playing the game as learning to kick the ball. One of the members has already been in a ladies' football team, and will be a great help to the others.

The player with prior experience was reported to be "N. Edgley" who had previously played for a team in the Peterborough area — this was in fact Kate Edgley who also became the club secretary.

By the following week, the players were able to practise on a football pitch situated near to Sands House at Crosland Moor. Heavy rain over the Christmas period led to the club's netball matches being cancelled but the Examiner reported that:[4]

...the football enthusiasts turned up for play in the pouring rain. Some of them played on three or even four of the days for which play was fixed. The regular attenders at the football field, however, are only few, with the result that the games have been very strenuous. It was not to be expected that many would turn up during the festive week, but those who did thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and were no doubt much better for the physical exercise.

On Saturday 1 January 1921 there were enough members present for a game of nine-a-side which the Examiner reported was "for the first time something like a football team was able to play":[5]

...they were able to play a much better and less strenuous game than they have been able to play before. The game was interesting to watch. It made one wonder where the girls had acquired their knowledge of football. With the exception of one girl who has been in a ladies' team, none of them have played real football before, and only a few have had brothers and friends to teach them the game. The rest much have got their ideas almost entirely from watching the Leeds Road matches. Watching some of them one can tell which particular players they have studied. [...] There were some good passing movements leading up to goal, which often looked to be on the point of success, but they generally fell through in front of goal owing to very good defence work. [...] The goalkeepers played very well. One of the goalkeepers got badly hit in the eye during the game, but a policeman very kindly rendered first aid and she was able to return to the game. The score was 1—1.

The following week's game on the Sands House pitch at Crosland Moor was reported by the Examiner as "the best day that the football section of the Atalanta Club had had so far" despite a "cold strong wind blowing which grew gradually fiercer" and heavy rain during the second half. The final score was 2—1 to the "Blues" (the other members playing as the "Golds").[6]

Throughout early January 1921, the club placed notices in the local press seeking other locations to practise:

USE OF FOOTBALL FIELD, all or alternate Saturdays. Permanent or temporary — Write Miss K. Duffy, Sec., Atalanta Club, 12, South Street, Paddock.

THE ATALANTA CLUB WANTS FIELDS. Does anyone know of any anywhere? — Secretary Miss K. Duffy, 12, South Street, Paddock.

The practice game held on Saturday 15 January at the Huddersfield High School field saw right-winger Edgley score twice. The Examiner noted that she had "played in a ladies' team before, and it was pretty evident from the skill with which she put the ball into the net that she had had experience at the game." The report went on to say that there would be no practice the following weekend since the players were "going to try and learn from example by watching the [Huddersfield] Town play Bradford" at a cup-tie in Bradford.[7]

Perhaps with interest growing in their reporting, the Examiner's coverage of the practice match held on Saturday 29 January was considerably more detailed and, for the first time, included the names of several of the sixteen players who took part in the 8-a-side game. Playing in her first game, half-back Miss Sayles was described as "remarkable", "indefatigable" and "a fast runner" although "her shots at goal were generally wide". Constance Waller scored for the Blues during the first half when the Gold's goalkeeper was caught off her line. The Blues' defence of goalkeeper Ethel Lee and defenders Mrs Barraclough and Mrs North was singled out for praise. The other named players were Miss E. Steele and Miss Rhoda Wilkinson (who equalised with a goal for the Gold team in the second half).[8]

By early February, Jack Street (secretary of the Huddersfield League) had consented to become the team's trainer and the match held on Saturday 5 February saw 24 players present and five goals scored, with the Blues winning 4—1 which included a hattrick by Miss A. Raynor. The Examiner reported that plans were already afoot for a competitive game against Bath Ladies at Easter with trainer Street planning ball practice and physical training two days a week.[9]

Unfortunately the following week's match saw a last minute change of location when it became known on Friday evening that the Sands House pitch would be unavailable. Luckily the football team of Acre Mills offered up their field at Salendine Nook. Once again, Miss Raynor scored for the Blues and Miss Beaumont then equalised for the Golds. The Examiner singled out new half-back player Miss Mitchell: "Naturally being new to the game she was not sure of herself, but she shows a good sense of the game and is quick at getting the ball."[10]

During the weekend of 19-20 February, several newspapers reported on the planned match against Bath Ladies, although the Examiner noted that "the question of whether the match shall be played or not is still to be decided" as there were concerns amongst some of the Atalanta players that "they would not be able to hold their own against a team which has been playing matches all the season". However, Jack Street was of the opinion that he could "pick and train a team which will be able to play a good match" and the Examiner noted that "there seems to be a tremendous amount of interest in the [Atalanta] team, which is as it should be, for such a brave venture deserves and needs the support of the townspeople".[11] Perhaps to help settle the matter, an "important general meeting" of the Atalanta Club was held at Milnsbridge Socialist Club at 7:30pm on 23 February.

Huddersfield Examiner (26/Feb/1921)

With growing local interest, the team found themselves being criticised in correspondence to the Examiner for failing to start their practice sessions promptly[12] — the In and Out column sarcastically asked "why should the Atalanta club so betray its feminism as to turn up on time!"[13] — and for the obvious inexperience of some of their players. One of the team replied that it was important to allow new players to join in the sessions, regardless of their experience. The Examiner also reported that Jack Street's attempts to find his team for the upcoming Bath Ladies' match meant that some of the players were having to try out new positions during practice matches.

With less than a fortnight to go, the game held on Saturday 12 March at the Old Boys' ground at Waterloo saw a mixed review in the Examiner:[14]

In some ways Saturday's game on the Old Boys' ground would server as a poor criterion of the girls' capabilities. They will have to show considerable improvement if they are going to win their great match with the Bath Ladies on Good Friday. Greater quickness on the ball and more determination are necessary. They have less than a fortnight in which to train, but they seem to be good workers, and there is no doubt that that a very good eleven can be picked from them. There is plenty of ability, and continuous training should make the football section of the Atalanta Club a credit to the town.

The team's final public practice prior to the Bath Ladies' game was held at the Honley United A.F.C.'s ground before a "very enthusiastic" crowd of around 400. The Examiner reported that both the Blues and Golds "played a very strenuous game, which showed considerable improvement on the display given at Waterloo the previous week". Centre half Miss Mitchell was praised for being "most untiring in her efforts in both feeding her forward line and keeping a watchful eye on her opponents". Rhoda Wilkinson and Miss Edgley were "undoubtedly the outstanding players". The gate receipts saw the team receiving £1 16s.[15]

On the eve of the Bath game, the Examiner published the following:[16]

The public is very curious about the girls themselves. Perhaps the best-known player is Miss Ethel Lee, the goalkeeper. Her safe kick and her unhesitating clearances give great delight to the spectators. Another Crosland Moor player, Mrs. Baraclough, is the left partner in a very sound defence. One of the best points in her play is her perfect understanding with the goalkeeper. Miss Hilda Clarke, a Thongsbridge girl with a remarkably long kick, is the other full back. She kicks with good judgment, but gives one the impression of being afraid of using her own strength. Perhaps the exigencies of the game will remedy this fault. Miss Lily Mitchell, the small but very sturdy centre half, plays a very useful game when she is in her best form, and works in admirable conjunction with the wing forwards. Of the forwards, Miss Rhoda Wilkinson on the right wing is, perhaps, the most interesting, besides being very versatile. She has played full back, left inside, right wing, and in the Dick Kerr’s versus Lancs, and Yorks, match at Leeds, on April 6th, she is to play centre half in opposition to Dick Kerr’s. At inside left she has scored some very fine goals, but she plays her best, most confident game on the right wing.

Competitive Matches

for further details, see Patrick Brennan's website

date home team score visitors
25/Mar/1921 Ataltana 1 - 0 Bath Ladies
25/Apr/1921 St Helens 3 - 1 Atalanta
04/May/1921 Dick Kerr 4 - 0 Atalanta
14/May/1921 Hull Ladies 2 - 0 Atalanta
18/May/1921[17] Atalanta 0 - 1 French XI
03/Oct/1921 Atalanta 0 - 10 Dick Kerr
11/Mar/1922 Huddersfield Ladies 1 - 2 Atalanta
14/Apr/1922 Atalanta 2 - 4 Heys
22/Apr/1922 Atalanta 2 - 1 Chell
17/May/1922 Heys 4 - 0 Atalanta
03/Jun/1922 Doncaster & Bentley 4 - 0 Atalanta

F.A. Ban and Later History

Huddersfield Examiner (10/Nov/1921)

The club celebrated its first birthday on 18 November 1921 at their pavilion, which stood alongside the Jubilee Lane football pitch at Cowlersley. The event was also the official opening of the "clubroom" — the structure had originally been a three-sided barn that was converted into a dressing room for the team. The building now had a wooden floor, light and heating, as well as a ping pong table, skipping ropes and a punch ball. The walls and decorations were in green and white, and presentation photographs of the teams they had played were displayed on the walls.[18]

On 5 December 1921, the Football Association announced a ban on the women's game from being played on professional grounds and affiliated club pitches. Team captain Lucy Barraclough gave an interview to the Huddersfield Examiner:[19]

This F.A. decision will be a very good thing. I am quite certain that the great majority of girls play simply for the love of the game. But those who play for any other reason will have to go now, which will leave the field clear for the real football lovers. Dick Kerr’s are worse hit than anyone. Their football was so entirely superior to that of any team that could be fielded against them that they had come to be absolutely autocratic in the ladies’ football world. They had every thing they wanted, and now they are brought to the level of all other women’s teams. That means that there is a much better chance of women footballers organising themselves, and really putting the game on to a firm footing.

We are very fortunate. We have our own field and our own pavilion. We shall be able to have matches on our own ground. The best women’s football teams in the country are in Lancashire and Yorkshire, and if we bring them to Cowlersley on Saturday afternoons we should get large enough crowds to pay the expense of bringing them. But we don't really want to play more than occasional matches. We have two teams of our own, so we can have games or practices every Saturday.

I know our team have never had anything but bare expenses when they have been playing for charity. We played our first match from our own funds to get the club going, but we made no pretence of playing for charity, and all our matches since have been charitable. [...] Ordinarily our expenses have been travelling expenses and compensation for time off from work. Working girls cannot afford to give up a day's wages, particularly nowadays.

When asked about the suggestion that women shouldn't play football on health grounds, Mrs. Barrowclough replied:

A lot of it is merely prejudice. Women have been playing football for five or six years, and there has been no serious injury. If football were dangerous some ill-results would have been seen by now. I know that all our girls are healthier, and, speaking personally, I feel worlds better than I did a year ago. Housework isn’t half the trouble that it used to be, because there is always Saturday’s game and the week night training to freshen me up. My husband realises the good the game has done me, and will do anything to help me to attend the practices.

Of course, only girls of good physique should play football, and very young girls should not play. We have a rule that only girls over 17 can play football with the Atalanta club. I can assure you we take every precaution for the girls' health. We have a qualified nurse in case any of the girls should be hurt but we have had no injuries except such as occasional swollen ankles, which occur in any outdoor game.

Why, we had one girl, one of our best players, who was under the doctor for treatment to her knee. She was so keen to play that she would have played before it was really sound, so we compelled her to give up until the doctor gave her written permission to play again.

Huddersfield Examiner (15/Dec/1921)

The team's second Christmas Party was held on 21 December 1921 in the Cowlersley ground pavilion. The Examiner reported that the building was "gaily and very prettily decorated, and the floor was waxed for dancing". A 10lb Christmas cake was distributed among the attendees.[20]

Following the Football Association's decision to ban women footballers from league grounds, the team continued to play on the Jubilee Grounds at Cowlersley until at least 1924.[21]

In 1925, the teams' pavilion was purchased by the Broad Oak Cricket and Tennis Club.[22]

Team Members

The known team members include:

name born abode (1921 Census) occupation (1921 Census) died
Winifred Amy Baldick 1897 Paddock shorthand typist (out of work) 1977
Lucy Barraclough (née Green)[23] 1885 Lockwood housewife 1958
Ada Beaumont (née Hogton) 1896 Huddersfield winder at electrical engineering company (out of work) 1986
H. Broadhead ? ? ? ?
E. Brook[24] ? ? ? ?
Wilhelmina "Minnie" Brook 1901 Lockwood worsted cloth weaver 1980
Hilda Clarke 1901 Thurstonland grocery assistant 1982
(Miss) A. Copley ? ? ? ?
P. Craven[25] ? ? ? ?
Phyllis Dyson ? ? ? ?
Kate Edgley (club secretary) 1900 Milnsbridge woollen twister 1982
Minnie Kenworthy (née Hogton) 1900 ? ? 1973
Ethel Lee (goalkeeper) 1899 Thornton Lodge typist 1982
Lily Mitchell 1902 East Parade, Huddersfield assistant book keeper 1994?
Ruth Mitchell 1901 East Parade, Huddersfield ? 1984
N. Quinn[26] ? ? ? ?
A. Rayner[27] ? ? ? ?
(Miss) Alice Senior ? ? ? ?
Alice Stanley[28] ? ? ? ?
(Miss) E. Steele[29] ? ? ? ?
?. Sutton ? ? ? ?
Marion Taylor 1903 Milnsbridge woollen weaver (Elm Ing Mills) 1992
Olive Walker 1896 Salendine Nook worsted woollen weaver 1945?
Constance Mary Waller[30] 1902 Birkby newspaper clerk at Huddersfield Examiner 1975
(Miss) Edith Whitwam[31] ? ? ? ?
N. Wilkinson (goalkeeper)[32] ? ? ? ?
Rhoda Wilkinson[33] 1897 Lepton woollen weaver 1983
E. Wilson ? ? ? ?

According to at least one newspaper report, most of the team members also played in the Atalanta Club's water polo team.

The team's mascot, who appears in a few of the team photographs, was Joan Eileen Harper (born 1919) who was the daughter of the team's trainer, Tom Harper.[34]

Gallery

    Loading... ::::::omeka tag Huddersfield Atalanta Ladies' Football Club:::

Links

Notes and References

  1. "To-morrow's Attraction at Hillsborough" in Sheffield Daily Telegraph (03/May/1921).
  2. "The Atalanta Club" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (09/Dec/1920).
  3. "The Atalanta Club" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (17/Dec/1920).
  4. "Atalanta Club: Footballers Undaunted by the Weather" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (31/Dec/1920).
  5. "The Atalanta Club: Good Games between Ladies' Teams this Weekend" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (03/Jan/1921).
  6. "The Atalantians in Good Form" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (10/Jan/921).
  7. "Atalanta Club: Enjoyable Game on a Muddy Field" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (18/Janu/1921).
  8. "The Atalanta Club" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (31/Jan/1921).
  9. "The Atalanta Club: Suggested Match at Easter" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (07/Feb/1921).
  10. "The Atalanta Club: Drawn Game at Salendine Nook" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (14/Feb/1921).
  11. "Atalanta Club: The Proposed Match with the Bath Ladies' Team" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (21/Feb/1921).
  12. "Correspondence: The Atalanta Football Team" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (24/Feb/1921).
  13. "In and Out" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (28/Feb/1921).
  14. "The Atalantians at Waterloo: Exhibition Not Up to Expectations" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (14/Mar/1921).
  15. "Atalanta Ladies' Football" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (21/Mar/1921).
  16. "The Football Girls" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (24/Mar/1921).
  17. Footage of this match was captured on film and then screened at the Empire Picture House in late May. See notice in the Huddersfield Examiner (26/May/1921).
  18. "Atalanta Ladies' Club" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (19/Nov/1921).
  19. "Women Football Players and the F.A. Ban" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (09/Dec/1921).
  20. "Atalanta Christmas Party" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (22/Dec/1921).
  21. "Obituary: Captained Women Footballers" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (15/Jan/1958).
  22. "Looking Back: 1925" in Huddersfield Daily Examiner (22/May/1965).
  23. From Barnsley. Left full-back. Sister of Barnsley footballer Ben Green (died WW1). Also named as "Barrowclough" in some reports.
  24. Possibly Wilhelmina's sister Edith Brook (1895-1969).
  25. Possibly Phylis Craven (c.1903-?).
  26. Most likely Nellie Quinn (c.1891-?) of Irish descent. Nora Quinn of Honley was aged 15 in 1921 and the team had a stated policy of not accepting players under 17.
  27. Raynor?
  28. From Rothertham. Left-half. During the First World War, she played for the Templeboro Ladies XI.
  29. Assuming that is the spelling of the surname, the only potential matches in the 1921 Census are for Margaret Eleanor Steele (c.1899-?) and Gertrude Beatrice Elizabeth Steele (c.1904-?). Both were working as servants. All the other "E. Steele"s of a suitable age were married women.
  30. Outside-left from Fulwood and attended Ranmoor Council School. Likely Constance Mary Waller born circa 1902, listed as a newspaper clerk living with parents at 15 Dorset Street (Birkby) in the 1921 Census. Likely born in Sheffield on 20 October 1902.
  31. Also played in the All-England Side.
  32. Possibly Rhoda's younger sister Sarah Ellen (i.e. "Nellie")?
  33. https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/41290/person/6129115386/
  34. Tom Harper was born in Scotland circa 1891 and worked as a dyer's labourer at Joseph Dyson & Sons, Milnsbridge.