Old Crossleyans' Squash Club

ON SUNDAY, December 2 1973 the Yorkshire and England cricketer (and keen squash –player) John Hampshire formally opened the Old Crossleyan Squash Courts at Standeven House and so brought to a happy and successful conclusion the great efforts, which have been going on since 1969.  It was in 1969 that the idea was first mooted and a sponsored swim organised to raise money for the building of squash Courts, which it was felt, would benefit both the association and the school.  In event, it was largely members of the school, and their friends and relatives who raised the princely sum of £1000.  Since then interest has accred and the figure stands at about £1300.  Mick Denton and Trevor Driver were the prime movers in this scheme and some four years and many meetings later had obtained grants from the Sports Council and Halifax Corporation of about £5000.  An ad hoc committee was formed of those keen to see the scheme succeed and promises were obtained form many friends of interest free loans and with the blessing of the Old Crossleyans’ Club tenders were accepted and building work began.  The decision to go ahead with the scheme was something of an act of faith because with £11,000 raised there was still a shortfall of some £3000 to reach the expected total expenditure of some thing in excess of £14000.  The committee would still welcome further interest free loans and if you feel you would like to help, please contact our treasurer, Mr. Richard Davies at the School.

Thus the Old Crossleyan Squash Club has become a reality with a full membership, A team entered in the Yorkshire League, Competitions being arranged and social functions planned.  The club has received public money and is therefore an open club with all members entitled to the privileges of the Old Crossleyan Club as associate members.

The squash section thus fulfils two functions namely providing for the interests of scholars and old scholars of the school, whilst at the same time looking outward to the larger community, drawing in members with no connection with Crossley’s and providing facilities of a sporting and social kind for Halifax and Calderdale.

The work is not yet complete; the facilities are not yet ideal, but a great start has been made and if further help is forthcoming, both of a physical and financial kind, then by the time of the Reunion 1974 the squash area will be something really worth seeing.  Squash is fast and exciting and is seen by many to be the game of the future.  We believe that socially and financially as well as sport-wise, in squash the Old Crossleyans have invested in a real winner.

  © 2004 Old Crossleyans' Squash Club. All rights reserved.