Thanks for that.

Made his debut on 26th October 1912 against Barrow. Drop me an email: leighcpa@gmail.com and I will see if Leigh's very own walking encyclopedia Mr Latham can come up with any more info. Jason

Made his debut on 26th October 1912 against Barrow. Drop me an email: leighcpa@gmail.com and I will see if Leigh's very own walking encyclopedia Mr Latham can come up with any more info. Jason

Will do.

Hello Spectator

Harry Yates was my great uncle.

I think he was born in 1893 and I can’t recall if he passed away before or after my Granddad which was in 1983. It may have been after as I seem to recall him reaching 90. Both of them lived in the Bedford area all their lives with Harry living in Brewery Lane. I remember both him and my Granddad having a liking for whiskey and cigars especially at Christmas time.

Harry did sign from Leigh Rangers and some years ago I donated a copy of a 1911 Leigh Rangers team photo taken outside what I assume to be the old grandstand at Mather Lane to Leigh Miners Rangers when they built the new clubhouse on Manchester Road. They weren’t aware at that time that there had been a previous incarnation of Leigh Rangers. It was on display upstairs but I’ve only visited it once since I donated it. Harry is on that photo as well as Mick Bolweski who was one of Leigh’s first antipodean signings; I think Paddy O’Neil is also on it but I’m not sure and I would have to check the original when I’m back in Leigh at the weekend.

I’m not sure why he didn’t appear to play rugby after WW1. The story that has been passed down to me is that both he and my Grandad volunteered early on in WW1 and somehow managed to survive the horrors of the war. Although he worked for a brewery, I was told he didn’t drink until he was 25 which by my calculation coincides with the end of the WW1. I did have a laced up rugby ball that he gave me in the early 1970s which on reflection probably was pre WW1 but is sadly long gone.

With all the talk of heritage, I’ve thought about him a lot of late and was intending, if possible, to contact his granddaughter who to the last of my knowledge was living in the South West area to see if she would permit me to sign him up so to speak for the ‘past players’. I’m fascinated to know the reason for your interest in him.

WOW that story is absolutely fascinating, and make me want to know more (and i'm no relative or connected in any way to the family) thank you ACW.
SWB

What a great response. Thank you so much.

I'm a Leigh lad with a strong interest in Leigh history. Myself and a few others have a number of projects currently on the boil. One such project is the Bedford Brewing and Malting Company which, in 1902, was renamed George Shaw & Co., Ltd., Leigh Brewery. The company was then bought out in 1931 by Peter Walker's. During our research, we came across one Harry Yates, a long term employee of the brewery, commencing work there in 1906. He retired in 1958 by then employed as Clerk of Works. The following extract is from Leigh JournalRetired After 52 Years Service (Leigh Journal, 10 October 195icon_cool.gif

[iAfter 52 years at Leigh Brewery, Mr. Harry Yates, the former Leigh footballer, has retired and at an informal farewell he was presented by Mr. E. Frankland, architect for Peter Walker (Warrington) Ltd., the owners of the Brewery, with a cheque which had been subscribed to by members of the staff and employees.

Mr. Yates, who lives in Marsh-st., Leigh, in 1956 had the distinction of being the third employee to complete half-a-century of service with the company.

He began work in the bottling stores in 1906. He next worked in the malt kiln for a year and then, in 1910, went into the building department, in charge of the stores. He served with the Royal Field Artillery in the 1914-18 war and in 1938 was appointed Clerk of Works-a position he retained until his retirement.[/i

The brewery had a very strong connection to Leigh RFC for decades. Ground provision, financial assistance and providing employment for players to name but a few.

Looking forward to hearing more.

While we are on the subject of history, can anyone tell me if a bloke (a flipping big bloke) called Fred Farrington played for Leigh at all. He used to own and run the off license at the bottom of Hooten lane in around 1983 . He started up a school boy rugby team with the name ...... please don't laugh.. Worthington Rex, It was made up of kids from mainly the butts bridge area and we trained on the fields that were at the bottom of hooten Lane, one of our team mates was Sean (Coley) Coleman and we even played against Leigh Colts, we were all under 16 at the time and i have always wondered if Fred was past player. He may not have had anything to do with Leigh but wondered if any one on here knew,
Thank you.

Fred Farrington DID play for Leigh. He made his debut 4/9/1935 against Wigan playing fullback. He went on to play 70 games for Leigh.

Hello Spectator

Many thanks for the explanation of your interest.

I work away from Leigh during the week and will do some more research when I'm home at the weekend. I've got a few documents that might shed a little more light. Although the Journal piece states the Royal Field Artillery, I seem to recall they were both in the Royal Horse Artillery as I was given as a kid some spurs; I’m no military expert so they may be one and the same regiment. I said Brewery Lane but Marsh Street has just rung a bell and I think it was a street just off or pretty close to Brewery Lane – not sure if the houses actually had anything to do with the brewery but I think the street may be long gone. I’ve definitely got some photos and a pretty good story about one of his ‘unofficial’ responsibilities for the brewery prior to the 1961 betting act.

Thank you it may not be the same guy as i don't remember him being late 60s or early 70s in the early 1980s which i think he would of had to have been if he made his playing debut in 1935, perhaps he is a relative of the same name or my memory of his age is wrong all the same thanks .

Isn't this thread wonderful and an example of the importance of RL within our community. You can imagine, or hope, these discussions taking place in another 50 years when most of us we are but memories also.

@ACW

I would welcome sight of anything you have pertaining to Harry's life generally and specifically to his employment by the brewery.

Marsh Street was very close to Brewery Lane (parallel to and one street further East) and the houses have been demolished methinks.

@Maurice

A wonderful thread indeed. If I remember correctly, at least three or four deaths occurred in 1958 pertaining to guys who were both ex-Leigh players and ex-brewery employees. One was Walter Mooney. Also, on a number of occasions c. 1920, brewery employees acted as secretary to the rugby club, one of whom was a chap called Sinclair who lived at the brewery owned property, 32 Brewery Lane. Also, George Shaw & Co., Ltd., produced a booklet in commemoration of Mooney and Joe Darwell's presence on the 1924 Australian Tour. And there's more.

Gleanings

Harry Yates was born in Leigh on 14 February 1893. In the 1911 census he was shown as living with his parents at 2 Marsh Street, Leigh, employed as a general labourer. His parents were Andrew, b. Leigh, c. 1857, and Margaret, b. Warrington, c. 1858. Harry died in Leigh in April 1985, aged 92 years.

Deaths (Leigh Journal, 25 April 1985)

YATES-On April 15, 1985, peacefully in hospital and of Flat 9, Wharfdale, Leigh, and formerly of Marsh Street, Leigh, HARRY, aged 92 years, dearly loved by all his family and friends. R.I.P.. Service and committal took place on Tuesday, April 23 at Overdale Crematorium. Inquiries to Sankeys Funeral Service, 5 Hope Street, Leigh. Tel. Leigh 673171.

Hello Spectator

Many thanks for researching those dates. I was studying away at Loughborough when Harry died though I recall coming back for the funeral; I think its the last time I saw his granddaughter. As far as I can remember he only lived a few weeks in Wharfedale, 9 weeks seems to ring a bell.

I didn't get much opportunity to do any real research last weekend but did locate the 1911 Leigh Rangers photo; Mick Bolewski is the club president and there is a Tom Yates also on it as the treasurer who I think is Harry's older brother, Paddy O'Neil is not on it. I also located a WW1 picture of Harry in his Army uniform, embroidered christmas cards and post cards written from the front, a February 1956 presentation photograph which simply states 50 years with one company and some photos of him with drink in hand ca Christmas 1980. There are many more documents to look through but I only have a brief opportunity to do so when home at weekends. Harry's son, also called Harry, was Deputy Mayor in 1977 and moved to Devon to be with his daughter after his wife died. Although he has also passed away, he may have took some posessions with him to Devon that could be of interest. Luckily I found a contact address for Harry Sr's grandaughter at the weekend and will follow up.

That's really good news. As it happens, I have details of a Thomas Yates who also had rugby and brewery connections and may be a relative of your familyMr. T. Yates (Leigh Journal, 6 August 1937)

The funeral took place at Leigh Cemetery on Tuesday of Mr. Thomas Yates, who died on Saturday at the Bradshawgate Inn, Leigh. Mr. Yates was 53 years of age and been at the Bradshawgate Inn for three years. Prior to that he was at the Volunteer Inn for six years. For 30 years he was employed at Leigh Brewery as a driver, and was well known in the town. In sport he was keenly interested in Rugby League football, and for many years was a referee and a member of the Rugby League Referees' Society. He was connected with Bedford. St. Thomas's Church, and a service was conducted there by the Rev. G. Willett, prior to the interment.

Looking forward to hearing more.