Been asked by Squadbuilder Philip Hulme to post the contents of a letter written by Mr Lindley for the 1960's Dinner in 2011. He couldn't make it in the end due to illness but took the time to write this letter to be read out on the evening - quite touching and shows what we are all trying to take Trinity back to. Well put Mr Lindley
I've OCR'd this from a letter so apologies if you spot any odd typo's as I have rushed it - as I'm sure Mr Lindley could spell and use grammer.
Dear all,
As the sole surviving member of the Trinity commiltee of the 'successful sixties' I was delighted and
honoured to be invited 10 this dinner as a guest of Squadbuilders celebrating the glorious triumphs of
the 1960's and of Neil 's receiving the freedom of the City of Wakefield. I was so delighted that I did
actually accept the invitation - but in the cold light of the following day felt that my heart had made a
promise the rest of my body couldn't keep. I certainly would have loved to be here sharing the occasion
with you but for health reasons I had to decline. However Philip Hulme said that I could contribute by
writing some of the things I wished to say and someone would read them out.
I got hooked on Trinity in that first season after the war in 1945/ 6, seeing them as Yorkshire Cup
finalists and then winning the RL Cup at Wembley. I went on to serve the club in various ways for the
next 40 years and have often wondered how many got hooked during the 1960 triumphs - thousands
rather than hundreds I am sure.
Those who only started to follow Trinity over the last 30 years or so would find it impossible to
imagine the club's impact on the city in the years this evening is all about. Every Saturday at around
6 'clock, the city centre was buzzing with people waiting to buy the sports editions- The Green 'un and
Pink'un. .. to read all about the match they'd seen in the afternoon, or the away game they had missed
and read the weekly write-ups on Trinity & other clubs. Attendances at Belle Vue of 15 to 20,000 were
quite regular - even some mid-week matches attracted such gales.
Followers talked of Saturday's match from Sunday to Thursday- and then contemplated the next game
from Thursday to kick-off time. But the annual meeting became the main talking point a couple of weeks
before it was held- who was pulling up for the committee, who was going to be elected, and what would
the chairman be saying about so and so. In the summer of 1964 I was in the middle of such excitement
and remember the then chairman, Stuart Hadfield ringing me every few days to say how I was faring in
the postal ballot. Only he had the right of knowing that and he wanted me to know I was in the lead. It
was the beginning of 9 successive years on the committee.
The evening following the meeting the players & commillee met for a dinner at The Three Houses in
Sandal. After the meal the newly elected committee man - ME - was invited to say a few words on
my hopes and plans for the season ahead. Remember, the club had won the Cup three times in jour
years- how would my input better that? They had, however, lost a first round replay to Hunslet so was
this the beginning of a downward trend for the club? I said what I had felt for some time- that the test
of consistency was winning the League Championship, which Trinity had never done throughout its
long history. It was something I really wanted for the club and I was eager to help them achieve it.
Some re-building and strengthening was thef irst priority and winning the J964 Yorkshire Cup early in
the new season was a great boost. We went on to create remarkable consistency-winning 17 games in
succession, moving from 14th to 2nd in the league and losing only 10 of the -14 games played that
season. And we so very nearly went to Wembley - losing the semi final against Hunslet 8-nil after being
locked 0-0 until the final 11 minutes.
The years from 1964 to 1968 formed the most consistent period in Trinity's history. That I helped in
some small way towards rebuilding a side capable of such consistency and of winning the club first ever
League Championship in 1967, after a reply against reigning Champions St. Helens in front of over
33,000, was an emotional occasion. And the club retained that Championship trophy a year later
against Hull KR a week before returning to Wembley for the 'watersplash 'final against Leeds'. Had
that Cup Final not been the centre of BBC's Grandstand Television afternoon f am sure it would have
been abandoned at halftime and replayed on a ground in Yorkshire a week later. Certainly games of
that importance should never be decided when ground conditions are as bad as they were that day.
Let us not forget the less glamorous 1950's of the great players of that decade - some who became
members of those sides of the 60's we commemorate to-night. And not forgetting the start of the
Development Fund which was to provide the finance to bring experienced players to put the finishing
touches to teams built on local talent, and also enable the club to provide contracts to the young players
coming through the junior ranks.
So many memories - of triumphs shared, and disappointments we had a few - but my most abiding
memory of those glorious years is that we were a family. One result of Trinity being a members club was
that friendships were made and remain to this day and those who represent the 1960's here tonight are a
testimony to that and none more so than Neil who I first met when he arrived at Belle Vue as a I6-year
old to play in the Juniors. I think he played there a fortnight!
I have probably written more about him than anyone. I started to compile the players records on a match
basis for the club programme in the 50's and then extended it to show the players' career records match
by match. Once Neil started to play regular first team football it was soon evident that I would have to
look at previous record holders as this young man was heading for a record-breaking career.
Neil swept past Trinity's previous goal-kickers and points-scorers and equalled the then try scoring
record. When he rose to the county & international scene 1 was then having to look at the all-time greats
of international rugby league. As we now all know he moved towards and eventually passed them all
including the great Jim Sullivan to stand as the greatest ever record points scorer in this game of ours.
A record it is hard to imagine will ever be broken.
Many accolades have come his way - made an MBE for his services to Rugby League, included in Rugby
League's 'Hall of Fame' and has now received the freedom of this city of Wakefield. He has been and
remains an ambassador not only for the game and for Trinity but for this City. A big man in every way
with a big talent but above all a sportsman as humble and self effacing as he was when first met him
all those years ago.
Neil and all of you who I have come to know over the past 50 years or so - have a great evening. My
thanks to all involved with Squadbuilders for making this occasion possible and long may you continue to
help the club both financially and in organising events such as this.
