SILSDEN soccer players recalled their club’s wartime history last Saturday as they hosted a Remembrance commemoration for the town.

Silsden Association Football Club members – known as the Cobbydalers – held a ceremony of remembrance and celebration at their ground attended by townspeople and VIPs.

The event marked the centenary of the First World War, which saw several of the Cobbydalers join the armed forces before the end of 1914.

Silsden lads were among soldiers on the Western Front who set up their own teams, and Sgt John Baldwin wrote home asking for team shirts to be sent out.

The team took part in friendly games and tournaments and went on to win the prestigious trophy, but Sgt Baldwin and fellow Silsden footballers Stanley Wrigglesworth and John Gill were among those who died on the Somme in 1916.

Present players and supporters remembered those men on Sunday in the clubhouse, which was decked out in Union flags, thought-provoking images of the battlefields, and displays by Silsden Local History Group.

The guests included politicians, representatives from the Royal British Legion and football clubs, ministers from Silsden churches, and the Hothfield School headteacher.

Local boy Alfie Liddle, wearing shirt, shorts and flat cap, sold the ‘Silsden Herald’, a 1914-style newspaper produced by the Football Club to raise money for the Poppy Appeal.

Silsden Band, which in 1914 welcomed the town’s players home after a Keighley and District cup victory, this time played military marches.

The British British Legion lowered in remembrance of the dead following an Exhortation by the parade commander. The guests are welcomed by an emotional Sean McNulty, chairman of the football club.

There were more performances by Silsden Band and Skipton’s Rock Up and Sing choir, including medleys of songs from the First World War, then the packed clubhouse was addressed by Silsden ministers Michael McGloughlin, Ruth Crompton and David Griffiths.

Wreaths were placed on the centre spot of the football pitch and a two-minute silence was held, then there was a commemorative soccer match between Silsden and the 1874 Northwich team, with the Cobbydalers wearing the blue and white stripes of their 1914 team.

The original match ended 3-2 in the Cobbydalers’ favour, but this time 1874 Northwich won 2-0.

The Silsden Herald is available from the football club, or Paul’s DIY Shop and Twigg’s Newsagents in Silsden.