A Lad from Featherstone

Its true to say that without mum, dad and Featherstone Rovers I would not be putting 'pen to paper' this morning. In may team sports its the try/goal scorer who gets the headlines. In reality its the carers (in my dads case today), the forwars/defenders, coaches, teachers physios and even the tea makers who deserve the glory.  July 1952. The newly married couple, Betty and Clifford Lambert, South Cliff, Bridlington, East Yorkshire. A photographer, Yorkshire Post, asked permission to take this photo. Clifford, second youngest player, Alan Tennant, the baby, on the field, had just taken part in the world’s first, live, televised game of Rugby League; the Cup Final,  Featherstone Rover V Workington Town at Wembley. The highlights were transmitted world wide on Pathe News, and now on YouTube. A link is at the end. Clifford, just turned 22, is flush with a newfound fame, seemingly impossible for a lad in a tiny mining town. He was just one of many, Lad’s from Featherstone, who...

May 1967. The Queen presents Malcolm Dixon with the Cup Please be patient... Friday 27th September 2025 Featherstone West Yorkshire.  I visited the Rovers stadium today, with a lovely Featherstone lass (let’s call her Jojo)  from Athens who has a truly amazing story, mine is nothing compared with her tales of life in Greece who ,five ft nothing at best, last week, flew from Athens to Heathrow, She left Athens early morning, landed at 9am, train to Paddington, crap circle line to Kings Cross, train delayed so missed direct train to Wakefield and 'crap connection' meant she finally arrived at Featherstone station early evening with a half mile walk to base camp. Yesterday Jojo marched up Station Lane, turned right at Post Office Road and asked to see whoever was charge of the superstore as she would like to buy a shirt for the oldest living Featherstone Rovers Legend, none other than Cliff (Slam); Heritage number 63, 1949 to 1962, appearances 376, tries 82, goals 3, Lambert....

 I can pay no better tribute to Normanton Grammar School than to share the words of Brendan Gallaher who succintly puts our days of ruling rugby sevens throughout the UK. Lambo's ego couldn't resist a taster.  'Then came the 1971-72 team which the Fesltonian itself describes as Normanton's greatest ever. That side was skippered by the remarkable Colin Lambert, a sprinter of national repute and son of a Rugby League [legend Slam Lambert] pro, who played for England U15 at No.8 before switching to the wing where he won England schoolboy honours for three successive seasons, the last of which saw him in­spire England to their first Schools Grand Slam' Hey ho, Lambo is so easily satiated. What Brendon said was... "NOT for the first time in this series we must sing the praises of a school that has sadly disappeared off the radar. There was a Bermuda Triangle in English Rugby during the late 70s and 80s during which too many great rugby schools disappeared, never to ...

  Mentorship is a relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps to guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable person. The mentor may be older or younger than the person being mentored, but they must have a certain area of expertise. It is a learning and development partnership between someone with vast experience and someone who wants to learn. Interaction with an expert may also be necessary to gain proficiency with cultural tools. Mentorship experience and relationship structure affect the "amount of psychosocial support, career guidance, role modeling and communication that occurs in the mentoring relationships in which the protégés and mentors engaged". [Wikipedia] From the moment we arrive on this planet, a mentor is needed. Our parents’ mentor us throughout our early years but Colin is fifteen years old, sixteen in four-weeks’ and … A mentor, a wise or trusted adviser or guide. The first name that springs to mind is Jimmy Williams,...

  Has a wikipedia page A bit more about my dad, wiki page even. Part 1: 1930 – 1953. Like many surrounding areas, Featherstone grew around coal mining. Coal had been mined at Featherstone since the 13th century and remains of bell pits can still be seen to the north of Park Lane at North Featherstone. In 1848, the opening of the Wakefield, Pontefract and Goole railway line through Featherstone provided the basis for large scale coal mining in Featherstone, by opening up new markets in the South of England and Europe. Featherstone Main Colliery was opened in 1866, followed by Ackton Hall Colliery in 1873 Wallace Lambert and wife Mary give birth to their first child, Clifford, on 30 th January 1930. In 1937 Wallace joins Acton Hall Colliery and the family – two younger sisters – move into a two up two down home at 9 Robins Terrace Featherstone. No hot water, tin bath on the wall outside and a loo in the yard. It was rough and tough. Robbins Terrace VE day.  VE day party bac...

   Browns Amusements Bridlington 1970 In part 9 . Colin (Slam junior) finally made it to grammar school and then took a rollercoaster ride to England schools rugby and AAA  bronze medal at 100 & 200m, by the summer of 1970.  His first job in beatiful Bridlington,  Browns [now Forum] amusements and the loss of his virginity. Plus, learn some of lifes important lessons to follow. Colin never learns; still work in progess. LOL. Rag 'n' Bone Man [Human 2017] ‘I'm only human, I make mistakes, I'm only human, I do what I can, I'm just a man, I do what I can. Don't put the blame on me’ I’m only human after all.   I remember the Rag-and-Bone Man in Station Lane Featherstone , he used to shout, ‘any old iron, any old iron’ and sat on a cart, with a horse.  Don't put your blame on me…   Summer 1970 , I am 16, my first proper job; Browns amusement arcade, the biggest in Bridlington. It spanned two streets, the Promenade and the Esplanade. I worked a seve...