Amateur Sport Club History Books
Stuart has compiled two books relating to Latchford Albion, an Amateur Rugby League club from Warrington in the North West of England. These two books were not Stuart's venture into this genre of writing. In the 1980s and early 1990s, Stuart played at Lymm Oughtrington Park Cricket Club where he served on the committee. The club had been compiling its history thanks to the recorded memories of Bert Whitelegg covering 1884-1940 and Jean Schofield covering 1940-1980. Stuart encouraged the club to build upon this and approached the current secretary Keith Porter to provide the later section, which Stuart was able to ghost write and add to the recollections with research through old newspaper records at Warrington library. Long-standing player and later chairman, John Pye had compiled at list of statistics from 1945 up to the late sixties. Stuart was able to add to this through old score books and match reports bring it up to 1989 and "Following On...reminiscences from the history of Lymm Oughtrington Park Cricket Club 1884-1989" was published by Blindeye Publications. Twenty years later the cricket club, under the leadership of Bob Dougall, rightly updated the book adding to its history and the new volume was called "125 not out: Reminiscences from the history of Lymm Oughtrington Park Cricket Club 1884-2009".
Latchford Albion Books
Stuart's son began playing rugby league for Latchford Albion Unicorns from the late 1990s. He played mini and then mod rugby league, so his father Stuart was able to learn about the game in the same way and at the same time as his son. Stuart liked the opportunity to record statistics on his son's team for appearances, carries, tackles and tries and became the team’s statistician. Very soon Stuart got drafted into the role of Youth Section Secretary at Latchford Albion where he saw an opportunity to create a project for the youth section of Latchford Albion Amateur League Club similar to the one at the cricket club. When the two-book series was initially published in 2003, the profits from each, after deducting the cost of printing, went directly to the Latchford Albion Unicorns’ Youth Section. Stuart stepped down from the rugby league club when his son left around 2008. The Unicorns later dissolved into what is now called the Giants youth section.
When Latchford Albion Made History
The first in the series is called When Latchford Albion Made History. It is the story of Latchford Albion and their Rugby League Challenge Cup campaign of the 1950-51 season.
The club was formed from a football club that had been created at Richard Fairclough School near the Black Bear Bridge in Latchford, Warrington. When the football team changed codes to Rugby League it changed its name from Latchford White Star the Latchford Albion in 1945.
Rugby League in the town was able to resume at the conclusion of the Second World War and Latchford Albion were among the eight clubs who joined the Warrington and District Amateur Rugby Football League for the 1945-46 season.Within just five years Latchford Albon established themselves as one of the best amateur clubs in the area and had been crowned Area and League champions by the start of the 1950-51 season. In order to play in the Rugby League Challenge Cup competition, Latchford Albion had to win seven qualifying games. Having defeated their seven opponents, they were the first Warrington amateur club to progress to the first-round proper.
Being drawn against the mighty Leigh, was a step too far for the Latchford fairytale to progress further. Leigh were, at that time, sitting fourth in the Rugby League Championship.
From Boston To Warrington
Two years later Latchford Albion made history again when they achieved the feat for a second time. Their opponents this time for the two-legged cup-tie were the legendary Wigan who featured Billy Boston in their team. Boston's full league debut for Wigan came in November 1953 when he scored a try against Barrow. He scored two more in his second game against Liverpool City, three against Swinton and four in his fourth match against Batley. His opponents for his fifth game in a Wigan shirt would be...Latchford Albion! From Boston To Warrington is the second book of this series and tells the story of Latchford Albion's 1953-54 Rugby League Challenge Cup campaign."
83 pages, Paperback (also available as a Kindle edition)Second edition published 2020 by Blindeye PublicationsISBN 9798642500682ASIN B087SM6788
58 pages, Paperback (Also available as Kindle edition)Second edition published 2020 by Blindeye PublicationsISBN 9798640034936ASIN B087L6STCV
Photo (courtesy of the Warrington Guardian) shows Stuart A. McIntosh presenting the great Billy Boston with an original copy of his book whilst at a Warrington v Wigan match at Wilderspool Causeway in 2003.