FROM THOSE PEOPLE WHO SET THE LEAGUE UP IN THE BEGINNING

Formation and early years of the Accrington & District Junior Football League

Tom Lee - Secretary 1958 - 1977
Horace Freear - Treasurer 1958 - 1978
Harry Calvert - Chairman 1958 - 1963

In 1958 Tom Lee, a local football enthusiast recognised that the only organised for boys in the Accrington area was provided by the local schools. He realised that, as a result, there were many hundreds of football mad youngsters being denied the opportunity of playing regular organised football.
Tom visited the many playing fields and spare land across the area where impromptu games were taking place every weekend and identified that there was a definite need for a League to cater for those boys who were not selected for their school teams.
Tom called on the services of Horace Freear, who had a great deal of knowledge of the local football scene, and the pair set about forming the Accrington & District Boys' Football League.
After many hectic months of recruitment and intense preparation the inaugural season kicked off with 12 teams playing at Under 14 level.
Tom was appointed League Secretary, Horace was appointed Treasurer and Harry Calvert, a former Football League Referee was appointed as Chairman.
They decided that the aims of the League should be to (a) provide a game of football for those boys not catered for by schools football and (b) to foster the traditional values of football played for fun in a safe environment
In addition to their many League duties Tom and Horace were team managers for St Augustine’s FC and Ormerod Street United FC respectively.
Tom and Horace were also involved in the formation of an Inter League team and organised a visit to Belfast where they played Cregagh Boys Club which included a certain young player by the name of George Best.
The League went from strength to strength with more age groups being added over the years.
After 5 years of dedicated service Harry Calvert stepped down in 1963. Sadly Tom passed away in 1977. The loss of his close friend and founder member hit Horace hard but he carried on for one more year in order to oversee the changes that had to be made.
Since retiring from his position in 1978 Horace has continued his interest in the League and is often seen on the touchline watching games and attends every Presentation Evening.
What Tom, Horace and Harry have done for the League and Junior Football can never be forgotten.
They worked tirelessly to get Junior Football up and running in the Accrington area and it is thanks to them that many, many thousands of young people have benefited from participating in the great game of football.

Teams - 1958/59 season
All Whites
League Runners up and Cup Finalists
Annie Street
withdrew during the season
Church United
Ormerod Street United (team manager - Horace Freear)
League Champions and Cup Winners
Richmond United
St Albans
St Augustine’s (team manager - Tom Lee)
Sportsmanship Shield Winners
St Mary Magdalene
Spencer Street
Springhill Dynamoes
Springhill Rangers
Woodnook Rangers