WHEN I was a lad in the 1940s, I played Rugby League for Cliftonville Under 18s. This was a very successful club under the management of Pete Ramsden.

We were good enough, and had so few lads’ clubs to play in York, that we played most of our matches all over Yorkshire, and also here against men’s teams such as Heworth and I.N.L.

One afternoon I lost most of my front teeth to a gentleman at Heworth named Turpin. My mother was not pleased.

Our own pitch was Bootham Stray at one time, and we later played on the rough pitch there under the name of “Clarence”, changing and washing at the club of that name in Clarence Street and biking to the pitch and back.

We won a trophy called The Herald and Press Cup, of which the final was played on the Clarence Street ground, at least twice.

Wondering about my old colleagues, I have tried to find any reference to Cliftonville, but can find nothing.

The only names I can remember are: Gordon Ringrose, Ron Scaife, Ernie Holmes (now gone), Duncan Gray, Don (Dixie) Reap (also gone) and later, Edgar Dawson, who went on to play for his country. Can anyone help, please?

Phil Fowler, Bramble Dene, Woodthorpe, York.