Anne wearing her Arsenal jumper and Harold his Leeds United shirt – Bexley October 5th 2004
On May 27, 2013 it was 50 years since Fryston Colliery Welfare, then a humble Second Division team in the West Yorkshire League took on the seemingly invincible Bradford side , Thackley FC in the West Riding County Football Association Challenge Cup final (WRCC Cup) .
Throughout most of the twentieth century, the WRCC Cup was regarded as the local equivalent of the FA Cup- the ultimate prize for amateur teams in the Castleford area, Yorkshire, England.
Harold (Archie as he was known in Yorkshire) was this team’s champion goal keeper. A local resident in Castleford wrote to the Pontefract and Castleford Express newspaper on August 29, 2002 to outline the qualities of the team he idolised as a boy . He stated that “the goalkeeper, Archie Ward was brilliant, and would have made David Seaman (the English and Arsenal goalkeeper) look ordinary. “
Harold emigrated to Australia in 1970, and played in Wollongong – Fairy Meadow, Figtree (strapper) and Shellharbour . He moved to Sydney in approximately 1978, and played for Bexley as a goalkeeper in a Church competition . During his time in Sydney, he coached a champion junior side, and was a referee. Harold played his last game of football in a social match, at age 40 in 1980.
Harold died on September 30, 2011 which was ten years to the day that we had watched Spain play Cameroon in the Sydney Olympics 2000 Gold Medal playoff. Fittingly, we sat behind the goal post with the sport photographers in front of us. It was a great match and a wonderful atmosphere.
I attended the 50th anniversary of the Challenge Cup win on May 25, 2013 to represent Harold . This was held in Fryston Welfare Club, Castleford in Yorkshire. Most of the players from the 1963 team were in attendance at the celebrations on May 25,2013; however four had sadly died .
Dave Waddington , son of the team’s captain, Peter Waddington, and a Professor of Communications at Sheffield Hallam University launched his book “ Coal , Goals and Ashes-Fryston Colliery’s Pursuit of the West Riding County FA Challenge Cup.” Harold features on the book cover jumping to save a football ; other players are also featured on the book cover.
Harold was a loyal Leeds United fan throughout his entire life. In contrast, I am an Arsenal fan, and have been since the 1970’s, when Charlie George played . My first visit to Highbury was in late November 1974 , and I have returned on a number of occasions to watch Arsenal play. I have yet to see Arsenal play at Emirates Stadium. The train I was travelling on in mid -May 2013 went past the Emirates Stadium . I silently committed myself to a future visit to this stadium to again watch Arsenal play !
In memory of Harold Ward (1940-2011) who was my lovable, but charming and mischievous companion for almost 36 years . Harold loved his football, surfed , rode a Jackson plank surfboard , loved to fish ,and was great at rock and roll. We travelled widely throughout Australia. First and foremost, he spoke his mind in true Yorkshire style.
Anne Field
Kogarah , Sydney
