A history of Rochdale Harriers

written to celebrate their centenary.

Extracts from "MILESTONES" by Joe Salt.

There were several Harrier type clubs in the area prior to the inauguration of Rochdale Harriers in 1894. In fact there was the formation of a Rochdale Rifle and Athletic club in 1866.

The Harriers first meeting to decide to form a club was held at Mr William Bancroft’s Temperance Bar, 221 Ash field Road, Stoneyfield, Rochdale in August 1894. The first President was Colonel Clement M Royds MP. The current president has been in office for 22 years and member of the club since 1953.

In 1905, the club achieved its highest award by winning the northern counties junior x.c. Team championships, followed in 1913 by providing the East Lancashire junior x.c. Champion, Danny Gorton. The Athletic club had its H.Q. at the Athletic Ground Milnrow Road shared with Rochdale Hornets whilst the harriers had their HQ at the Mona Hotel, Molesworth Street.

Due to the deaths of the athletes who served in the WW1, the two clubs were depleted, and I took time to rebuild and in the 1930s a team including Fred Taylor had sufficient strength and ability to win medals in local leagues.

It was after WW2 that individual and team championships came the clubs way. Joe Salt still holds the record of 6 consecutive wins in the S.E. Lancashire League. Colin Robinson gained many youth and senior championships before winning a full international vest. Alan Hughes won the County one mile championship, and has since won the world veterans title.

In the 1970s and 1980s John Allison, John Crossley and Jane Whitlow were someof a lot of young talent. At this time Matthew Belsham and Louise Fraser were internationals and made olympic trials, whilst Robin Bergstrand won the World Championship fell running gold medal.