Gaelic football players are getting set to celebrate 60 years of the game in Huddersfield.
The Brothers Pearse Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Club was set up in 1954, and over the past six decades thousands of players have represented the club.
Based at Huddersfield Irish Centre, the club is still very active today.
Organisers run seven junior teams, with games at All Saints Catholic College, Bradley, and two senior teams, who play at Colne Valley High School.
The teams are the only ones in the area and have their own minibus to ferry them around the country for matches and exhibitions. Their nearest rivals are in Leeds and Manchester.
Over the years, the teams have won countless trophies at county and provincial levels, most notably in the 1980s and 90s.
Brothers Pearse is marking its Diamond Jubilee with a range of events and the launch of a 2014 calendar with photos of some of the teams past and present.
One of the highlights of the year will be the annual dinner dance on October 18 at the Cedar Court Hotel, where the main guest will be the President of the GAA, Uachtaran Liam O’Neill.
Club secretary Ollie Walsh said: “We hope to see as many ex-players as possible there, especially those who have moved away from Huddersfield and those who have returned to Ireland, and maybe those who have travelled even further afield.
“It would be tremendous to see you all again.”
He added: “The Association was founded on October 6, 1954, fielding teams in hurling and football.
“It was known as St Patrick’s and later became Padraig Pearse before modifying to the current title of Brothers Pearse.
“The founding officers were President, Rev Fr J Quirke, Kerry; Chairman, Tom Johnson, Cork; Secretary, Tom Hickey, Clare; Treasurer, Denis Collins, Limerick.”
The club is giving plenty of notice as places are limited to 350 and their Golden Jubilee event sold out quickly. Anyone interested in attending should contact Ollie by emailing ollie@clcg.wanadoo.co.uk or calling him on 07944 767775.
The 2014 calendar is free, although donations are welcome, and available from the Irish Centre or Ollie.
Gaelic football teams have 15 players who score points by passing the ball through the other team’s goals or a set of upright posts similar to those in rugby. Players can bounce, kick or pass the ball by hand.
