A FAMILIAR name will be missing when local soccer kicks off next week.
For the first time in about 70 years, the name of Scapegoat Hill FC will be missing from the fixture lists.
They have been forced to pull out of the Huddersfield and District League because of a player shortage.
And although many of their opponents will not miss trips to Scape's hilltop ground- reputed to be one of the highest in Britain - others will mourn their passing.
Rob Hobson, 44, a player with the club for 20 years, spoke about the demise.
"Scape were one of the big name teams back in the mid-60s. Records show that they had regular representatives chosen to play in the League sides.
"Scape also hold a couple of interesting records. They played in one of the longest contested Groom Cup semi-finals during the 1953/54 season.
"Four periods of extra time were played and when no result was achieved by nightfall, they returned for a replay, winning the game after a total of 260 minutes of play.
"Unfortunately they lost out in the final, probably due to exhaustion!
"In 1961/62 they famously tied for the Division One title with Oakes CYC. To my knowledge this is the only time this has happened."
The club had to scrap its reserve side last year because of a player shortage.
And by the end of the season, it became clear that it was going to be difficult to guarantee raising a team every week for the coming year.
There were only eight players to call on, due to a number of players leaving the area, three retiring and a couple committing for emergency cover only.
Hobson, a hardworking midfielder or fullback, said: "It was with great sadness that the committee decided to tender their resignation.
"Many players will have games etched into their memories from visits to `The Hockey' where wind, rain, sleet and snow often threatened to send them home with either frostbite or pneumonia - if they were lucky!
"And many a game we chuckled at the comments coming from the `garage' which doubled up as the away team changing rooms, as we listened from the warmth of the home team section.
"It may have been a bit wild but there was always a welcome pint and free serving of hot stew or chilli back in the club after a game."
Club honours -
Div 1 - 1961/62
Div 4 - 1992/93
Div 7 - 1973/74
Barlow Cup - 1951
Gee Cup - 1992
Groom Cup 1966 and 1994
OTHER clubs leaving the District League this season are: Kirkburton, Kirkburton Reserves, Storthes Hall Reserves (all for West Riding League), Lockwood and Marsh.
New clubs: Elland, Westend, Brook Motors Reserves, Upperthong.
