Greatest Moment

Winning the Huddersfield League title in consecutive summers, 2000 and 2001.

Local Hero

Wasim Jaffer - prolific former club professional and Indian Test opener.

Bizarre Fact

The club was known as both Scholes Moor and Scholes Clarence in its early days.

Peaceful Chapelgate

Scholes' ground is both peaceful and distinguished. It is set high above Holmfirth, amid glorious moorland scenery.

You can access the ground by various means - over the wall, through the gate near the far field, or via the path near the garage.

When you enter the arena, you are struck first of all by the fantastic views on offer. For the most part, you catch sight of tranquil greenery, but if you look close enough you can spot a windmill in the mid-distance and a football pitch in the near-distance.

Around the perimeter of the ground, there are lots of empty beer barrels and a number of benches for spectators' use. Two in particular bear rather moving dedications: 'IN MEMORY OF HENRY WARDELL 1923-1999 - SUPPORTER AND FRIEND' and 'THESE SEATS ARE DONATED IN MEMORY OF J.W. HEYWOOD (BILL) WHO DIED 4TH JANUARY 1988 - A LIFELONG SUPPORTER OF SCHOLES CC.'

Poetry in the Pavilion

The locals are also keen on their poetry. As you order your drinks at the bar you can read various bits of verse on the club noticeboard: Scholes Lament, Scholes Balls and All and also this little ditty in honour of the Chapelgate groundsmen:

These three chaps appear frequently on the cricket pitch at Scholes
Days of bat and ball are over, 'T'roller now along they bowls…
Two 'undred and seventeen years 'etween 'em, That's how long they've done so far
T'owdest rollers in the business, Yet they still prop up the bar.

Scholes Moor and Clarence

The club moved into Chapelgate around 1880. Their first HQ was a field just below the Boot and Shoe Inn, but they only played there for a few years. In this early period, Scholes were known as Scholes Moor, and then Scholes Clarence, but we are not told why they switched names so frequently.

The first recorded match at Scholes took place on 29 April 1876, when the village team entertained New Mill C.C. - with the game ending in a draw. In the same year, the club pitted its wits against other village sides: Denby Dale, Farnley Tyas, Hepworth, Holmbridge, Lockwood Mechanics Institute and Skelmanthorpe.

It should also be noted that in this year, their debut season, Scholes were already employing a professional - Mr. Dalton, a gifted all-rounder who scored 23 and took 7-41 in the game against Hepworth. We are told that in 1897 the club had 15 vice-presidents (including two local vicars) and 13 committee members…and that subscriptions were due by 16 July.

Silverware and Fundraising

Today, Scholes play in the Huddersfield League, but previously they were members of the Huddersfield & District Combination and the Huddersfield Central League.

The last decade has been silverware-laden for the Chapelgate boys. And much of the 1st XI's success has been down to the excellent batting performances of stylish Indian batsman Wasim Jaffer, the club pro in 1999, 2000 and 2001.

Back in the old days, Scholes had to rely heavily on villagers for support. In 2001 club member Paul Ibbotson wrote a 'nostalgia' piece for the SCC 125th Anniversary brochure. 'It seems that fundraising was as big an issue 80 years ago as it is now,' he explained.

He went on: 'The club had to raise the funds to pay for everybody's kit, unlike today, and there was no bar to provide a steady income. Clifford [an octogenarian club member] recalls walking round the village aged 16 with a friend, knocking on every door they could find, asking for contributions to keep the club going. 3d, 6d, a shilling or two bob were all gratefully received, and half a crown got you a vice-presidency!'