Mirfield Grammar School Photographs
Blazer Badge
Cap Badge
Grammar School Photographs
May 1946
April 1950
May 1954
Sept 1957
Founder's Day 1960
For those who were not there, or as a reminder to those who were, I will go over how these photographs was taken. Although the pupils appear to be in a straight line they are actually arranged in an arc. The camera was positioned in the centre of the arc. When everything was ready we were told that the camera would traverse the arc and we were warned not to move when it was pointing at us. Despite this warning, one or two faces on these photos are blurred as a result of ignoring this instruction. When the camera was triggered it started at the left side and slowly scanned around the arc until it reached the other end. As the camera scanned the arc, the film inside the camera also moved so that each part of the picture was exposed onto a fresh part of the film. When developed, a long negative was produced from which the resulting print was made.
MGS Sports Teams and others that included MGS pupils
click for larger image
MGS Senior XI 1954-55
click for larger image
Bronte House Junior XI 1958
click for larger imageMGS Under 16s 1954-55
click for larger image
Bronte House Senior XI 1959
click for larger image
7 a Side Team 1958
click for larger imageSpen Valley Boys 1958
click for larger imageHockey Team 1953
The Spen Valley Boys' Team of 1958, shown above, beat teams from North Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield and others before losing to Hull after forcing a replay. In the Leeds team was Mike O'Grady (Leeds United and England). In the Hull team was Chris Chilton (Hull City).
Memories of the MGS 1955/56 First XI
By Stephen Mitchell
I would think that this was one of the most successful teams during that era. I remember Hector Young (sports master) warning us about Honley Grammar School. He said that they were the team to fear and if we lost by less than 5 goals he would consider that a success. Well we drew 3 all at home and I remember him being 'over the moon'. Away from home we drew 2 all and that was courtesy of some blatantly biased refereeing by the Honley master.
The school footballers were very good indeed. Many of us went on the play for Gilder Hall. In April 1957 no less than 7 players on the above photos were in the Gilder Hall team that beat Huddersfield Town Juniors twice in the Heavy Woollen Junior Trophy semi final and the League Cup Trophy final. the Town team contained such notables as Chris Balderstone (Town and Carlisle), Gordon Low (Town and Bristol City, for whom he played over 400 games), Clive Clark (who eventually played for WBA and England under 23s).
The ex-MGS players in the Gilder Hall team were: myself (Stephen Mitchell), David R. Wright, Tony Watts, Steve Middleton (capt), Harry Fretwell and Malcolm Wilcox. The score in the first game was 5-1 to us and in the second it was 3-2 to us.
MGS Speech Day 1952
All students gathered in the main hall/gym facing the stage on Speech Day 1952. The photograph is taken from the stage and the double doors at the back of the room went through to the changing room and showers.