The President of the West Riding County Football Association and recently elected President of the Craven Football Association , Mr Peter Marsden will perform the official opening of the Exhibition on Saturday 8 August 2009.

The exhibition will be open Tuesday,Saturday,Sunday and Bank Holidays from 10:30am to 4:30pm until Saturday 31 October 2009. A Centenary Booklet has been published at a price of £5.00 along with a DVD of Team photographs from the last Century for £1.00; both of these are on sale at the Exhibition or you can contact the Secretary, Mr David Town for further details on how to purchase the Booklet and DVD.

Allan Cawood

One of Craven’s most loyal football servants Allan Cawood was presented with the Football Association long service award at the Craven FA Centenary Dinner. Allan has worked tirelessly for local football as a administrator and referee to both junior and senior football in the Craven area, establishing a junior league in West Craven in 1948 and a year later joined the Craven FA, he commenced refereeing in the early 1950’s acting as Secretary for the Craven Referee’s Society and for a two year spell in the 1960’s was Secretary of the Craven FA until pressure of his newsagent business led to his resignation, however Allan continued to hold his interest in football, he rejoined the Craven FA in 1977 and a year later became secretary and held this position until 1994. He was instrumental in re-establishing the junior league in Craven with eleven teams which has grown to 160.

Allan’s wealth of knowledge of Laws and Rules at both National and local level are highly respected within Craven, one of life’s rare breed, a  true gentleman  and despite his personal handicap he has displayed high level of commitment to football maintaining  his high level of impeccable standards.

Peter Marsden

Peer first came into football when he joined the Skipton Bulldogs in 1948 – they were all heroes in those days – and Peter spent his time taking down the coffee, helping with the nets and continued with this work until he left school then he was able restricted because of his work bur Peter still helped when he could until he joined the RAF in 1953.

Three year break and then back to civies with helping Bulldogs when he was able – as long as it did not spoil his trips to matches or his courting.  Peter’s football really began in 1958/59 when he applied to “Ossie” Fairhust to become a referee.  He joined the Craven Referees Society and became the representative on the Craven FA for a season in 1960 and then went on to the Craven Football League.

In 1963 Peter became Registration Secretary for the Craven Football League and at the same time took over as Secretary of The Referees Society from Allan Cawood.  In 1963 he became Referees Appointments Secretary until 1972 when he gave the job to Colin Beck.

In 1973 Peter became League Secretary – a position he held until 2003.  He did relinquish the Referees Appointments position to Roy Warman and gave up the position of Referees Secretary after twelve years – becoming a Life member of the Association and also becoming a Life member of The Craven Football League.

Peter rejoined the Craven FA in 1974 being allocated as their representative in 1978, being allocated to the Youth and Minor Cup Committees.  However, on retiring as a referee after some 27/28 years Peter was allocated to the Referee Committee and Disciplinary Boards and became Chairman of The West Riding Referees Committee where he served until 2003.  At that point he was elevated to the position of WRCFA Chairman followed by elevation to the position of County President in 2005.  He was also appointed as Chairman of Directors and as Chairman of Disciplinary Committees. 

Peter is a Life  President of the County FA, Life member of the Craven Referees Society, a Vice President of The Crave District Football Association as well as The Craven Football League.  In addition both Maisie and he are honorary members of Trawden Celtic for services rendered.

In addition during this whole period the Craven District FA, have been indebted for all his work in assisting us through often trying periods.

Saturday saw them journey to the northern part of the region and the furthest clubs Sedbergh and Dent, before a steep climb out of Dentdale took them to a overnight stay (and a couple of beers) in the shadows of the Ribblehead viaduct. Sundays ride encountered the softer route from Ribblehead to Settle via Horton in Ribblesdale before country lanes from Gargrave brought them to Upper Wharfedale and Grassington. A pleasant ride through Wharfedale brought the riders to Embsay and finally to Skipton. The entire ride produced only two punctures and considering the weather the party felt lucky to have escaped the heavy showers that hung about over the weekend. An excellent job as Marshall for the whole course was carried out by Mel Exley who gave valuable support to the cyclists. Any sponsor money raised will be donated to the Centenary fund, if anyone wishes to make a donation please contact the Treasurer, Mr Dave Walker on 01756 791991.