"Two Gates Football Club 1888 -
Early Days
The club was founded in 1888. It has continued until the present time with the exception of the war years 1914 -
They played on a field which is now a housing estate called Coalbourne Gardens.
At the turn of the century [1900] they played in the Dudley Church and Chapel League.
Two of the founder members were Jim Bate and Edwin Bird, the latter being the Chief Rates collector for Halesowen U.D.C. as it was then, with his office at his home in Colley Lane.
After a year of friendly matches they joined the newly formed Lye and District Sunday School Football League. There were two divisions and almost every Sunday School in Lye, Cradley and Halesowen were members.
The secretary and treasurer of this Two Gates Sunday School Football Club was Clifford Willetts, later to become Councillor Willetts. Incidentally Clifford Willetts was the first Labour mayor of Halesowen Borough Council.
Between the Wars
With Clifford Willetts at the helm this team continued until 1928 when it "folded". We now move on to 1932 when the team was reformed again by Harold Wellings, a great nephew of Jim Bate, one of the original founders. This team played at Harry Beasley's field, now part of the Fatherless Barn Estate. The rent of the ground was 4/3d per week. The club were members of the Stourbridge and District League, whose secretary was Mr. Baker. This League was unaffiliated i.e. "not under the jurisdiction of the Birmingham County Football Association". Alas, after just one season Two Gates Sunday School Football Club "folded" yet again.
We now move on to the 1935-
1936-
The team finished in the first three of this league but were "banned" from the final of the Rowley Regis Vase for failing to adhere to the age limit rule by just a few days.
The Brierley Hill League Cup won by Two Gates FC in the 1938-
We were now playing where the present Caslon School is in Clent View Road, Two Gates. We changed in the Sunday School and rented the ground from Halesowen Council at the princely sum of 10/-
The advent of season 1937-
1938-
War clouds were now looming, as we started season 1939-
Two members of the team paid the supreme sacrifice. They were Victor Taylor who went down with H.M. Submarine Usurper in 1943, and Billy Bradley who was lost in 1942 on a destroyer.
Post-
After the second, world war Frank Bate re-
Two Gates FC in the 1946/47 season Rear, left to right: W. (Bill) Billingham, Percy Bate, V. Billingham, Harry Hughes, Ken Davies, Cliff Willetts (wearing cloth cap), Maurice Pardoe, Fred Hackett, Harry Cox. Middle row, left to right: Raymond Hackett, Jack Hughes, Tommy Reece, John North. Front, left to right: W. (Billy) Morse, Frankie Withers, Derek Taylor, Irvine Billingham, Reg Jackson.
In the season 1947-
Two Gates FC in the 1950-
At this time many of the team were sought after by League Clubs. Notably Harry Neath who prior to the war was a formidable inside forward and wing half with the "Lukes", and could have walked into Portsmouth's Division One side. At that time this team constantly pursued him. Others who were sought after were Billy Lee, Benny Tipton, Edgar Billingham, Charlie Hackett and our star goalkeeper Ken Rowley, who did sign "pro" and kept goal for Stafford Rangers and Stourbridge. The others preferred to play for Two Gates. Another prominent member was Tommy Lewis, the well known West Bromwich player, and the first Worcestershire school boy international ever.
The team continued to play at Foxcote Lane until the mid-
Two Gates Football Club continued to flourish in the Wolverhampton Amateur League and the secretaries were Jack Charles, 1955-
Many memorable games were played during this period, perhaps the most memorable being a benefit match for the wife and children of Billy Lee, our star centre half mentioned earlier in this report who died suddenly in 1957 of a brain haemorrage. This game was played on Homer Hill Recreation Ground between the former Two Gates Sunday School Football Club and the present Two Gates Football Club. The result was a 2 -
The team won many premier honours which included Dudley Guest Cup, Corbett Hospital Cup and the Griffen Shield.
Reflections
There are one or two interesting and amusing points in Two Gates history, such as, one of the pitches was at the far end of Lutley Lane, which meant a walk of nearly two miles. They changed under the hedges.
Pitches on which they played are now housing estates, there was Coalbourne Gardens, two at Witley Lane, Long Innage, Park Lane, Two Gates Lane and Lutley, Park Hill, near Park Hill Colliery, Foxcote Lane and Clent View Road. They had no fewer than eighteen different pitches. The rent was about £20.00 a year.
Two Gates FC "supporters club" with trophy 1947-
Highslide JS
The players and committee paid 3d a week. A collection was taken from the spectators. Players bought their own shoes, stockings and jerseys. They bought their own footballs out of this income, these cost 9/11d. The ball had to be taken to Griffens, Cradley Heath, to be blown up on Friday nights.
Two Gates won the league on one occasion only to learn that the coveted medals would not be forthcoming as the league had no money. The players bought their own.
The cost for the 1964-
One memorable match springs to mind against Bridgnorth and by half time they led by 4 -
100 Years
In the 1982-
Two Gates FC 2005-
Two Gates started the centenary year in style by winning but soon lost their way. The two managers P. Cooper and R. Tibbetts got their heads together to sort out the problems. R. Tibbetts got his team on the right track, and in fact, finished fourth in the league. P. Cooper went for a young side but being in a higher league it took longer. P. Cooper's team were still out of touch, with the loss of players and injuries, but all credit to them as they battled through although it looked a lost cause.
P. Cooper may not have the best Two Gates' team that ever played but I would certainly put them forward as the most loyal. When it looked impossible they were there, they gave their best and enjoyed the game, win or lose. We now go into the next 100 years with only one team under the chairmanship of R. Tibbetts and secretary J. Round. We wish them all well.
Thanks
We would like to thank Dudley Council for all the help and co-
Secretaries:-
Washing the strip:-
Programme and correspondence secretary, Mrs. L. Mole.
Programme designer, Mr. T. Mole.
Transport:-
The Brierley Hill League Cup won by Two Gates FC in the 1938-
Two Gates FC in the 1946/47 season Rear, left to right: W. (Bill) Billingham, Percy Bate, V. Billingham, Harry Hughes, Ken Davies, Cliff Willetts (wearing cloth cap), Maurice Pardoe, Fred Hackett, Harry Cox. Middle row, left to right: Raymond Hackett, Jack Hughes, Tommy Reece, John North. Front, left to right: W. (Billy) Morse, Frankie Withers, Derek Taylor, Irvine Billingham, Reg Jackson.
Two Gates FC in the 1950-
Two Gates FC "supporters club" with trophy 1947-
Two Gates FC 2005-
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