When we first posted this picture, as one of our very first mysteries, in 2013, we said that it was a total mystery. Things have moved on for us since then and we can now say that the photograph shows the Kildwick Old Boys team: champions of the Keighley District second division in the 1919-20 season (the first season after football resumed following WW1).
The trophy is the Second Division "Victory" shield.
The photograph doesn't have a "cast list", but we know from contemporary news reports that the playing members of the team were:
- Tom Hargreaves (captain) - centre, front row
- Alec Hargreaves (vice-captain) - far left, front row
- Albert Bower (goalkeeper) - third from right, back row
- Richard Inskip - second from left, front row ?
and others whose position on the photograph we don't know.
- H. Kitson - probably Harry Kitson (b. 1897), rather than Herbert Kitson (who would have been in his 40s in 1920; b. 1877)
- J. Kitson
- Charles Barritt
- A. Barker
- N. Thompson
- J. Brown
- J. Harwood
- C. Johnson
- A. Barrett
- S. Lister
- C. Brent
The non-playing "officers" of the club included treasurer Eric Green, who appears on the photograph - far right, back row.
So, no longer a total mystery but if you can help us match more of the players' names to the faces, please send an email to history@farnhill.co.uk.
Update posted: 30/09/2017