Last updated : Sunday, 30 June 2024

Hambleton Football Combination History

The Hambleton Football Combination was formed during the start of the 1975/76 season by 13 teams playing friendlies against each other once only during the season. No points were awarded. It was based on an area (south of the River Tees) with a 15 miles radius from Northallerton, North Yorkshire  – later expanded to 16 miles.

The Combination got off the ground thanks greatly to  help received from local grass-roots football supporters. Two of whom provided contact details for “friendly” teams which were already in existence in the area and playing on an informal basis. Local referees were also most helpful and encouraging.

By the end of the first season the North Riding County FA were “quite keen” to formalise the situation and “offered” to not  allow local referees to officiate.

Before the start of 1976/77 numbers grew to 16 clubs, now all affiliated to the County FA with the Combination also affiliated. Sadly one potential new club was turned down as clubs wanted a game every week with no free weekends.

The leading clubs in the earliest years included New Inn, Hunton (AKA Bolton Arms, Leyburn), Cowtons (from East Cowton), Traders Association from Catterick (later Catterick Royal British Legion) and Bedale Young Farmers.

A quick reference to an early handbook lists the other early clubs were Thirsk Royal British Legion, Robert Thompson’s Ltd (named after the Mouseman  Furniture Business at Kilburn), AFC Hambleton of Bedale (formed from staff at Hambleton District Council), North Yorks Nalgo of Northallerton (formed by staff at North Yorkshire County Council’s Nalgo Trade Union branch i.e. later Unison), Knayton, Streetlam Farmers (Great Smeaton), Northallerton Fire Station, Osmotherley Rangers, Leeming Village, Carthorpe, Northallerton Police, Bishop Blaize (Richmond), Aldbrough St John, Northallerton Young Farmers, Yorpac (Thirsk), Alverton (Northallerton), Tunstall (near Thirsk) and Centurions (Catterick Village).

Later clubs would join from places such as Ripon College, Gilling West, Coxwold, Stokesley, Middleton Tyas, Ingleby Cross, Barton (near Scotch Corner), Masham, Kirklington, Rounton, Brompton and Romanby (Northallerton), Middleham, Sinderby, Appleton Wiske, Great Ayton, Scorton, etc etc.

By the start of 1979-80 it had grown to two divisions with a total of 26 teams. At its’ peak it reached 48 teams in four divisions of 12 teams each. By about 2005/6 it was down to 32 teams in three divisions. Now it is 15 teams in two divisions (see FA Full-Time).

Three of the original clubs are still playing: Cowtons, Knayton and Streetlam Farmers. Stuart Dawson played a few games in the Combination. His son is Michael Dawson (ex Tottenham Hotspur and England).