Bentham From early times, the River Wenning provided power to run small corn mills, grinding wheat between flat stone wheels to make flour. This freed local people from the drudgery of grinding their daily bread by hand, so they were able to develop skills, and make a living through spinning and weaving cloth using wool from many sheep, and flax. So the technology, materials and skills were already available when the Industrial Revolution began in these parts By the 1820's, steam power was helping to turn the machinery, but much work was still human-powered, in savage conditions. The bleachers stood barefoot in stream water winter and summer, and many were crippled for life. In 1878 a Quaker family, the Fords, bought the Low Mill for silk production. Their enlightened treatment of employees, with sick pay, pensions, and paid holidays, was a brand new idea - revolutionary at the time. Quakers, the "Society of Friends", originated in this area in the late 1600's and they have played a big part in shaping Bentham's values, helping the people to become the unusually equal, tolerant, goodhumoured and broadminded society they are today In 1750 the High Bentham Mill was founded, and another in Low Bentham soon after, working in tandem. The High Mills (spinning) stretched downstream from the present Station Road, where Holme Park is now, with Bleach Works on the site of the Riverside Caravan Park. Linen cloth was stretched on tenterhooks in the fields beyond for finishing. The looms were mostly at Low Mills, powered initially by a system whereby river water was diverted under the mill by a weir (destroyed by floods in 1964) at Wenning Bridge. In 1904, George Angus & Co bought the High Mill and worked here until their new premises were built next to the Railway in 1908. They produced, firstly, cotton and later artificial silk, and closed in the 1970's. Under their various owners and assorted names (including Ford Ayrton's, Angus Fire Armour and then Kidde's), the Mills of Bentham have led a chequered history, but have evolved into probably the world's leading fire-hose manufacturer. This was thanks to a lucky invention by one George Phillipson of Bentham, who built an astounding eight-treadle loom which could actually weave tubes. Worldwide, thousands of lives have been saved by fire-engines equipped with hosepipes invented in Bentham.
This is the scene at the corner of Main Street and Station Road, Bentham, around 1918 that would have been familiar to the football players of any of the Bentham teams and for players of visiting clubs on match days. The Lancaster & District League comprised eight clubs and was the organised competition for season 1900-01 that was won by Freehold. Some home results from this season for Bentham Rovers leading up to the Christmas period included a 1-0 win over Boltonle-Sands, a 0-0 draw against Caton and a 2-1 victory over Halton Reserves. In the season 1909-10 Bentham were competing in the Craven District League and in January 1910 lost 1-4 at Ingleton, a rivalry that would flourish for many decades. September 1905 A match between High and Low Bentham took place at Low Bentham before a large number of spectators. The first moiety of the game was keenly contested, no score resulting; but the second half was really exciting, both goals being attacked in quick succession and High Bentham was successful on two occasions. For High Bentham Leeming, Guy and Magoolaghan were very prominent and the same may be said of Mitten, Walter Wilcock and Carter for Low Bentham. September 1911 Season 1911-12 saw two Bentham clubs competing in the North Lancashire & District League and they finished next to each other in the final table. November 1911 The Galgate Senior eleven is clearly the pick of a notable village and a win by 4-1 over Bentham Wanderers have now a grip on the top rung. Calder Vale Albion raked in another brace of points with a 3-1 win over Bentham. The erstwhile Craven Leaguers cannot be denied
much longer the fruits of persistent endeavour. Tomorrow the local Derby will take place and both sides will be running like greyhounds for victory. Mr J A Willis is the referee and the whole countryside will turn out to greet the rival clans. The Derby day at Bentham provided a typical struggle with village rivalry as the dominant note. High Bentham won by three goals to two but over anxiety on both sides prevented any criterion of the true standard of play. Bentham or High Bentham to give them their full title went out in the first round of the Craven District Cup by 1-2 at Settle December 1911 The second Derby of the season took place two days before Christmas 1911 and High Bentham completed a notable double by 2-0. March 1912 High Bentham last week came under the ban of the West Yorkshire Football Association for non-compliance with an order to affiliate. Bentham assumed that North Lancashire League membership was ample but County jurisdiction is rigid and just as the English is loyal to the Irish FA in their crisis without any debate on policy so the Lune Football Association could not ignore the order of the West Yorkshire FA. At the last moment Bentham realised the folly of resistance and secured a visit from the league leaders, Galgate. The official referee did not line up and however impartial a club official endeavours to be his lack of neutrality mars the verdict. The Galgate boys just got home by three goals to two after a very exciting tussle for supremacy. April 1912 In a friendly game played at Low Bentham, High Bentham went down 3-6 to their village rivals, Bentham Wanderers. 1911-12 North Lancashire & District League - First Division P W L D F A Pts Galgate 23 20 1 2 59 18 42 John O Gaunt 20 12 4 4 69 28 28 King s Own 21 12 6 3 63 34 27 Morecambe Central Amateurs 22 11 7 4 46 39 26 Caton 19 10 7 2 51 25 22 Carnforth Rangers 20 9 8 3 33 33 21 Garstang 15 10 4 1 48 30 21 Halton Park Villa 24 9 13 2 47 57 20 Warton 16 6 8 2 22 35 14 High Bentham 17 5 9 3 34 47 13 Bentham Wanderers 21 4 16 1 23 65 9 Calder Vale Albion 21 4 16 1 31 55 9 Morecambe Territorials 21 4 17 0 23 77 8
In the first season after World War I, 1919-20, Bentham didn t have a team in the North Lancashire & District League but were involved in the first round of the Craven Cup as this report suggests. A game in which interest centred was that at Long Preston where Bentham St Margaret s won 7-3. The score exaggerates the superiority of the victors to some extent and some dissatisfaction has been expressed by the home side with the decisions of the referee but it would be a good man who managed to please everybody especially in football. When a side suffers an unexpected defeat it is easy to place the blame upon that long-suffering official, the referee. January 1920 Three games were played in the Craven District League that make interesting reading especially as both Ingleton United and Halton were members of the North Lancashire & District League. It certainly appears that they were entered in both leagues and now we know there were at least three teams in Bentham: Low Bentham, High Bentham and Bentham St Margaret s (see photograph). Ingleton 2-1 Low Bentham Ingleton 7-3 Halton High Bentham 2-1 Low Bentham Bentham St Margaret s Bible Class FC in 1922-23 Back Row (L-R): Front Row (L-R): Alf Goodhill, Arthur Slinger, Ted Philipson, John Holmes, Brian Coates, Bob Guy, Alan Greenep, Mr Harden (vicar) Reg Hainsworth, Midge Davidson, Jack McGooligan, Charlie Bargh, John Allan Foster, Pincher the dog was the mascot
When Bentham St Margaret s played teams like Caton United, Wray and Settle United they travelled to these games by bike and certainly when they travelled south they would have to pay at the toll gate between Low Bentham and Wennington. Riding down the B6480 as it leaves Low Bentham the footballers would arrive at the toll gate and look at the board displaying the various tariffs. The charges, made both ways, were; Carts 4d per horse; Handcarts, Perambulators, Tricycles and Wheelbarrows 2d; Cattle 5d per score (20); Sheep and Goats 3d per score (20); Motorlorries and Charabancs 5/-; Motorcycles 2d each way; Bicycles 1d each way. The unfortunate late traveller had to pay double these tolls between 10.00 pm and 6.00 am Old Toll Bar Gate between Wennington and Low Bentham, closed in 1932 February 1920 The first round of the Lancaster Infirmary Cup was played and Bentham defeated Caton Reserves 5-1 to set up a second round match with the winners of the Ingleton United v Freehold Athletic tie at Bentham. The eventual game against their local rivals was something of an anti-climax as Ingleton United won 7-1. Bentham Wanderers were also involved in this competition and after a 2-2 draw at Burton-in-Lonsdale they eventually won 2-1 in the replay. This Bentham club would go on to forge their own history in Low Bentham. One of the original members of the Lancaster & District Referees Society that was founded in 1921 was Jack Langton who recalled the early days of officiating as follows: Matches at Bentham were the biggest headache. There was a train at 1.10pm from Green Ayre Station, Lancaster but it was impossible to catch this due to having to work into the afternoon and there were no buses that would get us there in time for the kick-off. Whenever I had a match at Bentham I used to pedal furiously on my bike, a distance of some seventeen miles and when it was raining it was a pretty rough ride.
April 1921 High Bentham came to Lancaster with high hopes of winning the Infirmary Junior Cup in April 1921 against Primrose Amateurs who finished as runners-up in Division III to Skerton Athletic. The Yorkshire team started with a first round bye before beating Dry Dock United 3-2 in a 2nd round replay, then Halton Reserves 3-2 in the 3rd round followed by a 5-0 win over Warton Reserves in the semi-final. After a first round bye Primrose Amateurs had beaten Morecambe Parish Church 4-0, Carnforth Reserves 2-1 before surprising league champions Skerton Athletic 2-1 in the semi-final. Bentham had the advantage of physique but not all their players were speedy and they dallied too long with their crosses, with which the wind often interfered, while another factor contributing to their bad luck was the spring sunshine, naturally stronger in the early stages of the game. Play had been going for half an hour when a penalty for hands was given against Bateson who had certainly used his head in clearing. Whitehead s kick had not much power but was too good for Procter. The other goal that Primrose scored was well earned by inside right Parkinson who was well supported by centre forward Baldwin. The prospect of playing the second half against the wind and two goals in arrears did not improve Bentham s chances. They played three backs to keep out their lighter and quicker opponents but it was not until Anderton, the Primrose outside right, had been injured that Bentham threatened. Eight minutes from time they scored a great goal by Walsh who received a fine pass from outside left Jackson. The daring play of goalkeeper Williams nullified Bentham s efforts. Primrose Amateurs throughout the game had combined better and were more alert than their opponents and well merited their victory by 2-1. After the match Mr C F Whiteside, secretary of the Infirmary Workpeople s Committee, presented the cup to the Primrose captain, W H Whitehead and mentioned that the gate that night was 26 and the sum raised by the competition was 52. Gold medals were presented to the Primrose team: Williams; Appleby, Critchley; Patterson, Whitehead, Farrell; Shepherd, Stoddard, Baldwin, Parkinson, Anderton Silver medals were presented to the High Bentham team: Procter; Wilcock, Bateson; Johnson, Parker, Guy; Jackson, Gibson, Welch, Leeming, Kidd September 1928 Season 1928-29 saw High Bentham Rovers featuring in Division II of the North Lancashire & District League that was won by Warison s with Burton-in-Lonsdale in second place. January 1929 The draw for the semi-finals of the Craven Cup took place and resulted in these two ties: Rainhall Road Wesleyans (Barnoldswick) v High Bentham Rovers At Ingleton on April 6 th Referee: A Thornton (Skipton) Ingleton United v Kellbrook United At Settle on March 23 rd or 30 th Referee: F Embley (Settle)
April 1929 High Bentham played a four point match at home against Lancaster Ramblers and at half time the score was level at 2-2 but in the second half High Bentham scored two further goals whilst the Ramblers added another three to win by 5-4. This was not an uncommon occurrence and these games for double points were played sometimes because of fixture congestion and sometimes the reasoning was purely financial. 1928-29 North Lancashire & District League Division II P W D L F A Pts Warison s 22 16 3 3 87 35 35 Burton-in-Lonsdale 22 14 3 5 56 27 31 Brookholme Rangers 22 14 2 6 72 44 30 Lancaster Ramblers 22 14 1 7 87 43 29 County Mental Hospital 22 12 3 7 77 40 27 Silverdale 22 10 6 6 47 31 26 Ibis Works 22 9 6 7 60 46 24 High Bentham Rovers 22 8 4 10 61 73 20 Halton 22 5 4 13 41 64 14 Warton 22 6 2 14 52 75 14 Morecambe Green Street 22 4 1 17 32 86 9 Standfast Dyers & Printers Reserves 22 1 3 18 25 132 5 Lancaster YMCA resigned from the league and their record was expunged Bell Bank (Bentham) also played in the juvenile section of the league but whether they were in any way attached to High Bentham Rovers is not clear. 1928-29 North Lancashire & District League Juvenile Section P W D L F A Pts Bowerham Old Boys 12 10 1 1 43 12 21 Freehold Juniors 12 7 1 4 31 25 15 Warton 12 7 1 4 37 31 15 Bell Bank (Bentham) 12 5 4 3 24 15 14 Bulk Juniors 12 4 4 4 37 26 12 Warison s Juniors 12 1 3 8 12 50 5 Bowerham Juniors 12 1 0 11 19 45 2 September 1931 In season 1931-32 Bentham United were members of the North Lancashire & District Football League Division II that was won by Morecambe Victoria. Just before Christmas 1931 Bentham United entertained Halton at Low Bentham and shared the points following a 3-3 draw. Play opened fast and Bentham soon scored through Downham as a result of good work by Slinger. Soon after the opening goal Bentham missed an easy chance when Downham shot over from close range. The Halton boys were now settling down and their forwards played
some remarkably good football and just before half time they drew level. On the resumption Halton quickly became the aggressors and took the lead with a good shot from the right wing. Meanwhile the Bentham players were flustered and dishevelled and things looked black for them. However with ten minutes to go they were inspired and took full command and equalised through Slinger. Almost immediately Halton took the lead again but in the dying seconds Downham earned his team a point with the equaliser. Bentham United: Slinger; Coates, Thornber; Oversby, Guy, Townson; Parker, Jackson, Ward, Downham, Slinger February 1932 In the return game at Halton that was played on February 12th 1932 an amusing incident took place that would rarely be seen in the game. The financial state in which clubs found themselves during this period often resulted in only one ball being available and after ten minutes in this particular game the match ball burst and no replacement could be found. The referee held the game up for 25 minutes whilst the ball was repaired. As he was about to restart the game he found that several of the players, in the belief that the game would have to be abandoned had gone away with the home spectators, who thought the same thing. Unperturbed the referee then allowed further time in order that the missing players could be rounded up. The game eventually resumed and the repaired ball held out to the end of 90 minutes. The result was a 3-1 victory for Halton. Played on Easter Monday 1932 Bentham beat Ingleton in a friendly game at Bentham by 5-1. The match was played for the benefit of the Ingleton Club s accident fund. The game was poorly attended due to the inclement weather. The outstanding fixture between Bentham United and Standfast Dyers came about because when they played the original game in April 1932 at Standfast the scores were level at 2-2 in the second half when the ball burst and the match was abandoned. 1931-32 North Lancashire & District League Division II P W D L F A Pts Morecambe Victoria 17 13 3 1 71 30 29 Edmondson Brothers 17 13 1 3 61 29 27 Warton 17 10 3 4 58 36 23 Halton 18 7 4 7 45 43 18 King s Own Depot 18 8 1 9 47 59 17 Galgate 17 7 2 8 41 48 16 Bentham United 17 7 1 9 45 54 15 Warison s 18 5 1 12 34 61 11 Standfast Dyers & Printers 17 4 2 11 30 44 10 Cascolt 18 3 2 13 34 73 8
There is a strong argument that Bentham United s heyday was in the years after World War II and looking at the results bears credence to that argument. In 1945-46 they finished bottom of the North Lancashire & District League that was won by Netherfield Reserves. If we look at the succeeding years in the first division of the North Lancashire & District League there is a slow but steady improvement as they assembled one of the strongest sides that ever competed in the local league. In ten years they progressed from being an average village team in the basement of the league to the pinnacle of football as the best junior team in Lancashire by winning the Lancashire Junior Shield twice in three years. Year Position No of teams Champions 1946-47 9 th 12 Galgate 1947-48 7 th 14 Galgate 1948-49 9 th 14 Caton United 1949-50 9 th 14 Caton United 1950-51 2 nd 14 Ingleboro 1951-52 2 nd 14 Dry Dock United 1952-53 4 th 12 Ingleboro 1953-54 1 st 15 Bentham United 1954-55 1 st 13 Bentham United In 1950-51 Bentham United finished in second place, three points behind Ingleboro, in the North Lancs League but they successfully lifted the Craven Cup by beating their great rivals as well as lifting the Senior Challenge Cup by beating Galgate. April 1951 When Bentham United and Ingleboro met in the semi-final of the Senior Challenge Cup the previous week, Bentham ran out winners after a very close and exciting game by the odd goal in three. When they met in the final of the Craven Cup at Hellifield the only change in the two teams was in Ingleton s goalkeeper. Bentham established an early lead and at halftime led by 6-2. In the second half Ingleton tried team changes, found them ineffective, and deteriorated to such an extent that the game faded out with the result a foregone conclusion. Bill Noble opened the scoring for Bentham after eight minutes and Jack Bowery scored five minutes later. Ingleton took up the attack and Albert Robinson found the net. Then followed a period of even play but Bentham were not long denied and Jack Bowery crowned a grand display by adding three more goals. Crooks scored the sixth and Ken Moscrop netted a consolation goal for Ingleton. After the break Ingleton were a demoralised side and Bentham, well on top, never fully exerted themselves. Ken Moscrop did reduce the lead only to see further goals from Bill Noble, Bill Mashiter and Frank Ashworth for the victors. Ingleton were best served by inside forward, Albert Robinson, while Bentham showed grand teamwork with Jack Bowery their outstanding player in a 9-3 victory. They have yet to compete in three semi-finals and they are still in the running for the Division I championship. Bentham United won their second cup in three days on the Giant Axe when they beat Galgate 3-0 in the final of the Senior Challenge Cup. Fielding the team that won the Craven Cup, Bentham had a narrow escape during the first few minutes when, with everyone beaten,
the ball rolled harmlessly past the post. At the interval there was no score. Immediately after the re-start Bentham improved and a centre from Jack Bowery completely baffled the Galgate goalkeeper to put Bentham in the lead. The next goal came from a goalmouth scramble with Bill Mashiter finding the net. Later, a great solo effort from Bill Mashiter saw him take the ball on the left wing, cross over to the right and beat three defenders before scoring to put the result beyond doubt. The cup was presented by Mr Jimmy Brown, chairman of the North Lancashire & District Football League. April 1954 Bentham United 1950-51 In late April 1954 Bentham United was still the only undefeated team in the league but they faced a difficult run-in of congested fixtures if they were to lift any trophies. The Easter period was challenging and six games were played in the space of a week. A 4-1 win at Civil Service and a 1-0 victory at Holme Athletic got them off to a flying start but a home derby game against Ingleboro resulted in a shock 1-4 defeat. I wonder if Ingleboro had drafted in a few players from their first team who had already won the North West Combination. Next game was a home tie against Caton United who were despatched 3-0 and a visit to Galgate brought two more points in a 4-2 win. Morecambe Grammar School Old Boys was the next team to visit Bentham on Easter Monday in a rehearsal for the Senior Challenge Cup final and the points were shared in a 1-1 draw. In a well contested North Lancashire League Senior Challenge Cup final at the Giant Axe, Lancaster, on Saturday night, Morecambe GSOB was unfortunate to lose to Bentham United, the division one leaders. Morecambe played excellent football in the early stages in spite of having to make team changes through injuries. They deservedly went in front from a clever goal by inside left Bland. Bentham, who were without Bobby Holt and Jack Bowery and had George Chappel playing at centre forward, fought back strongly to equalise by half time.
Second half opening exchanges were fairly even though the Old Boys defence appeared shaky under pressure and ten minutes from time, when a replay seemed inevitable, Bentham snatched the winning goal. After the match that attracted a large gate, with receipts totalling over 36, Mr C Wilson, Chairman of the North Lancashire & District League presented the trophy to the captain of the winning team, John Glaister. Bentham United: Morecambe GSOB: Alan Fox; John Glaister (captain),ted Bolton; Frank Wheildon, Bill Noble, Bill Mashiter; Whittle, Frank Ashworth, George Chappel, Johnny Worden, Des Churchman Troughton; Reay, Beresford; Briggs, Hawley, Bell; Anderton, Thompson, Middleborough, Bland, Smith Two days later on Monday April 26th Bentham United lost to Carnforth Rangers in the semi-final of the Senior Charity Cup and once again I speculate that they might have included some players from their first team that played in the North West Combination. Three other games this week resulted in a 1-7 home defeat to their nearest challengers for the league title, Dry Dock United, a 6-3 win at Ingleborough followed by a 1-5 reverse at Milnthorpe. With the prospect of the Lancashire Junior Shield final looming on the horizon, it would have been very likely that Bentham United would have used a rotation policy with their top players to ensure they were fresh for their date with destiny at Peel Park, Accrington. May 1954 In returning victorious with the Lancashire Junior Shield on Monday evening, from Peel Park, Accrington, Bentham United could not have been received with more enthusiasm if they had brought home the FA Cup. In earning the title as the premier Lancashire Junior League Club, the club has rounded off a memorable season in which they have also won the North Lancashire & District League Senior Challenge Cup and something which has eluded them in recent years, the Championship of Division I. One of the outstanding features of Bentham s team over past seasons has been the wonderful team spirit which has prevailed among the members coupled with loyal support from their local followers. The make-up of the team has changed very little, one of the factors in the Club s remarkable run of success in the past four years. The match on Monday night against Little Lever for the Lancashire Junior Shield produced one of United s finest displays this season. The opposition was the strongest they have had to deal with and brought out the best in United s team. Bentham, through Johnny Worden, was first to score but Little Lever equalised immediately. The winning goal for Bentham was scored by Frank Ashworth and Bentham had to fight very hard to keep their one goal lead. Excitement and interest in the game was maintained up to the very last minute of the game and the Bentham team can feel justly proud that they were able to maintain the honour of the North Lancashire & District League. The gate receipts were 69 and Bentham United captain, John Glaister, received the Shield from Mr J Twist of Preston, who is senior vice-president of the Lancashire Football Association. Bentham United: Little Lever: Alan Fox; Tommy Chappell, John Glaister (captain); Frank Wheildon, Bill Noble, Bill Mashiter; Des Churchman, Frank Ashworth, Bobby Holt, Johnny Worden, Tindale Russell; Harrison, Hughes; Threlfall, J Greenhalgh, Swindells; F Greenhalgh, Stone, Fox, Lever, Haddock
1953-54 North Lancashire & District League Division I P W D L F A Pts Bentham United 28 22 3 3 129 38 47 Dry Dock United 28 19 7 2 101 40 45 Morecambe Grammar School Old Boys 28 19 6 3 127 50 44 Lancaster Moor Hospital 28 18 6 4 91 41 42 Caton United 28 15 5 8 112 73 35 Milnthorpe Corinthians 28 14 6 8 79 63 34 Ingleboro 28 14 3 11 82 70 31 Civil Service 28 11 4 13 66 78 26 Heysham 28 10 5 13 71 73 25 Carnforth Rangers 28 9 5 14 82 93 23 Storeys of Lancaster 28 7 3 18 67 101 17 Holme Athletic 28 4 7 17 41 88 15 Bolton-le-Sands 28 7 0 21 47 121 14 Galgate Reserves 28 3 5 20 47 121 11 Bentham Wanderers 28 4 3 21 47 134 11 Bentham United 1953-54 Back Row (L- R) Front Row (L- R) Ernie Maunders (trainer), Frank Wheildon, Ted Bolton, Alan Fox, Jack Bowery, George Downham, Bill Noble, Storey Batty (committee) Des Churchman, Tommy Chappell, Frank Ashworth, John Glaister (captain), Bill Mashiter, Bobby Holt, Johnny Worden