John Beaumont has enjoyed a remarkably strong affinity with Huddersfield Rugby League Club since his early childhood. He grew up close to the famous old Fartown stadium and both his parents were members of the club. As a boy he also spent many hours helping out the then grounds man Earnest Cooper with ex Huddersfield player and family friend Hubert Pogson. John was also introduced to a number of ‘Poggy’s’ former team mates from the 1920s whose stories of past triumphs fuelled his interest in the club further. By the late 1970s he had begun to play rugby league at school and was fortunate enough to enjoy the thrill of taking part in the schoolboy matches that were staged at half time during home fixtures. Whilst still in his mid teens John began to play open age amateur Rugby League with Bradley ARLFC and started to attract interest from a handful of professional clubs. However, his beloved Huddersfield was not amongst them and, while hanging on in the hope that he may get an approach from Fartown, John’s career was unfortunately ended by a serious motorcycle accident. Nevertheless, he remained a committed follower of the club despite its continuing decline in the 1980s. Throughout these difficult times, John travelled all over England and even into Europe to give his support to the often beleaguered team. His memories of this period provide an affectionate and often humorous testimony to the indomitable commitment and spirit of supporters, to whom rugby league is the ‘The greatest game’.
Hear John Beaumont on:
- Early memories
- Committed supporter
- The European Clubs Championship