1981-82

'Never can the prestiege of the Bradford League have been as high as it was in 1981-82. No provincial centre had more England ranked players. Melody Hill, Sally Midgley, Helen Sheilds, Linda Smith, Kevin Beadsley, David Rook, Martin Firth and Julia Stocks were all among the best in the country at their level.

And Bradford dominated the Yorkshire League, acheiving the rare treble of mens, womens and junior championships in the same season, a feat previously accomplished only by Leeds (1949/50 and 1950/51) and Middlesborough (1972/73) in 36 years.

Bradford also maintained three men's teams in division one while no other centre had even two teams in this section.

On the home front it was Hermits' season. They broke Unity's five-year stranglehold on cup and league and Tony Bottomly became the first to collect cup and championship awards in successive seasons with different clubs. Mike Stead who topped the division one averages and Mick Stephenson, captain of Bradford-1 were his successful team mates.

At the same time division one almost became a closed shop for Hermits, Unity and Clayton Heights (between them the provided every single finalist at the Bradford Closed). The only other names in the section were Yeadon and London Provincial - and both were relegated.

Of more long term significance to Hermits than their playing successes was the opening in May by former World Champion Jonny Leach of a £10,000.00 extension to their clubrooms at Kingsway. Leach told members: "Playing facilities of this kind are very rare indeed."

The three playing rooms were named after Hermits stalwarts Ron Hart (founder), Dick Coulson (Chairman) and Arthur Bowers (Assistant Secretary).

In the National League, Unity-1 acheived an admirable fourth place in the premier section and Hermits were Champions of division three North in their first season. Unity entered a second team which finished third.'