Heckmondwike

Coordinates: 53°42′29″N 1°40′12″W / 53.708°N 1.670°W / 53.708; -1.670

Heckmondwike is a town and electoral ward in the metropolitan borough of Kirklees, West Yorkshire, England, 9 miles (14 km) south west of Leeds. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, it is close to Cleckheaton and Liversedge. It is in the Batley and Spen parliamentary constituency, and had an estimated population of 17,066 in March 2001.

Toponymy

The origins of Heckmondwike are in Old English. First recorded as Hedmundewic [sic] in the Domesday Book of 1086, Hedmundewic in 1166, and as Hecmundewik sometime in the 13th century, the name seems to be from *Hēahmundes wīc, or 'Heahmund's dairy-farm'.

History

During Saxon times Heckmondwike was a "berewick" or independent village in the manor of Gomersal, which, before 1066, was held by Dunstan and Gamel. After the Norman Conquest, William confiscated the land and divided it amongst his followers, one of which, Ilbert de Lacy, was made Baron of Pontefract and over-lord of vast stretches of land, including the Spen Valley.

Heckmondwike (rugby league)

Heckmondwike was a semi-professional rugby league club based in Heckmondwike in the metropolitan borough of Kirklees, West Yorkshire, England.

The club played semi-professional rugby league for a total of 4 seasons and spent each of the seasons in the Yorkshire Senior Competition. They first became members of the Northern Rugby Football Union (now Rugby Football League in 1896–97 and stayed for three seasons until 1898–99. After a two-year break, they returned to the Northern Rugby Football Union (now Rugby Football League in 1901–02 for a further single season

At the end of season 1901–02 the club left the league.

History

Early Days

Heckmondwike FC was formed as a rugby football club some time before 1895. They converted from the rugby union to rugby league in the summer of 1896, in time for the 1896–97 season.

During the early years the club had three prominent players who gained international caps: Richard "Dicky" Lockwood, Donald Jowett, and John William "Willie" or "J. W." Sutcliffe.