Change of name will help bring Old Mods up to date as they look to enjoy another 100 years of success across different disciplines

IT is a bit of an oxymoron. A club attempting to keep pace with modern times – by changing its name to something that is more akin to its original formation over 100 years ago.
Phil Carrick opens the Old Modernians club house extensions in 1987.Phil Carrick opens the Old Modernians club house extensions in 1987.
Phil Carrick opens the Old Modernians club house extensions in 1987.

However, that is what is occurring at Old Modernians Sports Association, the sports and social club in Cookridge, Leeds, which will imminently embrace a change in title.

Old Mods, as they have long been more commonly known, is a thriving club that has been in existence since 1906 and homes numerous sporting teams.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Whether cricket – both senior and junior – rugby union, football or rugby league (Leeds Akkies initially sprung from various student alumni from the city’s universities) it has long been a hotbed of amateur sport.

It takes its name from the nearby Leeds Modern School, which is now known as Lawnswood High School, and that is part of the reason it is, on Saturday, officially being changed from Old Modernians to Leeds Modernians.

The cricket side’s first team currently play in the Airedale and Senior Wharfedale League Division Three and have a former England international goalkeeper in their ranks.

Nigel Martyn, who played more than 200 games for Leeds United between 1996 and 2003, is, at the age of 48, a regular in their whites.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The picture here, though, shows a more recognisable cricketer, the late Phil Carrick, seen helping to open the newly-extended Old Mods clubhouse on September 17 1987.

There was double reason for celebration; it was just a couple of months after the spinner had led a Yorkshire side, including Martyn Moxon, Richard Blakey, David Bairstow and Arnie Sidebottom, to a famous Benson & Hedges Cup final at Lord’s.

They finished level with Northamptonshire on 244 after 55 overs but the Tykes prospered by losing fewer wickets.

Old Mods rugby side currently reside in Yorkshire Division Three, while its football team compete in West Yorkshire League Division One.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Old Mods chairman John Sowerbutts is inviting ex-members of either the club or the school to come along and join in a celebratory evening at Cookridge Lane on Saturday. The BBQ starts at 7.30pm and a live band will play.

“The change of name is basically to put ourselves more into the local community as a facility for the local community,” said Sowerbutts. “That’s part of the name change but it’s not a new beginning as such, more a new chapter.

“We’ve had a tremendous history but we have to have a tremendous future as well.

“We’ve four sports played here now. Saturday is a chance to invite people along – old and new – to help mark the change.”

Related topics: