A BRIEF HISTORY OF HUDDERSFIELD FALCON MOTOR CYCLE CLUB

The club was founded in 1952 following an advertisement placed in the Huddersfield Examiner by the Foyle brothers. Club “runs” were advertised in “ Motorcycle” and “Motorcycling” magazines and these runs started from the garage of the club patron Arnold Moore, at Oxford Street in Huddersfield. The destination of the runs was chosen at the previous month’s meeting.An off-road interest developed and in 1956 the club joined the A.C.U. The first trial that the club members attempted was a Halifax club event in September 1957 at Wainstalls. Twelve Falcons members entered but only three finished, sadly out of time! The entry fee was 3/6d (old money). Between 1958 and 1968 a series of gymkhanas were staged at Greenhead Park, Huddersfield and in 1961 the club staged its first open trial at the old Rising Sun Inn, Cartworth Moor, now sadly no more. The club's first Annual Dinner was held there in 1961. Twenty guests paid 12 shillings each and the dinner was followed by a film show by Arnold Moore.In 2003 the club had a membership of over three hundred, riding in a variety of classes and in other branches of off-road sport. Keith Garside was one of the early stars of the club. His determined riding style took him to numerous major awards including runner-up in the 1968 Peak National, 6 first class awards in the Scott Trial (Scott Spoons) and three special first class awards in the Scottish Six Days Trial. In 1966 Keith and Neil Moorhouse built and developed their own bike (GM Special). Keith took the bike to the SSDT and won a special first class award first time out. Later in 1966 Neil Moorhouse won a Scott spoon (first class award) riding the same bike. Keith was Chairman of the club for nearly 30 years. Paul Jackson was another star from the late 60’s to the late 80’s. Paul is renowned for innovative engineering and his triumph based “Jackson” specials. He is a multi-winner of the Club Championship and winner of several Scott spoons.Perhaps the most widely travelled past master is Nigel Greenwood. Nigel has competed in several European countries, latterly riding his immaculate Honda TLR 250 and is also a multi-winner of the Club Championship.

More recently Simon Tyas has probably been the most successful rider in the club’s history. Simon began his 2-wheel career on cycle trial bikes and won several C and B class youth British Championships. Later mainly on GasGas machinery, he won the Dick Farqharson National Trial in Dorset and the Victory National in Wales. In 1992 Simon won the Ben Nevis Challenge trophy in the SSDT by finishing 2nd best newcomer behind Graham Jarvis. He has won 2 Scott spoons and won the Club Championship a record nine times. For many years Simon received help and support from Tony Kaye of B & B Motorcycles.

Tony himself is a Yorkshire Centre expert and multi-winner of the Club Championship. His favourite event is the SSDT in which he has competed 13 times, gaining 11 special first class awards. Tony, Simon and Andrew Jackson formed a formidable team and, riding for the Huddersfield Falcons, won the Yorkshire Centre Team Trial in 1994 and 1998.

Today the club runs motor cycle trials events for all ages, with specific events and courses aimed at the junior beginner all the way through to Yorkshire Centre events for the most accomplished or riders.