The Hessle Rangers Story
Hessle Rangers was formed in February 1976 when Peter and Janet Bilsdon’s son, Mike, found himself without a team. Knowing a few of her son’s friends were in the same position, Janet organised a trial sesssion to see if a team could be formed. This took place on a field in Hessle in six inches of snow with twelve boys turning up and Peter realising he had no choice but to match their commitment!
The Originals. Hessle Rangers 1976.
In the early stages, due to business commitments, it was Janet who was the driving force with Peter taking the role of Secretary alongside his work. The team joined the Hull Boys Sunday Football League the following September at Under 13 level.
The club adopted it’s traditional sky blue and white stripes in the aftermath of the 1978 World Cup with the colours of new World champions Argentina being offered in the sports shop and winning a vote amongst the players.
The club has expanded and we now have teams in many divisions of the boy’s leagues. These teams have enjoyed much success having collected many League and Cup Trophies over the years.
In the season 1985/86 we expanded into men’s football both on a Saturday and Sunday, the club now has a team playing in the Hull Sunday Football League. The team have steadily progressed up the leagues from Div 17, as Champions on three occasions, plus in 1999/2000 Season, Premier League Champions at the third attempt.
We have a team in the Saturday Humber Premier League, which is a supply league as part of the FA pyramid system.
The club has a large number of qualified F.A. coaches and operates 1st Touch Football a Skills Development Scheme for 4-7 year olds. It is involved with Community Soccer Coaching in the “FA 3 Lions” Scheme with links to local schools. These two initiatives are the source of new players for the club
The club has a Girls section with teams playing in the East Riding Girls Football League and after a few years without representation, now has a team in the East Riding Womens League.
In December 2002 the club gained the FA Charter Standard Community Club Award one of the first in the country. The Club has also gained the ERVAS Gold Award both of which recognise high standards of good practice required in a voluntary sport environment.
Hessle Rangers were voted Grassroots club of the year at the 2019 East Riding County FA Grassroots awards.
Raich Carter hands Hessle Rangers silverware – (1988)
This brilliant photograph pictures Hessle Rangers Secretary Pete Bilsdon receiving the Division 11 Winners Trophy Season for 1987-88 from Hull City legend Raich Carter – who was Hull Sunday Mens League President at the time.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T
Peter and Janet Bilsdon receive the 2018 FA Respect Award from then hull City manager Nigel Adkins at the East Riding County FA Grassroots awards night.
Annual Club Awards
The club hands out four awards annually to recognise those who contribute greatly to the club. The Ted Rilatt Trophy was donated by Ken Williams whose grandfather was skipper of the “Leeds United” which was a trawler from Hull being used by the government as a minesweeper based with others at Milford Haven at the end of World War II. They had a football competition between them won by HMT Leeds United. The Tom Wilson Trophy was donated by the Hessle Butcher through Stu McIntyre. The original was “lost” by the 2006/7 recipient Eddie Rafton (alleges Pete Bilsdon!) The Junior Endeavour & Senior Endeavour trophies were purchased with cash from an anonymous donor.
Ted Rilat Trophy
1983 – Mally Thompson
1984 – Dave Burr
1985 – Richard McWilliam
1986 – Stu McIntyre
1987 – Geoff Fisk
1988 – Pete Murphy
1989 – Pete Allinson
1990 – Derek & Mary Wraith
1991 – Doug Pepper
1992 – Elaine & Steve Smith
1993 – Barbara Tanser
1994 – John Walker
1995 – John & Karen Wilson
1996 – Phil Cawthra
1997 – Charlie Lazenby
1998 – Janet Bilsdon
1999 – Steve Cockin
2000 – Ian Parkin
2001 – Ken Harvey
2002 – Stu McIntyre
2003 – Pete Youngs
2004 – Mark Owen
2005 – Chris Hoff
2006 – Keith Picken
2007 – Andy McWilliam
2008 – n/a
2009 – Brian Lee
2010 – Karen Evans
2011 – Richard Smith
2012 – Gavin Smith
2013 – Andy Newton
2014 – Rick Skelton
2015 – Mark Kelsey
2016 – Brian Edmondson
2017 – Gary Thompson
2018 – Phil Ward
2019 – Gary Neve
Senior Endeavour
2003 – Pete Bilsdon
2004 – Paul Fisher
2005 – Janet Bilsdon
2006 – Joanne Youngs
2007 – Andy Newton
2008 – George Allon
2009 – Jan Purdy
2010 – Rick Skelton
2011 – Mark Kelsey / Stuart Carey
2012 – Jennie Lee
2013 – Matt Barker
2014 – Rachael Smith
2015 – Gary Murphy
2016 – Danny Thompson
2017 – Bobby Richardson
2018 – Steve Powell
2019 – John Dykes
Tom Wilson Memorial
2007/08 – Craig Holmes
2008/09 – Mark Lucid
2009/10 – Gareth Wilson
2010/11 – Matt Barker
2011/12 – Mark Dale
2012/13 – Luke Picken
2013/14 – Danny Wilkin
2014/15 – Chris Jennings
2016 – Tom Briggs
2017 – Mick Jennings
2018 – Lee Gardner
2019 – Bailey Smith
Junior Endeavour
2003 – J Colville
2004 – Emily Butler
2005 – Rob Youngs
2006 – Lucy Evans
2007 – Paris Milner
2008 – Adam Newton
2009 – Emily Sheriff
2010 – Lewis Rennison
2011 – Joe Addrison
2012 – Jack Dean
2013 – n/a
2014 – Danny Mulvana
2015 – Harry Ward
2016 – Sam Dean
2017 – Jack Lawson
2018 – Hannah Jude
2019 – Tyler Thompson
