It’s the big question at the moment around Aspatria rugby union club.
Where did the neighbouring village of Bothel play their rugby in the 1930s?
It all stemmed from a newspaper cutting found by Craig Hamilton of the Aspatria Hornets rugby league clubs which refers to Bothel playing an Aspatria side in 1931.
Barney Clegg, writing on the club website, said: “The action took place on February 23 1931. My own guess is that it would be an Aspatria 2nds team taking on Bothel.
“Aspatria in 1931 was one of the top teams in the North of England and coming off the back of three in a row Cumberland Cup triumphs so it is unlikely that the 1st XV would make that short journey up the road to Bothel.
“That the village of Bothel boasted its own team in 1931 is well known and not unsurprising as the whole area was a rugby hotbed.
“One, as yet unanswered, question is where did they play? Those who know Bothel will appreciate that it is built on the side of a hill with very little ‘flat’, if any, available.”
Aspatria, of course, have been well-served by residents of Bothel with several prominent Black Reds either born or living in the village of not much more than 300 souls.
Colin Campbell, 13-times winner of the Cumberland Cup, is perhaps the most famous and can still be seen about the village.
The Miller family, headed by Jimmy are in the village and it was where sons Robert and Andrew both learned their trade.
The Ravell brothers are both native to the village as is Jack Clegg. Must be something in the water.
Anyone with any family links to the old Bothel club, with possible photographs, who can shed some light on the mystery can get in touch. Email [email protected]
