Calder target success in own tournament

Calder have added six players from the now-defunct Wadsworth United to last season’s squad and are hopeful of making their mark in the Halifax AFL’s major competitions this season.

With training and pre-season games in full swing, Calder look in better shape than usual for their event, which helps to pay their running costs for the season.

Organisers hope 16 teams will compete on Saturday, in groups of four initially before the knockout stages.

Calder plan to field two teams plus an old boys’ team and local rivals Hebden Royd Red Star and Midgley United areamong the opposition, plus Sunday sides Hollins Holme and Royd Club and a team from Calder High School sixth form.

This will be the third running of the tournament and it is a one-day event this time, a decision taken after some potential participants could not compete over two days.

Calder spokesman Simon Stansfield said his club had concentrated on running the event in the past and had decided which players would compete in which of their teams by draw.

“We want to win it this time,” said Stansfield. “We got into the final last year but lost 2-0 to Red Star.

Stansfield reports good numbers at pre-season training at Calder High and Brealey Fields. Calder have already registered convincing wins against Salem and Sowerby Bridge while drawing with Brighouse Old Boys, who were their opponents again last night.

Wadsworth won the plate competition 12 months ago while Ryburn United (main trophy) and Holmfield (plate) took the honours in 2012.

Calder are trying to make Saturday’s event appealing for families with a bouncy castle, music tent, bar and food.