Taken from the Centenary History booklet.
Walter S Jones (footballer-cricketer)
On Saturday 18 October 1952 Walter Schofield Jones created a unique record which may never again be equalled, when he appeared with the Hornets' first team at the Athletics Grounds against Castleford.
Walter, one of the towns' outstanding all rounders, had then appeared with the Rochdale AFC, Rochdale CC, and Rochdale Hornets first teams.
Taking cricket first, Walter played for the Dane Street premier eleven when he left the Municipal High School and later had a period as captain, his leadership in 1948 coinciding with Rochdale's first CLL championship for 21 years. Although he dropped out of the first team during the past season, he had several games and was in the successful Wood cup side. As an outfielder he had no superior in the Central Lancashire League, and his amazing boundary catch at the Coppice in the 1951 Wood Cup Final was one of the most dazzling pieces of fielding imaginable.
Walter made two Northern Section appearances in season 1946-47 and scored two goals, and the same season he got 29 goals and three hat-tricks with the reserve side. Became a part-time professional after playing one game as an amateur. From Spotland he moved to Altrincham, where he crashed into a goalpost and brought down the posts - another unusual distinction, but one he had no wish to repeat.
Having played Rugby Union with the Boys' High School, Walter decided to come to the Athletic Grounds for a trial in July 1952 and immediately impressed by his strong running as a centre threequarter and by his fine tacking. Signed amateur forms and appeared with the "A" team.
Over-riding ambition was to win a place in the first team, an objective in itself and not merely because of the all round distinction it would bring him. When it was prematurely reported in the Manchester Press that Walter had returned to soccer, the Rochdale Observer received from a supporter a letter of strong criticism of the Hornets' board for allowing this.
One of his most cherished sports' recollections is his captaincy of the Rochdale CC championship side of 1948, in which he never forgets the great help given by Cec Pepper ("the finest cricketer I have ever played with").
Chosen reserve forward for Lancashire RL 1954-55, but did not play. This followed a great exhibition for Hornets when they beat Leeds 2-3-13 to 2-1-7 at the Athletic Grounds (9,6000 spectators; £760 gate) The late Jimmy Breen of the Manchester Evening Chronicle remarked at this game : "If everyone played rugby like Walter Jones what a great game it would be"
Left to right : Back Row : Mr Joe Warham (team manager-coach), B. McNally, J.Dooney, K. Livesey, R. Dagnall, A. Scholes, Maurice Gallagher : Middle Row : Ted Cahill, Norman Short,Walter S. Jones (capt.) , Les Jones, Wilf Roach : In front : R. Helme and A Taylor.
The photo is from the February edition Rugby League gazette of 1956 and goes along to say "This is the Hornets team which gave supporters a big thrill by staging a whirlwind finish to retain the Law cup against Oldham by 23 points to 17 at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday August 13th 1955
There is a discrepancy here with the our/full results from the Law cup which state that Oldham won by this amount! I think we will go with the gazette version.