Calder History
Originally the club was Wakefield Clarion which was known to exist in 1922. The club was part of the National Clarion formed in the 1890s.
In 1952 Calder Clarion was formed as the team name for racing members of Wakefield, Huddersfield and Halifax Clarions.
Eventually Halifax Clarion disbanded and Huddersfield left the Clarion movement to become Huddersfield Star Wheelers, leaving Wakefield Clarion as the only remaining club in Calder Clarion. The club decided to take the name Calder Clarion and have been known as that since 1959.
Calder’s most famous member is Barry Hoban who had an illustrious career as a Continental professional rider and held the record for highest number of stages wins by any British rider in the Tour de France until Mark Cavendish took over.
Each year the club holds an awards evening where rider achievements are recognised. Some of these trophies have been awarded by the club for many years and are part of its rich history whilst still being relevant to the riders and events of today. More information can be found here: https://calderclarion.co.uk/club-trophies-and-awards/
Dates and Personalities
1922 – Wakefield Clarion known to exist
1952 – Wakefield, Huddersfield and Halifax Clarions decided to race under under an umbrella name Calder Clarion, whilst still remaining as separate Clarion clubs. Calder being the river which linked the
three places.
1959 – Wakefield Clarion became Calder Clarion
1974 – Barry Hoban wins Belgian classic Ghent-Wevelgem
Alan & Ann Sturgess were notable members in the 60s & 70s There son Colin, a member as a youngster, won the world professional 5000 metres pursuit champion in 1989
From the 1960s to 1980s Jim Blankley, George Masson, Steve Burton, Peter Millson and Dougie Dunbar are names synonymous with Calder’s cyclo cross past.