Re: Cross Country History
The inaugural meeting of the Northern Women's Cross-Country League was 30 October 1965 at Cleckheaton (Athletics Weekly Nov. 13th, 1965 p6).
Re: Cross Country History
No mens equivalent as far as I know.
Many 'local' leagues sprung up as a result of the running boom in the 1980s, although the 'Birmingham league' is / was more of a Midland Counties elite league - there were 5 divisions in it when I competed for Loughboro' against the likes of Tipton, Birchfield, Wolverhampton & Bilston, Coventry Godiva, Birmingham University, et al
Re: Cross Country History
Manchester Cross Country Leagues:
Meeting of the East Lancashire Cross Country Clubs at the Y.M.C.A. in Manchester
Cross Country Leagues for the 1928-29 season
(Ref. Athletic News: 23 July and 30 July 1928)
Section 1: Rochdale H. Royton H. Middleton H. North Manchester H. Bury A.C.
This is the South East Lancashire League formed in 1913.
Note : A history of this League was issued in 1929 as part of the League Year Book
Section 2: Manchester H. Manchester A.C. Winton H. and Manchester YMCA H.
This was called the Manchester League.
Note : There was an earlier Manchester Junior League formed in 1899
Section 3: Horwich R.M.I.H. Walkden H. Proctors H. St. Patrick's H.
This was called the Central Lancashire League
Notes : There was also a Mid Lancashire League based in Lancaster
The existing Red Rose League was formed in 1970 Reference - Athletics Weekly, 24 October 1970, page 20
Section 4: Sale H. Manchester and Salford Lad's Club H. Broughton H. Salford H.
This was called the Lancashire League
Section 5: East Cheshire H. Bollington H. Crewe Alexandra H. Stockport H.
This was called the Cheshire League
Note : The former Cheshire Cross Country League was formed in 1977
Section 6. Leigh H. Bolton United H...etc.
I don't have much information about this section!