A ROCKER-turned-writer has charted the history of Bacup Football Club from its beginnings as a works team to later rubbing shoulders with the cream of the national game.

Roger Hindle, also known as the vocalist in punk band The Riflemen of War, has spent the past few years compiling stories behind the West View side from its inception in 1879 to the present day. Known then as Irwell Springs Mill, and starting life in neighbouring Weir, the outfit eventually morphed into Bacup FC and have spent 125 years at their edge-of-town home.

Roger said: “What was interesting to find is that the club has played eight current or former Premier League sides, including a famous game against Manchester United in 1911. I guess not many non-league clubs of similar standing to Bacup could better that.”

Billy Meredith came to West View with his Championship-winning side for a Lancashire Senior Cup tie which attracted more than 2,000 spectators, to see the visitors triumph 5-1.

The 160-page book is separated into chapters covering a decade each and details some of the club’s many high spots in the annals of non-league football. Just the season before the Red Devils’ arrival, Bacup had secured the fixture by winning the Lancashire Junior Cup. Later the Lancashire Combination was added to the trophy cabinet, in 1942.

And the 21st century has brought the North West Counties Challenge Cup to the Valley, in 2004 and 2012, under the stewardship of Brent Peters.

Roger added: “This book charts an interesting path of social history in the development of the game many of us love. When other Valley clubs have folded Bacup have miraculously been able to keep going. Many people have helped me put together the book with photos and articles and I would like to thank them for their support.”

Last year the club changed its name to Bacup and Rossendale Borough FC, following the demise of Rossendale United and in acknowledgement that they were now the flag-bearers for the game in the valley.

Copies of the book are on sale priced £14.95 at the club, Bacup News, Bacup Natural History Museum, Rodney’s Greengrocers, or from Roger Hindle himself by e-mailing rhindle@ymail.com