About us

Rawmarsh St Josephs JFC is a club with a long tradition. For us, it’s not all about serious training or winning back to back games. It’s about providing a safe environment for you, your son or daughter to come along and learn new skills through great coaching and people whom demonstrate passion for this great game.


We don’t differentiate between our members. Anyone is welcome to join us. Our qualified Coaches and committee members are just like anyone else.  Please approach anyone of them and they will be happy to tell you more about what the club has to offer your child.

All Managers and Coaches at our club will undergo the following minimum training courses:-

  • The FA Level 1 award in coaching football 
  • FA Emergency Aid
  • FA Safeguarding Children
  • All coaches have an enhanced FA CRC (criminal record check) 

We’re always happy to welcome new members who are interested in joining in with club activities, helping us organise events or excursions and being part of our community.  If this intrests you please email the social Hub from our contact page.

On site we have the following:

  • Player Changing Rooms
  • Accessibility Toilet
  • Baby Changing Facilities
  • Male & Female toilets
  • Hot & Cold Drinks
  • Hot Sandwiches
  • A variety of confectionery
  • First Aid facilities including stretcher
  • Defibrillator 

Club History

Rawmarsh St Joseph’s Junior Football Club was founded in 1970 the origins of the club being with Frank Whitehouse the current President. Initially Frank approached the local St Josephs RC junior school to start a local boy’s team but this was not greeted well and the idea was place on the back burner. A few months later a new Priest, Father Brady joined the Rawmarsh St Joseph’s Church and he too was interested in encouraging local boys to play football. Consequently Frank and Father Brady got together and with the assistance of Terry Riley began an Under 14’s Rawmarsh St Joseph’s Football Team.

The team entered the Rotherham Centenary League and played at the Rosehill School, Rawmarsh. At this time the cost to the boys was sixpence subs per game (2½p). After a short time the team moved to Rawmarsh Leisure Centre. Slowly over the next few years the club began to develop and in 1976 the club opened its doors to local players from the area regardless of denomination.

By the start of the 1979-80 season Frank recognised the need for expansion and approached Mr Pinder, Mr Smallman and Mr Davis to work alongside him to develop the club. As the next few seasons progressed the limitations of the Centenary League became apparent and the club joined the Sheffield Redgate Junior Football League.

By the 1983 -84 season the club had expanded to five teams ranging from u11’s to u15’s and as with the expansion so came additional problems with regards to finances and organisation. A committee was therefore formed consisting of Mr Steel (Chairman) Mr Whitehouse (President) Mr Pinder (Secretary) and Mr Small (General Club Manager) Mr Wilkinson (Treasurer) and Mr Robinson (Vice-Chairman). This formed the main basis for the foundations of the club which still stand today.

During the 1985-86 season Mr Howitt replaced Mr Wilkinson as Treasurer as the club extended to include seven teams (u10s to u16’s). With the extra teams came the problem of football pitches and the difficulties in hiring the grounds. As the extension of the teams brought its problems. The solution was found by a sudden opportunity arising to purchase the Stubbin Colliery Sports Ground from the Wentworth Estate at a cost of £12,500. A grant for £6,000 was received and with the assistance of Frank Whitehouse, Arthur Steele, Colin Pinder and Terrance Williams who became Tustees for the club, the remaining money was raised and Stubbin was purchased for the sole use of Rawmarsh St Joseph’s Football Club.

The original Stubbin Colliery Sports Ground was donated by the Wentworth Estate to the Stubbin Miners Colliery in 1933 by the Wentworth Estate in recognition of the 21st birthday of their son.

The club continued to grow and develop incorporating an under 9’s and under 18’s in the late 80’s, which were now playing in the G.T. News League.

In 1988-89 season the club faced major set backs with the resignation of Mr Steel and Mr Smallman due to work committments. This was compounded by the closure and subsequent demolition of the New Stubbin Colliery which in turn meant the turning off, of the water and electricity supplies. The Chairman at this time Mr Robinson took up the challenge and a generator was purchased to solve the problem of the electricity. A large grant was then obtained from BBC Children In Need to re install the water supply. This season will be looked on as the defining moment in the clubs history many thought the club would cease to operate however many stood firm and overcame the difficulties to keep the club progessing and is an attitude that can be seen today.

Over the following years the club grew from strength to strength with many Chairman Committee members Managers and Players coming and going however Frank has remained thoughout.

Frank Whitehouse together with the current Chairman Derek Brice and other committee members over the last few years have continued the long held traditions of the club and are moving forward. A large project has been undertaken to modernise the clubhouse and all the facilities. This is an ongoing process and is being done without losing sight of the purpose of the club, that of allowing the local community to have access to and participate in Juinior football.

In the summer of 2007 despite failed attempts to obtain various grants the old clubhouse was demolished and the development of the current clubhouse began. With the commitment and hard work of the Committee, Managers, Players, Guardian and Friends sufficient funds have been raised to carry out the construction work required and it was completed by Christmas 2008 with the re- introduction of mains electricity to the site.

The club itself now consists of teams ranging form Under 7’s to Under 18’s with some age groups having two teams. A new young 5 to 7yrs academy has commenced and the future looks healthy with approximately 230 players involved in football within the club.

Frank Whitehouse
Father Brady