Forth District

Woolfords is a village near Forth consisting of a row of former miners cottages. It is situated between the A71 and A70. The nearest main towns are West Calder, in West Lothian, and Forth in Lanarkshire, although Livingston is only just a few miles past West Calder.

The cottages sit along one side of the road, with a cottage, children's playground, postbox and public phone on the other side. Woolfords also had a football team at one time.

The Old Mine seen from the village was rich in oilshale which James Young with his Young's Paraffin Light and Mineral Oil Company mined , The Pumperston Oil Company was one of the successful competitors. It was situated to the south of the village. However mining did not carry on at Woolfords for long as although it is on list of active mines in 1918 it does not appear in either 1908 or 1945's register of Lanarkshire mines.

Woolfords Football Team.

They were known as cobbinshaw rovers and had several players from Forth. They won the East of Scotland cup on three consecutive years.The years were 1952 - 53; 1953 - 54; 1954 - 55. Cobbinshaw Rovers always did very well, Playing in the Lothian Amateur league. They were run by Peter Higgins [Big Pete] and Bert Young was the trainer. Pete's brother "Gog" was the linesman. The team is pictured below.

In the east of scotland amateur cup final at tynecastle. Cobinshaw Rovers beat Torphichen Amateurs 3-2.

the cup was presented by Evening Times sport editor Mr G Terris.

Cobbinshaw Rovers - R.Alexander, W.Jamieson, A.Ross: J.Young, J.Kerr, F.Murray: G.Hancock, R.Smith, T.Brownlee, J.Machie, J.McCafferty.

Torphichen Amateurs- W.Douglas: T.Ferguson, W.Greenwell: W.Marshall, A.Gardner, J.Robertson: R.Peden, J.Gallacher, D.Gray, D.Ferguson, J.Carty.

Referee-Mr J.Gowans, Edinburgh.

Ladies Football Team.

This picture was taken at a Woolfords Gala Day circa 1960/1962.

The 'ladies' dressed up in the Cobbinshaw Rovers strip for a 'friendly' with the Americans who worked at the Base at Kirknewton. These American's lived with their families in Woolfords village and blended in with the community during their time over here.

Here are the names of the 'footballers' who were simply ahead of their time - these names were provided by Mrs May Lang - an octogenarian stalwart and much loved within the Woolfords community. May's husband Adam Lang was the Groundsman for the inimitable Cobbinshaw Rovers Team and apparently gave the 'female team' a 'tactic talk' at this Gala Day Special Occasion.

Back row left to right is Rachel Cowan, Molly Higgins, Jean Higgins, Betty Jamieson, Annie Innes/Lindsay, Anne Simpson.

Front row left to right is Betty Hastie, May Lang, Unknown?, and Doris Mackie.

Special thanks to Christine Lindsay for the above picture.

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Woolfords Gala Day Pictures.

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Special thanks to Gordon Young for the information suppied.