Guisborough & District 5s&3s Domino League

“Guisborough & District 5s&3s Domino League” was formed in 1971 (43 years ago) led by George May (Guisborough T.A. Club) and Gordon Armstrong (Boosbeck Hotel) with support from Clive Maidens and others. The original eight founder member teams were Blackett & Hutton Club, The Buck, the Cricket Club, the King’s Head, the Mermaid, the Miner’s Arms and the T.A. Club from Guisborough and the Boosbeck Hotel. Unfortunately, the Cricket Club then dropped out before being able to fulfil any fixtures – but the other seven forged ahead !

Initially, the teams only played a League Competition for a trophy paid for by the League members, but it was not long before other Cup Competitions / trophies were introduced. Following the death of Gordon Armstrong, the Boosbeck Hotel donated the Gordon Armstrong Memorial Trophy. George May was for many years a leading member of Guisborough Red Cross and the Red Cross Cup was started with after-match collections to support trips for disadvantaged children. Following the death of another long-time League player, the Tommy Swinburne Memorial Trophy was also donated by his family in recognition of many years playing with the Hollybush. The James Cook C.S. Trophy was donated by the family of a patient at the hospital with after-match collections linked to the James Cook Hospital Children’s Ward – Cleveland Suite. The George May Trophy was introduced by the League for the 2013/14 Season to mark George’s retirement as League Secretary / Treasurer after 41 years. Except where indicated above, after-match collections are linked with all the Cup Competitions to support the local Cancer Research charity. Over the years, it is estimated that the League has donated approximately £30,000 To these charities.

At it’s peak, there were 32 teams in the League across Guisborough and the East Cleveland District. The Boosbeck Hotel once had three teams. Unfortunately, with the decline in popularity of dominoes, there are only 13 teams playing in the 2014/15 League Season.

• Previous teams in Guisborough included the Anchor, the Blackett & Hutton Club, the British Legion Club, the Conservative Club,  the Buck, the Highland Laddie, the Mermaid, the Miner’s Arms, the Moorcock, the Quoit Club, the Red Lion, the Seven Stars, the Ship and Guisborough Rugby Club.

• Previous teams from outside Guisborough included the Carlin How Ex-Servicemen's Social Club, Carlin How Working Men’s Club, the Crown (Brotton), the Duke William (Skelton), the Green Tree (Brotton), the Hollybush (Skelton), the Maynard Arms (Carlin How), the Miner’s Arms (Skelton Green), North Skelton Social Club, the Queens (Brotton), the Royal George (Skelton), the Zetland (Marske) and Tim’s Coffee House (Skinningrove).

​