What probably started his photographic career – ATR (Big Al) in his school days as a 5th Form pupil at Archbishop Holgate’s Grammar School, York.
Before he took to the rugby field with York RUFC at Hobmoor, Allan was a keen and accomplished oarsman. The picture shows Allan as part of the Coxed Four with all the trophies that they won in the 1959 season at regattas around the country.

AHGS had a very strong sporting presence at the time with a prolific rowing club which had representative teams throughout the school.
The picture shows Mike Easton, Allan Robertshaw, Martin Rotherham and Alan Coles. Cox Michael Scaife kneeling at the front.
The Headmaster at the time was Mr A B Hodgson who was also President of York RUFC from 1945 - 1959.

In his message of last week, Bill Temple who played for York RUFC in the 1960's, also mentioned the link between AHGS and York RUFC. The school only played rugby union as its winter sport at the time, football only started being played there in the very late '60's early 70's.
Bill talked of the high number of AHGS former pupils who went on to play for York RUFC in his time at the club. He even listed them as a team:

A York 1st XV of AHGS Players In the 1960s

1. E. (Mac) McClelland
2. B. Allen
3. W. A. Temple
4. A. T. Robertshaw
5. M. Finneron
6. A. (Ces) Fletcher / M. Press
7. K. Thompson
8. P. Lockwood
9. D. (Daisy) Glover or G. Corney
10. N. Elliot
11. C. (Roxy) Kilvington
12. P. Ayres
13. M. V. Able
14. M. Press
15. W. Britton

This piece has hurt me greatly to produce - I went to Nunthorpe GS!!!!!