PRESS REPORTS - NORTH-EASTERN DAILY GAZETTE, MONDAY APRIL 25, 1898
THE CHIEF AMATEUR
FOOTBALL HONOURS
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WON BY MIDDLESBROUGH.
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HOW IT WAS DONE
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(BY "OLD BIRD")
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It is the pleasurable duty of "Old Bird" to chronicle the fact that with the
Middlesbrough Club rests the honour of being the champion amateur organisation in
all England. It is not a new distinction either, for they carried of the trophy and
medals in 1895. As has already been stated in the "Gazette" the Tees-side team, in
charge of the directors and Mr J.Robson, match secretary, and Mr A.Birch, trainer,
left Middlesbrough at five o'clock on Friday evening for London. The Linthorpe "infant,"
a most enthusiastic supporter of the "Old Uns," made one of a particularly merry
party. Everyone was fairly confident that the team would succeed, and as matters
turned out they did, and that too, in
A MOST CREDITABLE MANNER.
However, I am getting on too fast. London was reached at 11 p.m. and a bee line was
taken for Preisick's Temperance Hotel, the home of Tees-side clubs when visiting
the City. After a hearty good meal a stroll of half an hour's duration was indulged
in, then all turned in. On Saturday morning, after breakfast, several points of interest
were visited, and at mid-day the train was boarded at Ludgate Hill Station and the
journey made to the Crystal Palace. The reason for this early departure from the
City was a wise one, as the players were given a rest before having to turn out for
the match. A light luncheon was partaken of, and a move made to the Pavilion. Here
the team was photographed, and shortly afterwards the Uxbridge team had to submit
to the same operation. It was observed that
THE TEAMS WERE FAIRLY EQUAL
in regard to weight. The Uxbridge players had a good crowd of supporters with them,
and shortly after four, when they turned out in their red shirts, they were greeted
with a hearty cheer. Middlesbrough's supporters were small in number but strong in
lung power, and the boys had as hearty a send-off as was possible under the circumstances.
There was scarcely a breath of wind, and the sun shone out brilliantly, so that matters
were even, but the weather was too hot to be pleasant for football playing. The game
was so fully dealt with by me in the "Gazette" on Saturday that there is no need
for covering the same ground again. Middlesbrough won by 2 to 0, but the margin does
not by any manner of means represent the superiority of the one body of players over
the others. It is a marvel to the "Old Bird" how a team like Uxbridge could have
reached the final. Middlesbrough as a team were
GREATLY THEIR SUPERIORS.
It is true there were one or two men who could compare favourably with the winners,
but the others were of a very moderate class. Smith had very little to do. Piercy
and Moore put in some grand kicking, indeed each made but one mis-kick during the
match, and by reason of their sound defence Smith had, as before stated, little to
do. The halves did not get settled to their work for some little time, but when they
did they gave an exhibition of tackling and all round general good play that proved
of value to the team as a whole. The trio, Allport, Jackson, and Nelms, could not
be spoken of as one being superior to the other. In the forward line Kempley never
played a finer game in his life as he did on Saturday, and the goal he scored was
a treat. He was ever on the ball when it came his way, and used excellent judgement.
LONGSTAFF PLAYED SPLENDIDLY
on the right wing, and his fast sprints was the feature of the match. Frost, Bishop,
and Wanless each did what was required of them well. In order to win the cup Middlesbrough
had to go through half-a-dozen matches, and had scored 13 goals to 4. In all Middlesbrough
have played 18 Amateur Cup ties, 12 won, 3 drawn, and 3 lost. The goal record is
the splendid one of 52 for, 20 against. Mr Sherrington, chairman of the Amateur Cup
Committee, presented the cup and medals, the latter being very handsome in design
and valuable; indeed, they are almost twice the value of those of last year. Mr Sherrington
expressed his great pleasure at being asked to
MAKE THE PRESENTATION,
and referred to the fact that Middlesbrough had fought under extraordinarily peculiar
circumstances, and they deserved the heartiest congratulation on their success. The
team will arrive home at eight o'clock to-night, and will no doubt be given a very
hearty reception. They richly deserve it. Before closing it may be mentioned that
the winning of the Amateur Cup is a losing business financially to the club winning
it. When Middlesbrough won the cup in 1895 it proved
A DEARLY BOUGHT TROPHY
not only financially, but in the matter of losing some of the best players afterwards.
This year Middlesbrough's success has only been secured at heavy loss financially.
The players have been treated right royally, and it is hoped that next season the
old club will witness an increased interest in its doings and a corresponding increase
in "gates." Had it not been for the small-pox epidemic this season's balance-sheet
would have been most satisfactory reading. As it is the directors are in no way despondent,
and with the co-operation of the players next season hope to have a rosier state
of things exist.
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North Eastern Daily Gazette April 26 1898.
THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONS
HOME COMING
A TREMENDOUS OVATION.
The amateur champions, Middlesbrough, left Kings Cross, London, yesterday afternoon,
on their journey home, and a right merry time was enjoyed in the saloon. During a
short stay at York the players in their white billycock hats created quite a sensation.
When they commenced singing, under the leadership of Jos. Smith, the custodian, a
large crowd gathered, and were apparently deeply interested, and many were the favourable
comments that the "Old Bird" heard on the vocal abilities of the team. Some good-humoured
chaff was indulged in at Thornaby station. The team was timed to arrive in Middlesbrough
at 8 p.m., and the notification to this effect in Saturday's and yesterday's "Gazette"
had caught the public eye. For nearly an hour prior to the arrival of the champions
the scene both inside and outside of the Middlesbrough station was one which has
never been witnessed before in the history of the town. The station yard was filled
with an excited and seething mass of humanity. A large number of police were engaged
in keeping the approach to the station passable Every one appeared proud of the distinction
gained by the Middlesbrough lads, and determined to give proof that they recognised
to the full the hard work which every member of the team had performed before they
were rewarded by gaining the title of England's Amateur Champions. Brakes were ready
at the station entrance for the players, and Milburn's band were also engaged to
lend ceat to the second occasion upon which a Middlesbrough team has won the amateur
trophy. When the train to which the saloon was attached ran into the station ringing
cheers were given, and the enthusiasm of the onlookers was maintained whilst the
players were being shunted to the southern platform. Upon alighting the players,
led by the chairman of the directors (Mr R.H.Forrester) made their way to the brake
which was in waiting, and when "Bob" Piercy, the captain of the team, was seen carrying
the coveted trophy, cheer after cheer resounded through the station, and this signal
being taken up by the multitude outside, an outburst of cheering was heard which
was deafening in its intensity. Preceded by the band the players were then driven
through the principal streets of the town. It was a triumphal entry in the utmost
sense of the word, the enthusiasm of the inhabitants being maintained until the team
alighted at Joe Easby's Masham Hotel. -Mr Forrester, in response to the cheers of
the crowd in front of the Hotel, held the cup up at one of the windows. As soon as
the cheers which greeted the appearance of the trophy had ceased, the President thanked
them on behalf of the directors for the splendid reception which they had given the
team. He was sure that they would be as much pleased as the team were that they were
again able to bring the highest honours to Middlesbrough that it was possible to
get in the amateur football world. (Applause.) If they had taken several people's
advice they would have withdrawn from the competition. In spite, however, of all
difficulties they had struggled to the end, and had met with that success which the
team richly deserved. He again thanked them for the manner in which they had been
received, and trusted that the people would rally round them, and let them have big
"gates" (Cheers.) -In response to cries the captain, Piercy, appeared at the window
and thanked the people on behalf of the team for the reception which had been accorded
them. -Trainer Birch was also called upon, and said that he was proud to be the trainer
of the Middlesbrough Football Club. The crowd cheered lustily, and then dispersed.
The cup was then filled, and Mr Forrester wished success to the club. He hoped they
would stick together and have a fair go for it again next year. The cup was then
passed round among the players and directors and other well wishers of the club.
-Captain Piercy said that it was the second time he had the honour of drinking out
of the cup, and he hoped it would not be the last. If the players stuck together
he had no doubt but what they would have the same honour next year. -Mr R. W. Williams
said that their opponents of Saturday were no class for the Middlesbrough team. If
the Middlesbrough boys had been put to it or had put themselves about they could
have won by twenty to none, instead of two to none. They were never called upon to
exert themselves, and won the cup very easily. The evening was enlivened with songs,
&c.
