NORTH-EASTERN DAILY GAZETTE, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1890
FOOTBALL
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THIS DAY’S PLAY.
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ASSOCIATION
ENGLISH CUP
MIDDLESBROUGH v SCARBOROUGH
Despite the fact that Middlesbrough was generally supposed to have a very easy
thing before them in this match in the qualifying competition for the English Cup,
there was a very fair gate on the Middlesbrough ground. The result showed that general
anticipations were correct. The teams were :- Middlesbrough; Goal, Barber; backs
Crone and Bell; half-backs, Bach, Stevenson, and Waller; forwards, Wilson, Petrie,
Johnston, Allen, and Dennis. Scarborough; Goal, Morley; backs Carlile and Mainer;
half-backs, Williamson, Cook, and Beal; forwards, Richardson, J.Richardson, Kidd,
Milmer, and Betts. At the start Middlesbrough rushed the ball down, and in a few
moments Johnston scored first blood out of a scrimmage. In a few minutes Wilson repeated
the dose very smartly for a corner, and five minutes later Allen added a third point
the game having been entirely in the visitor’s quarters. Then Scarborough men had
a short break away on the left wing and Crone missing his kick they got through,
Betts shooting in a beauty, which, however, Barbour negotiated finely. The venue
of play was at once transferred to the visitor’s quarters, where after some hot fighting
round the Scarborough goal, the fourth point was notched by Johnston. Three goals
came in quick succession to Middlesbrough, Barber, Crone and Bell having sinecures.
Petrie scored the fifth point, Wilson the sixth, and Dennis the seventh. Score at
half time:-- Middlesbrough 7, Scarborough, 0. On resuming the ball was kept in midfield
for a time, and was then worked to the Scarborough fortress, where in saving from
Petrie a corner was conceded, which proved barren. Though play held round this end
continuously it was fully ten minutes before the score was increased, when Stevenson
shot a lofty one through, which Morley, though he fisted, failed to stop. Then Scarborough
broke away, and a piece of smart play round the home goal culminated in a good shot
by Kidd. Barbour, however, was on the spot, and he rejected cleverly. The game then
went back to the other end, and Morley distinguished himself several times by good
defensive play. The Middlesbrough shooting became somewhat erratic, and several good
chances to score were missed from this cause. The backs and half-backs seemed to
be amusing themselves by shooting at goal, instead of feeding the forwards, with
the result that the leather was continually flying over the bar. At length, from
a well-centred corner by Dennis, the ball was rushed by the home team in a body.
Dennis centred another shot, and rushing into the ensuing scrimmage got the ball
through the tenth time, and the eleventh goal was scored immediately afterwards by
Petrie. Final score:--
MIDDLESBROUGH……………………11
SCARBOROUGH………………………..0
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MIDDLESBROUGH’S RECORD WIN - AN F.A.CUP TIE AT HOME TO SCARBOROUGH
November 15 1890
Qualifying Round in the English Cup.
MIDDLESBROUGH…………………2
DARLINGTON………………………0
NORTH-EASTERN DAILY GAZETTE, NOVEMBER 21, 1890
Football.
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E N G L I S H C U P
FINAL ROUND OF QUALIFYING COMPETITION.
The following is the draw in the final round of ties in the ten divisions:--
Included
DIVISION 6
Ironopolis v. Middlesbrough or Darlington.
The first-named have choice of ground, and the ties are to be played off on December
6th. Kick off 2.15p.m.
A committee meeting was held at the Douglas Hotel, Manchester, last night, Dr.Morley
in the chair, when a protest from the Darlington Club against Middlesbrough was investigated.
The Darlington Club’s protest was that Bell, the centre forward in the Middlesbrough
team, had played for the “Boys Out for a Lark” team in a five a-side competition
at Bonnyrigg after he had signed the professional form for the Middlesbrough Club.
After hearing the evidence of both clubs the matter was referred to a sub-committee
consisting of Dr.Morley, Messrs Woolfall, Gregor, Bentley, and Lythgoe -- with full
power to deal with the same. This course was adopted in order that the referee in
the match in which Bell is alleged to have played may be found, and his statement
heard.
We regret the disappointment felt by the crowd of football supporters who congregated
outside the offices of the North-Eastern Daily Gazette at Middlesbrough last night,
the telegram arranged for by us not being received, owing to a misunderstanding as
to the place of meeting.
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NORTH-EASTERN DAILY GAZETTE, NOVEMBER 29, 1890
Football.
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E N G L I S H C U P
THE MIDDLESBROUGH CLUB DISQUALIFIED.
No little consternation was evinced among the supporters of the Middlesbrough
Club when last night they learnt that Darlington’s protest had been sustained, and
Middlesbrough consequently thrown out of the competition. The news was scarcely credited
when posted in the windows of the chief office of the North-Eastern Daily Gazette,
but confirmatory telegrams received later put beyond a doubt the decision arrived
at by the English Association sub-committee at their meeting at Blackburn. Darlington’s
protest was that Bell, the Middlesbrough Club’s centre-forward played in a five a
side competition on June 21, and that as he had signed the professional form the
day previous, he was ineligible to play in a cup tie. On the other hand Bell contended
that the competition was on June 14 and not the 21st, as alleged by Darlington. Mr
Fraser, the referee appointed by the East of Scotland to act in the game under notice,
and also an official of the St. Bernard’s Club, of which Bell was a member, positively
asserted that Bell did play at Bonnyrigg Sports on June 21. The protest was sustained,
and Darlington will play Ironopolis at Middlesbrough on Saturday next.
Northern Review 28 January 1893
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What’s the odds against the English Cup finding a resting place in Middlesbrough!
That sanguine toned expression was on the lips of many scores of ardent supporters
of the old club, the natural result of the reaction following a tie in which the
scoring for a long time was in favour of the vanquished. To attempt to describe the
bleak horror depicted on the faces of the directors, and the gradual rolling away
of the black clouds leaving a wealth of smiles, genial enough to ripen a field of
wheat is a task I will not attempt. Let it suffice to say it was a glorious victory,
pulled off despite early mistakes that would almost have broken the spirit of most
teams, a victory enjoyed and appreciated to the fullest extent by those who witness
the gallant performance.
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It was a very dismal state of affairs when the excursionists arrived from Middlesbrough,
and were told in reply to their eager enquiries that Newcastle United were two goals
to nil, with the game well in hand. It was, indeed, a facer to those who had journeyed
with confident hearts to the scene of battle.
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What a battle it was and to those well acquainted with the undercurrent of affairs,
how fraught the result with important consequences. It was more than a struggle between
old and keen rivals, more than an English Cup tie, the existence of the clubs was
in a great measure at stake. The victory has given to the Middlesbrough club a new
lease of life, making possible the production at the end of the season of a favourable
balance sheet. What would have happened, in all probability, is not now necessary
to mention it; the danger has passed. Newcastle United could even less than Middlesbrough
afford to lose the tie, therefore both sides played at high pressure.
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Almost the last words of President Dodds to his men, before the kick-off, were
“three to nothing at half-time lads,” an attempt at prophecy that had every appearance
of coming off in the contrary way to Dodds’ wish. Middlesbrough won the toss and
took the advantage of playing down the famous slope which was so obstinately held
and defended, that they made no impression on the goal, although, at times, precious
near it. In the meantime, the attack of Newcastle had not been weak or frivolous,
far from it, as two goals were scored in the first twenty minutes, both of the kind
termed “soft.” The first was from a shot indifferently fisted out by Fall, badly
mulled by Crone, and then shot through. Very soon after, Fall again received, held
the ball a considerable space of time and, finally, was dragged through the goal
literally “neck and crop.” It is a long time since I have had the misery of witnessing
such an exhibition. There is hardly any excuse possible for a goal-keeper hanging
on the ball when it is always his duty to get quit of it with might and main, but
Fall’s excuse that he heard the referee’s whistle pipe should be mentioned. I don’t
think Fall will let a jack-ass in the crowd armed with a penny whistle, take him
on again. If the team had eventually lost the tie the luck would have been diabolical,
because, with the exception of the scoring, the Middlesbrough men were points in
front and kept one of the strongest lines of defence in the north continually employed.
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I was greatly pleased with the manner the Middlesbrough men took their misfortune.
There was no shirking or losing of heart or temper. A quiet confidence was maintained,
more fibre put into their play and every effort made to rub out the score. For a
weary, long period no tangible results were made, but at last Blyth got in a beauty,
no further score being made when the whistle piped the half-time.
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An enthusiastic Tynesider, who was my nearest neighbour during the resting period,
told me that as soon as his champions commenced rushing down the slope, my champions
would be, as it were, mats to wipe twenty two No. 9 kickers upon. I thanked him kindly
and gently insinuated that it was hardly likely, whereupon I was asked “not to be
a fool.” Nevertheless I maintained my opinion because the Middlesbrough men were
confident of attacking better up the slope than they could down, an opinion justified
by recent experience, the only difficulty, a serious one, being that a sudden downward
rush of their opponents might win the tie. Never was judgement more fully borne out,
they breasted the hill gallantly, ran round the defence and quickly equalised. McKnight
putting a champion shot. Very nearly a rush down resulted in putting Newcastle again
in front, but Fall came out with excellent judgement and saved. In a few minutes
Lewis headed a goal from a corner, and Middlesbrough had as good as won. Quickly
there was a new disposition of players, and the defence strengthened. This was a
wise and sane proceeding, at the same time it was not required s by this time Newcastle
were beaten, and the game was nearly all to their opponents to the end.
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Mr. Sam Omerod, of Accrington, acted as referee, and gave every satisfaction to
the winners, perhaps less to the vanquished, as the referee generally takes more
than a fair share of blame for defeat. I must say no match could have been more orderly
or better conducted. He was instantaneous in detecting the least bit of foul play
and inflicting the penalty. His only mistake was in allowing Newcastle the second
goal when Fall was dragged through by the neck.
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Turning to the players, Fall made one or two costly mistakes, but afterwards was
all there, and saved more than once with brilliance. McManus was as safe as a church,
and Tom Bach made him an efficient partner. The opinion of Tyneside about Jem Stott
was that a better centre half-back cannot be found, and certainly he gave them excellent
reason for holding this opinion. The genial Taggart revelled on his wing, and could
not do wrong. With Crone it was different; he had not only an exceedingly clever
wing to tackle, but, apparently, was determined to stop their gallop, and to do this
he developed an extraordinary degree of caution, and for the day put aside his usual
dash -- and let the speedy wing get round him more than once.
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The forwards were all in capital trim. McCabe, when he warmed up, ran away from
his opponents and centred beautifully. McKnight displayed not only good playing
powers but qualities of generalship. There was not much lost to his side for want
of an appeal. Blyth was as good as anybody on the field, putting in solid, useful
work from start to finish. The left wing showed up grandly, and were always dangerous.
I believe if McKnight had kept forward towards the finish more goals would certainly
have been scored; but, as I before remarked, the safe game in Cup ties is always
the best. The feature of the Newcastle play was the grand defence of Whitton, Jeffrey,
and Miller, especially in the first half. The forwards were not clever, the Middlesbrough
half-backs nearly always being able to check their rushes.
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As I expected, the defeat has been too much for Newcastle United, a scapegoat
must and has been found to answer for “future developments.” To begin with the secretary
and president have resigned in consequence of the result of the tie. The facts are
of the usual character. Last week the secretary received a letter, purporting to
have been written by a member of the Ironopolis Club, in which Miller was accused
of sending a large sum of money to a well known Middlesbrough publican, to back the
Middlesbrough team. Miller was heart-broken at the accusation and courted an investigation
before the tie commenced, and it was only with difficulty he was persuaded to play.
What the upshot of this part of the affair will be I cannot foretell -- but somebody
deserves scragging. It is, however, hard lines on the players to fix all the responsibility
of the circumstances of the club, with no better basis than letters of this type.
Weekly Exchange - September 11 1880.
Middlesbrough Association
Football Club
On Friday evening the annual meeting of the above club was held in the Swatter’s
Carr Hotel. There was a good attendance of members. The chair was occupied by Mr
Jackson Ewbank, who opened the proceedings by a few appropriate remarks on the success
of last season, and called upon Mr J.Windross, hon. Sec., to read the annual report,
which showed that the first eleven had won seven matches, lost three, and drawn
one, which was very good when it is taken into consideration that two of the matches
lost were those against the Sheffield Albion and Sheffield Exchange, two older and
more experienced clubs. The second eleven had played nine matches, three of which
were won, three lost, and three drawn. The third eleven had played three matches,
one of which was won, one lost, and one drawn. The financial state of the club showed
a balance of £4 11s on the right side of the ledger, with £5 of the unpaid subscriptions
which he (the Secretary) felt confident of getting in. The club is again entered
for the association Challenge Cup, and drawn to play against Redcar in the first
ties on October 16. The following officers were elected :- Lieutenant-Colonel Sadler,
president; captain Mr Jackson Ewbank; deputy captain, Mr C. Booth. Committee : Messrs
Bastard, Greenwood, Easton, Shearer, Hardisty, Pickstock and Ransford; hon. Sec.
And treasurer, Mr J. Windross, Grange-road. The club has again engaged the field
in Breckon Hill-road, where practice will shortly commence.
Weekly Exchange - October 16 1880.
TYNE V MIDDLESBROUGH. -- The opening of the football season in Middlesbrough district
took place on Saturday, when the above old opponents met in friendly rivalry. The
match was arranged to take place in the cricket field , Linthorpe -road, but owing
to the bad state of the ground the locale of the contest was transferred by mutual
consent to the practice field, Breckon Hill. Weeks, the Newcastle captain, winning
the toss, elected to play with the wind, and a few minutes after three o’clock the
teams were arrayed against each other, the Tyne being a man short. The play for the
first half of the game was very fast. Bruce leading his forwards to attack after
attack on the Middlesbrough lines, whose defenders stoutly resisted, only making
an occasional sortie to feel the strength of their opponents. Towards the end of
the first half the home team broke through the lines of defence and scored the first
goal. At the commencement of the last half the “Tees-siders” were found to be cool,
well together, and confident whereas the “Tyne-siders” were loose and disjointed
showing a woeful want of practice; indeed, if it had not been for the sometimes brilliant
play of Bruce, Messent, and Gibson, their defeat would have been more disastrous
than it eventually proved. The Middlesbrough forwards assailed the fortress they
were so determined to capture with great vigour and precision, the passing work being
remarkably good, and effected its downfall no less than four times, thus winning
by five goals to nil. The teams were :--
Tyne --Chaloner, goal; Watson and Gibson, backs; Weeks (captain) and Border, half
backs; Messent, Hitchcock, Bruce, Fox, and Cochrane, forwards.
Middlesbrough --Harrison, goal, Bastard and Ransforth, backs; Booth and Peel,
half backs; Ewbank (captain), Hardwick, Shearer, Borrie, Dales, and Pickstock, forwards.