MIDDLESBROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB

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PRE-LEAGUE FOOTBALL - [ENTERED DIVISION 2 1899]

Season 1890-91 Preview.

North Eastern Daily Gazette, Saturday, August 30, 1890

MIDDLESBROUGH

Excitement is great in the capital of Cleveland. Two clubs now exist with their numerous partisans. Last season the Middlesbrough Club, who hold the Cleveland Cup, for a time resisted all attempts at infringing their amateur status. But secession broke down obstacles, yet not until the formation of the Ironopolis Company on professional lines came about. Then amateurism in Middlesbrough died, and the town club committee sought out professional players. Previous to this the club had made an exceedingly poor show, but with the aid of imported players the team managed to win 25 matches out of the 48 played. One of the club’s greatest drawbacks was the want of a few good reserves; but so energetic have been the committee since May last that, we understand, there will be no reason for complaint on that score this season. There is very little diminution in the membership roll, notwithstanding the secession. With the players at the disposal of the committee this season, it is confidently anticipated that the club will more than hold its own against all comers, and instead of the team’s goal average being 1.23 to 1 it will be at least 3 to 1 for. Wilson and Dennis, the left wing pair of forwards, who have done such yeoman service for the club in the past, are to be displaced by Alex. McVee and George Bruce, but the old ‘uns will be available if occasion require. The first-named hails from the Bonnyrigg Rose, Edinburgh, and comes with a good reputation. He is a sturdy outside man, but can do duty in the centre on a pinch. George Bruce, of Edinburgh St. Bernard’s who will be his partner, is only light, but his adroitness and skilful manipulation of the ball shows that he has the making of a smart man in him. Negotiations are in progress for a reliable centre, but up to the time of writing such a man had not arrived. Johnson and Petrie are to be the right wing pair, and Lendess may fill McVee’s place on the left should the last-named be required for the centre. The half-back division will be selected from Wynn, Geo. Waller (Sheffield Wednesday), Walsh, and Stevenson, while Bach, Crone, and Bell may do duty at full back. The last named comes from the St. Bernard’s Club wit the reputation of being one of the best centre half-backs in Edinburgh, and being a strong, weighty fellow he can play a good full back game. Crone is from Belfast Distillery, and an Irish international player. Hugh Mackay, from the Heart of Midlothian, has a big reputation as a goalkeeper, and taken all round the team will be of greatly superior quality to even that which did such good duty at the back end of last season. McManus is lost to the club for a couple of months owing to his having foolishly signed two professional forms, but on the termination of his suspension he will no doubt strengthen the club’s ranks with his presence. In members’ entrance cards a new departure has been made that will prove to the advantage of the club. The playing ground is not in perfect condition, in consequence of the cutting up it got at the recent sports held by the club, but with a little attention it should be got in excellent order before October. In addition to the League fixtures matches have been arranged at home with Sunderland, Stockton, South Bank, Manchester, St. Mirrens, Renton, Glasgow Rangers, Derby County, Battlefield, and Corinthians, and other first class matches are in course of arrangement. There will also be the English, Cleveland, and Charity Cup ties, and the usual Swifts and Junior matches.

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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.

 

Season 1890-91 Review.

North Eastern Daily Gazette, 20 May 1891

Football.

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A YEAR’S WORK BY THE MIDDLESBROUGH CLUB

    The report of the Executive to the members of the Middlesbrough Football Club for the past season was issued at Middlesbrough last evening. The executive in the report say they think there is every reason to congratulate the members on the results attained during the past season.

THE FIRST ELEVEN

Having played 43 matches, won 28, drawn 6, and lost only 9, scoring 121 goals to 46 goals lost, a very good performance indeed especially when it is taken into account that 5 of the 9 matches were lost during the first and last months of the season, when, unfortunately, the team was not in such form as it was during the other six months, when only 4 matches were lost. The record for the first team is very much in advance of that of the previous two years, as last year 18 matches were lost, and the year before 17, whilst the record is the best for five years. The goal average is the best the club has had for at least five seasons, whilst the number of goals scored against us is a record, we believe, for any club of standing in England. Though the first team have not the extreme satisfaction of being the winner of any cup this season, yet it must be taken into account that we have had to play a much weakened team in cup ties, and, on the other hand, our position amongst local clubs, as evidenced by the Northern League results, is a highly satisfactory one, we taking second position on the list. We can hardly leave the performances of the first team without passing note on the fact that the team is evidently highly thought of outside the district as we have secured the honour of being placed amongst the selected 18 clubs of all England by the English Association for exemption in the preliminary rounds of the English Cup ties, an honour which has not been previously bestowed upon any local club. It would also be well at this stage of our report to assure the members that we have done everything in our power to secure a first-class team and though we have been unsuccessful in securing players for one or two positions where we have been admittedly weak it has not been for want of endeavouring to secure players for these positions as every possible means have been tried, and we certainly have not ever stopped on a mere pecuniary ground. Next season it is earnestly hoped the team will be considerably improved, as already in addition to most of the present team available, the services of three high class forwards in the persons of T.Cranshaw, W.C.Campbell, and D.Black have been secured, whilst we are in negotiation with other players. We would, however like to point out to the members that if they wish us to secure one or two players of a high class, very considerable sums will have to be paid, more in fact than the income of the club would warrant, and if it is wished that players of such a nature should be secured, we think that the proper way of doing so is by the members and supporters subscribing something each for that special purpose, as it is clearly not the duty of the executive to go to any considerable amount above their means and run the club heavily into debt, practically the team as constituted is of as expensive a nature as the ordinary income will bear, if anything better is wanted we think the members may very fairly be asked to meet the necessary additional outlay.

THE SWIFTS

have also had a successful season, and have brought back into possession of the club the Cup which the first eleven, in the amateur cup days, had so many times won namely, the Cleveland Amateur Cup. And to the Swifts is due the hearty thanks of the members for their great achievement. The Swifts have played 33 matches, won 19, drawn 3, lost 11, scoring 70 goals to 67 against them.

THE JUNIOR TEAM

Also have a very creditable record having played 23 matches, won 16, drawn 0, lost 7, scoring 85 goals to 52 against them.

GRAND TOTALS.

    The total number of matches played by the club has been 99. Won 63, drawn 9, lost 27; goals scored 276, goals lost 165.

PROPOSED AMALGAMATION WITH IRONOPOLIS

    The deputation appointed at the last general meeting to meet a deputation from the Ironopolis Football Club, with a view to amalgamation, reported that the two deputations arrived at a basis of settlement subject to the approval of the general bodies of both clubs, but the Ironopolis shareholders refused to carry out the scheme agreed to by their deputation or submit any counter proposals, consequently the negotiations fall to the ground.

THE CLUB’S FINANCES.

    Turning to the balance sheet, the club has nearly cleared itself on the year’s working, for, as will be noticed the amounts paid for last season’s accounts are very heavy, while taking into account some matches that were played last May after the balance-sheet was made up the actual season just ended has really resulted in the receipts exceeding the payments. The balance sheet shows that at the commencement of the season there was a balance at the bank of £22 15s 7d. Subscriptions received for the season amounted to £462 3s, of which £54 15s was for ladies and juniors. Receipts at matches amounted to £1,498 13s 4d. Hire of field, stands, &c., brought in £109 10s 5d. While £30 2s 3d was made on the recent gala, a balance being shown to be due to the treasurer of £86 8s 3d. On the expenditure side £78 13s 3d was shown to have been paid for the previous season’s accounts. £456 15s 8d was paid visiting teams; £237 18s 11d. paid in entertaining their own and visiting teams, railway fares, advertising, gatekeepers, police, referees, &c. Professional expenses were put at £1,097 4s 6d, which includes gratuities to players, expenses obtaining players, wages to players’ trainer and groundman. £37 11s 7d had been expended on improvement and extension account; shirts, boots, and pants cost £26 11s 4d, secretary’s salary £60, Mr Walker £10, baseball expenditure £17 9s 7d, or £11 more than the receipts from this section.

PROPOSED ALTERATION OF RULES.

    Mr F. Hardisty proposed to add to Rule 10 – “That the executive shall be empowered to reserve a portion of the covered stand, and to issue tickets for the same to members subscribing not less than a guinea or ladies half a guinea per season, the number of tickets and the sitting accommodation to be limited to 100.” It is also proposed to add to Rule 13 – “That lady and junior members shall pay to all cup ties.” The annual general meeting is fixed for Wednesday next.

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