MIDDLESBROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB

PAGES FROM HISTORY

PRE-LEAGUE FOOTBALL - [ENTERED DIVISION 2 1899]

1895 F.A. Amateur Cup Final

AMATEUR FOOTBALL CUP.

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THE NORTH VICTORIOUS.

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TREMENDOUS ENTHUSIASM AT

MIDDLESBROUGH

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[BY "ROVER"]

  "Erimus," "We shall be," are the words to be found on the borough coat of arms at Middlesbrough, and the football representatives of the capital of Cleveland may be said to have acted up to this motto to such good purpose as to make Saturday, April 27th. 1895, a day which will always be looked back upon as one of the most gladsome periods in the history of our comparatively young town. The North was ever noted for the sturdy men it has produced, and Saturday's performance of the representatives of Tees-side in the football arena proves that there is still sufficient stamina and skill in the frames of the young men of the North to

 

OVERCOME THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SOUTH.

 

It was only by a stroke of ill-luck that our neighbours, the doughty South Bank team, were denied the conspicuous honour of throwing the Old Carthusians out of the competition, and in my praise of the Middlesbrough team I do not forget the fact that what Middlesbrough have accomplished, South Bank had previously done; but, as was the case with Middlesbrough in last season's competition, through the peculiarities of a Southern referee's decisions, they were robbed of the sweets of victory. That Tees-side possesses two teams that can vanquish the cream of Southern football players is a matter for all the greater gratification and pride on the part of supporters of the game in the district. Had justice been done to Middlesbrough last season it is more than probable that the Old Carthusians would never have had the

 

DISTINCTION OF HOLDING THE TROPHY

 

in the season of its institution. Middlesbrough's record in the competition is one which stands out most conspicuously, and I doubt very much whether in succeeding competitions it will be touched by the ultimate champions, whoever they may be. Exempted from the qualifying rounds, Middlesbrough have gone through seven games in the competition proper. Five of these ended in victories, the other two being drawn. In all a total of 21 goals have been recorded in favour of the champions, and only 5 against, giving the average of 4.20 to 1 in their favour. For a cup competition fought on the keen lines the amateur trophy was fought for this season this is a splendid performance, The fact should not be overlooked that Middlesbrough have, during their fight for possession of the blue ribbon of amateur football, upheld the honour and prestige of the North against

 

THREE SOUTHERN ELEVENS–

 

viz., Old Brightonians, Lancaster Regiment (Portsmouth), and Old Carthusians. The total goals scored against these three clubs numbered 14, while the solitary goal notched against the winners of Saturday was at Leeds, when Broadbent scored ten minutes after the interval. It is such facts as the foregoing that go to prove that in the North players can be turned out who are well capable of overcoming exponents of the game in the South. Turning to the final bout of Saturday, I fancy the playing of the match at Leeds will give the Association game a big push forward there. Of course, the merry crowd from Middlesbrough did much to create an enthusiasm in the game which there otherwise would not have been.

 

THE HEARTY, STRONG-LUNGED NORTHERNERS

 

mode of cheering on their favourites was in direct contrast to that adopted by the Southerners supporters, of whom there were a good few present. The wind was blowing almost directly across the ground, and the Carthusians gained no advantage in winning the toss. The opening exchanges were fairly exiting, but there was little real energy put into the game for some time. Eventually play ruled faster, and each goal was endangered in turn, Wilkinson having a good many more shots to stop than Cooper. However the interval arrived without either side having scored. Just prior to the interval, Hewitt was given a glorious chance, but instead of taking matters coolly, shot wildly over the cross-bar. Great was the shout that rose from the throats of the Middlesbrough team's supporters at this bit of good luck. Speculation was rife among the spectators as to what the chances were in regard to the second period of play. The

 

TEES-SIDERS' SUPPORTERS WERE CONFIDENT

 

and full of glee. The teams were soon got to work again, Bach early missing a fine chance from a corner kick when the Carthusians' goal was at his mercy. Matters on this score were thus easy, for a player on either side had now failed at a most critical moment. Play continued even, but within ten minutes of the restart Hewitt got possession, and he and Broadbent made tracks for goal. On Hewitt being tackled he gave the ball to Broadbent, who with a beautifully judged movement shot the leather into the net, Cooper having no chance. This success of the cupholders was signalised by hearty cheering. For some seven or eight minutes after this Middlesbrough played in a most disappointing fashion, it taking them some time to get over the shock of having a goal scored against them by a Southern team,

 

A THING THEY WERE NOT USED TO.

 

With but 25 minutes or so to go, the Northerners buckled to with such right good will, the trio of half-backs playing in a style which was the admiration of the onlookers, that it was not long before Allport, with a splendid piece of headplay, dropped the ball into goal, and Mullen charging the goalkeeper at the right moment the score was equalised. The Northerners' supporters made themselves heard to some tune, the point, as a Leeds contemporary put it, "being hailed with cheers which would have done credit to a Rugby final." If the excitement had been high before, it was now at fever pitch. So effective was the work of the Middlesbrough backs and half-backs that from this point to the close Cooper was only once called upon to clear his charge.

 

THE HALVES WERE PLAYING

 

as I had never seen them play before. The forwards were also working desperately, and Nelms ultimately kicked the ball hard, and it went at a raking pace low down across the goal mouth and inside the post into the net. An appeal was made by the Southerners, and the goal disallowed, apparently for off-side. I afterwards learned that the goal was not disallowed for off-side, but on the ground that the vision of the custodian was obstructed by reason of the position taken up by Mullen, the goalkeeper being given no opportunity of seeing the direction in which the ball was coming. Three abortive corners fell to the Northerners in quick succession. Nelms only failed by inches, but two minutes before time another corner was taken, and Nelms headed through, the game

 

CLOSING IN A SENSATIONAL MANNER,

 

and amid a scene of the wildest enthusiasm on the part of the Middlesbrough Club's supporters several of the victorious team were carried on the shoulders of enthusiasts to the dressing-room, and it was indeed a treat to see the keen delight depicted upon the faces of those who had in many instances lost a day's work to cheer their favourites on to victory. The scene at the Middlesbrough station was such as has never been witnessed before. A band preceded the players down Linthorpe-road to the Masham Hotel, the club's headquarters, kept by Tom Bach, the popular captain of the team. The cheering about drowned the music, the main thoroughfare of the town being densely packed with thousands who had congregated to do honour to the victors. Mr Forrester, chairman of the directors, addressed a few words to the assembled people, thanking them for that

 

SPLENDID DEMONSTRATION

 

in recognition of the Middlesbrough team having honestly and fairly won the cup. He commented in strong terms upon the fact that the Football Association had not seen fit to have the cup at Leeds, so that it might be presented to the victors. This fact, I may say, was a subject for general regret, both by the players, officials, and supporters of the club, and it looks very much as though they were confident of the trophy remaining in the custody of the Southerners. Northern clubs will probably receive a little more consideration and respect in the future. Mr Howcroft will, I fancy, enter a strong protest at the next meeting against the want of courtesy shown to the winners. So far as the play of the eleven is concerned I may say that with one exception everyone played a sterling game, in the last half-hour more especially. Cooper did what little he had to do in a most satisfactory manner. I need only instance two saves he effected as showing

 

THE WATCHFULNESS AND NERVE HE EXHIBITED.

 

Once in the first half a hot. low shot was sent in by Smith. Piercy, who was close upon Cooper, lifted his foot to punt the leather away, but the screw that was on thew ball caused him to miss his kick, and the ball went on, but Cooper was down at it like a terrier and effected a grand clearance. In the second half A.M.Walters with a huge kick landed the ball well over the heads of the Middlesbrough backs. Smith and Stanborough raced after it. Cooper at the same moment started away amid yells of "Get back." He did not waver a moment, however, but went on, and beating his opponents by a good yard put in a rousing kick and placed his side on the aggressive again. Both Piercy and Wilson were a wee bit nervous at the outset, but they, in the later stages of the contest, put in some sound strong kicking and fearless tackling. The display of Wilson was the best he has yet given in an important cup tie. Honours may be said to have been about easy between the pair. The half-backs are deserving of

THE MOST UNQUALIFIED PRAISE.

I have seen Harry Allport play very many times, but never before had he shown such tenacity, dash, and brilliant head and foot work as on Saturday. Morran was also in tip-top form. His speed proved most valuable to his side, and his strong kicking and persistent and unflagging dogging of his opponents' footsteps went a long way in breaking up their combination. Tom Bach came to the front in a wonderfully fresh fashion after the Carthusians scored, and it was in a measure due to the sterling example set by him that caused the team as a whole to pluck up fresh courage. Murphy was the only player in the front line who failed to do himself justice. He was dreadfully slow. Nelms in consequence had to put in double duty on many occasions, and right splendidly did he aquit himself. Gettins was very carefully looked after, but Joe, despite the attention paid him, put in any amount of clever and finished play. Mullen was lacking in nothing, and he and Johnson made a most dangerous pair on the right wing. Had Murphy centred in a like manner to Johnson the Middlesbrough attack would have been much more effective.

 

HOMECOMING

 

   The victors arrived at Middlesbrough shortly before ten o'clock and received a most hearty welcome.

   The exit from the station was crowded with some hundreds of the club's supporters and a brass band was on the scene with the inevitable air "See the conquering hero comes". The team were escorted by an enthusiastic crowd to the Masham Hotel where Tom Bach landlord and captain of the team and others spoke words of congratulations.

 

 

ROAD TO THE FINAL