MIDDLESBROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB
PAGES FROM HISTORY
PRE-
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The Weekly Exchange,
Match played 6 December 1884
F O O T B A L L
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ENGLISH CHALLENGE CUP.
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MIDDLESBROUGH v. NEWARK
On Saturday the Newark eleven who had been drawn against Middlesbrough in the
second round of the English Cup competition, played off their tie on the Middlesbrough
ground. The weather was favourable, and as the match had been looked forward to
with considerable interest, there was a large attendance of spectators, nearly 2000
ladies and gentlemen present. The choice of ends fell to the visitors, whose captain
selected the eastern goal, thus securing the aid of the wind. Borrie set the ball
in motion for the home team, and after a smart run Fox made a good but unsuccessful
attempt at goal. A few minutes later the ball having been nearly the whole time in
the visitors’ territory, Borriegot possession of the ball out of a scrimmage, and
put it neatly between the uprights. From the quarters of the visitors, who had almost
obtained a goal, the ball was sent in fine style down the ground by Miller, and after
a pretty piece of dribbling by Borrie, it was passed to Hardwick, who sent it past
the goal-
Weekly Exchange,
Match played 20 December 1884
FOOTBALL
MIDDLESBRO’ v. PYEBANK (SHEFFIELD).
On Saturday afternoon, another noted team of Sheffield Blades arrived on the
ground of the Middlesbrough Association Football Club for the purpose of trying issue
with the local team. The following were the teams and their relative positions on
the field. :-
The ball was kicked off at 3 p.m., Sheffield defending the west goal. The ball
went in the first instance to the west end, but was at once returned. Another visit
to the Sheffield goal resulted in a miss, and then the play centred for a few minutes
in the Middlesbrough end of the field, Dawkins being called into requisition to protect
the goal. It again went down to the other end, and but for Mattison’s agility a goal
would have been obtained. Some capital play ensued, Pauls and Pickstock distinguishing
themselves on the Middlesbrough side, Alvey and Fletcher doing capitally for the
Blades. At last Bellsucceeded in getting a corner off Fletcher, and immediately afterwards
Sheffield just saved their goal. After another bit of nice play, Dales kicked the
first goal very cleverly. The Sheffield team drove the ball up the field, and succeeded
in obtaining a corner, but nothing more. Another corner fell to the lot of the Blades
directly afterwards , which Middlesbrough followed up by getting a corner for themselves.
The play continued to be pretty equal until half-
Sides were changed, and after some close play Borrie kicked the second goal
for Middlesbrough. The local team also secured a corner, and then the blades obtained
one. At this juncture Charley Hill was unfortunate enough to get “winded,” but after
a moment’s delay he resumed play. The globe got dangerously near the Sheffield end,
and but for the activity of the keeper a goal would have been secured. Another attempt
resulted in the leather passing over the bar. The blades now got the ball to the
other end, but Dawkins was too active for them, and when it was sent down to the
Sheffield end Fox ran it over the bar. Sheffield claimed a free kick, and the ball
was worked up to the Middlesbrough end, but the goal was well defended by Dawkins.
Borrie ran down the globe to the other end almost alone, and kicked the third goal.
Immediately afterwards the ball came down to the other end, and Hardwick sent it
through the posts, but it was only given as on off-
Weekly Exchange,
Match played 24 January 1885
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F O O T B A L L.
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MIDDLESBROUGH v. THE OLD ETONIANS.
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“DEFEATED, BUT NOT DISGRACED.”
The supporters of the Association game of football in Middlesbrough cannot fail
to be highly gratified at the result of the match played on the Kennington Oval,
London, on Saturday last, between the Old Etonians and the Middlesbrough Eleven,
in the fourth round of the English Challenge Cup Competition. It is now some considerable
time since the Middlesbrough Club clearly demonstrated its superiority over all other
Cleveland clubs, and only last year by its performance in the Sheffield Association
Cup Competition did the team show itself to be worth the confidence of its supporters,
many of whom will to-
The Weekly Exchange,
Match played 21 March 1885
FOOTBALL, CRICKET, CYCLING,
AND BOATING JOTTINGS
The great football contest of the season, viz., the final for the Cleveland
Cup, was successfully fought out by the Middlesbrough club, who, for the fourth season,
beat Redcar for premier honours, the losers failing to justify the high expectations
entertained of the combination of players they had got together. In fact although
several individuals exhibited wonderfully good style and play, they were as a body
out-
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Alvey, Bradbury, and J.Bulman were the only players that displayed their customary skill. Tofts and Reed dashed about, but did not keep the ball sufficiently under control to be of service. With the exercise of a little judgement both players will, however, be acquisitions to the losing team. I reserve criticism of the rest of the team, because I am told thAat several were not in the best of health. Wilkinson, before he had time to settle to work, hurt himself, and had to retire. I apprehend that, although badly strained, he will be seen on the field before the close of the season..
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The winners played with the nerve and ability they always exhibit when pitted against Redcar. To my mind, Kemp’s display was the finest show of the lot, his tackling and kicking being particularly smart and clean. Nothing but praise, however, can be given to every man, each of whom has a following that thinks as highly of their man as I have expressed myself with regard to Kemp.
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Darlington was made lively by the large number of excursionists that visited that Quaker town, intent on seeing the final. I am told the Railway Company issued 1400 tickets from Middlesbro’ and Redcar alone; besides these large numbers were drafted from different parts.
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The officials of the Association wore benign smiling faces, which grew positively rubicund as the money kept rolling through the gate
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Where were my friends S, and B, (not Soda and Brandy), and mine host of the Redcar football hostelry. I never heard them once during the afternoon. It was hardly like a final. I could not but wish many times during the progress of the game that Redcar would score once or twice, if only to hear those voice, without which the match was in a great degree disappointing.
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There were a few carrier pigeons brought on the field. I did not see them set
free and hope the sanguinary deeds that occurred three years ago at Middlesbrough
were not re-
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Mrs Cochrane kindly presented the splendid Challenge Cup and gold medals to the winners at the close of the match, who were heartily cheered. None the less hearty, and deservedly so, were the plaudits given to the runners up, who by the persistency of their fair and game opposition to Middlesbrough Club under great difficulties, for the position of premier club, have in no small degree contributed to foster interest and life in the game in the district, when they went forward to receive their silver medals.
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WEEKLY EXCHANGE,
Match played 18 April 1885
F O O T B A LL .
MIDDLESBROUGH v. CLEVELAND.
The charity match played on Saturday on the ground of the Middlesbrough Football
Club was attended by nearly 4,000 spectators. It is understood, after all the expenses
are paid, that, a sum of about £25 will be handed over to each of the institutions
in whose behalf the match was arranged. The game, which was played in two forties,
was throughout very fast, and ended in favour of Middlesbrough by five goals to three.
Splendid play was shown throughout by Wynn, Pringle, Rev. E.J. Wilson, and Pickstock
for the Middlesbrough team, and by Rev. E.J. Simpson, Faber, Bulman, and Alvey for
the Clevelanders, Wharton’s goal keeping for the latter being simply splendid. The
teams were :-