MIDDLESBROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB

PAGES FROM HISTORY

PRE-LEAGUE FOOTBALL - [ENTERED DIVISION 2 1899]

 

Northern Review, November 11, 1893

Match played November 4 1893

Middlesbrough v. Gateshead. F.A.Cup

There was not the anxiety, so marked in previous seasons, to witness the English Cup Tie played on the Middlesbrough field. Probably the Gateshead N.E., a club with an ordinary amount of local fame, was an insufficient “draw.” The Middlesbrough folk require the sport for which they pay sixpence to be hot and strong. When the boys reach the competition proper stage, and get the good luck of a draw at home with clubs of the calibre of Preston North End, Everton, Sunderland, or Aston Villa, then and only then will the tens of thousands turn their way to the Linthorpe Road enclosure to see the local amateurs beat the League cracks. Curious feature of present-day football, eh ?-- spectators who pay to see their champions win, and, if it does not come off, feel robbed and swindled out of their sixpence.

But if the “gate” was not big enough to make the treasures walk about with the importance of an alderman, it was satisfactory. It is a pleasant sight to see there so many genuine lovers of the game in the
town willing, by presence and money, to help in maintaining an amateur team, which certainly deserves liberal support. True, a portion of the skill and science of the professional element has been sacrificed, but
the loss is amply compensated for in the strenuous and earnest hard work put into the game.

If the Middlesbrough forwards had two or three hours’ practice each week in shooting at goal a much-needed improvement in that supreme department might be made. On Saturday the feeling of pain in the bosoms of their friends was terrific as they missed chance after chance owing to want of accuracy and coolness in front of goal. There was scarcely a minute of the game in which the measure of the Gateshead men was not
taken, and yet for three-fourths of the time it was doubtful if the best team would win, or even make a drawn game. Two or three cheerful gentlemen in my vicinity never lost confidence. “So long as they keep popping away,” they said, “it will come all right at the finish; it is when the beggers forget to shoot at all the danger thickens.” I must confess I like to see plenty of “popping,” but it is more enjoyable when the ball lands somewhere about the goal. There is no finer sight than to see a forward with his head screwed on the right way pass the ball smartly to a mate who happens to be in a better position to shoot. It is also good to see all the forwards expecting to get a chance to shoot and not mulling a pass, and afterwards look grieved and
surprised at the man who gave them a chance of glory.

Gateshead, as they stepped onto the field, were seen to be superior in height and weight to the home team, and, perhaps, there was a little good fortune in being able to place them at a disadvantage with the sun and a slight breeze. However, they did not give much trouble, their attack being weak, and the forwards and halves could not be judged in the same class as the Middlesbrough boys. The only dangerous shot sent into the Middlesbrough goal scored, going completely beyond Kitson’s reach. As the game progressed, the visitors
were more and more played out, and but for their excellent back work, combined with their opponents’ inaccuracy at goal, the score might have been a record one. There was joy when, after scores of ineffectual
attempts, the score was equalised, and much more so when the winning point was put on. Everyone was positive Middlesbrough’s second score meant winning the Cup tie, as at the time there was hardly a kick left
among the Gateshead front rank.

Kitson had not much to do, unless one counts in the enormous number of laps he walked round his goal, endeavouring to keep up his circulation. The laps would total up into a good number of miles and show good work in that direction. The backs were generally somewhere on the half-way line, and neither being as smart as usual, there was always an amount of risk in their proceedings. Phil Bach was late in arriving, kept his team waiting longer than the patience of the referee could stand, and never got fairly on the job. Better an hour too early than five minutes late, Phil, old man. Give it up and avoid the satirical remarks made by the spectators. Jack Walsh was a caution; no work he has done this season was within ten miles of Saturday’s display. A good job, too, as it was shocking bad, and not in the least like our Jack’s form. The halves, Wynn, Moran and T. Bach, after a few minutes’ hesitation, got down to solid business, and quickly settled the pretensions of Gateshead to cup tie form. I was particularly pleased with Moran, whose heading and fine judgment reminded one of Holt, the International.

The directors put five forwards on the field, whom they considered were the best available in the club. Not one of us doubts the sincerity actuating them in making the selection, however much we may disagree with their judgement. I am bound to say that there is still scope for improvements, and hopa the directors will forgive me when stating that the forwards are not perfection.

Frost is the man whom I expect to figure as a really class player. He has the pace and style, but has a lot to learn. First he has to unlearn an attack of selfishness and gallery play, which more than once caused him to get left. Then he has the fatal habit of centreing the ball behind the goal, instead of in front. The ball behind the goal isn’t much use to his mates. I like the lad’s play, barring one or two defects, and he ought to be encouraged -- to play the game rightly. Alf. Johnson pleases me; he is always in earnest, and means getting over the ground, but he was not quite up to his proper mark in the cup
tie. Drury performed better in the centre, although handicapped after a slight accident. Stuart may make a rousing good forward; he has weight and speed, but requires the skill and smartness, which I do not suppose the practice he has had this season justifies us in expecting from him. I cannot help feeling that Dan Lendess would have proved more useful under the circumstances.

The gate at Middlesbrough, on Saturday, amounted to about £32, quite a big haul in these days, and as valuable to the club as a £100 gate in the old days, without the risk. How men with the least financial knowledge can go on bolstering up the professional delusion is simply a marvel This is only one aspect of the professional v. amateur question -- the lowest.

 

Athletic News 27 November 1893.

    Very few people assembled on the Linthorpe-road ground to witness the struggle in the English Cup qualifying competition between Middlesbrough and Tow Law. It was expected the home lot would gain a comparatively easy victory over the Durham Minor Cup holders, but they only managed to defeat them by three goals to none, after a straggling sort of game. Had the home players put themselves about they could have made the score much larger, but as it was they appeared to treat the game as a joke, larking and individual play being frequently indulged in. They will now have to meet Rendel in the last stage of the competition, and the final issue of the struggle will depend very much upon the draw. But in any case Middlesbrough may be relied upon to render a good account of themselves, even if they have to visit Newcastle to play.

FORWARD.

 

 

Northern Review, January 1894

Middlesbrough 1

Preston North End 1

 

  Bravo, good old Middlesbrough! Here’s to you and a successful time to the end of the season! The beginning of the year finds you in rare good trim, willing and able to make the best of the professional clubs, who entertain a very high respect of your powers. Although I knew the fight against Preston North  End would be sturdily contested by the Middlesbrough lads, I was also of opinion theirs would be the chief share of the punishment. This turned out to be a mistaken notion, the North Enders, even when assisted by the wind, getting more than they bargained for or could give in return. Fully three-fourths of the play was in favour of the locals, and towards the finish several of the professionals were played to a standstill. In my opinion Middlesbrough fairly won the match by 2 goals to 1 instead of the official return of drawn game given by Referee Buckton. I must give the referee his due, although thinking him mistaken in one instance, the remainder of his duties were marked by a promptness and decision rather unique.

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  Altogether, Middlesbrough got the ball three times past Trainor, and the number of times that very expert custodian had to hurry up to prevent serious damage is rather too big a calculation in these holiday times. It did one’s heart good to hear again the excited cries of the spectators, who did not number more than 2,000, urging on the amateurs to victory. Of course it must not be forgotten that Preston had a hard fight at Sunderland the previous day, and might have taken a little holiday integument in the evening, although I am assured the latter was not the case. The Middlesbrough boys are the ones to turn night into day, and play matches in championship style. I don’t wish to take any of the credit from the Middlesbrough team; on the contrary, the more I think over the events of the afternoon, the greater the satisfaction. It was a big performance.

 

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  Kitson, in goal, was beaten the only time a really serious shot was sent in his direction, but it was a beauty and bound to score against the best goalkeeper in the world. Three or four times he picked up the ball as it rolled towards him over the soft mud, the remainder of the shots sent in going wide of the goal. The professionals seemed to try and show the public that they are no better shots than amateurs, not as good as some. Phil Bach played with great freedom and sureness time after time robbing the advancing forwards of the ball and rolling back the attack. Brother Tom is not entitled to a lot of praise, at times he missed, kicked badly, and was responsible for allowing Preston to score their only goal. Little Moran was a demon and romped about the field doing pretty much as he liked with the ball and the representatives of Proud Preston. He fully deserved his hearty round of cheers awarded to him several times during the afternoon. In Pearson, late of the Ironopolis club, the old ‘uns have secured a half-back who combines rare judgement with good tackling ability. His display evoked astonishment and pleasure. Tom Wynn worked hard and successfully. Tom is as keen as ever he was to get the best of his opponents.

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  Frost, who has all the points of a first-rate forward, is about the least successful entirely owing to the hump of indecision which affects him. He should get-up to the goal with all speed and shoot with might. If one or two opponents are in the way and impassable, quit the ball to a comrade. This advice reads elementary but it exactly suits Frost’s condition and a few others I can name. Dan Lendess did fairly good work but not quite up to date. Drury is a great favourite, the spectators know when he gets the ball he will hurry up to the goal and try to score. Doesn’t he put powder behind his shot, eh! His weakness in tackling was very apparent against North End. Dunkerley confirms in every match, my first impressions there is a lot of Drury’s best style about him and none of his faults. Byron quite astonished me and many others with the ease in which he got round celebrated half and full-backs and screwed into the centre. For the first time this season, I was quite satisfied with the forward play and if the present line can be kept together the season’s record will be something to feel proud about.

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  Jack Walsh was otherwise engaged, very deeply engaged, whilst his mates were distinguishing themselves against North End. Just at the moment he was busy thinking more about marriage lines than goal lines, wedding rings than centre rings. Footballs and goals for once had to take a back seat. Well, here’s health and happiness to Mr. And Mrs. John Walsh.

 

Athletic News,

Match Played 1January 1894

Darlington v Middlesbrough

    Middlesbrough journeyed to Darlington in order to tackle the Skernesiders in a Northern League match. These teams may be said to be about evenly matched, but last Saturday the Darlingtonians were confident of being able to take a couple of points out of the Teessiders. Their confidence was, however, nipped in the bud, seeing that they were defeated by three goals to one, after a stubbornly contested game. The Teeside representatives were much smarter in the vicinity the goal; hence their victory, which tends to place them in a better position in the League, if it does not really point to the ultimate winning of the championship.

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Athletic News,

Match Played 22 January 1894

NEWTON  HEATH  WIN.

[BY THE GROWLER]

    For the first round of the English Cup Newton Heath had Middlesbrough for their opponents, additional interest being given to the game by the visitors all being amateurs. It was quite evident that the weather, which was very boisterous, had its effect on the attendance, as there would only be about five thousand present on the Bank-lane ground, Clayton. Newton Heath very nearly had their old team, Errentz, at left full-back, being the only change from the one that started the season. The visitors, who arrived in Manchester on the Friday evening, had Drury, their centre, absent. Newton Heath were lucky to win the toss, as the wind was blowing down the ground, although it was not an unmixed blessing, as it greatly interfered with the shooting. Right from the start Newton Heath began to press, and Kitson (in goal) and the two Bachs were found plenty to do, and they kept out a lot of shots. Numerous corners had to be given, and some of them were nicely placed, but sterling defence (aided by the wind) kept them away from goal. The home forwards were playing a very neat passing game, the left wing and centre being prominent, and at last Peden got in a shot from a difficult position, which completely beat Kitson. Donaldson gave the goalkeeper trouble several times, and at last from one of his shots he failed to handle properly, Farman breasting the ball through. The visitors got away several times, their left ring and Guthrie (inside right) being conspicuous, but they could do nothing in the scoring line up to half-time. On resuming Middlesbrough, with the wind, shot worse than their opponents had done, and Fall had only two or three shots. The home forwards were playing a good game, and after beautiful work by Hood, who passed judiciously to Donaldson, the latter gave Kitson no chance. This was repeated shortly after, as Stewart got the ball close in and put it across to Hood, who beat several opponents and enabled Donaldson to register another point. This was all the scoring, although the home team put the ball through twice, but they were disallowed. Thus Newton Heath won by four goals to none. The losers are a fair team, the defence being the strongest part; although T.Bach rather spoiled a good display by using his weight unmercifully. The halves were a lot above the average, the right being the pick. The forwards can run and pass, but are weak in shooting, Guthrie outshining the others. Fall and Errentz did some splendid work, Mitchell not being up to the mark. The halves were all in fine form, and too good for their opponents. The forwards were far above recent form, and showed some really fine passing and dodging, their shooting also being cleaner than usual. McNaught was very clever, and gave Peden some fine chances; Donaldson did some really good work, whilst Hood dribbled and passed as well as any man on the field, while Farman was variable.

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   F.A.Cup v Gateshead N.E.R.       F.A.Cup v Tow Law          Northern League v Darlington  

   v Preston North End     F.A.Cup v Newton Heath