Spurs Non-League Cup Winners

 

It is hard to imagine that certain of today's premier clubs were once relative minnows, competing outside their country's major league. Such was the case of Tottenham Hotspur in 1901, a strong Southern League side which vanquished a number of Football League teams, including Sheffield United in the final, to raise the F.A. Cup. In so doing they became the first and only non-league club to win the trophy.

This short clip records some of the action from the final. Note our old friend William "Fatty" Foulke in goal for Sheffield United.

Further references:

The formation of the Southern League: http://www.southern-football-league.co.uk/history/default.asp

Southern League role of honour: http://www.fchd.info/lghist/south.htm

Humble Beginnings Of Bristol City

Many professional clubs commenced life in rather humble surroundings. A photograph of Bristol South End's St John's Lane ground in 1895  keenly illustrates this. In fact you couldn't get much more humble than this (or more rural for that matter). Bristol South End ultimately became Bristol City and later moved to Ashton Gate in 1904. Their old St John's ground continued to be used as a local sporting venue until well after the Second World War.

Cycling race at the St John's Lane ground 1925: Photo

For those interested in the history of Bristol City this web page is a good starting point: http://www.otib.co.uk/index.php?/topic/118530-bristol-city-fc-the-history/

Steve Bloomer Story

Steve Bloomer was arguably the first great superstar of English soccer. Born in Cradley Heath, in relative poverty, he became one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time, playing for Derby County, Middlesbrough and England.

This short film describes the life of the great man, including the events of his internment in a prison camp in Germany during the First World War: Video

Steve Bloomer on his way to manage in Canada: Video

Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Bloomer

Sports History Podcasts

Last year BBC Radio 4 transmitted a long series of sports history programmes. The series was written by academics at De Montfort University, Leicester and was headed by Clare Balding. It is available as podcasts on the BBC website and includes a number of soccer specific episodes including:

"Beating Us At Our Own Game"

"Anyone But England"

"Exporting Football"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/sportbrit/all

Chelsea 'Keeper @ Sheffield United v Bury 1902

Another of those famous Mitchell and Kenyon soccer films. This time from 1902 and featuring the larger than life (in more ways than one) United goalkeeper, "Fatty" Foulke(s), later of Chelsea

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UkVZZnrC4E


Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Foulke_(footballer)

Newcastle vs Liverpool 1901

Mitchell and Kenyon were pioneers of early cinematography. Travelling throughout Great Britain, they recorded films and then showed them at local venues in the evenings.

Although their films covered all aspects of late Victorian and early Edwardian life, those of most interest to me are the historic recordings of soccer matches.

The following is very typical:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhjTX39xKB4

Another Soccer History Account

Also read the following account of soccer history on the InfoBritain site. Some interesting photos related to the early history, including one of the Freemason's Arms in London where the English Football Association held its inaugural meetings.


http://www.infobritain.co.uk/History_Of_Football.htm