The cards, usually in the shape of a shield, have a very naive quality, and often feature errors.As well as the big teams of the day many relatively minor clubs are also represented.
North Wales' Chirk AAA were founded in the 1870's.
Burton Swifts F.C. were formed in 1871. In
1890, the club became a founder member of The Combination, and switched to the Football Alliance the following year. When the Alliance merged with The Football League in 1892, the club joined the Second Division.
Jimmy Ross was captain of Liverpool FC from 1895 to1897.
Lochee United Football Club are a Scottish
club from Dundee. Formed in 1892, (interestingly their colours are blue).
I can't find anything relating to a football club of this name, although
Eagley were one of the oldest football clubs in Lancashire?
Founded in 1881. They were founder members of the Lancashire League in the 1889–90 season,
and spent 10 years in the Football league from 1921-1931.
Belfast.
Played in the Lancashire combination from 1903-1911.
Auckland Town, formed
in 1886, in 1889 they were founder members of the Northern League and changed their name in 1893 to Bishop Auckland - later one of Britain's most successful amateur clubs.
Kettering Town were originally formed in 1872, turning professional in 1891.
A London based club, founded 1869, FA Cup winners1880, but fizzled out of existence by the 1910's.
Were playing in the Combination and the Midland League in the 1890's.
In the last quarter of the 19th century the Manchester conurbation was home to hundreds of clubs. Manchester City's Maine Road ground was in the Rusholme district of the city.
A Manchester club called Hyde FC were beaten 26-0 in the FA Cup by Preston in 1887. I can find no record of a Hyde Victoria.
From their foundation in 1884 until 1919 Leicester City were called Leicester Fosse (they played near the famous Roman road- the Fosse Road).
Middlesboro played in blue and white up until 1899.
Formed in 1881, in 1892 they merged with Newcastle West End
to become Newcastle United.
The player represented appears to be Jack Powell, Bolton Wanderers and Newton Heath, but never of Woolwich Arsenal.
Another mistake- the Crewe side are Alexandra