Druids, 1880
North East Wales was a hotbed of football in the late 19th century. A link to a very interesting article here.
Showing posts with label Druids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Druids. Show all posts
7.1.17
The New Craze; Football and Society in North East Wales c.1870-90
North East Wales was a hotbed of football in the late 19th century. A link to a very interesting article here.
15.11.15
Early Association Football in Wales
The Football Association of Wales was founded in March 1876. At this point there were already a number of well established clubs in the Principality- mostly in the north East.
Let's take a closer look at the development of the game in Wales up to this point.
For many years it was held that the Wrexham club was founded in 1873. There is, however, compelling documentary evidence that the football branch of the Wrexham Cricket club was launched in 1864. and accounts of early matches can be read on the Welsh Newspapers Online section of the National Library of Wales website.
Previously Druids FC of Ruabon claimed to be the oldest club in Wales, originating from the Plasmadoc club formed in 1869. The Shropshire team Oswestry (who feature large in the early history of Welsh Cup and international football) may have had its origins as early as 1860.
A report in The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality (19.03.64) shows a misunderstanding of the game, each instance of a goal being scored (the original term was won) being seen as the conclusion of a 'game':
HOLYHEAD.A FOOTBALL MATCH between eleven of the Anglesey Collegiate School and eleven of Holyhead was played on Friday the 11th. Nine games were played, the Collegiate eleven winning five. The last game won by the Anglesey Collegiate School was objected to by the Holyhead side, though the ball was played fairly into their goal.
Denbighshire County Cricket Club acquired a football in October 1864 and were playing scratch games soon after.
In the south west corner of Wales, at Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, the local college was an early centre of the Association game. The College was the first football club in Wales to join the Football Association (1868). A report of a match played by Milford College appeared in The Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser (29.11.67):
MILFORD FOOTBALL-A match was played at Milford, on Wednesday, the 27th inst., between the Milford College and Haverfordwest Grammar School, which ended in favour of the former, who obtained eight goals to none. The match was played with great spirit though unsuccessfully on the part of the Grammar School. For the College, Messrs Fincham, Mason, Harries, Child, Austin. Evans, Stokes, and Summers (captain) and for the Grammar School, Messrs Davies, E. Saunders, T. Baker, Reynish, and Wutbins, played well. The goals were kicked as follows: Fincham 3, Mason 3, Harries 1, Child 1
The Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register (16.11.67) reported a match between Wrexham Provincial and a Ruabon Grammar school side that featured Llewellyn Kenrick, who went on to become first chairman and honorary secretary of the Football Association of Wales.
Aberystwyth Times Cardiganshire Chronicle and Merionethshire News (31.12.68) reported: CORWEN FOOTBALL.-The Hon. C. H. Wynn has kindly encouraged manly sports and innocent recreation (which are so much needed in North Wales), by presenting the town players with a magnificent football of the very best London make, and its admirable qualities were fully shown in a friendly match played on Saturday week, in a field near the new footbridge, kindly lent by Mr Hugh Jones, postmaster.
In the 1870s familiar names were beginning to emerge- Ruabon Druids, Plasmadoc, Wrexham etc. The general rule seems to have been that in the south Rugby was the favoured code whereas the north and mid-Wales were Association minded.
In the early 1870s new clubs were formed with regularity throughout north and mid Wales: Portmadoc (Porthmadog) Cricket Club formed a football section in October 1872. In the same month Cefn played their 1st match at Plasmadoc Park and Llangollen FC was formed.
January 1873 saw Borth and Aberystwyth playing each other. The following month Carnarvon (Caernarfon) were in action at Portmadoc (Porthmadog).
Other clubs getting mentions in the press were: Whittington, Whitchurch, St Oswalds (Oswestry) and Wynnstay. Wrexham had a number of minor clubs such as Grove Park, whilst Ruabon was home to Rovers and Volunteers (later merging to form the Druids).
In 1875 the County of Denbigh XI featured a number of future internationals : L. Kenrick, D. Thompson, Dr Grey (Wales); H. Wace (England), and J. Hawley-Edwards (Wales & England).
The Football Association of Wales (initially known as The Cambrian Football Association) was formed for the express purpose of arranging the international fixture with Scotland. Early accounts show that the association was committed to representing both north and south wales, despite the virtual absence of clubs in the south.
Wales' first international XI was drawn from the following clubs:
Druids, Shropshire Wanderers, Oxford University, Wrexham, Oswestry, Shrewsbury.
For many years it was held that the Wrexham club was founded in 1873. There is, however, compelling documentary evidence that the football branch of the Wrexham Cricket club was launched in 1864. and accounts of early matches can be read on the Welsh Newspapers Online section of the National Library of Wales website.
Previously Druids FC of Ruabon claimed to be the oldest club in Wales, originating from the Plasmadoc club formed in 1869. The Shropshire team Oswestry (who feature large in the early history of Welsh Cup and international football) may have had its origins as early as 1860.
A report in The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality (19.03.64) shows a misunderstanding of the game, each instance of a goal being scored (the original term was won) being seen as the conclusion of a 'game':
HOLYHEAD.A FOOTBALL MATCH between eleven of the Anglesey Collegiate School and eleven of Holyhead was played on Friday the 11th. Nine games were played, the Collegiate eleven winning five. The last game won by the Anglesey Collegiate School was objected to by the Holyhead side, though the ball was played fairly into their goal.
The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality (19.03.64)
Denbighshire County Cricket Club acquired a football in October 1864 and were playing scratch games soon after.
In the south west corner of Wales, at Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, the local college was an early centre of the Association game. The College was the first football club in Wales to join the Football Association (1868). A report of a match played by Milford College appeared in The Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser (29.11.67):
MILFORD FOOTBALL-A match was played at Milford, on Wednesday, the 27th inst., between the Milford College and Haverfordwest Grammar School, which ended in favour of the former, who obtained eight goals to none. The match was played with great spirit though unsuccessfully on the part of the Grammar School. For the College, Messrs Fincham, Mason, Harries, Child, Austin. Evans, Stokes, and Summers (captain) and for the Grammar School, Messrs Davies, E. Saunders, T. Baker, Reynish, and Wutbins, played well. The goals were kicked as follows: Fincham 3, Mason 3, Harries 1, Child 1
The Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register (16.11.67) reported a match between Wrexham Provincial and a Ruabon Grammar school side that featured Llewellyn Kenrick, who went on to become first chairman and honorary secretary of the Football Association of Wales.
Aberystwyth Times Cardiganshire Chronicle and Merionethshire News (31.12.68) reported: CORWEN FOOTBALL.-The Hon. C. H. Wynn has kindly encouraged manly sports and innocent recreation (which are so much needed in North Wales), by presenting the town players with a magnificent football of the very best London make, and its admirable qualities were fully shown in a friendly match played on Saturday week, in a field near the new footbridge, kindly lent by Mr Hugh Jones, postmaster.
In the 1870s familiar names were beginning to emerge- Ruabon Druids, Plasmadoc, Wrexham etc. The general rule seems to have been that in the south Rugby was the favoured code whereas the north and mid-Wales were Association minded.
In the early 1870s new clubs were formed with regularity throughout north and mid Wales: Portmadoc (Porthmadog) Cricket Club formed a football section in October 1872. In the same month Cefn played their 1st match at Plasmadoc Park and Llangollen FC was formed.
January 1873 saw Borth and Aberystwyth playing each other. The following month Carnarvon (Caernarfon) were in action at Portmadoc (Porthmadog).
Other clubs getting mentions in the press were: Whittington, Whitchurch, St Oswalds (Oswestry) and Wynnstay. Wrexham had a number of minor clubs such as Grove Park, whilst Ruabon was home to Rovers and Volunteers (later merging to form the Druids).
In 1875 the County of Denbigh XI featured a number of future internationals : L. Kenrick, D. Thompson, Dr Grey (Wales); H. Wace (England), and J. Hawley-Edwards (Wales & England).
The Football Association of Wales (initially known as The Cambrian Football Association) was formed for the express purpose of arranging the international fixture with Scotland. Early accounts show that the association was committed to representing both north and south wales, despite the virtual absence of clubs in the south.
Wales' first international XI was drawn from the following clubs:
Druids, Shropshire Wanderers, Oxford University, Wrexham, Oswestry, Shrewsbury.
22.8.15
Queen's Park v Druids, 1877
On October 6th 1877 Queen's Park entertained a visiting side from Wales. Although contemporary reports and Queen's Park histories suggest that this was a representative side of the best of Welsh football, it was in fact the Druids club of Ruabon (giants of early Welsh football), with a trio of guests, including Sheffield Heeley half back Jack Hunter, who would go on to represent England 7 times. There were also 6 players in the Druids line up who would experience international football with Wales, including the captain and Welsh FA founder Llewelyn Kenrick .
Scottish internationals, of course, featured prominently for Queen's Park.
Scottish internationals, of course, featured prominently for Queen's Park.
The attendance at Hampden was 6,000 and the home side won by 3-0, the goals coming from Weir, MacKinnon and Highet.
Queen’s Park
|
Druids
|
||
A.R Anderson
|
G
|
C Quilter
|
|
C Campbell*
|
B
|
L Kenrick*
|
|
R.W Neill*
|
B
|
J Powell*
|
|
D Davidson*
|
HB
|
E Morris
|
|
J Phillips*
|
HB
|
J Hunter (Sheffield)*
|
|
J.B Weir*
|
F
|
W Williams*
|
|
J.T Richmond*
|
F
|
G.F Thompson*
|
|
W MacKinnon*
|
F
|
J Hughes *(Cambridge University)
| |
F Tod
|
F
|
D Quilter
|
|
H McNeil*
|
F
|
W.H Davies *
|
|
C. T Highet*
|
F
|
G.B Ramsay
|
|
*Internationals
30.7.14
The Welsh League
Wrexham Advertiser 01.03.90
The Welsh Football League was formed in Wrexham in May 1890. Initially 8 teams had expressed an interest in joining. Bangor were excluded on the grounds of distance (Bangor is in the north west corner of the Welsh mainland- about 70km from the bases of the other clubs). Mold did not carry through their plans to join. Wrexham were notable absentees, having joined the more lucrative Combination (Chirk followed their lead the following season).
The inaugural season therefore saw the league contested by:
Rhyl
Westminster Rovers
Rhostyllen (Victoria)
Rhos
Druids
Ruabon (Wynnstay)
The league kicked off on October 11th with the following 2 fixtures:
Westminster Rovers 2 Mold 1
Druids 8 Rhostyllen Vic 1
Westminster Rovers were doing well up until December - then they had 6 points deducted for playing ineligible players on 3 occasions (along with a 12s 6d fine) and a player suspended for a month for striking an opponent.
On 25.04.91 the Wrexham Advertiser published the following table along with the statement that it was unlikely that the remaining games would be played.
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
pts
|
|
Druids*
|
10
|
7
|
2
|
1
|
45
|
14
|
13
|
Rhos
|
9
|
5
|
4
|
26
|
17
|
10
|
|
Rhostyllen Victoria
|
8
|
4
|
4
|
18
|
16
|
8
|
|
Ruabon
|
7
|
3
|
4
|
18
|
22
|
6
|
|
Rhyl*
|
7
|
1
|
4
|
2
|
7
|
24
|
2
|
Westminster Rovers+
|
9
|
2
|
4
|
3
|
18
|
28
|
1
|
*2 pts deducted for playing ineligible player
+2 pts deducted for playing ineligible players (x3)
The Welsh League was revived for the 1892-93 season.
Chirk and Wrexham also fielded teams in the Combination.
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
pts
|
|
Druids
|
14
|
9
|
2
|
3
|
46
|
21
|
21
|
Chirk
|
14
|
7
|
5
|
2
|
48
|
24
|
16
|
Brymbo
|
14
|
6
|
4
|
4
|
27
|
35
|
16
|
Rhostyllen
|
14
|
7
|
5
|
2
|
27
|
36
|
16
|
Rhos
|
14
|
6
|
7
|
1
|
24
|
24
|
13
|
Westminster Rovers
|
14
|
5
|
8
|
1
|
27
|
36
|
11
|
Denbigh
|
14
|
4
|
8
|
2
|
18
|
29
|
10
|
Wrexham*
|
14
|
4
|
9
|
1
|
22
|
36
|
7
|
*2 pts deducted ineligible player
13.3.13
The Welsh Cup 1877- 1900
Football in Wales was originally dominated by clubs from Flintshire and Denbighshire in the north eastern corner of the Principality. These counties bordered with Cheshire and Shropshire. There was a great deal of 'cross border traffic' in football. Welsh clubs played in English leagues and English clubs played in the Welsh Cup.
1878- Wrexham 1 Druids 0
Acton Park,Wrexham (1,500)
1878- Wrexham 1 Druids 0
Acton Park,Wrexham (1,500)
Wrexham currently play in the 5th tier of the English pyramid having been in the Football League for many years. Although Ruabon Druids were a village side, the club produced 29 Welsh Internationals. They were the first Welsh side to enter the FA Cup and also competed in the Birmingham League.
Cricket Field, Oswestry (2,500)
White Star are claimed as one of the predecessors of the current Newton AFC of the Welsh Premier League. In the semi -final they defeated Newton FC. The final was played in England for the first time.
1880- Druids 2 Ruthin 1
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (4,000)
Druids' winning goal was scored by Welsh international 'Dirty Jack' Jones, playing in the second of his 6 Welsh Cup finals.
1881- Druids 2 Newtown White Star 0
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (4,000)
Ruabon born Jackie Vaughan, scorer of Druids' first goal, later played for Bolton Wanderers. The second goal was scored by the splendidly named Knyvett Crosse.
1882- Druids 5 Northwich Victoria 0
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (2,000)
Druids became the first club to win the cup 3 years in succession.
Northwich Victoria became the first English team to reach the final. They scored freely in the early stages of the competition but were outclassed in the final.
1883- Wrexham 1 Druids 0
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (2,000)
1884- Oswestry White Star 1 Druids 0
(replay following a 0-0 draw. Both matches played at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham attendances 2,000 and 3,000)
Oswestry, the first English team to win the Cup, had 9 Welsh internationals in their side.
1885 - Druids 3 Oswestry White Star 1 (after extra time)
A replay, the original game being drawn 1-1, both matches played at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham. Attendance 2,000 on each occasion.
15 players remained from the previous year's final.
1886- Druids 4 Newtown 0
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (3,000)
1888- Chirk AAA 5 Newtown 0
Chester Road, Wrexham
George Owen scored 2 goals in the final. He would later play for Newton Heath.
1889- Bangor 2 Northwich Victoria 1
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (4,000)
Bangor City from the north west of Wales played in the English non league system for many years and as recently as the 1970s almost joined the Football League. They are now in the Welsh Premier League.
1890- Chirk AAA 1 Wrexham 0
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (3,500)
1891- Shrewsbury Town 5 Wrexham 2
The Cricket Field, Oswestry (3,000)
There was only one Welsh player in the Shrewsbury Town side, Albert Thomas Davies, who scored twice in the final.
1892- Chirk AAA 2 Westminster Rovers 1
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (4,500)
Westminster Rovers were a north east Wales team whose players worked at the Westminster Colliery near Brymbo, just a few miles from Wrexham.
1893- Wrexham 2 Chirk AAA 1
The Cricket Field, Oswestry (5,000)
On the losing side was a teenage Billy Meredith.
1894- Chirk AAA 2 Westminster Rovers 0
Wynnstay Park, Ruabon (3,000)
Billy Meredith began his impressive collection of honours with a Welsh Cup win at the ground which is arguably the home of Welsh football.
1895- Newtown 3 Wrexham 2
The Recreation Ground, Welshpool (5,000)
Newtown came from behind twice to win the game despite having being reduced to 10 men when goalkeeper Goodwin was sent off.
1896- Bangor 3 Wrexham 0
Council Field, Llandudno (7,000)
1897- Wrexham 2 Newtown 0
The Cricket Field, Oswestry (6,000)
Wrexham won with two goals in the last 10 minutes, including a penalty.
1900- Aberystwyth Town 3 Druids 0
The Cunnings, Newtown (3,000)
Summary of the most prolific clubs in the 23 editions of the Welsh Cup played between 1877 and 1900:
Druids- winners=7; runners up= 4.
Chirk AAA-winners= 5; runners up=1.
Wrexham- winners= 4; runners up=7.
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (4,000)
Ruabon born Jackie Vaughan, scorer of Druids' first goal, later played for Bolton Wanderers. The second goal was scored by the splendidly named Knyvett Crosse.
1882- Druids 5 Northwich Victoria 0
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (2,000)
Druids became the first club to win the cup 3 years in succession.
Northwich Victoria became the first English team to reach the final. They scored freely in the early stages of the competition but were outclassed in the final.
1883- Wrexham 1 Druids 0
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (2,000)
1884- Oswestry White Star 1 Druids 0
(replay following a 0-0 draw. Both matches played at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham attendances 2,000 and 3,000)
Oswestry, the first English team to win the Cup, had 9 Welsh internationals in their side.
1885 - Druids 3 Oswestry White Star 1 (after extra time)
A replay, the original game being drawn 1-1, both matches played at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham. Attendance 2,000 on each occasion.
15 players remained from the previous year's final.
1886- Druids 4 Newtown 0
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (3,000)
1887- Chirk AAA 2 Davenham 1
Nantwich Road, Crewe (1,500)
Nantwich Road, Crewe (1,500)
1888- Chirk AAA 5 Newtown 0
Chester Road, Wrexham
George Owen scored 2 goals in the final. He would later play for Newton Heath.
1889- Bangor 2 Northwich Victoria 1
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (4,000)
Bangor City from the north west of Wales played in the English non league system for many years and as recently as the 1970s almost joined the Football League. They are now in the Welsh Premier League.
1890- Chirk AAA 1 Wrexham 0
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (3,500)
1891- Shrewsbury Town 5 Wrexham 2
The Cricket Field, Oswestry (3,000)
There was only one Welsh player in the Shrewsbury Town side, Albert Thomas Davies, who scored twice in the final.
1892- Chirk AAA 2 Westminster Rovers 1
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (4,500)
Westminster Rovers were a north east Wales team whose players worked at the Westminster Colliery near Brymbo, just a few miles from Wrexham.
1893- Wrexham 2 Chirk AAA 1
The Cricket Field, Oswestry (5,000)
On the losing side was a teenage Billy Meredith.
1894- Chirk AAA 2 Westminster Rovers 0
Wynnstay Park, Ruabon (3,000)
Billy Meredith began his impressive collection of honours with a Welsh Cup win at the ground which is arguably the home of Welsh football.
1895- Newtown 3 Wrexham 2
The Recreation Ground, Welshpool (5,000)
Newtown came from behind twice to win the game despite having being reduced to 10 men when goalkeeper Goodwin was sent off.
1896- Bangor 3 Wrexham 0
Council Field, Llandudno (7,000)
1897- Wrexham 2 Newtown 0
The Cricket Field, Oswestry (6,000)
Wrexham won with two goals in the last 10 minutes, including a penalty.
1898- Druids 2 Wrexham 1
Replayed after a 1-1 draw at the same ground (the Cricket Field, Oswestry - combined attendance of 6000 for the 2 games)
Replayed after a 1-1 draw at the same ground (the Cricket Field, Oswestry - combined attendance of 6000 for the 2 games)
1899- Druids 1 Wrexham 0
A replay after a 2-2 draw at the same ground (Hand Field, Chirk- combined attendance of 7,500 for the 2 games)
A replay after a 2-2 draw at the same ground (Hand Field, Chirk- combined attendance of 7,500 for the 2 games)
The Cunnings, Newtown (3,000)
Leigh Richmond Roose, a fantastic goalkeeper whose feats as a player are often overshadowed by his reputation as a 'character', played for Aber. Roose was said to wear his old black and green jersey as a lucky undershirt many years later.
The west coast's Aberystwyth Town are currently in the the Welsh Premier League.
The west coast's Aberystwyth Town are currently in the the Welsh Premier League.
Summary of the most prolific clubs in the 23 editions of the Welsh Cup played between 1877 and 1900:
Druids- winners=7; runners up= 4.
Chirk AAA-winners= 5; runners up=1.
Wrexham- winners= 4; runners up=7.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)