Hull City supporters at The Boulevard, 1904
Hull City A.F.C. were founded on 28 June 1904. Kingston upon Hull was a Northern Union (Rugby League) stronghold, and previous attempts to establish Association in the city had failed.
The club was formed too late in the year to apply for membership of the Football League, so in their first season they played only friendly matches. The early matches were played at The Boulevard, home of rugby side Hull FC. This groundsharing scheme (costing the football club £100 a year) soon ended . They began their League career playing at The Circle, a cricket ground, and in 1906 established a stadium at Anlaby Road.
There were 6,000 at The Boulevard to see City's first match, a 2-2 draw with Notts County on 1st September 1904.
The white jerseys were soon abandoned in favour of black and amber stripes
Hull's prompt elevation to The Football League reflects the way in which the League actively promoted clubs in Yorkshire in order to challenge the dominance of Rugby League and get a share of a lucrative market.
City played their first League match on September 2nd 1905, beating Barnsley 4-1 at The Circle.
Here's the Hull line up:
GK
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Martin Spendiff
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From North Shields, Spendiff joined City from Grimsby Town.
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FB
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Ambrose Langley
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This was Langley’s last season in the Football League- he joined Hull
from The Wednesday, where he had spent 11 seasons. He featured in the League
Championship winning sides of 1903 and 1904. He was player manager and was in
charge of City until 1913. He later managed Huddersfield Town.
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FB
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Tom Jones
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This was Shropshire born Jones’ only season of League football.
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HB
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Bill Martin
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Just 4 League appearances for Londoner Martin in 1905-06. He joined
from Millwall Athletic and moved back south to join Clapton Orient for the
following season.
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HB
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William Robinson
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Robinson joined Hull having made just 1 League appearance for
Manchester City.
He played 119 League matches for Hull before moving on to Bolton
Wanderers in 1908.
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HB
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Davy Gordon
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10 seasons at Hull having joined from Leith Athletic. Played 270
games for Hull and later managed Hibernian and Hartlepools United.
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OR
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George Rushton
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Previous League experience with Burslem Port Vale.
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IR
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George Spence
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The second Scotsman in the team, Spence started off at St Mirren. He
played League football for Gainsborough Trinity and Preston North End,
punctuated with spells with a variety of Southern League clubs. Returned to Scotland (Clyde) after one
season at Hull, Scored Hull’s first ever league goal.
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CF
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David 'Soldier' Wilson
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Boer War veteran Wilson began his professional career in Scotland (he
was an Englishman), Transferred to Leeds City in December 1905. Died of a
heart attack he suffered when playing during the Leeds City v Burnley match on
27.10.06.
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IL
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Peter Howe
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15 goals in 32 League matches- later joined Leeds City.
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OL
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Andrew Raisbeck
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Scotsman- was at Liverpool along with his legendary brother, Alec,
but never made the first team.
Emigrated to Canada after 2 season at Hull.
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