Great War Sports Reports

[MartinWills]

Several contributions to "Somme Footballs" and Sport in the great War topics have referred to games played during the war. I am sure we can turn up some interesting reports (be it football; Cricket; Rugby, officers 120yds mule carrying, or whatever).

For starters here is a report of a 1917 match at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea held to draw at Stamford Bridge (Match Report)

Football Match January 3rd 1917 at 2.30 p.m. on Chelsea Ground at Stamford Bridge. Depot Company (London Electrical Engineers R. E. (T)) v. Chelsea and Wandsworth

Teams.

Chelsea and Wandsworth: Lineham, Jones, White, Rogers, Watkins; (Half Backs) Prosser, Sykes, Allen; (Backs) Harrowsmith, Mansfield; (Goal) Longhurst.

Depot: Vincent, Ellis, Ford, Baxendale, Abrahams; (Half Backs) Fairhall, Sharp, J. C., Sharp, H. C. ; (Backs) Woolger, Smith; (Goal) Stotesbury.

Mr Morse kicked off promptly at 2.30. From the beginning the game was very fast indeed, and C. and W.s forwards frequently took the ball towards Depot’s goal. J C Sharpe, by firm tackling, and Stotesbury, played important parts in preventing C. and W. from scoring for some time. Watkins took the ball down the right wing, and centering near the goal mouth, Jones, with a nicely judged shot, scored the first goal for the home team. Just previously the sappers from Depot arrived on the scene, and their cheers seemed to put new life into depot’s team.

At half-time the score was – Chelsea and Wandsworth 1, Depot 0. Great cheers from the gallery marked the resumption of the game, but some scrappy play followed. Some good headwork by Sharp resulted in the ball being passed to Baxendale, who kicked the ball in front of Longhurst. It bounced too high for him to hold, and as it was dropped Baxendale scored for Depot. Amid great excitement Chelsea kicked off and dribbled the ball to Depot’s goal, but over-eagerness prevented a goal from being scored. Both teams now worked hard to score the winning goal, and Longhurst in goal, and Harrowsmith at back, were sorely tried to keep Depot’s forwards from scoring. Loud cheers alternating with deep groans were often heard from the pavilion, but the whistle blew with the score Chelsea and Wandsworth 1, Depot 1.

Sapper Woolven officiated as referee to the satisfaction of everybody.

[Myrtle]

Martin

According to an 93 year old gentleman who I used to visit near to Stamford Bridge until sadly he passed away two years ago, the cup final between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton was held at Stamford Bridge in 1921. He said that there were 71,000 people watching ? He got into the ground after the finish as he couldn't afford the 3s 6d to see the match.

This gentleman had been a fire fighter in London during the Second World War and spoke of his father who was with the ASC in the First World War. His father was in Flanders and then in Italy and he only saw him three times when growing up between the ages of 7 and 12. His father returned from the war a physical wreck and suffering from epileptic fits. As he said " Nobody worried about the chaps that returned from the war. There were so many of them. My mother had to go out to scrubbing floors to make sure that the family had money coming in."

Quite a contrast to 1917 but not intentionally posted to subdue the sporting theme.

I just thought it was another interesting aspect of Chelsea life.

Regards

Myrtle

[Guest lesley]

The battalion diary for the 1st/4th Oxford and bucks in Italy in 1918 many references to sport, particularly football.

The author reports sadly that one match had to be postponed due to the non arrival of the team from the Royal Berks - perhaps they were fighting in a war! (they made it for the next day)

There is also mention of the inter company bayonet fighting competition!

The most interesting reference however is to the International sports day. The 1/4th sent a team to compete in the cross country event. There is no mention of whether the germans were invited!!

[MartinWills]

Lesley,

What about the Austro-Hungarians?

[Sue Light]

I confess to having no interest whatsoever in football, but as the Library managed to copy this extract for me when I had asked for 'Women's War Hospitals,' I thought it might be of interest. I must add that also that day, the fleet footed C.S.M. Soughton had beaten Sergeant Forrester of the 1st Northants at boxing [welterweight]. This report appeared in the Sussex Daily News on 23rd September, 1915 - I wonder how many of the men present survived Loos unscathed?

Sue

SUSSEX v. NORTHANTS AT ‘FOOTER’

Having lost the toss, the Sussex team were set to face a brilliant sun, which was a distinct disadvantage. The Northants at once pressed hotly, but Sergeant-Major Butcher relieved the pressure by placing the ball well up the field. The Northants were soon back again, and forced a corner, which came to nothing. From the goal kick the Sussex ran down, but were forced back, and for some time play hovered round their goal. The Sussex at last got going, and by smart combined play got the ball down and netted, but offside robbed them of the point. The Northants were now playing a fine game, and but for handling within a few yards of the goal, would assuredly have scored. The Sussex hereabouts could not get going, mainly through the grand work of the Northants’ right back, Lance-Corporal Sims, whose defence and placing of the ball were very fine. The Northants were now all out, but the good defence of the Sussex saved the situation time after time. Sergeant Coomber brought off a brilliant save, and a few minutes later again saved his side in masterly style. Another raid by the Northants resulted in the ball missing its billet by inches. From the goal kick, the Sussex at last got going, and a fine bout of passing by the whole line for forwards ended in the ball being placed behind. Coming again, the Sussex men lost a fine opportunity by an infringement of the offside rule. The Northants again took the game in hand owing to the fine play of Corporal Jacquest, the Northants centre half, who time after time broke up any attempt at combination by the Sussex men, his play being one of the features of this half. Keeping up the pressure the Northants brought out the fine qualities of the Sussex rearguard, and Sergeant Coomber greatly distinguished himself, but he was beaten at last by a good goal scored by Lance-Corporal Jones, after a fine individual run. The pace became hotter than ever following this goal, and it was surprising how the men kept it up, for the heat was intense. The Sussex men were now on their mettle, and after fine combined play put the ball through, but the whistle had gone for offside, and another good opportunity of levelling up matters was lost, and half-time was called with the score: 1st Northamptonshire Regiment, 1 goal; 2nd Royal Sussex, nil.

“ALL SUSSEX”

The second half opened by a smart piece of play by the whole line of forwards, but the Northants backs were playing a sound game, and beat them back. But at this period it was all Sussex, and their continuous raids were at last rewarded by Company Sergeant-Major Soughton, placing the ball out to Private Adams, who ran in and made no mistake, placing the ball well out of the reach of the Northants goalie. The Sussex men were now playing up well, and could do anything but score. Company Sergeant-Major Soughton made many fine attempts and narrowly missed on a number of occasions. A good run down by Lance-Corporal Tucker ended in that player testing the Northants goalie, but a corner only resulted, and from the goal kick, Company Sergeant-Major Soughton sent in a terrific drive, which was splendidly saved. The Sussex men pressed continuously, but nothing further was scored:

2nd Royal Sussex Regiment, 1 goal: 1st Northamptonshire Regiment, 1 goal.

Considering the weather, the pace was very fast, and not a single foul was recorded throughout the game, which was witnessed by about 2,500 troops.

Teams:

2nd Royal Sussex Regiment

Sergeant Coomber; Company Sergeant-Major Butcher; Sergeant Miles; Private Bartlett; Corporal Tuck; Corporal Blacklock; Lance-Corporal Tucker; Corporal Marchant; Company Sergeant-Major Soughton; Private Stimpson; Private A. Adams.

1st Northants Regiment

Private Yorke; Lance-Corporals Sims, Gadsby; Private Hunn; Corporal Jacquest; Corporal Bradley; Lance-Corporal Hafferman; Private Parrott; Lance-Corporal Jones; Private Barnard; Private Sorrell.

Referee – Private Brown [1st Northants]