Around 1870 Darwen
FC was founded, as a Football and Cricket club, and although the rules of football
were rudimentary mainly of the Rugby code, matches were somewhat controlled. The
Club was formed by the amalgamation of two mill teams, with Mr. J.C. Ashton and
the three sons of Nathaniel Walsh (owner of the Orchard mill) being the prominent
founders. The Walsh sons had attended the public school at Harrow, and their interest
no doubt stemmed from the games played there, while they were able to bring the
game to the millworkers during their holidays. From this mixed background of enthusiasm,
the club first rented a field at Lynwood, as a home ground. The first match played
was lost against Brookhouse mill (Blackburn). The leading personality in the opponent's
team being A.N. Hornby, who would achieve fame with Blackburn Rovers and Lancashire
County Cricket club years later.
In 1875 matches were played under the new
Association rules, the first match being against local rivals Turton (
played on the Chapletown ground ) which was abandoned
due to fighting. (For more on
the subject of Turton and it's ground players and history click
here)
Around this time (1874) the club had
made the move to Barley Bank, where the large
ground was used for both football and cricket. As with so many teams of this period,
the club was a combined sports organization known as "Darwen Cricket and Football
Club" and it was not until 1884 that separate committees were formed for each
sport, the club would use the near-by Alexandra Hotel
for changing and club meetings, The original committee consisted of two bank managers,
two local Cotton Manufacturers, two solicitors, an accountant and the manager
of the local Gas and Water Company. The secretary was a Thomas
Hindle
( click here ) who would represent the Darreners
for over half a century.
Darwen soon became a leading club in the North west
of England. In those formative days of the game, the inititive had come from the
south, with the introduction of the FA Cup in 1871, for which all the entries
had come from the south. The Darreners soon established their prowess at the sport,
early in 1878 two prestigious home matches were played against Sheffield in the
FA Cup and Partick, the latter a leading Scottish club. Darwen were the first
along with Manchester to enter the English Cup from Lancashire. Manchester were
beaten in the first round whilst Darwen played Sheffield in the second round this
was lost by a single disputed goal, before several hundred supporters. The game
with the Scotsmen was an even bigger attraction for around 3,000 including many
ladies turned up to watch. The degree of interest can be judged by the reports
of the local press that the spectators had to endue ankle deep mud with no cover.
The next home game February the 9th was against Eagley in a 2-2 draw the match
had to be played on a adjacent pitch, as the regular pitch was a sea of mud due
to many days of heavy rain.
A game was arranged against Turton later that
month, Turton had not been beaten at home for nearly seven years and with a large
following from Darwen (1,000) the Salmoners were overjoyed to spoil Turtons record
with a single goal victory.
( Darwen FC were known as the "Salmoners"
from a nickname given to the team in their Football League Days post 1891 but
we will be refering to them as the Salmoners or Darreners during these early years
)
The visit to Darwen on new years day 1878 of Partick Glasgow had repercussions
that changed the face of football, and although if it had not been Darwen it would
doubtlessly have been another club, for two members of the Scottish side that
day were James Love and Fergus Suter, both took a liking to the Darwen area, the
latter writing to the club and informing them that he was thinking of moving to
the area and continuing his craft as a stonemason. He moved to Darwen along with
James Love and a relative (goalkeeper) -- It was always denied by Mr
T. Hindle the Darwen Secretary that the players were paid to play for the
club, but when Fergus
Suter
( click here ) gave up his stonemason position (apparently the stone in
the Darwen area was for more harder to work than it's Scotttish counterpart) it
somewhat streched the imagination that he would continue to play for the club
without payment or no visible means of support.
The importation of the Scotsmen
was not without precedent for two players from Scotland had signed for the Heeley
club, but there had been no suspicion of professionalism in this transfer. The
1878/79 season was to become the most memorable for Darwen, and a event that happened
that year would make the club famous for all time.
In October 1878, the club
initiated the forming of the Lancashire Football Association and on the 28th of
that month took part in one of the first (if not the first) ever matches to be
played under floodlights. The game was played at Barley Bank against a team made
up from players from Blackburn teams. It was a brilliant success in more ways
than one, for the light provided 36,000 candle power, which was "clear" "constant"
Steady and without blemish, It attracted a large crowd of over 3,000 people Darwen
won the game 3-0. The light had been provided by two steam-driven "Magneto electric
engines" borrowed from the Orchard mill, but the exercise had proved too expensive
for the time.
The Club by now was becoming virtually invincible with wins,
which included an 11-0 rout over Blackburn Association and the strong Eagley side
by 4-1 in a FA cup second round replay the first game finished a scoreless draw
but Darwen had played with only 10 men the whole game but in the second game on
the 23rd December they took a commanding 4-0 halftime lead with Love netting a
hat-trick.
The first ever Lancashire County team trails were held at Barley
bank on the 16th December 1879 and Darwen contributed six players to the trails.
Four of them going on to win county caps.
On New Years day 1879 the Salmoners
were shaken out of their complacency in no small way, when they lost at home to
Glasgow by seven goals to nil, the game attracted a £40 gate and goalkeeper Booth
was severely criticized for his play. Although it was a shock for their morale,
the club could look back with satisfaction that they had only been beaten by Sheffield
and Glasgow since reverting to the Association code.
Three days later on
the 4th January 1879 Lancashire played North Wales at Barley bank in
the first representative game for the county and four Darwen players were included
in the side. Interest then once again centered on the FA cup when they were cast
as no-hopers against the ex-public schoolboys club the "Remnants". Darwen had
obtained a walkover in the first round when the Birch club from Manchester scratched.
In the second round Eagley were beaten by 4-1 despite only having 10 men when
Manchester based player Dr. J. Gledhill had got off at the wrong station and only
arrived at the game just before the end, but now the game against the Remnants
from Slough Buckinghamshire in the third round loomed. The game presented financial
problems, for apart from Love and Suter who were both regulars in the team by
now, the rest were amateurs and were near impoverished millworkers.
In addition
the clubs finances were not as healthy as their teams ability. Collection boxes
were set up at the ground for donations for the teams train fare and expences,
and a benefit concert was held to raise funds. The game before the Remnants game
against Sheffield ended 1-2 hardly giving cause for optimism.
The game was
played at the Oval on the Thursday 30th January 1879 and the Darwen team
consisted of: Duxbury, Suter,
Brindle, Moorhouse, Knowles, Marshall, Love, Gledhill, W. Kirkham, Bury and R.
Kirkham. Despite the poor weather (snow) a good crowd had assembled by
the time of the kick-off at just after 3-00pm. It came as no suprise when the
experienced Remnants took an early lead, but by half-time the Darreners had equalised.
Once again the Remnants took the lead early in the second half but the Darreners
were rescued with a last gasp equalizer. The game went into extra time and the
Darreners scored again through Love to bring off probably the first Giant-killing
act of the FA cup.
The next game against Accrington at the Barley Bank on
the 8th February drew a large crowd to acknowledge their local heroes, but the
minds of the club and team were on greater things, for in the next round of the
cup they had been drawn against the Mighty Old Etonians. Whilst this prospect
was seen as undoubtedly the biggest match ever played by Darwen or indeed any
team from the whole of Lancashire, there were serious doubts as to whether the
club should scratch from the tie. The club were already in debt, and the trip
to London against the Remnants had cost £31. The money previously raised was insufficient
to cover these expenses.
Now another visit to the Oval was necessary, at this
time all the games from this stage had to be played at this venue including the
final. However, for the first time ever the meaning of "cup fever" became a reality
and once again the financial support of the town was prevailed upon. Collections
were made at the post office, the Co-op, and the mills plus pubs and mines in
the area. Individual contributions came from the Mayor, from Aldermen, Councillors,
Solicitors, Farmers, Butchers, Plumbers, and Manufacturers: contributions from
Entwistles and Nutters workmen 7shillings, Misses Sutcliffe 2 shillings and sixpence,
Seph Harwood Joiners 7 shillings, Samuel Shorrock (London) 2 shillings and sixpence,
Turncrofts Middle pit three shillings and sixpence, the fund was first a private
one, then became a public fund. With such support from the townsfolk, the team
set off for the capital once again, for the epic battle on the 13th February --
strong in spirit, but knowing that their chances of success were slim against
the twice previous finalist's.
True to form the Old Etonians completely dominated
the tired (from the long journey) Darwen players. Even so the southerners played
below their normal form, and were prone to slicing the ball on many occations.
But the enormous throw-ins of Kinnaird were proving a problem for the Darreners,
it was from one of the throw-ins that Whitfield scored first for the Old Etonians
followed by a second from Christian. Having won the toss the Old Etonians had
chosen to play with the wind in the first half, and the tiring Darwen team conceded
two more goals before the break. None but a supreme Darwen optimist would have
given the team a chance, especially when Goodhart completed his hat-trick early
in the second period. Dispirited and without real hope, the Darreners surged upon
the Old Etonians goal, en bloc. In an effort to at least show that they to could
score, which they did, with just 15 minutes remaining there then followed what
is regarded as the greatest fightback ever in the FA cup, and a performance that
would earn them a place in football imortality. With their confidence rising,
despite the superior fitness and physique of their opponents, and following greater
dominance by the Old Etonians, Weldon of the Old Etonians scored -- an own goal
! -- 2-5. Love using his speed to great advantage scored the third through a powerful
header 3-5. A scramble in front of the old boys goal resulted in the ball passing
between the posts --- disallowed but after strong protest from the Darreners the
official reversed his decision 4-5. By now the Old Etonians were well shaken out
of their complacency, and they had every reason to regret their probable easing
of effort, which had enabled the Darreners to come back, with seconds ticking
away Love scored again, 5-5 the final result. The option was there, for extra
time to be played, Darwen were in full agreement but the Old Etonians declined
the invitation! Although this could not have been a suprise but it was something
of a comedown for the likes of the Hon. A.F. Kinnaird,
who had in the past stated to the effect that: " I can never
understand players who complain of playing an extra match in midweek. Why I think
nothing of playing three hard games within one week, and even then expect to take
a little exercise - to keep myself fit" Sentiments no doubt normally echoed by
his team-mates but on this occasion noted by their absence !
The town of Darwen
greeted the homecoming of the team as heroes from a war just won, but the battle
was far from over. This second trip to London had shown a profit of £40 over and
above the donations that had been given, but the club was in total now £200 in
debt, with still the replay to come --- once again in London. The hard up club
tried desperately to get the Old Etonians to agree to play the game in Darwen,
offering them £40 as a incentive. Not relishing another trip to the Capital they
naturally reasoned that their chances would be better on home territory. Conversely
the London team, although still odds on favorites they could not risk the unthinkable,
a defeat by a bunch of millworkers! Their opposition probably went further than
this though, As true amateurs they may well have been willing to give the other
side their chance at home, but as amateurs they also abhorred the hint of professionalism
attached to the Darwen team, and if the truth be known probably flinched at the
thought of having to play another match with this "sham team". And so it was necessary
for more public subscription from the town to be extended. The money came in willingly
and a total of £175 was raised for the fund, and for their part the Old Etonians
had sportingly sent a donation of £5 and the football Association donated £10
possibly with a twinge of guilt of their rule of venue for the final games.
Hundreds of townsfolk gave the team a rousing send-off at Darwen station when
they left in a comfortable equipped carriage, courtesy of the Great Northern Rail
Company. The bad weather and the prospects of an intriguing match enticed a large
crowd to the Oval which was in reality the Old Etonians home ground. For the replay
played on the 8th March 1879 Darwen played an unchanged side, Whilst the Etonians
recruited the services of L. Bury (an England International) plus two forward
playing changes. Showing more respect for their opponents on this occasion, the
Old Etonians took the lead through Whitfield. But Darwen were not to be denied
their undoubted ability and equalized through R. Kirkham to make it 1-1 at the
break. The second half proved to be more entertaining than the first, although
the match was dominated by good defensive work by both sides. But it was the Old
Etonians who again took the lead only for the Darreners to reply through T. Bury,
the game finished 2 all and although 30 minutes extra time was played there was
no more goals scored, thus the tie was to go to a third match. The weary Darwen
team came home again to a rousing welcome, and once again resigned themselves
to another trip to London one week later.
Darwen again asked the Old Etonians
to reconsider playing the game in Darwen, but their request again fell on deaf
hears, By now the whole country were not only aware of the team from the "mill
town" but also were championing their cause. Many letters and opinions were printed
in the newspapers mainly criticizing the ex public schoolboys for their intransigence
although in fairness the venue was not chosen by the old boys themselves, it was
the unfairness of the then southern biased Football Association. Quite inadvertently
Darwen could once again be shown to be responsible for a shift in football thinking,
as from the next year onwards the early rounds were regionalized, which also led
to more entries especially from the North and Midlands whose teams were emerging
fast. For the third match in London, the Darwen team presented a jaded spectacle,
tired from long working hours and now also from their long distance train journeys
to the Capital. In the Darwen team McLachin replaced R. Kirkham which was a big
blow to the Darreners as Kirkham had been a "rock" in the Darwen defence. Although
Darwen had the best of the early encounter, their tiredness coupled with a injury
to captain Knowles, let the Old Etonians eventually run out 6-2 winners. ( to
view the full cup draw of 1879 click here)
So for Darwen
the excitement was all over, but they had learnt a lot and had caused a change
in the rules of the competition. And even taught the Old boys a lesson. The Darwen
play was influenced by the scottish style, that of playing several of the team
in the passing game, rather than the Cavalry charge down the field with one man
dribbling his way through with the ball and the rest following in a pack. By the
third game the Old Etonians confessed to having evaluated the Darwen style and
changing their game to suit, thus Darwens influence was to change the thoughts
of football forever. The overall financial situation, was a profit of nearly £57,
travelling expenses had amounted to £119 for the four London games, when the team
had travelled a total of 1,760 miles.
Four games against teams from Blackburn
followed in April 1879, The association club ( based at Ewood ) were the first
beaten 4-0, then a rare defeat against the up and coming Rovers, the next game
was played against the newly formed Blackburn Olympic
who had been formed by the amalgamation of Black Star and
Saint James teams. The game was played at the "hole in the wall ground Blackburn"
and a crowd of over 2,000 paid £40 to see the Darreners win 8-2. A return game
was played against the Olympic a week later again Darwen triumphed 5-2 The Rovers
game had only produced a gate of £25 but the attractions of games between the
two clubs would reach huge proportions in the coming years. On April 26th 1879
a game was arranged against Turton this game was played at Lower Darwen a neutral
ground for a benefit game for Suter and Love the Darwen players, a fact which
was fairly conclusive that the two were professional players a claim always denied
by the club. The game drew a crowd of 1,500 (£35) In all just four matches of
the 25 played ended in defeat, with a goal difference of 100 for -- 40 against,
although it had been a momentous season on the field it had been unhealthy on
the financial side, only the profits from the cup run had kept the clubs head
above water. The first game in the 1879/80 season was against local rivals Darwen
Grasshoppers, and won 7-0. followed by a win over newly formed Darwen Old Wanderers
2-1
On September the 27th Darwen played Bolton Wanderers in front of 1,500
and won 7-0, and 2,000 turned up for the game against Blackburn
Olympic who were again beaten 4-2. It was expressed that with Darwen's townsfolks
great interest in the game and with now four figure attendances the "clubs debt"
would soon be cleared. A crowd of several thousand at Barley Bank witnessed a
rare defeat by 1-3 to the Forrest from Nottingham, the "reds" as they were known
were a strong test for they had already made their mark in the FA cup competition,
having reached the semi-finals in the two previous years. The main events of the
coming season were the mighty tussles against the up and coming Blackburn Rovers,
the first game was a portend to the animosity that was to develop between the
clubs as each battled to become the top team in the area. Played at Barley Bank
in front of the then largest crowd ever to watch a football game (5,000) on the
8th November 1879, Darwen were leading by the single goal and as the game wore
on the rougher it got. In the second period the Darwen goalkeeper Duxbury was
injured. He gamely carried on but a soft equalizer forced him to leave the field
and the game finished 1-1.
The next meeting between the two clubs was in
the FA cup and aroused great interest, over 5,000 packed the Alexandra meadows
including a large following from Darwen, despite the importance of the game it
was played in a sporting manner, but the Darreners could not repeat the successes
of the previous year and lost the tie 1-3. But the interest of all the previous
games was to be outshone on the 20th March 1880 for the final of the new Lancashire
cup, when the biggest attendance for a football match turned up at Barley Bank
of around 9,000. One hour before the kick-off the large crowds were gathering
outside the ground, and it was necessary to have six match selling ticket positions
to cope with the throng. Twelve lorries were commandeered as temporary seated
stands on the North side of the ground, and these were soon filled to overflowing.
Even team photographs were taken and in the two teams two future England internationals
were on show Tom Marshall of Darwen and the Blackburn Rovers captain John Hargreaves.
Rovers quickly established control of the game but against the run of play Darwen
went ahead through Bury which caused "Hats and Sticks to fly in all directions"
in the second half Darwen began to pile on the pressure and eventually ran out
easy winners 3-0, the third goal had been hotly disputed by the Rovers and the
two umpires could not make a decision, eventually the referee made the decision
and awarded Darwen the goal -an amazing compromise for such a thing was not covered
in the rules at the time, ironically this was to be the only time Darwen would
ever win this trophy.
The match
against Blackburn Rovers was surrounded with more controversy though, the rules
of the competition required that players should reside within a certain distance
of their clubs. In this instance there was one questionable player in each team,
the Rovers sought from the association a ruling of the matter, and received the
incredible reply, to the effect that, each player could play their suspect player
if they wished; Their final ruling would then be determined after the game thus
Rovers choose not to play their star A. N. Hornby, whilst Darwen went ahead and
played their "foreigner" R. Kirkham. The Darwen committee maintained that only
Hornby was the questionable player and saw no reason why they should not play
Kirkham, Darwen also created a smear campaign against their neighbours, this plus
the decision to play the final at Barley bank the home of Darwen FC had the Rovers
quite riled long before the day of the game. Darwen showed their overall superiority
two weeks later, this time in Blackburn were they ran out 3-0 winners once again.
The Lancashire cup games had produced a staggering goal difference of 39
goals for and only 2 goals against. The early rounds had included a 12-0 hammering
of Haslingden Association before a one thousand plus home crowd. The previous
two seasons had seen the club rise in status, and they were by now one of the
top clubs in the north of England, but even more triumphs awaited them in the
1880/81 season. The first game on the 25th September got of to a cracking start
on merseyside, with a 13-0 demolition of newly formed Liverpool, at Newsham Park,
Fairfield. This win was, however, overshadowed when a sensational win was achieved
over the famed Partrick side infront of 2,000 Scots. The overall power of the
team continued with another "cricket score" this time by 14 goals to
one against Preston North End, a team yet to rise in the football world, and who
until shortly before the game had been playing under the Rugby rules.
Poor
old Haslingden were again on the wrong end of a big score this time by nine goals,
and once again in the Lancashire cup. The winning ways were put to a stop when
8 goals were shared at Barley Bank before a crowd of 4,000, but this was no disgrace
for the opponents were the well respected Nottingham Forest side.
During this
period some four Darwen FC players were capped for England.
The first victims
in the cup campaign of 1880/81 were Brigg who were overwhelmed by 8 unopposed
goals, before Sheffield were hammered 5-1 at Brammall Lane, The third round draw
gave the Darreners a bye, and in the next match another game with a Sheffield
side was decreed. Although the weather was poor, the crowd anticipating a repeat
of the FA cup excitement of two years earlier turned out in great numbers at Barley
Bank, and another victory was achieved by the Darwen club this time against "the
Wednesday" of Sheffield the score 5-1.
Once again the club had reached
the quarter-finals stage, but on this occasion did not have to play the game at
the Oval! but the luck of the draw was as bad, as fate required them to travel
to the London area again, this time to Romford.
Not relishing the thought
of a long and tedious journey, Darwen managed to persuade ( with a financial inducement
) the men from Essex to play the game in Lancashire.
Darwen ran riot against
the Essex men and created (at the time) the record goal winning margin in the
competition. Rostron
scored first, followed by Mellor, and by 7 minutes were 3 up. The fans
had difficulty keeping up with the score as the unfortunate Romford goal was bombarded
with scoring shots.
By halftime the score was 11-0, and although the pace
slackened in the second period the final tally was 15-0.
The club had reached
the Semi-final stage in no uncertain manner!. The semi-final against the Old Carthusians
did however have to be played at the Oval, a ground the Darreners were considering
their second home, but on this occasion far from being the under-dogs as two years
earlier the Darreners fame and winning ways had made them the favorites to win
the cup. just one game was between them and another clash with the Old Etonians
- who had a bye through to the final. although the southerners had competely dominated
the cup up to that date, the rapid rise of the northerners abilities produced
the prospect of a facinating first ever North vesus South conflict on the football
field.
The weather at the Oval was fine but cold, and a large crowd of 2,000
- matches in the south were not considered as spectator attractions to the same
degree as in the North - attended.
Despite winning the toss, Darwen chose
to play into the sun in the first half, and Brindle
got the game into motion. Darwen missed several early chances, including two shots
that hit the Carthusians crossbar, before they took a deserved lead at the interval,
Marshall netting for Darwen.
In the second half Darwen's earlier domination
vanished and the Old Carthusians stormed the Darreners goal , and after 90 minutes
they ran out 1-4 winners, the Lancastrians had been unable to reproduce their
famous fighting back spirit, and the prospect of a classic confrontation with
the Old Etonians in the final vanished.
The Darwen streets were packed with
people - all anxious to get news of the final result, and were shattered when
news that the Darreners had lost came through, for they had hoped and expected
their favorites to win. ( to view the full cup draw of 1881 click
here)
Between the FA cup games friendlies had continued, on Christmas
day, a hastily arranged fixture was suprisingly lost to Church away by 4 goals
to 6. followed by another in Scotland, were Dumbarton were the hosts, in the first
half which was said to have been played to "scotch" rules - which differed
somewhat to the English version and Darwen were overcome by 3-1.
Earlier on
the 27th November a friendly was played at Alexandra meadows against Blackburn
Rovers, and once again the two neighbours attracted unsurpassed interest.
This match, although only a friendly encounter, played between what were by now
recognised as the top two premier clubs in Lancashire, attracted a interest that
once again overshadowed all others, It was estimated that 12,000 supporters packed
into the ground.
The two sets of supporters excitement this time spilled over
into violent confrontation that had threatened in previous games between the two.
Darwen opened the scoring in the first half, which lead to a pitch invasion: the
inadequate number of police present had difficulty in clearing the field of play,
thus the game was held up for ten minutes, the salmoners lead was shortlived however
when the Rovers leveled the score just before half-time, In the second half of
a rough and tough game, a serious confrontation occurred between Suter who by
now had transferred his allegience to the Rovers, and Marshall of Darwen the ugly
scene happened infront of a broken barrier (from a earlier pitch invasion) and
a number of fans joined in with the fighting. The fight gave rise to the following
verse,
"Aw
see thad Suter-marshall scrap
A yarra
brief and bloodless mill
An aw'm quite sure as nayther chap
Bore t'other
player t'least ill will
Yo'see eawrDarren friends were cute
But t' Rovers
proved a trifle cuter
An t'gradley cause o't' whul cuter
Were t' Rovers
nobblin 'Mac and Suter'
The Darwen News in a article featuring the game claimed that their contemporaries
in Blackburn, had highly coloured their report, and exagerated the friction as
well as giving a one-sided account. The Darwen's papers opinion was that the ground
had been unsuitable for such a enormous crowd! the final result was a cooling
down of members of both sides, and although Marshall of Darwen issued a apology,
Fergus Suter never did!
Although increased addmision charges were made at
the Aston Villa ground on the 8th January, a record attendance for the Villa at
the time (5,000) came to see their favorites take on Darwen, The Salmoners weakened
by injuries to several players were a great dissapointment and lost by 4 goals
to nil. This game was followed by another match against the Forest of Nottingham
dispite their prowness the salmoners had never beaten Forest and this record was
kept intact as Forest ran out winners 3-0
More friction was created between
the Salmoners and Rovers in March 1881 The Lancashire cup tie between the two
had been sheduled for the 5th March, but had to be posponed because of Darwen's
FA cup commitments. The Rovers took this as a snub, and at the eleventh hour called
off the re-sheduled game a week later, and played Nottingham Forest in a friendly
fixture. Meanwhile Darwen who had arranged to play Partick, but had to pospone
this match because of the Lancs cup-tie, hastily arranged a game at Accrington!
such were the vagaries of the rules at this period, which allowed such arbitary
decisions!
The antagonism between the two clubs reached the point were both
were thrown out of the Lancashire cup competiton that year. There was little doubt
that the in-fighting between these two teams, whilst the natural competitive element
and desire to win, was overshadowed by the importance of each to be the best!
securing the best (professional) players being the ultimate necessity and hence
requiring high attendances to pay these players. The football records of 1881
stated:
".......What an unwholesome prominence the gate occupies in the consideration of football clubs in the North. Indeed there is no need to disguise the speedy approach of a time when the subject of professional players will require the earnest attention of those on whom devolves the management of association football"
And
this time indeed was fast approaching!
Despite the late notice, nearly 3,000
fans were present at the Accrington game, but Darwen were highly critical of their
hosts pitch which was barely 50 yards wide.
At the seasons end, a match "
to the benefit of the players" ( ie professionals ), was played against Staveley
on the 16th April. Several cancelled games in April led to financial problems,
which but for this would have been a highly entertaining and profitable season.
The 1881/82 season proved that some of the edge had gone from Darwen F.C. from
a team that had carried virtually everything before them, they were to find that
although far from being a poor combination, there were others reaching and passing
their level.
The previous four seasons had been the most successful for the
club, and were to prove to be superior to the future. In many aspects they had
led the way and set trends within the game; meanwhile a host of clubs from neighbouring
towns were to reach and surpass the previous superiority of the Salmoners
One of these neighbouring clubs was Blackburn Rovers soon to become their bitter
enemies, who were run by John Lewis, ( Who himself had played football for Darwen
FC and is widely regarded as scoring the first ever FA cup goal for Darwen FC
in a game against Manchester on the 7th November 1877 which Darwen won 3-0 ) he
was a man who loved to win at all costs, and he transformed the Rovers in the
early 1880's, building a team including three former Darwen players who he "poached"
( a quote from the local Darwen press at the time ) to become the best in the
land and their record of winning 24 consecutive games in the FA cup in the mid
1880's is still the longest unbeaten run in the history of the competition..(
Immortals click here )
One of the players he poached
from Darwen was the immortal Fergus Suter who he persuaded to change allegiances
in 1881 Fergie won three FA cup winners medals whilst with the Rovers 1884/85/86
and a losers medal in 1882. John Lewis himself had played football for the Salmoners
in 1879 as a center forward, before returning to the Rovers, he married the Mayor
of Darwens daughter in 1880 and was well known at Barley Bank, although not always
a popular visitor, many people in Darwen blamed him for the Darwen players defections
to the Rovers, and with good reason!
Another local team which up to that time
had not been any threat to the Salmoners were the Olympic team from the Revidge
area of Blackburn, a team made up from the amalgamation of two teams St. James
and Black star. The Olympic were to shock everyone in football one day with the
first FA cup win by a northern team, but unlike the Rovers the Olympic were regular
visitors to Barley Bank, and far from being rivals to the Salmoners like the Rovers
, Olympic would actually assist the Salmoners with fixtures, players, kit etc.
and vice-versa, many of the players guesting with the others team. the main reason
was that both sides were made up mainly of mill workers unlike the Rovers who
thought of themselves as a chip above all others with their roots in public and
grammar school quarters.
The campaign of 1881/82 started on the 10th September
with a practice game against Lower Darwen,who played their games on the Leys Meadow
and changed at the Railway Inn, the score finished with a 2-0 win to the Salmoners.Two
weeks later a trip to Scotland was made, and although starting well - a suprise
since the changed team was very much experimental but eventually sucumbing to
a 6-0 defeat against a Scottish 1X at Dumbarton. October the 8th brought Turton
to Barley Bank, but only a moderate attendance of 1,700 were present to see the
Salmoners win 1-0, another game played at home that month was against the Forest
of Nottingham, and despite the attractive opponents barely 2,000 saw the Salmoners
go down by the single goal.
On the 29th October, something like the previous
seasons support were present 3,000 to 4,000, for Blackburn
Olympics FA Cup visit for the first round tie; non-the less a large number
of the crowd were from Blackburn, there was never any doubt who was the better
team and Darwen went on to the next round with a 3-1 victory, Bury, Rostron and
Towers scoring for the Salmoners, but the crowd watching that day did not realise
that the young
Olympic side with a average age of 20 and a 18 year old team captain
(James Ward) would not be beaten again for 14 cup-ties during which they would
write themselves into football folklore with their FA Cup win the next year. Darwen
went on to the next round on the 26th November in a game against a much improved
Accrington the Salmoners ran out 3-0 winners with Rostron (2) and Marshall getting
the goals.
The thoughts of earlier cup sucesses must have come to the fore,
as the team continued to flourish in the competition. December was the month that
the next round was played and won! On a frozen and therefore very slippery Barley
Bank pitch, Turton were beaten 4-2, but before only 1,500 spectators.
The
30th January was the date of the next round and when news of the draw came through
that their next opponents were to be the dreaded enemy Blackburn Rovers away,
The Rovers were to play the game ( their first ) on their newly accuired pitch
at Leamington Road.
The past ill-feeling between the two clubs had now subsided
slighty but the passion to win was just has great for the clubs as well as the
supporters, especially this being the FA Cup. the weeks leading up to the game
generated terrific interest, this new ground of the Rovers was better suited to
playing football than their previous home at Alexandra Meadows, which had doubled
up for cricket during the summer months. At Leamington Road a sturdy barrier(
two railed)was erected ajacent to the pitch on all four sides to contain the crowds
whilst a purpose built seated grandstand was also in place.
Spectators started
to arrive for the game two and a half hours before kick-off and with one hour
to go before kick-off the ground was considered full! with nearly 8,000 paying
spectators inside. Although the match passed trouble free, the Rovers with their
new "imports" proved too much for the Salmoners and romped away with
a 5-1 victory after being 4-0 up at half-time. This result was to be no one-off
event as the Rovers went on to reach the final of the competition and so become
the first team outside of the still amatuer south to do so.
It was a severe
blow to the once mighty Darreners to suffer such a defeat and especially to the
Rovers, the next match following this defeat was against Accrington which resulted
in a 2-2 draw at Barley Bank which could only raise an attendance of 2,000.
On the 10th March a return game against the Rovers was arranged, but this time
with nothing more than pride at stake, played at Barley Bank the crowds again
came out in great numbers, but to Darwens distress another heavy defeat was sustained
by the same scoreline as two months earlier. the main reasons for such a poor
display were said in the local Darwen News as goalkeeping errors, bad luck and
the poor play of Cross! Cross being in fact a Welsh Druids player recruited especially
for the game after Rostron was found to be injured and could not play.
The
season trailed off with variable results, a 2-3 defeat at little known Staveley
(attendance 1,000), a single goal victory in a entertaining home game against
Walsall Swifts in front of 2,000 spectators, and a morale boosting win against
the year old North End From Preston, North End were another of the Lancashire
clubs that started off as the pupil and quickly became the masters of Darwen FC,
In all the season had been one of mixed fortunes and a unsettled team, the final
record whilst not poor by normal standards, was non the less discouraging - 16
wins, 4 draws and 14 defeats
The 1882/83 season started, and
Darwen's supporters could now only stand back and see their favorites take second
place to several other Lancashire teams. Blackburn Rovers the" pride
of the North" after their Cup final appearance, refused to play at Darwen,
unless their exorbitant demands for their gate money share were met. Bolton Wanderers
although formed in 1874, but as yet not as prominent, were able to attract a "tremendous
crowd" approx 8,000 when they held Darwen to a 2-2 draw at Barley Bank. Whilst
the next game against the Wednesday of Sheffield attracted only 1,000 spectators
mainly due to the torrential rain which eventually abandoned the game on 65 minutes
Reduced support and successful neighbours left the Salmoners the incentive to
make a good show in the FA Cup, which in part they achieved.
A poor first
match in the competition, but non the less a 4-1 win over Blackburn Park Road
was first accomplished. The second round draw decreed that the Salmoners would
yet again play the Rovers of Blackburn this time at Barley Bank!. Once again a
capacity crowd of around 10,000 were present and although the Salmoners were given
little chance in local circles against their opponents, they adopted a defensive
( one of the first ever recorded tactics of its type) game and gained revenge
for the previous season's defeat, after a goaless first half, an all important
goal was scored in the second period with Mellor netting for the Darreners. The
Rovers took the defeat badly quoting in the local Blackburn times that Darwen
had gone all out to spoil the Rovers attacking game and saying they were a disgrace
to the game of football, but in Darwen the locals celebrated the great success.
this defeat would be the Rovers last one for 24 games in which time they would
win the cup a record three times in the longest unbeaten run in FA Cup history
a record still held to this day.
In the third round Darwen met Church of Accrington
in the first game the score finished 0-0 and the second game Darwen never got
their game going and finished 0-2 down and another chance of FA cup glory was
gone!
Following on from the warm reception accorded to the Lancashire Cup
competition among competing clubs, another local cup competition "the
East Lancashire Charity Cup" was brought into being. In May
1882, representatives from Blackburn Rovers, Blackburn Olympic, Darwen and Accrington
met at the White Bull Hotel in Blackburn and agreed to play a series of matches
with the proceeds going to a good cause "the Blackburn and East Lancashire
Infirmary" The new cup was a magnificent trophy 2ft 10 ins high wieghing
200oz and cost almost £150 to have made -- a great sum in those days. Engraved
on the cup is a scene of the game of football and a picture of the infirmary.
at the bottom are four figures of football players along with crests of Blackburn,
Darwen Accrington and Burnley, each of the clubs involved made a cash contribution
towards the cost of the cup and also donated the gate receipts from the two semi
finals and final. From the total of £240 raised, £146 / 12s was spent
on the cup £8 / 15s / 6d on its case, £22 for medals for the winners
and £2 / 15s on badges for the runners-up. In the first final in 1882, Blackburn
Olympic beat Blackburn Rovers 5-2
The remaining balance of £40 was given
as a charitable donation to the Infirmary, obviously in the following years of
the competition the charitable donation was larger as the initial cost of the
cup had already been met in the first season. In the first two years of the competition
Darwen met Blackburn Rovers in the semi-final and lost on each occasion, however
in 1884, they managed to reach the final for the first time and won the cup by
beating Accrington 1-0 after a replay. Darwen would win the cup twice more in
the following years in 1901 against Burnley 2-1 and in 1902 against Accrington
Stanley 2-1.
The next few years, were to see Darwen Although still a major
force - pass the mantle of greatness to a greater degree, over to other town teams
in the locallity. The 1883/84 FA Cup adventure ended in the first round with a
defeat to Blackburn Olympic, the Olympic went on to the semi-finals, but the Rovers
not only reached the final again but won it by defeating Glasgow's Queens Park.
One year later it was a three goal defeat by nearby Church which put out Darwen,
after a bye in the first round. A further year on ( When the Rovers Would win
the FA cup for the third time in succession ) despite the appearance of six Lancashire
teams and several Northern clubs in the third round, Darwen FC were not amongst
them!
By 1887 Football was beginning to stagnate! The demands for success
led to increased professionalism, which in turn led to the necessity for good
attendances for economic survival. Whilst the FA Cup - and to a lesser degree
the County cup and games with local rivals could still arouse interest, something
more was required. this came one year later with the formation of the Football
League.
The twilight of 1886 had ended with a 1-2 defeat at the Rovers, who
were still on a "high" and attracted a gate of 8,000 to Barley Bank,
this was followed by a single goal defeat at Bootle. On New years day 1887 Kilmarnock
Athletic were the visitors to Barley Bank, but the attendance was only 1,500 for
a fixture which a few years earlier would have been a highlight
In 1887 some
headway was made in the FA Cup once again, Bolton Wanderers were the first to
be overcome, followed by a bye in the newly designated 1st series ( 4th round
) the second series required a journey to fresh fields, a party of only forty
supporters accompanied the team to the village of Chirk in North Wales. Although
coming away as victors, the £6 share of the £17 gate money from a
record 2,000 attendance did little for the finances of the Salmoners, as their
expences had amounted to £20!
More rewarding, financally, was the next
round trip to Aston Villa of Birmingham. Once again only a few fans made the trip
with the club, even though only a few years earlier special trains had to be layed
on for the same game, But the 6,000 crowd was entertained with a thrilling match,
a strong wind in their faces during the first period resulted in the team being
outplayed and three goals down by half-time, The second half was a complete reversal
as the Salmoners stormed back to score twice with a third dissallowed, but it
was not to be and although Darwen had reached the quarter finals again, it was
the Villa that went on to win the cup for their first time.
A friendly versus
Blackburn Rovers a 3-1 victory - only attracted a gate of 4,000, and near the
seasons end only 1,000 were present for the visit of Halliwell and even less when
the attractive Blackburn Olympic put in a appearance. The final game of the season
was lost at home by three unopposed goals to the Rovers in a charity match which
pulled in 3,000 spectators.
Although the likes of Blackburns ( Rovers and
Olympic ) had become the dominant forces in the area, it had now reached the time
when Preston North End would reign supreme for a spell.
A few years earlier
there had been a veritable proliferation of Darwen teams, but the number of clubs
with senior standing had dropped to just three, ( Darwen first team and their
reserves, the Wanderers and the Rovers ) Althought the power of Darwen FC had
begun to decline they were still a force to be reckoned with. and the many friendly
games played by the first team seldom included one of the other teams from the
town.
The start of the 1887/88 season was one of mixed fortunes, a single
goal defeat at Everton ( attendance 5,000 ) followed a excellent 5-2 victory over
the Olympic in the Lancashire cup before a very large crowd of over 6,000. Where-as
such a game could and did attract the fans the same could not be said of the friendly
games with the same oppponents for which there was nothing at stake save honour!
only £7 reciepts were taken for the visit of Church FC ( around 300 spectators
) and the Halliwell match brought in only £20 barely enough to cover expenses
it was apparent that something was needed to bring a "bite" to the game,
and stop the sport from stagnating.
The FA Cup still captured the imagination,
and a large attendance was present at Rawtenstall were the Salmoners pulled off
a 3-1 win, the next round attracted an unrecorded but discribed as immense crowd
when the little known club Witton of Blackburn put in a appearance. The match
finished up all square and the replay attracted an unprecedented crowd of 6,000
to Witton where due to the unenclosed ground many of the crowd got in "free"
The game played on a beautiful December day finished with a 2-0 win for the Salmoners.
The following draw brought a new team to Barley Bank - Notts Rangers played on
a heavy pitch because of prolonged rain there was only a modest crowd of some
3,000 present to witness the Salmoners win 3-1. Yet again Darwen had fought their
way through to the last sixteen ( 2nd series -- 1st round ) but alas this was
to be the end of the road, Blackburn Rovers were again the visitors and winners
by 3-0 ( which added to the previous 6-3 win at leamington road over Christmas
)
By the end of the season the framework of forming a league in which teams
would play set fixtures against teams on a par with themselves, on prearranged
dates was coming to a positive conclusion. The formation of the Football League
was to radically change the face of the game, and attract attendances sufficent
to pay expences and wages of professional players, which had now finally been
acknowledged and allowed by the Football Association in 1885.
If this radical
idea of a league containing the top clubs had been introduced ten years earlier
their is little doubt that Darwen FC would have been included as one of the founding
members, but in the event they lost out by one vote to Accrington ( one reason
in the minutes was that the midlands teams believed that Darwen was part of Blackburn
and that one team per town was only fair ) ( so whats changed?) so the Salmoners
had to take a back seat as the 12 founder members some of whom had not been formed
at the time of Darwens greatness -- led the way, but Darwen's day would come!
The 1888/89 campaign was far from successful for the Salmoners, with Accrington,
Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Everton and Preston North End all
being part of the elite twelve, there was little merit or interest in the local
friendly fixtures. The Barley Bank fixtures with the league sides still aroused
some passion, but when the same games were played away from home the matches lacked
the enthusiam and numbers of spectators.
Unfortunately the FA cup competition
did not even see the Salmoners through to the last 32 clubs, The club was by now
looking further afield for the friendly games, and although the plethora of new
clubs could rarely match Darwen's relative superiority - the first game with Birmingham
excelsior for instance resulting in a 15-1 victory, --- a 6-1 defeat to Blackburn
Rovers at home highlighted the gulf that was now present between these two league
and non- league clubs.
Even so Darwen were invited willingly into the subsidary
competition "The Football Alliance" that was created the following season.
On August the 31st 1889 Darwen FC played out an entertaining 2-2 friendly against
South Shore ( Blackpool ) before a 2,000 crowd followed seven days later with
the clubs first ever match in a league.
For their first visit to Barley Bank
Sunderland drew a large crowd ( it was Sunderland's and Darwens first ever league
game ) but before the game there was controversy, as the visitors complained of
Darwens proposal to play the previously suspended Downes in their line-up, under
protest the Salmoners substituted the player in question with a reserve.
Darwen
FC's full team that day was as follows:
Holden, J. Marsden,
Leach, Thornber, Owen, . Marsden, Douglas, W. Marsden, Fish, Smith and Entwistle.
There was no ideal start though as Sunderland took a two
goal lead at half-time, and although Darwen inproved in the second half the score
finished up 2-0 to Sunderland. Another good attendance was present, despite heavy
rain when the club played their second league game at Birmingham St Georges, the
weather did not dampen the home teams enthusiasm as Birmingham ran out 7-3 winners,
two games and two defeats was not a auspicious start for the Salmoners, Worse
was still to come as this poor start to their first competitive season continued.
In fact the clubs first victory in any game did not come until the 5th October,
and that only in a friendly fixture at Witton ( 4-0 ) Although there was immense
concourse of spectators for the home defeat in another friendly against the Rovers
( 0-4 )
some relief was felt when two important games were won, an easy 7-2
away victory before 2,500 spectators at Gorton Villa in the FA cup and a four
goals win over South Shore in the Lancashire cup. On the 9th November the fourth
league game was played and the Salmoners were comprehensivly beaten at Bootle
5-1 to put them firmly at the bottom of the league table.
Another victory
was achieved in the FA Cup 4-1 at home to Halliwell, followed at last with the
first league victory on the 23rd November 1888 against Walsall Swifts at Barley
Bank 6-3
Fortunately by the seasons end, although no honours were won the
club finished in a final 6th position in the league ( 10 wins 10 defeats and two
draws ) out of 12 clubs.
Such were the vulgarities of the rules of the time
that the first game ( against Sunderland ) was ordered to be replayed because
of the Darwen decision to play a dubious player, significantly of the twelve teams
playing in the Alliance league that season all would one day become Football League
members
But for Darwen a team that considered itself worthy of Football league
status, it had been a dissappointing season, and a application to join the Football
League was not even considered.
At the final reckoning, the second outing
in the Football Alliance was very similar to the first. An eventual 6th league
placing with 10 victories, but this time only 9 defeats and 3 draws ( goal difference
64 for 59 against ), was just slightly better than the year before. However financially
the situation was somewhat grim, when in January it was announced that the club
was over £250 in debt. The bank balance was slightly bolstered with a appearance
in the final of the Lancashire cup against Bolton Wanderers.
Bolton's team
for the final consisted of no fewer than seven Scottish players and two Welshmen,
and they triumphed over the Salmoners 3-1, excellent vicories against Accrington
Burnley and Preston had seen the Salmoners reach the final
The FA Cup sorties
also had their rewards that year, at least on the field. On the 17th January a
large crowd was present to see a 3-1 victory over Kidderminster, but following
a protest the match was ordered to be played again. this time the crowd only numbered
1,000 for the second game, but those who stayed away missed a treat for the Salmoners
ran out 13-0 winners, still one of the biggest FA Cup wins on record. in the next
round ( last 16 ) saw the Salmoners go out of the cup rather tamely 0-2 at Sunderland
on the last day of January.
After a few years of somewhat indifferent performances
and interest at the club, excitment mounted as the 1891/92 season approached,
for the Football League had been increased with the addition of two extra places,
and Darwen had secured one of them thanks mainly to JJ
Bentley the Football League secretary and one of the Salmoners oldest friends!
As the Salmoners had not excelled in the Football Alliance, it was rather
suprising that they were afforded this elevation for along with Darwen trying
for election were other clubs such as Sunderland who on paper being Champions
of the Alliance should have been favorites, but as in life it was who you know
that is the key.
Ironically of the other refused hopefuls Nottingham Forest
and Newton Heath would became champions and runners up in 1892 respectively, in
what became the last season of the alliance, and both were elected into the Football
league the following year.
So the 1891/ 92 season drew near and the prospects
of games with the elite stirred the locals up...................
Acknowledgements
and special thanks for the history scource, photo's and information in this section
are made to :
Dave Twydell -- Yare Publications
Stewart Fells -- Radcliffe
Ken Ormerod
-- Morecambe
Dave Howgate -- Southport
Slater Family
Gareth Rowlands
-- Canada
Hamiltron Family -- Austrailia
Newspaper cuttings from the Lancashire
Evening Telegraph, Darwen News and Darwen Advertiser
Blackburn Rovers
Burnley Football Club
League Football and the men who made it -- Simon Inglis
The Guinness record of the FA Cup -- Mike Collett
Richard Rundle -- The Football
club History database
Nora Thompson, Darwen
Marjorie Bibby, Darwen
Bert Pross, (Darwen FC mascot at Highbury 1932)
Bob Eccles, Darwen
Vic
Gavagan, Darwen
Paul Breeze -- Memories of Darwen Football club "Posh
up North Publishing"
The England Football
Online website: www.englandfootballonline.com
and a special thanks to all of the people dedicated to the running of the club
and also to the staff at Blackburn
with Darwen Library.
The Salmoners 2003