Inept referee adds to bitter feelings between clubs

This appeared in the programme for the Burton game:

A great deal of bad blood existed in 1913 between Leamington Town and C.Y.M.S. from Coventry or the ‘Catholics’ as they were known. This had its origins in the matches in the preceding season for the Leamington Hospital Cup (which Town lost) and the Birmingham Junior Cup (which Town won). Matters were not improved by an away game which ended in a 3-3 draw, the opposition levelling through a goal that was clearly offside in the view of ‘Looker On’ from the Courier.

The referee was seen as completely incompetent and lost control of the game, making matters worse by leaving ten minutes before the end of the match and handing over to a friend. ‘Looker On’ concluded, ‘Saturday’s game was rougher than should have been the case and the referee’s decision concerning that last goal will not in the least mend matters, but rather tend to add to the feelings of bitterness between the clubs.’

‘Looker On’ admitted that although the opposition’s football was ‘crude and inartistic, they bombarded the Leamington goal for long periods in the game. On the other hand, when one took a more comprehensive view of the play, one could see that Leamington were playing much better football, and although the forwards did not receive a great deal of help from the halves – who had difficulty in keeping their feet – they were possessed of a harmony which was not to be found among their more weighty but tactless opponents.’ ‘Looker On’ seemed to be implying that the Catholics had eaten too many pies.

Leamington did not appear to be playing at their best: ‘As a spectator, I was disappointed with the character of the play. There was none of that enthusiasm and virility which have characterised the Leamington team of late. The opening witnessed very poor football.’ Even so, Leamington were two goals ahead within the quarter of an hour. The first came after a well-organised rush with ‘China’ Hill passing to Bert Adams who quickly passed to Ludford. The winger drew the defence on to himself, passing to Holmes who scored. Then Hill got the ball through to Howard Adams to score the second. The Catholics pulled one back before half time.

The second half was characterised by continuous fouling, but the inept referee seemed to have lost his whistle. The home side scored a second and this was followed by the disputed goal which was obtained when Town had stopped playing because the scorer was so blatantly offside. Momentarily, Town considered walking off in protest, but they continued and Holmes scored the equaliser.

Compared with first place at the equivalent time in the preceding season, Leamington were fourth at the beginning of November in the Coventry and North Warwickshire League, Division 1, three points behind the leaders Courtaulds. Cubbington Albion were bottom with just one point. ‘Looker On’ noted that Leamington ‘have spent most of the time so far in choosing the best team available. I think at last they have discovered it, and will now begin to make rapid strides for the top of the league.’ Elsewhere, Bramble suffered a 20-0 defeat at the hands of Siddeley Deasy in the Midland Daily Telegraph Junior Cup.