Way Back Then: Town Strengthen Their Squad

Given that there was inevitably, a small attendance at the Causeway United game, I am reproducing my programme article here.

After the unseasonably warm weather had been ended by a severe thunderstorm, ‘football was much more interesting to watch’ in October 1913 than ‘so far has been the case this season.’ Playing away Leamington Town beat Wyken Colliery 2-1. In every game they had played that season they had scored two goals, regardless of whether the final outcome was a win, a defeat or a draw.

With the season having not matched the previous campaign’s success which end in the double for the club, changes were made in the forward line and a new player brought in to strengthen the team. Holmes was dropped and replaced by Howard Adams and new signing Bolton was played at outside left with Key going inside. ‘Looker On’ reported, ‘Naturally, curious eyes followed the new player, who has come from St. Michael’s , and on the whole he impressed Leamington supporters very favourably. His shooting was accurate and hard, while his centres were nicely played.’ There had been some concern that Key might be aggrieved at being asked to change position, but ‘Bolton seemed to get on well enough with Key , and was never slow in darting down the wing from any pass that came his way. Key played up to his usual form at inside left, and was responsible for the first goal after twenty minutes of fast football. ‘ Utilising the ball from a free kick, he shot into the corner of the net.

The enlivened miners equalised almost immediately. Hill was proving to be a ‘capable and dashing leader in the forward line’ and was unlucky to have a good goal disallowed. He then had to go off to receive attention from the trainer and was not able to play an effective part thereafter. Both the Adamses (Bert and Howard) put in some good headers. Curiously enough, the referee was also called Adams. In midfield, ‘the half-backs showed fine form throughout, and are becoming more proficient each week, both as feeders of the front line and defenders of their own goal.’ Striker Gathercole was now playing back in defence and could be relied upon to hoof the ball if danger threatened. Alcock ‘gave some brilliant exhibitions in goal’ saving two ‘hot’ shots from the Wyken centre forward.

The winning goal was created by Bolton who hit the crossbar with a rattling shot. The defence cleared, but Bolton pounced on the ball, tore down the wing ‘and finished a brilliant run with an equally brilliant centre’, allowing Howard Adams to head home.

In the adverts in the Courier, footballers were reminded how important their boots were and how they affected their play. They could get ‘comfortable and reliable’ boots (which look like ankle boots in the illustration) from Amies in Clemens Street and the Parade at prices from 3/11 (20p) to 6/11 (35p). In today’s prices the cheapest boots would be £19.50 and the most expensive ones £34. If one was short one could borrow £5 to £5,000 from premises in Leicester Street at a rate starting at 10 per cent. However, you had to be a lady or a gentleman, a tradesman, a farmer or a householder.