Goalless draw at White Hart Lane disappoints

As my article for the game against Bradford Park Avenue never saw the light of day, here it is:

‘More disappointment for the Tottenham crowd’ was the headline on a report of a game between Tottenham Hotspur and Bradford Park Avenue in the Southern League in November 1907.   ‘The acquisition of one point by the Spurs last Saturday was better than defeat, but it was not the result that was expected after the performance at Portsmouth the previous week.  Supporters of the club fully expected to see them beat Bradford Park Avenue, and they were much disappointed at the goalless draw, all the more so, perhaps, because the Woolwinders, as the Northerners are called, gave only a moderate display.  On the form shown by the visitors, the Spurs should certainly have won.  We hardly know where to look for success when they fail to overcome such opposition.  It was a fairly interesting game, although there were not many exciting incidents.  [In other words, it was a bore draw].  The first half witnessed the better football.  The exchanges were largely favourable to the Spurs, who deserved to have led by two goals at the interval, having regard to the pressing they did.’

‘The Northerners played with spirit.  On the run of the play, the Spurs should have won, but their attacks needed to have been more thrustful, although we must recognise that Bradford had an admirable defence.  The effectiveness of the opposition was the more surprising because both the backs were reserves, the regular men being on the injured list.  The visitors’ halves had a worrying way with them, and were always on the move.   There were 20,000 people at the match, nearly half of whom came in after the start, which was earlier than it had been heretofore this season.’

Amalgamation talks were held with Bradford City in 1907, but got nowhere.   Bradford Park Avenue were confident that they could get into the second division of the Football League, but the Leeds Mercury (perhaps not the most unbiased source) was not confident of their chances of success.    The paper commented, ‘Their chances of election this year are not bright.   Fulham , Oldham Athletic and Rotherham are all anxious to take places in the second division of the Football League and their claims would undoubtedly merit more consideration than Bradford’s.   It is also well known that the Football League rulers are opposed to having two league clubs in one town.’  Nevertheless, they were elected in 1908.

At the beginning of September 1908 Bradford Park Avenue’s first game as a second division club was played before 13,000 spectators at home.  With the wind behind them, they opened the scoring in the second minute and this was the only goal.  Hull City had their chances in the second half, but failed to take them.

There were benefactors in football before the First World War.   In 1910 it was reported that the chairman, Mr Harry Briggs, had generously wiped off a loan of £5,000 advanced by him for transfer fees, leaving the club entirely free of debt.   This would be just under £600,000 at today’s prices according to the Bank of England.    The total income was £5,370, the net gate receipts being £4,085 and subscriptions £1,207.   Players’ wages absorbed £3,518 (somewhat over £400,000 at today’s prices) and travelling and training £716.  The profit on the season was £85 (£10,000 in 2019).