and in this match were considered sufficiently good to be included in
the forward division that did so well against Cambuslang. Mr H. Campbell
was a very fine dribbler and passer, and good at close tackling. The
passing in this tie between Mr. J. M'Call and he was splendid, and went
a long way in winning the match. He was also a veritable dodger when he
got up to the opposing half-backs, and the partisans of the clubs who
played Renton in 1888 used to hold their breath when they saw Campbell
in front.
~J. Harvey (Renton).~
Unknown to fame as a regular player in the Renton eleven until the
season when this event took place, or it may be the preceding one, Mr.
Harvey was one of the victorious forwards. He showed fair judgment, and
middled the ball very neatly to the Campbells and M'Call. His dribbling,
however, was a shade too wide, and as he had excellent speed, sometimes
he over-ran the ball at a time when the other forwards were following
close up, and lost chances to score.
~J. Campbell (Renton).~
Of all the young forwards who graduated in the dribbling game at the
village of Renton, there never was a better shot at goal than Mr. J.
Campbell. Smart on his legs, with a good appearance, he dribbled
splendidly, and half-backs caught a perfect Tartar when they came close
up and attempted to take the leather away from him. His style near goal
reminded me very much of Dr. John Smith, who scored so many goals in the
half-a-dozen Internationals in which he took part against England.
Campbell never waited a second before making his parting shot, and
sometimes the goalkeeper failed to get the ball before it went spinning
through.
~The Final Association Cup Tie of 1889.~
This tie was decided at Hampden Park on the 9th February, 1889, between
the 3rd L.R.V. and Celtic, and ended in favour of the 3rd L.R.V. by two
goals to one. The same clubs, however, had previously met to decide the
contest, but both played under protest in consequence of the weather.
This naturally caused that additional excitement, which culminated at
the final meeting on Hampden Park that Saturday afternoon. The 3rd
L.R.V. had long worked for possession of the coveted prize, and twice it
was within their grasp, for they played and were defeated in the final
ties on two previous occasions--viz., in 1876 by the Queen's Park, who
scored two goals to none, and again in 1878 by the Vale of Leven, who
overcame the warriors by one to none. If ever a team deserved victory in
this event it was the 3rd Lanark Rifle Volunteers. The Celtic were more
than foemen worthy of their steel, and considering the fact that the 3rd
L.R.V. had come through the ties so creditably, and had that season
vanquished the crack English professional combination, the victory was a
most popular one all round. As for the Celtic, they are a young and
powerful club, and can afford to wait a season or so for victory, for
you know "everything comes to those who wait." The crowd was large, the
weather fair, and the enthusiasm great. The Volunteers played with the
wind, and made their first point out of a scrimmage about twenty minutes
from the start, and this was all the scoring in the first round. The
play after this was very even, and the Celts were showing off some grand
combined efforts, but were unfortunate at goal. At length, however, the
Irishmen made a brilliant sally on the Volunteers' stronghold, and Mr.
M'Callum put the ball between the posts. After this the play was so even
that a draw seemed inevitable, and it was only by the determined play of
the Cathkin Park team that at length the Celtic goal was taken for the
second time by Mr. Oswald, junior, who was ably assisted in the
successful run by Messrs. Marshall and Hannah. The Cup--that trophy
which had cost some kind hearts (now silent for ever), an unsatisfied
longing, and a constant anguish of patience--was safe to the old club at
last! I accordingly give the players who took part in the tie, and start
with the 3rd L.R.V.
~Downie (3rd L.R.V.).~
Mr. Downie deserves credit for the manner in which he has kept goal for
the "warriors" during the past two seasons, when his club played and
defeated some of the best in Scotland and England. In this event he had
terrible work to perform, and got through it with much credit. So far as
I can remember--and it is, indeed, no stretch of imagination--the goal
got by Mr. M'Callum could not have been saved by any keeper, as it came
out of a scrimmage from the Celtic man's foot like a rocket. Mr. Downie
is a very neat kicker-out in front, and shows fine judgment with his
hands in clearing the ball away from a crowd of opposing forwards.
~A. Thompson.~
Mr. Thompson is one of the best backs that last season produced, and had
it not been that the two Queen's Park men--Messrs. Arnott and
Smellie--had played together so well, and pleased the Committee of
Selection in most of the best matches, Mr. Thompson would have been in
the great International. As it was, he got the next best position, being
chosen to play against Wales. He is a rare tackler, sometimes a little
rough, but the finest kicker in front of a besieged goal I have ever
seen. Sometimes in the heat of a scrimmage he loses the ball, but has
the knack of recovering himself in an instant.
~J. Rae.~
The Volunteers were remarkably well served with their backs in this tie,
and Mr. Rae made a capital companion to Mr. Thompson. He is scarcely
such an accomplished tackler, but for neat kicking and feeding the
forwards when they are playing an open game, I know none better. He is a
splendid man for judging distances, and if he is certain the ball is
nearer one of his companions than himself, gets close behind and backs
up at once. To see Mr. Rae placing the leather in front of his forwards
in a good match is a treat of no ordinary kind, and it may be mentioned
that he played against Wales last season.
~A. Lochhead.~
The three half-backs in the present tie with which I have to deal were
Messrs, Auld, Lochhead, and M'Farlane. Mr. Lochhead has been long one of
the "shining lights" of the 3rd L.R.V., and while in some respects
inferior to Mr. Auld, has one grand virtue to recommend in a football
player--viz., patience. His perception is keen and decisive, and if he
imagines a daring forward on the other side can be successfully met
without close tackling, he never fails to out-manoeuvre him, and let
the spectators see some rare half-back play. Mr. Lochhead took part in
the Welsh International in the spring.
~Mr. M'Farlane.~
The 3rd L.R.V. were in perfect training condition in the tie, and well
can I remember both Auld and M'Farlane coming in for a large share of
hugging by excited partisans as they made their way up the steps towards
the pavilion of the Queen's Park Club that memorable Saturday afternoon.
Mr. M'Farlane is really a fine all-round player, and this season is
keeping up his form in a way that both astonishes and delights his old
friends. His "heading" in front of goal is very fine, and has saved many
a shot from taking effect.
~J. Oswald, Junior.~
No better pair of dribblers ever served a club than the two
Oswalds--senior and junior--last season, and had more genuine success in
the games in which they played. The forward combination, with these two
men at their best, was decidedly the most powerful in Scotland, and
undoubtedly won the match for the Volunteers against the Celtic. Mr.
Oswald, junior, however, was the better of the two, and the manner in
which he scored the second goal, which gave the Third the victory, was
quite a treat to all who saw the tie that day on Hampden Park.
~J. Oswald, Senior.~
The senior Oswald, as he was called, to distinguish him from his
companion of the same name, played against England in the spring, and
was as good a dribbler, but not so fine a judge of a goalkeeper's
ability to get at the ball when the forwards were crowding round, and
sending in shots thick and fast. The passing among the forwards of the
3rd L.R.V. that day was so good as to defy criticism, if that were
possible, and Oswald, senior, was no exception to the others. The pair,
however, loved the loaves and fishes of England better than the 3rd
L.R.V., and are now "o'er the Border and awa'."
~J. Hannah.~
In some of the best games of the 3rd L.R.V. last season the passing and
following up between Mr. Hannah and Mr. Johnstone were not to be beaten
anywhere for splendid judgment and properly matured forward play. There
are what is known to the player as certain degrees of pluck and
endurance, and while I have in my mind's eye some forwards in other
clubs, including Mr. William Berry, the Queen's Park light-weight, who
must of necessity come under the first, I am inclined to rank Mr. Hannah
among the second. He is, however, a first-rate man.
~W. Johnstone.~
Last in order of forwards, but by no means lacking in genuine ability,
with rare dribbling powers, comes the name of Mr. W. Johnstone. He
played a very steady game all through this tie, and was as fresh as
paint after the whistle sounded the finish. Although not such a
determined tackler as some of the other forwards not only in his own
team, but in the Celtic as well, he is the most earnest worker in the
whole club, and in his probationary days would practice unceasingly to
attain perfection in certain points of the game in which he was
deficient. He played against Wales in 1889, and in 1887 against Ireland.
~J. Kelly (Celtic).~
Although Mr. Kelly is, so to speak, unknown to the game as a goalkeeper,
he promises to become a good man below the bar. The ability of the
Celtic goalkeeper, however, is certainly not equal to the back and
half-back play; and, while Kelly did very well in this match, his duties
were rendered less difficult by the splendid defence shown at back by
Mr. M'Keown, and the grand half-back efforts of Mr. M'Laren. He has
several good points, including the clever fisting-out of the ball, but
is not a strong kicker, and sometimes goes too far away from his
charge.
~P. Gallacher.~
When the Celtic were hard pressed on several occasions, Mr. Gallacher
always fell back on his goal, like the prudent general who covers his
retreat, and no man did more heading and breasting in running the ball
out that day. He wants the judgment of his companion in the same
position, but makes up for it by fearless and unceasing work. He was
hard pressed several times by Marshall and Oswald, sen., and had the
worst of the tackling, but he generally came up smiling, and renewed
hostilities with Spartan bravery.
~M. M'Keown.~
Mr. M'Keown was decidedly the best back on the losing side that day, and
his defence near goal splendid. He is not, however, particularly careful
in his returns, and sometimes kicks over his own lines when hard
pressed, but there can be only one opinion as to his genuine ability in
close tackling--he can do it to perfection. During the game, even
Marshall, who is not afraid of anybody, sometimes steered clear of
M'Keown by passing up the ball to Johnstone instead of keeping
possession to the last. He played against Ireland the same year.
~W. Maley.~
The Celtic had as their three half-backs in the contest under review
Messrs. W. Maley, J. M'Laren, and J. Kelly (the latter of whom has
already been mentioned in a previous article). Mr. W. Maley, if I am not
mistaken, is a young member of a very young club that has made a name
for itself in a couple of seasons. He has, however, a deal to learn
before he can be classed alongside Kelly and M'Laren. He is kind of
slipshod in his mode of tackling, wanting finish, but nevertheless a
dangerous man to meet in a charge.
~J. M'Laren.~
The finest half-back of the Irish combination is undoubtedly Mr. J.
M'Laren, and in this tie his play was really magnificent. When the
Volunteers' forwards again and again got near the Celtic goal, he was
the first to checkmate them, and, not contented to work his own place
successfully, frequently went to the assistance of some of the forwards
when he thought they had more than enough to do. He played for his old
club, the Hibernian, against Wales in 1888, and in 1889 against England
for the Celtic.
~M. Dunbar.~
Mr. Dunbar was one of the most active men in the Celtic forward division
in this match, and showed very good dribbling, but was easily tackled
when getting near goal, and more than once "removed" off the ball by
Auld and Lochhead. He is, however, a steady worker, and most reliable
when backing up. Mr. Dunbar, if I am not mistaken, was at one time a
member of the Cartvale, and played for Scotland against Ireland for that
club in 1886.
~R. M'Callum.~
In his general style of play Mr. M'Callum was not unlike Mr. William
M'Kinnon (Dumbarton), who flourished from 1881 to 1885, and was one of
the best forwards in that county. He was not such a tricky and cunning
tackler, however, but faced up to his man with a confidence that
betokened superiority. He was, like the rest of the Celtic forwards, a
good dribbler, and possessed considerable speed. For a young player he
was also very judicious in passing the ball, and during this contest he
helped to start some of the best runs of the day. He played against
Ireland, at Belfast, in 1888, and is now located in Blackburn, where he
partners Harry Campbell on the right wing of the Rovers.
~W. Groves.~
It was in the final tie for the Scottish Challenge Cup between the
Hibernian and Dumbarton in 1887, which the crack Edinburgh team won by
two goals to one, that brought Mr. Groves into special notice, and it
may be, for aught I know, caused him to be carried off by the Celtic
later on. Like a good many other players, he varies a bit in his style.
Some days he is easily tackled; while at others not a single back or
half-back on the field has a chance with him, and it must be said of him
that he is one of the neatest dribblers of the day. He played against
Wales in 1888.
~J. Coleman.~
Among the forward division of the Celtic, Mr. Coleman was a decided
acquisition, and during that same season scored a lot of goals for the
new Irish combination, which came to the front with something like the
rapidity of "Jonah's gourd." A beautiful dribbler and runner, he made
several grand spurts towards the 3rd L.R.V. goal, but had a weakness for
keeping the ball too long, and was often tackled by the sure feet of Rae
and Thomson. In speed and general play he reminded me very much of Mr.
William Miller (3rd L.R.V.), an International against England as far
back as 1876.
~T. Maley.~
When the whole of the Celts were at their best, and this happened pretty
often last season in their Challenge Cup ties, Mr. T. Maley generally
rose to the occasion, and led his team brilliantly. His steady-going
style is much liked, not only by his colleagues, but spectators, and it
is quite a rare thing to see him grassed by an opponent. When
approaching the goal with the ball, he is like the priest who had a
"wonderful way wid him"--slipping through the backs in a manner that is
sure to make the goalkeeper gnash his teeth, and wish Maley was far
enough away.
_V.--THE PIONEERS OF ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL IN SCOTLAND;_
OR,
_"THE CONQUEROR'S FOOTBALL BOOTS."_
My football boots are getting what might be called shabby genteel now,
and no wonder. If they could speak they would tell you many a strange
episode in the life of an Association football player, and how he kept
his place in a leading club for nearly a dozen years. They have been old
and dear friends, those well-worn boots, and although now somewhat
curled up at the toes, have kicked many a good goal out of a hot and
exciting scrummage in front of an opponent's upright posts, and even in
an International tussle; but now that they, like myself, have retired
from active duty, and may reasonably be supposed not to be encumbered
with existing prejudices, which in the nature of things might more or
less interfere with expressing an honest opinion about the Association
football player of the past or his colleagues and successors, I will
introduce them to you, and in figurative language allow them to tell
their own unvarnished tale. My last advice, however, to you, my old
friends, before leaving you to the tender mercies of a scribbler, is not
to answer all the questions he thinks proper to put. Please don't tell
him what you heard or saw after leaving the football field clinging to
my sole and instep, of my love intrigues, my stolen interviews with
blue-eyed Annie, and when she jilted me and got married to Charlie
Quilter, who played "left wing" in the Flying Blues. Charlie must have
regretted what he did more than once.
The Blues used to play us a couple of games in the year, and not long
before Charlie got married he was, as a matter of course, one of their
eleven. On that occasion I felt nettled to think that a big,
broosy-faced, lisping fellow like Charlie should have "put my eye out,"
and could not resist the temptation of frequently crossing to his side
during the game, and "going" for him. Oh! how my old companions, my
boots, behaved on the occasion--the very laces almost burst with
indignation; but Quilter, poor soul, never gave a winch, and bore it
with becoming fortitude. He has now, like myself, got settled in life (I
am a confirmed bachelor), and we are still the best of friends, for that
"blue-eyed Annie loved him, too," was one of those things I could never
forget. It is too bad, however, in me to block the way with this
dissertation, and not allow Mr. Boots to begin. I shall leave the rest
to him with confidence.
Well, once upon a time (began Mr. Boots), I was a combination of
circumstances. That is to say, I went through many processes even before
I became mature leather, and one afternoon I was brought to a small
shoemaker's shop in Crosshill tied up in a bundle. There were lots of
cuttings in that bundle--butt, ben, wrapper, cordivan, kid, calf-skin,
and even sheep-skin--but I was then a shapeless piece of wrapper, kipp,
and calf-skin. When I was trysted there were few, if any, football boots
made, and the old man who was entrusted with my construction was a
strange old "cove." He could make a pair of ordinary boots with any one,
but was not so sure about me. I was ordered by a genteel, nice-looking
lad, with red cheeks and clear black eyes. He addressed the
representative of St. Crispin in a musical voice, but I then formed an
opinion of my future master, that he would be a little conceited and
arrogant at times, and this has proved correct. The instructions about
covering my soles with bars was specially impressed on the old man's
memory, and every detail was carried out to the letter. When we were
completed, my brother and I, you would have admired us. If it were
possible to have anything handsome in the boot line, except, perhaps, a
tiny, fur-lined lady's slipper, it was us. We were sewed with
substantial rosen-end, the division between the inseam and soles was
filled up with real leather skivings, and not the trashy "jump" which
makes up the bulk of the soles of football boots nowadays. The more, in
fact, I think of it, the more I am convinced that the present make of
football boots is a new-fangled device in the shoemaking trade, for are
they not now got up of American leather, brass nails, and other
abominations, free of import duty! My master, I remember, came for me
(please consider that I am also representing my brother, for, like the
Siamese twins, the one can do nothing without the other) on a Saturday.
He told the old man that he was going to play a match with the Leven
Crowers that very afternoon, and must have me. I was barely finished,
but Tate's son got the bars put on all right, and I was handed over to
the tender mercies of my new master. He was quite delighted with my
appearance, and looked with pride, and even satisfaction, on my
well-polished uppers and wrapper soles. There was even a half-'un going
at the paying.
The Leven Crowers were a young and powerful club, possessing more speed
in running than any real football ability at the time. The club to which
my master belonged was the first to introduce the new ideas in the game,
as they were then called, in Scottish soil, and as there were only three
clubs in existence at the time of which I am referring, the contests, as
a matter of course, were few and far between, and, consequently, looked
forward to with more than ordinary pleasure. The other two clubs were
the Greenvale and the Kilback, but they were not of much account (so my
master had often said, and he was supposed to be a good judge). I heard
him say the Conquerors had "licked" these clubs over and over again, and
that they weren't in the same street. When I was being laced up,
however, for the fray that afternoon in the old toll-house on the road
to Battlefield (the Conquerors had no such modern requisite as a
pavilion then), I heard Bob Gardens express quite a different opinion
about the Greenvale, and even go the length of saying that they had a
draw with them on the previous evening after a hard fight. This
demonstrated a fact that was useful to me in my subsequent career, viz.,
never to credit what other folks (especially football players) said
about the ability of opponents in the heat of a tussle. Talking about
the Leven Crowers, they were not to be despised. Although the haughty
Conquerors had given them their first lesson in Association football,
they were fast coming up on them in some of the points of the game. I
heard my owner say that the first lesson was given at Alexandria, and on
that occasion the Crowers, who were then crack shinty players, arranged
themselves in the field as if for a match at that ancient Scottish game.
That they had not forgotten their first game with the Conquerors was
amply illustrated in the present, which, I might again repeat, was my
first outset in public life. I was stiff at first, and pressed my
master's instep rather hard shortly after the kick-off. The contest was
played on the Recreation Ground, and was witnessed by very few
spectators. True, there were certainly many choice spirits residing near
the spot, who came out to see us and enjoy a quiet outing, and have a
friendly crack.