1890–91 Sheffield United F.C. season

March 2015 March 2015 Sheffield United 1890–91 Joseph Wostinholm Secretary Michael Ellison Midland Counties League 5th FA Cup First round(eliminated by Notts County) Sheffield Challenge Cup Runners up(beaten by Doncaster Rovers) Wharncliffe Charity Cup Semi-final(eliminated by The Wednesday Watson (10) Watson (13) League: 5,700 (v Derby Junction)Friendly: 14,000 (v The Wednesday) League: 500 (v Kidderminster) 3,244 (League) _collar FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 000044 000044 1889–90 1891–92 The 1890–91 season was Sheffield United's second, and their first and only season playing in the newly formed Midland Counties League, as the club sought to establish itself as a major footballing force. The team was selected by the club's football committee and coached by a trainer, but day-to-day affairs were overseen by club secretary Joseph Wostinholm. The club saw a large influx of players during the season as it continued to bolster its numbers with amateurs loaned or signed from other teams in the local area, a policy that resulted in an unsettled side, indifferent league results, and a mid-table finish. United (nicknamed the Blades) entered the FA Cup once more but were lucky to reach the first round proper, losing to Burton Swifts during qualifying only to see the Staffordshire club disqualified. They also competed in the Wharncliffe Charity Cup and the Sheffield Challenge Cup, in which they were beaten finalists for the second year in succession. The development of the playing squad continued with the signings of John Drummond and Billy Hendry from Preston North End, who brought experience and a solid professionalism. Harry Lilley was recruited in the early part of the season, and became a regular in United's defence for several seasons. Background After a first season of mixed fortunes on the field the football committee recognised the appetite amongst the Sheffield public for the game, as attendances at Bramall Lane had steadily increased.Gary Armstrong and John Garrett Sheffield United FC – The Biography Hallamshire Press 2006 1-874718-65-2 43 They recognised that league football was essential to grow that interest and offer a better standard of opposition, and had therefore joined the recently created Midland Counties League, although still insisting on organising numerous friendly fixtures. The committee continued to select the team, although J. B. Wostinholm oversaw the day–to–day running of the club. Kit Although United's jersey remained predominantly white, thin red vertical stripes were introduced for the first time, which evolved into the solid red and white stripes that the team still plays in today. The team retained the blue shorts and socks worn in the previous season.Matthews, Clarebrough and Kirkham The Official Encyclopaedia of Sheffield United 2003 Britespot 61 1-904103-19-7 Season overview Midland Counties League thumb|upright=1.5|alt=United squad from the 1890–91 season. Pictured are: [rear] Harry Lilley, Charles Stokes (Chairman of Football Committee), JB Wostinholm (Club Secretary), Will Lilley, Charlie Howlett, Mick Whitham, Jack Houseley (trainer) [centre]: Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Rab Howell, Unknown, H. Stones (Assist. Secretary) [Front]: Unknown, Unknown, Arthur Watson, Unknown|The United squad from 1890 to 1891. Pictured are: [rear] Harry Lilley, Charles Stokes (Chairman of Football Committee), JB Wostinholm (Club Secretary), Will Lilley, Charlie Howlett, Mick Whitham, Jack Houseley (trainer) [centre]: Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Rab Howell, Unknown, H. Stones (Assist. Secretary) [Front]: Unknown, Unknown, Arthur Watson, UnknownThe previous season had been considered reasonably successful, but United still looked to improve the quality of players in the squad. The players recruited from Scotland during the previous summer had failed to live up to expectations and the majority of them were released; only Calder and Robertson were retained. Billy Bridgewater and Edward Cross were signed from nearby Rotherham Town,Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 65Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 93–94 and Harry Lilley arrived from Staveley during the close season,Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 205 but the Blades persisted with their policy of utilising guest amateur players from the local area. United were now playing in the Midland Counties League but results were indifferent, with the Blades winning only twice in their opening eight fixtures. Their fortunes began to improve in November and December however as they registered a series of victories including an impressive 4–0 win over Kidderminster at Bramall Lane and a 5–2 victory at Derby Midland. Despite the relative failure of their previous recruitment in Scotland, by the end of the year United had signed Gavin Crawford and Harry Munro from north of the border as the Blades entered 1891 in more positive form.Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 93Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 237 Following a league fixture break during January 1891 United resumed their campaign in February, but the form they had shown in the run up to Christmas deserted them, and results were inconsistent. In the midst of congested fixture list the Blades finished the season fifth in the league (out of ten sides) and once again resolved to improve the quality of players by recruiting established professionals ahead of the next season. They duly negotiated the transfers of John Drummond, Billy Hendry and Samuel Dobson from Preston North End,Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 108–109Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 157Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 105 then one of the top sides in the country, and they arrived over a number of weeks through February and March to bolster United's first team options. The most significant signing during the season was that of a young Ernest Needham from Staveley in February 1891. Although he did not play for United in the 1890–91 season he went on to become one of the club's greatest players, making more than 500 appearances.Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 240 thumb|left|alt=Gavin Crawford|upright=0.7|Gavin Crawford arrived from Farfield Rangers in Scotland in November 1890 to bolster the attack. FA Cup Having had relative success during their first FA Cup campaign the previous season United struggled to replicate that form and were fortunate to make it past the qualifying rounds in 1890. Having narrowly defeated Derby Junction they lost 2–1 to Burton Swifts in the next game, but the Staffordshire club was subsequently disqualified for fielding an ineligible player. Matlock and Loughborough were then easily despatched as United reached the first round proper of the cup for the second time. This was as far as the Blades would progress however, as they met Notts County at Bramall Lane in mid–January only to be trounced 9–1 by the visitors, a result that remains the club's worst in the competition. Local cups United once again entered the Sheffield Challenge Cup and reached the final for the second season in succession. After a straightforward 7–1 victory over Attercliffe in round one the Blades made their way past Kilnhurst in the semi-final at the second time of asking. On 21 March they met near neighbours Doncaster Rovers in the final, but despite having home advantage, with the game being played at Bramall Lane, United lost 2–1. The team entered the Wharncliffe Charity Cup at the semi-final stage but were drawn against established cross-city rivals The Wednesday. Despite increasing rivalry between the clubs, a relatively small crowd of just over 3,000 spectators were present at Wednesday's Olive Grove ground to watch them beat United 2–1. Friendlies Despite now playing competitive league football United continued to fill the fixture list with numerous friendlies, which ultimately led to them playing 64 first-team games over the course of eight months. There was a noticeable improvement in the quality of opposition however, as a number of the more established professional teams visited Bramall Lane during the first half of the season, drawing reasonable crowds in the process. Although there were early season losses to Everton and Preston North End, United secured victories against Bolton Wanderers and Derby County, both at the time members of the Football League First Division. The second half of the season saw a continued run of exhibition games but the quality of opposition was, at times, not as high. Despite lesser opposition, results tailed off as the fixture congestion these games created began to take its toll on the squad, most notably at the point when United's involvement in the Sheffield Challenge Cup meant that they had two first-team games scheduled for the same day. Rather than cancelling the pre-arranged friendlies the Blades went ahead with both fixtures, splitting the first team between them. The highlight of the fixture calendar did result from a friendly match however, as a then record 14,000 Sheffielders were present at Bramall Lane in January to watch United beat local rivals The Wednesday for the first time, running out 3–2 victors. January also saw United take on their first ever non–English team when they played Scottish side Linthouse, although the match was limited to only 35 minutes each way owing to poor light. Squad Source: First team yes yes ENG FW Billy Bairstow yes ENG FW Billy Bridgewater yes ENG DF L. Brownlow yes SCO FW William Calder yes SCO MF Gavin Crawford yes ENG GK R. Creighton guest player from Sheffield Club yes ENG DF Edward Cross yes ENG MF Samuel Dobson yes SCO FW John Drummond yes ENG GK Richard Fenwick guest player from Sheffield Club yes ENG FW William Getliff yes ENG MF George Groves captain yes yes ENG DF A. Hemmingfield yes SCO DF Billy Hendry yes ENG DF Rab Howell yes ENG GK Charlie Howlett yes ENG DF Jack Hudson yes ENG DF Harry Lilley yes SCO DF Harry Munro yes ENG DF Ernest Needham yes SCO FW W. Robertson yes ENG DF Ned Stringer yes ENG FW Arthur Watson yes ENG DF Michael Whitham Players leaving before end of the season yes yes ENG FW A.D. Barber guest player from Sheffield Club yes ENG FW T.B.A. Clarke yes ENG FW A.R. Elliman yes yes ENG DF J. Jeeves guest player from Sheffield Club yes ENG FW Bernard Shaw guest player from Sheffield Club yes ENG DF Harry Thickett guest player from Hexthorpe Wanderers Transfers In PositionPlayerTransferred fromFeeDateSourceFWBridgewater Billy ENG Billy BridgewaterRotherham TownSignedAugust 1890Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 65DFCross Edward ENG Edward CrossRotherham TownSignedAugust 1890Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 93–94DFHemmingfield A ENG A. HemmingfieldDoncaster RoversSignedAugust 1890Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 155DFLilley Harry ENG Harry LilleyStaveleySignedAugust 1890Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 205FWCrawford Gavin SCO Gavin CrawfordFairfield RangersSignedNovember 1890Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 93DFMunro Harry SCO Harry MunroSomerton AthleticSignedDecember 1890Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 237FWGetliffe William ENG William GetliffDarnallSignedJanuary 1891Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 133MFDrummond John SCO John DrummondPreston North EndSignedFebruary 1891Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 108–109DFHendry Billy SCO Billy HendryPreston North EndSignedFebruary 1891Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 157DFNeedham Ernest ENG Ernest NeedhamStaveleySignedFebruary 1891Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 240DFGroves George ENG George GrovesSheffield ClubSignedMarch 1891Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 141MFDobson Samuel ENG Samuel DobsonPreston North EndSigned14 March 1891Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 105 Out PositionPlayerTransferred toFeeDateSourceFWDuncan James SCO James DuncanReleasedFreeJune 1890Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 109–110MFFraser Donald SCO Donald FraserReleasedFreeJune 1890Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 127FWGalbraith Dugald SCO Dugald GalbraithReleasedFreeJune 1890Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 129DFGilmartin L SCO L. GilmartinReleasedFreeJune 1890Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 136DFHobson Walter ENG Walter HobsonOwlertonFreeJune 1890Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 161DFMack S ENG S. MackCrewe AlexandraFreeJune 1890Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 219FWMosforth, Billy ENG Billy MosforthReleasedRetiredJune 1890Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 235–236FWClarke T.B.A ENG T.B.A. ClarkeSheffield ClubFreeDecember 1890Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 84 League table main WDL 5 Q SHU 2 GTR Gainsborough Trinity LER Long Eaton Rangers LIN Lincoln City DER Derby Midland SHU Sheffield United BUR Burton Wanderers ROT Rotherham Town BPV Burslem Port Vale DJU Derby Junction STA Staveley 10 4 4 58 21 10 2 6 50 33 7 6 5 34 21 8 4 6 28 28 8 3 7 32 25 7 4 7 25 33 7 4 7 20 28 7 2 9 35 43 5 5 8 18 30 2 4 12 19 57 complete Squad statistics Appearances and goals the end of the seasonDenis Clarebrough & Andrew Kirkham A Complete Record of Sheffield United Football Club 1889–1999 Hallamshire Press 1999 72–73 0-9508588-2-X Midland Counties League FA Cup ENG FW Billy Bairstow 14 3 0 0 ENG FW Billy Bridgewater 18 9 4 0 SCO FW William Calder 12 2 4 2 SCO MF Gavin Crawford 5 4 0 0 ENG GK R. Creighton 1 0 0 0 ENG DF Edward Cross 16 0 5 0 ENG MF Samuel Dobson 5 1 0 0 SCO FW John Drummond 5 1 0 0 ENG GK Richard Fenwick 1 0 0 0 ENG FW William Getliff 0 0 1 0 ENG MF George Groves 10 0 3 0 SCO DF Billy Hendry 7 0 0 0 ENG DF Jack HouseleyJack Houseley was a former player in the Sheffield area who was acting as United's trainer. He played one Midland Counties League game as an emergency stand in because both Edward Cross and Harry Lilley had missed their train and were unable to play. 1 0 0 0 ENG DF Rab Howell 18 2 5 0 ENG GK Charlie Howlett 19 0 5 0 ENG DF Jack Hudson 1 0 1 0 ENG DF Harry Lilley 15 0 5 0 SCO DF Harry Munro 1 0 0 0 SCO FW W. Robertson 16 3 4 2 ENG DF G. SmithThere are no surviving records as to the identity of G. Smith or whether he was registered by United or a triallist. It is possible that he may be Thomas Smith who played for the Blades the following season. 2 0 0 0 ENG DF Ned Stringer 5 0 0 0 ENG FW Arthur Watson 19 10 5 3 ENG DF Michael Whitham 21 0 5 0 |- |colspan="10"|Players who left before the end of the season: ENG FW A.D. Barber 1 0 0 0 ENG FW T.B.A. Clarke 3 0 2 0 ENG DF J. Jeeves 2 0 1 0 ENG FW Bernard Shaw 11 0 5 2 ENG DF Harry Thickett 1 0 0 0 |} Top scorers PlaceNationPositionNameMidland Counties LeagueFA CupTotal1ENGFWArthur Watson103132ENGFWBilly Bridgewater9093SCOFWW. Robertson3254SCOFWWilliam Calder224SCOMFGavin Crawford4045ENGFWBilly Bairstow3036ENGDFRab Howell202ENGFWBernard Shaw2027ENGMFSamuel Dobson101SCOFWJohn Drummond101Totals:35944 Results Source: Key #CCFFCC Win 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFFFCC Draw 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFCCCC Loss 1px solid #AAAAAA #CCCCCC Void 1px solid #AAAAAA Midland Counties League 13 September 1890 Burton Wanderers 1–1 Sheffield United Howell   Derby Turn 'Large' D 20 September 1890 Sheffield United 3–0 Rotherham Town Unknown  Bridgewater     Bramall Lane 5,500 W 27 September 1890 Sheffield United 0–1 Long Eaton Rangers Bramall Lane 3,000 L 18 October 1890 Lincoln City 2–1 Sheffield United Unknown   John O'Gaunts 2,000 L 27 October 1890 Sheffield United 1–1 Burslem Port Vale Robertson   C.Davies Bramall Lane 2,000 D 1 November 1890 Sheffield United 4–0 Kidderminster Robertson  Watson    Clader   Bramall Lane 500 W 8 November 1890 Gainsborough Trinity 4–1 Sheffield United Robertson   The Northolme 2,000 L 22 November 1890 Sheffield United 2–1 Lincoln City Bairstow  Watson   Bramall Lane 1,500 W 20 December 1890 Derby Midland 2–5 Sheffield United Calder  Bridgewater      Watson   ? 'Good' W 25 December 1890 Sheffield United 2–0 Derby Junction Bridgewater  Unknown   Bramall Lane 5,700 W 27 December 1890 Kidderminster 0–2 Sheffield United Bridgewater  Watson   Chester Road 2,000 W 10 February 1891 Staveley 2–0 Sheffield United ? 3,000 L 21 February 1891 Sheffield United 0–1 Derby Midland Bramall Lane 4,000 L 28 February 1891 Derby Junction 1–3 Sheffield United Crawford    Drummond   Derby Arboretum 2,000 W 7 March 1891 Sheffield United 2–1 Gainsborough Trinity Bairstow  Crawford   Bramall Lane 4,500 W 23 March 1891 Sheffield United 2–2 Burton Wanderers Howell  Munro   Bramall Lane 1,500 D 27 March 1891 Rotherham Town 0–1 Sheffield United Clifton Lane 4,500 L 28 March 1891United played with 10 men after Edward Cross and Harry Lilley missed their train to the game. Long Eaton Rangers 2–3 Sheffield United Watson    Bridgewater   Long Eaton Stadium 2,000 W 4 April 1891 Sheffield United 5–0 Staveley Dobson    Bridgewater  Watson  Crawford   Bramall Lane 1,000 W 13 April 1891 Burslem Port Vale 3–1 Sheffield United C.Davies Elson other Watson   Athletic Ground 2,000 L FA Cup Source: First qualifying round 4 October 1890 Derby Junction 0–1 Sheffield United Clarke   Derby Arboretum 2,000 W Second qualifying round 25 October 1890Although United lost the fixture Burton Swifts were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player meaning their place in the next round was handed to the Blades. Burton Swifts 2–1 Sheffield United Watson   Peel Croft 3,500 V Third qualifying round 15 November 1890 Sheffield United 3–0 Matlock Town Unknown  Shaw     Bramall Lane 2,000 W Fourth qualifying round 3 6 December 1890Originally to be played in Loughborough but switched to Bramall Lane. Sheffield United 6–1 Loughborough Robertson    Watson    Unknown  Calder   Bramall Lane 2,800 W Round 1 17 January 1891 Sheffield United 1–9 Notts County Calder   Bramall Lane 9,500 L Sheffield Challenge Cup Source: Round 1 11 January 1891 Sheffield United 7–1 Attercliffe Bairstow      Clarke  Watson    Shaw   Bramall Lane 2,000 W Semi-final 31 January 1891 Sheffield United 3–3 Kilnhurst Bairstow    Robertson   Bramall Lane 4,500 D Semi-final replay 14 March 1891 Sheffield United 4–1 Kilnhurst Robertson  Howell    Watson   Bramall Lane 3,500 W Final 21 March 1891 Sheffield United 1–2 Doncaster Rovers Howell   Bramall Lane 3,500 L Wharncliffe Charity Cup Source: Semi-final 23 April 1891 The Wednesday 2–1 Sheffield United Drummond   Olive Grove 3,250 L Friendlies Source: 1 September 1890 Sheffield United 9–0 Sheffield Club Bridgewater      Clarke     Watson    Calder   Bramall Lane 2,000 W 11 September 1890 Sheffield United 2–0 Incogniti Clarke Robertson   Bramall Lane 850 W 22 September 1890 Sheffield United 0–3 Preston North End Bramall Lane 3,500 L 29 September 1890 Sheffield United 1–2 Nottingham Forest Watson   Bramall Lane 2,500 L 6 October 1890 Sheffield United 1–2 Everton Robertson   Bramall Lane 2,500 L 11 October 1890 Sheffield United 5–1 Birmingham St. George's Shaw    Watson  Bridgewater  Robertson   Bramall Lane 2,250 W 20 October 1890 Sheffield United 4–1 Derby County Robertson  Bridgewater  Shaw     Bramall Lane 3,000 W 5 November 1890 Sheffield United 4–2 Ardwick Howell  Robertson  Watson  Unknown   Bramall Lane 3,500 W 17 November 1890 Sheffield United 2–1 Bolton Wanderers Watson  Bridgewater   Bramall Lane 2,500 W 8 December 1890 Sheffield United 3–2 Middlesbrough Ironopolis Watson    Robertson   Bramall Lane 1,500 W 15 December 1890 The Wednesday 2–1 Sheffield United Robertson   Olive Grove 10,000 L 30 December 1890 Sheffield United 7–0 Casuals Bairstow      Clarke  Watson    Shaw   Bramall Lane 2,000 W 2 January 1890Only 35 minutes played in each half due to failing light Sheffield United 2–1 Scotland Linthouse Calder  Unknown   Bramall Lane 1,250 W 3 January 1891 Darlington St. Augustine's 1–5 Sheffield United Bridgewater    Own goal    Robertson   ? 'few' W 5 January 1891 Sheffield United 2–3 Corinthians Calder  Watson   Bramall Lane 3,500 L 12 January 1891 Sheffield United 3–2 The Wednesday Watson  Howell  Calder   Bramall Lane 14,000 W 24 January 1891 Middlesbrough 2–1 Sheffield United Watson   Linthorpe Road 1,500 L 26 January 1891 Sheffield United 0–1 Grimsby Town Bramall Lane 3,000 L 7 February 1891 Newcastle East End 4–0 Sheffield United Stanley Street 800 L 9 February 1891 Sheffield United 6–4 Heanor Town Bairstow        Whitham Elliman   Bramall Lane 1,000 W 14 February 1891United played two first team fixtures on the same day Derby County 3–2 Sheffield United Drummond  Bridgewater   Racecourse Ground 1,000 L 16 February 1891 Sheffield United 3–0 Rotherham Town Watson    Crawford  Bramall Lane 2,000 W 2 March 1891 Sheffield United 1–4 Nottingham Forest Robertson   Bramall Lane 3,000 L 14 March 1891 Attercliffe 1–4 Sheffield United Crawshaw   o.g.Shaw  Bridgewater     Old Forge Ground 'Large' W 21 March 1891 Royal Arsenal 1–1 Sheffield United Getliffe   Kennington Oval 3,800 D 30 March 1891 Sheffield United 3–1 Darlington St. Augustine's Getliff    Watson   Bramall Lane 'Not large' W 1 April 1891 Middlesbrough Ironopolis 4–0 Sheffield United Paradise Ground 900 L 6 April 1891 Ardwick 4–1 Sheffield United Watson   Hyde Road 2,300 L 11 April 1891 Sheffield United 2–2 Newcastle East End Crawford  Bridgewater   Bramall Lane 3,000 D 18 April 1891 Lincoln 0–1 Sheffield United Crawford   John O'Gaunts 1,000 W 18 April 1891 Matlock 3–2 Sheffield United Cheffins  Anon   Causeway Lane 'Poor' L 25 April 1891 Stockton 3–0 Sheffield United ? 2,000 L Notes Source: note 2 References 30em Bibliography Sheffield United Who's Who Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008 Hallamshire Press 978-1-874718-69-7 External links Sheffield United F.C. Official Website Category:Sheffield United F.C. seasons Sheffield United