Eckington Works F.C.
| Full name | Eckington Works Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1880 | |
| Dissolved | 1898? | |
| Ground | High Street | |
|
| ||
Eckington Works Football Club was an English association football club based in Eckington, Derbyshire.
History
[edit]The club was founded in 1880 and used the Rose & Crown public house in the High Street for club facilities.[1] The club's ground may have been the cricket pitch a short walk away down Pipeyard Lane.[2] The club was linked to a local iron works.
The club joined the Hallamshire FA originally, as new clubs were not eligible to join the Sheffield FA. The club won the Hallamshire Cup in 1883–84, notably beating Staveley F.C., who went on to win the Derbyshire Senior Cup the same season, en route.[3]
In 1885-86 the club entered the FA Cup for the first time, losing 2–1 at Sheffield Heeley, having taken the lead in the first half but conceded an equalizer within two minutes. With the last kick of the game, the Works' forward Levick scored directly from a corner, but as nobody had touched the ball en route, it was disallowed.[4]
The following season the club earned its second victory in the Hallamshire Cup, beating Clinton F.C. 3–0 in the final.[5]
In 1892 the club was a founder member of the Sheffield & District League in 1892[6] The club had been reasonably competitive until 1894–95, with 2,000 attending a benefit match for the club's half-back Johnny Gyte in March 1895,[7] but lost a number of players at the end of 1895; after a 2–2 draw with Sheepbridge on 1 January,[8] only seven players turned up for the next match, with Sheffield Wednesday reserves, resulting in an 18–0 defeat.[9] Two weeks later Mexbro' went one better with a 19–0 win.[10]
Crowds dropped to such an extent that a 5–0 defeat to Worksop F.C. at the end of January (played by agreement for 30 minutes each way) only had a crowd of 30.[11] The club was only able to continue after club treasurer Mr Hardwick gave up claims to £20 he had loaned the club.[12] At the season's close the club withdrew to run a junior side only.[13]
The club joined the East Derbyshire League for 1896-97[14] but there is no trace of the team after 1898. A new team with the same name arose in 1920[15] and won the Sheffield Association League in 1923–24.
Honours
[edit]Sheffield and District Shield - Southern Division
- Winners: 1894–1895
Hallamshire FA Senior Cup
- Winners: 1883-1884 and 1886–1887
Records
[edit]- Furthest FA Cup run – 1st round 1885-1886 and 1887–1888
- Record victory: 12-1 v Ecclesfield, Sheffield and Hallamshire FA Cup (played as a league) 9 February 1895
- Record loss: 19-0 v Mexbro', Sheffield and Hallamshire FA Cup (as a league) 18 January 1896
Colours
[edit]The club's colours were listed simply as red.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ Alcock, Charles (1890). Football Annual. p. 166.
- ^ See Ordnance Survey map for 1897 at https://maps.nls.uk/view/114587273.
- ^ "Hallamshire Association Cup Tie". Sheffield Independent: 4. 14 January 1884.
- ^ "report". Sporting Life: 1. 21 October 1885.
- ^ "Hallamshire Cup". Sheffield Independent: 7. 12 May 1887.
- ^ "Football Club History Database - Eckington Works".
- ^ "Eckington Works v Chesterfield". Sheffield Independent: 7. 1 April 1895.
- ^ "Sheepbridge v Eckington Works". Sheffield Independent: 8. 2 January 1885.
- ^ "Wednesday Reserve v Eckington Works". Sheffield Independent: 11. 6 January 1896.
- ^ "note". Retford Times: 8. 25 January 1896.
- ^ "Sheffield Challenge Cup League". Retford Times: 3. 31 January 1896.
- ^ "Eckington Works Football Club". Sheffield Independent: 7. 1 February 1896.
- ^ "North-east Derbyshire". Sheffield Independent: 11. 25 May 1896.
- ^ "East Derbyshire League". Sheffield Independent: 8. 14 September 1896.
- ^ "Football". Derby Daily Telegraph: 2. 28 May 1920.
- ^ Alcock, Charles (1890). Football Annual. p. 166.