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arid.esl©s-L Srt:i-mata©ige,li-isrya-1©are,boly5tallelea-i.lyi ain.n?sle?s♦► *s1-s,IIs,?sdhisi-aaFOOTBALL GOSSIP.Bx “A. SPTO#. 'Jack 3£irwan,with Copeland.d Tomv S:A PREDICTION VERIFIED, AND AMB1 TION REALISED BY THE SPURS OF TOTTENHAM, WHO GIVE A BRILLIANT DISPLAY, WHICH LANDS THEM IN THE FINAL OF THE ASSOCIATION CUP.JohnmeCam-, rall took the ceie-dly, and oe on bothi «;i,sr*•tdV*s11tlWhen reflecting in my calm moments upon the remarkable* doings of the representatives of Tottenham Hotspur during the Easter festivities, I feel strongly inclined to burst forth with a rhapsody to celebrate their brilliant performances, and more especially on tneir remarkable performance at Villa Park, on Easter Monday, against West Bromwich Albion, for a more brilliant, decisive victory than that achieved by the Spurs of Tottenham on this memorable occasion has scarcely, if ever, been surpassed in the world of football; and it was indeed a sight for men and gods— especially the Birmingham gods—to witness the grand display of skilful, methodical. in-( dividual, and combined exposition of clever football served up by * Manager Johnny Cameron and his confreres.And to say that the victory, now recorded in history, of the Spurs by four goals to nil has put their ardent band of admirers, in the seventh heaven of delight would be but a mild diagnosis of their feelings, for, as a matter of fact, all Tottenham and district have practically gone stark, staring, raving mad at the grand performance of their pets, who have followed up last season’s brilliant work as champions of the Southern League by proving their right to appear at the Crystal Palace in the final round of the Football Association Cup. Therefore, before entering into a detailed description of their Easter manoeuvring, hats off, everybody, to the Spurs of Tottenham; and may' they prove successful in the deciding match of the competition.To commence with the match on Good Friday, when Southampton provided the opposition, before a crowd numbering some 12,500 the Spurs gave a grand scientific exposition of clever football ; and although at the termination of an exhiliarating display, they only claimed the spoils of victory by a narrow marginal difference of one goal to nil, the Sotoniaus have to thank Jack Robinson, their international custodian, for his brilliant display between the sticks, where he gave a very sound show indeed, saving repeatedly from the whole front rank of the Spurs’ attacking forces in a manner which brought forth the hearty plaudits of the crowd, who must have left the ground highly esteeming his sterling custodian abilities, and more than satisfied with the allround display both by Spurs and Sotoniaus.On Saturday, Bristol City came up to Tottenham, strong in the hope that the Spurs, with their battle against the Throstle of West Bromwich looming the distance, would trke matters in general, and football in particular,in a verv lenient manner, and allow them to« •take two very valuable Southern League \ oints back to their western city; and when it vras seen that the Spurs had only their u^erve team out there was jubilation in »!ie Bristol camp. After the fight, however, the jubilation was changed to weeping and wailing, for to such good purpose did the reserves put corth their efforts, that, to the surprise and consternation of the Bristol men. they had to a^ert defeat by one goal to nil. The result came as a startler to the Hotspur supporters v. i o were present, for they never expected the rosaries to come safelv out of such a stiff ord3al.eron, Alex Brown find smart testing shot© ait Read-ef; bra ted Albion custodian saved strive how they would, the d sides always proved superior to the attacks, and half-time found the sooringisheet blank. But afterwards a great change came o’er the scene, and such a change that many old! and seasoned sportsmen became electrified by thebrilliant sequence of individual and combined, movement served up by the men of Tottenham, who in the brief spaoe of some 19 minutes, hypnotised the Midkttul football world by recording three goals against a defence that in the first half had absolutely refused to capitulate. It was indeed a startler, and brought about by a most rapid land successful1 change of procedure on the part of the Spurs, for whereas in the first 45 minutes of the game individuality and tenacity had been the chief characteristics of both sides, the Spurs in the second modety discarded those methods and adopted their usual combination and finesse, and by so doing the Albionauickly became a defeated and routed force. The most pe*rfectunderstaiseemed to exist between thelingTottenham players, and the ball was passed and re-passed with an accuracy and brilliancy that captured the hearts of the vast multitude present, who by their almost incessant outbursts of applause, proved how greatly they appreciated the sterling, clever capabilities of the man from Tottenham.Immediately after the match, the Totton-hame Cup Tie representatives, with Messrs. C. D. Roberts. T. A. Doacock. J. Hawley, and Morton Cadman. made tracks for Euston. where they caught the seven o’clock train down to Brum, which arrived at the hardware city some few minutes before ten o’clock. A four-hor^e brake was waiting, and the party were quickly driven to their headquarters, to wait for Monday, at the Swan Hotel. Yardiev. a nice, quiet little spot adjacent to Small Heath, the ho-t being Mr. AY. Starling, whom I quickly recognised as a former secretary to the well-known Small Heath Football Club. .Safely arriving at their destination, the welcome couch was quickly *ought by the tired travellers. On Sunday, after breakfasting, a nice drive some fifteen mile- out, through Acock's Green. Knowle. Oiten. on to Shirley, where putting up at the Saracen’s Head, the rest of the day was -psnt in a quiet ramble round the meadow* adjoining.Great excitement \va* taued by the brilliant capture of a rabbit, after a grand chase by the Colonel and Tom Morris, who secured the prize after performing a brilliant out-flanking movement. the whole of the party coming in at the death ; after which the return journey was made, via Stonobridge. down the Coventry-road to Yardiev, which terminated a pleasant and invigorating day’* outing. After tea. an improipptu sacred concert was held in the accommodating assembly room of the Hotel, in which Air. James Hawley proved himself to be a -kilful and abb* organist ; and Sunday Tait.-Jimmy McNaught, C. D. Roberts, T. Deacock. and Robert Buckle, with several others, proved to be in possession of exceptional vocal ahilhi **. Alec Tait's rendering of the Holy City ”greatly appreciated ; as wa* the visit of Mr. Hart, the well-known chairman, of director-*, along with Air. Wilniot. of the Small Heai.i Football Club, who came to congratulate the .Spurs upon fighting their way into the semifinal. Air. Hart and hi* colleagues, aho^ a numerous array of well-known men in the Birmingham district, bad further congrn illations to offer after 1 he great battle had been fought and won by the Spur* of Tottenham at.Villa Park, on Monday.It was a matter of lights out crrlv on Sunday night, and on Monday morning the player* took a gentle stroll around, and after lunchonv the party drove down to the fighting arena, all being eager and ready for the fray. Arriving at the entrance, a. very zealous guardian of the gate absolutely refused permission for thd team to enter, but a few sharp, decisive words from Manager Cameron* quickly forced the gentleman to take a different view of life, rnd we safely entered the enclosure, to find a seething mass of human beings, numbering upwards of 47,000. ’Twas indeed a most exciting and exhilarating scene we saw portrayed to the human eye. for stretched around on every .side were huge terraces and stand- packed to overflowing by human beings; rand to thoseSoutherners who had journeyed down and beheld the magnificent si ronghold owned by the popular Aston Villa- (dub for the first time in their lives, ’tv/as: indeed a most startling and bewildering scene, and a scene that will long live in their memory. We bad. however,.scarcely had time to take* a bird's-eve view and • •properly locate the true geographical position of the goal nets,When amidst a thunder of applause.. .Tack Jones, the Hotspur .skipper, led his gallant band into the arena. The Spurs were immediately followed by the West Bromwich men, who certainly appeared a smant, keen-looking band of performers. Jack Jones was successful in the spin of the coin, and the battle began'. For the first 45 minutes we saw a very keen and exciting display between the combatants, and certainly the Albion proved themselves a determined, stern band of workers; and by their dash and tenacity they loomed very prominently in the critical eye. Adams and Dunn kicked and tackled like thoroughbreds, while Ptrrv. Jones and Hadley, their intermediate line, successfully negotiated the attacks brought to hoar on Reader, their custodian. The Spurs’ front rank were not so quickly settled down* as were the Albion front line, with the result that Clawley, Tait and Erentz had many anxious moments in the first half; but most nobly did this; trio perform. Alex Tait was especially in grand combative form, and he, along with George Clawley, treated us to some brilliant work. Jack Jones, at left-half, was also as steady as a rock, and Ted Hughes, with Tom Morris, broke up repeatedly the best of intentions of the Albion front rank. George Clawley saved marvellously on three separate occasions, with awhole crowd of “Throstles” climbing all over him.The opening goal came from a grand, sharp manoeuvre performed by Jack Kirwan, who completely nonplussed Perry and Adams, and centring adroitly, up dashed Alex Brown, and with a crash of his cranium banged the ball past Reader like lightning. It was a magnificent effort, and proved to be the forerunner of more to follow, for by brilliant, sharp manoeuvring, Copeland, Kirwan, Cameron and Smith were always planting the ball well in front of the Albion uprights. Number two was put cn some torn minutes later, only to be followed in the brief space of some three minutes by a third, and seven minutes from the cessation, for tlio fourth time the ball was crashed past Reader, and on each occasion the trick was done by Alex Brown, who was indeed in mcst deadly form; but his success was only the mean,s to am eiid so brilliantly pro-, vidod by the superb efforts of Copeland, Kirwan, Cameron and Smith, who, with the assistance of their grand trio of workers behind, viz., Jones, Hughes and Alorris, gave one of the most brilliant displays ever witnessed' in the semi-final round of the Association Cup.’Twns a most remarkable victory, and a victory that has created history for the Tottenham part of the hemisphere; and personally,I am congratulating myself on being present to record the sterling abilities shown by the Tottenham men, and to heartily congratulate each and every individual player in the team upon the grand, admirable, clever, plucky manner with which they fought so successfully for the honour of their club and for the prestige cf the South of England. George Clawley . in goal, gave one of the most determined displays I have ever had the pleasure of seeing him give, and at a very critical stage of the proceedings Alex Tait, was. I considered, absolutely the most effective back on the field ; ini fact.. I have never seen him give a better display, and in Harry Erentz he found a most lion-hearted, capable assistant, while Jack* Jones, Ted Hughes, with Tom Alorris. proved themselves to be an intermediate line of capable workers th it would do credit to any team in the land. Of the Spurs forward* I have already spoken, and if they can only repeat their all-round brilliant display on the memorable occasion next Saturday, the 20th. at the Crystal Prlace, in the final round of the competition, all that I need add is. Heaven help the opposition, for the Cup will. I feel assured, find a resting-place in Tottenham.Before leaving this match. I must give a word cf praise to the losing tca-m. who. although defeated, so decisively always kept plugging away, with a tenacity and dogged determined spirit that really deserved a better fate. ’Twa* the Albion’s misfortune to run up against what was universally admitted by. tlie numerous experts present as one of the most brilliant combinations seen in Birmingham formanv a daw and a team that was also iiuiver- |• • . ■sally admitted worthy in every sense of the word of carrying off the blue ribbon of Association football. I need only add that the return iournev to Tottenham after the match proved to be a continual march of triumphal progress. The scene at New Street Station, on our embarkation into the saloon, is indescribable. and when, arriving at South Tottenham, several of the players were pounced upon by the waiting throng and carried shoulder high down the road, and as I wended mv•way homeward. I was forcibly reminded that it had been a bright, gloriously Jnppy clay for Tottenliamite*: but a dreary, dark, dismalcr.e for the men of West Bromwich.A. SPUR.HAMPSHIRE TOWN’S DISASTER*A. STREET IX FLAMES.A calamity hardly matched in the local annals has befallen the little market town of Andover. Amid a collection of thatched cottages in New-streefc —new only in comparison with the days when King John granted Andover its charter—lire broke out about midnight on Easter Monday. A barn, also thatched, was perceived at that hour to be alight, and a prompt alarm was given. Fanned by a high wind, however, the flames had a good start, and by the time the local brigade had opened a vigorous attack the dwellings on both sides of the barn, already little better than a heap of ruins, had fallen an easy prey to the fierce blaze. .The unfortunate occupants, the great majority belonging to the poorer cla83, thus rudely roused from sleep, made their escape into the street with frantic haste and in the scantiest of garments. It was remarkable that they should all have escaped, not only witli their lives, but free of any serious injury. Their plight, as things were, was lamentable enough. Besides the loss of their homes, many of them had witnessed the destruction of their furniture with the consciousness that, it was uninsured. The vicar of Andover (the Rev. P. Bruit hwaikq and other leading townspeople did their best, for the homeless families. Both the church and mission-room and the “ iron** room *’ were thrown open for their reception, and every attention possible at the moment was offered the sufferers.Meanwhile the brigade and many willing assistants worked incessantly to stem the torrent of flame, but it was fully six hours after the outbreak that the fire showed signs of being staved. By the time the contest had slackened and the damage could be reckoned up, it was found that -U houses had been destroyed, including an inn and two common lodging-houses. When day dawned the lower end of New-street presented a scene of utter desolation. Upon the blackened and smoking ruins the firemen continued throughout the day to pour steady streams of water. A correct estimate of the extlt; na ve damage it was impossible to obtain, but one satisfactory feature of the catastrophe is the fact that all the properties involved were insured.The destitute victims, however, present the town with a difficult problem. The local authorities are at their wits-end to provide permanent shelter for them. For the present it is hoped that some accommodation may be found at the workhouse, if people can be persuaded to go to that institution. A special meeting of the Town Council in the afternoon was followed by a town’s meeting, presided over by the deputy-mayor, at which a subscription list was started, and provision was made to afford immediate temporary relief. It was felt that much credit attached to Captain Tarrant and his brigade, and to the police, but for wh086 zeal and judgment the conflagration would undoubtedly have assumed more terrible proportions.HERRING HAULS.Great draughts of herrings have been caught on the Haddington coast for several days past—an almost unheard-of occurrence at this season. Tons of cod, too, have have been secured by those engaged in this branch of the fisheries, splendid prices being obtained in al! cases. Owing, however, to an exceptionally violent south-westerly gale, all the herring fleet have been obliged to run for shelter.Printing, in all its branches, executed at the office of this journal, economically and withdeBpatoh.
Newspaper Details
London Middlesex Gazette
London, Middlesex, GB
Sat, Apr 13, 1901
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Philip N.
GB 07 May 2019
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