Nuneaton’s Footballing Heritage Nuneaton Town 1894-1919 Part 2 Contents Page No. 1911-1912 ..................................................................................... 131 1912-1913 ..................................................................................... 152 1913-1914 ..................................................................................... 175 1914-1915 ..................................................................................... 204 George Reader .............................................................................. 240 The War Years ................................................................................ 241 Acknowledgements Nuneaton Town 1894-1919 Part 2 Season 1911-1912 Football “Smoker” Pre-Season In connection with Nuneaton Town Football Club, a smoking concert was held at the Granby Head Inn on The signatures of 25 players have already been secured, Saturday evening last, and was a successful event. In and negotiations are at the present time proceeding with the unavoidable absence of the Mayor, Mr G. R. Biggs several more experienced players. As Nuneaton will this presided, and during the proceedings presented the year only run the one team, it will be seen that plenty of medals won by the first and second teams last season. players will be at the disposal of the management. No A capital programme was carried out. Mr F. Jukes less than five goalkeepers have been signed, Lines, one of rendering several brilliant pianoforte pieces, as well as last year’s custodians, being among the number. The new accompanying the artistes. Mr. W. J. Pashley (Birmingham) signatories are Withers (late of Cradley St Peter’s), Lucas and Mr H. Lawrence delighted the company with their (Handsworth St Mary’s), Alcock (Leamington Town) and humourous selections, and Messrs. S. Stevenson, Slater, Stell. Alcock is well known in this locality as a thoroughly Roper, Davis, and others were much appreciated. capable man, while Stell has had five years’ first-class experience in the Lancashire Combination (1st and 2nd Division). He has secured work at Coventry, so will be Wellington St George’s v Nuneaton Town 02-09-1911 close at hand. There should also be a sound defence, as in addition to Nuneaton: Lines; Dale and H. Jones; A. Harper, R. Harper and Payne; Leslie Dale, the backs include Jones (Coombs Wood), Oliver, Dunn, Smith, A. Moore and Beaman. Brooks (Coalville), and Cotton. Arthur Harper, Payne, and A. Moore (“Muzzer”) hava all been retained as half-backs, The opening day of the season saw Nuneaton make the long and these three alone were greatly respected throughout journey to Wellington St. George. the whole of the Combination Clubs last season. In Town started off strongly, but only eight minutes had gone addition Richard Harper (of Delta Works), who so pleased when they found themselves a goal down, Davies being the the crowd the few times he played in the blue and white scorer for Wellington. Town were level almost immediately has signed for the Town, and two others are Clemence (of when Smith scored a beauty from Beaman’s cross. Davies Kettlebrook), and J. Shipman, a promising player from then scored again for the home side, but Nuneaton continued one of the Birmingham Junior Clubs. Negotiations are to attack and the Wellington goal had some narrow escapes. proceeding with another well-known Combination half- The home forwards were playing well and pushing back back, so this all-important department bids fair to be A1. the visitors and eventually scoring a third goal. Towards the In football parlance the prospective forward line should break “Muzzer” and Dunn both had near misses, but at the be “hot.” Smith (of Delta Works) proved his capability last whistle Wellington led by 3-1. season as a pivot, and has been much sought after. Then Town attacked strongly at the start of the second half, but Oliver and Dunn should cause little misgivings as to the the “Saints” soon regained the upper hand and Davies scored right wing. Mason is also known to the crowd as a capable their fourth goal after seven minutes of the second half had and hard-working player, but he will probably have a elapsed. The game was very exciting with Lines having to job to retain his place against some of the new-comers. save shot after shot, but Town eventually broke away and Olley, who is in the scholastic profession in the district, has had good experience in Yorkshire football, and is a Arthur Harper played the ball up to Oliver, who netted the ball proved goal-getter. He plays either centre or inside-left. T. to make the score 4-2. Nuneaton then bombarded the home Evans is a youth from the Black Country, who has become goal, but they could not force another goal and in the closing prominent in minor football in that district; others - young stages Davies scored Wellington’s fifth and his fourth to make chaps with a future before them - are Branson (outside the score 5-2. After this Town became totally demoralised and or inside right of Arden Hills Works League team); Jones Welling monopolised the rest of the play. (outside left from Phillips’ Athletic, Works League); Glover Nuneaton Town v Hinckley United 02-09-1911 (outside forward from Coalville), with a magnificent goal- scoring record - 48 in one season. “Taddy” Stringer has Nuneaton: Allcock; Cotton and W. Jones; Clements, Somers and also signed on and efforts are being made to secure yet Scattergood; Branson, G. Moore, Olley, Robbins and Moulton. another one or two forwards, notably an outside left who is well-known, and for whose services next season there On the same day as the Wellington St George’s away game, is keen competition. We hope to announce the additional Nuneaton put out a side in a friendly match against Hinckley names next week... United. There was a good crowd at the Newdegate for the game and “Kid” Moore gave the home side the lead after 30 minutes, giving Pick, in the Hinckley goal, no chance. The 131 Nuneaton’s Footballing Heritage Nuneaton Town 1894-1919 Part 2 Hinckley keeper then saved from Olley, but just on half-time Tatem scrambled away Payne’s long shot, before Richard Wilson got Hinckley’s equaliser, making the score 1-1 at the Harper went close with another long shot. Dunn struck the break. upright with a rattling shot. Oliver’s corner was accurate Soon after the restart “Kid” was making his way through but came to nothing before Nuneaton pressed hard and an the visitors’ defence when he was brought down. He took exciting few minutes play followed, with the crowd letting out the penalty himself and Pick charged at the shot, but only several “Oh!s” as Town went close on three occasions. managed to deflect the shot onto the post and into the The visitors attacked and a goal looked certain, and Lines net. Not long after, Hinckley got the equaliser with Hackett managed to stop the shot, but rebounded to Jack Moore who heading home to make it 2-2. Town then pressed a great deal put the visitors 1-0 up. Town equalised just five minutes later and Pick was called on to save again and again. The home when a throw in from Arthur Harper was picked up by Robbins, side pressed hard and won a corner, which was well placed who scored a beauty, to make it 1-1. Soon after, a fine centre by Moulton. Robbins headed accurately to Olley, who found was missed by Smith and Robbins, as “Muzzer” rushed in, the the net to put the home side ahead 3-2, which was the score ball was cleared by Reaney. Smith then put in a ripping shot when the final whistle sounded. that was very close to giving the home side the lead. Nuneaton Town v Stoke City XI 04-09-1911 Nuneaton were not to be denied, however, and Oliver put a cross in, which “Muzzer” turned goalwards, but one of the Nuneaton: Lines; Dale and Cotton; A. Harper, R. Harper and Payne; Hednesford defenders kept the ball out with his hand and a Stringer, Dunn, Robbins, A. Moore and Smith. penalty was awarded - Robbins making no mistake. At half On the Monday evening, Nuneaton welcomed Stoke City to time Nuneaton were 2-1 ahead. the Newdegate Ground. Albert Savage turned out for Stoke Town attacked from the off in the second half, with Tatem and their side contained several first team players. Town were and his backs experiencing difficulty in getting the ball without Beaman, who was injured. away. Robbins was then robbed at the last minute when he The game proved to be a decent game, with Stoke displaying looked to go clear, before two lovely centre from “Muzzer” more science, but with Nuneaton holding their own. It looked went begging, Smith heading over from the second one. A as if it would be 0-0 at the break, but Griffiths scored for the Hednesford corner was cleared by Lines, who then won an visitors with a great shot to put them 1-0 ahead at the interval. ovation following a brilliant save from Shinton. On the restart Dunn put in a tremendous shot which Herron Shinton was pulled up for offside when in a good position just managed to tip over, and “Muzzer” scored a goal, which and “Muzzer” put in a good cross that Robbins put wide. was given offside. Stoke increased their lead through Paxton, A foul was awarded against Hednesford for impeding the but “Muzzer” then scored one that counted. Just before the keeper. Arthur Harper passed forward to Robbins, but Reaney end Robbins looked to be making his way through when he dashed in to clear. Payne and Cotton were then both beaten was tripped. A penalty was awarded, which Robbins took on the visitors’ right and Walker scored, the ball slipping himself and made no mistake from the spot, giving the home through Lines’ hands and into the net.