sporting history Roger Fenton

Cricket’s Earliest Photographs, 25 July 1857

oger Fenton is well known as the first official war photographer, travelling to R the Crimea in 1855. It was probably that military connection which helped Fenton take the earliest photographic record of a match two years later when the Royal Artillery played the Hunsdonbury Club on 25 July. Although there have been suggestions that the match took place at the Artillery Ground in London, the rural background is almost certainly the village of Hunsdon. Fenton’s photographs combine to give a panoramic view of the ground, the game and its participants, despite the restrictions of the equipment of the time which meant any movement produced a blurred image. Fenton had developed that technique in the Crimea, an assignment for which he was recommend by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, after Fenton’s work photographing the royal family. Albert was the patron of the (Royal) Photographic Society, which Fenton had helped establish. Fenton had actually trained as a lawyer and then studied painting before turning to photography after visiting the Great Exhibition in 1851. Despite his impressive output and growing reputation, he turned his back on photography after just a decade and died in relative obscurity. Fortunately, his work remains. His images of the Crimea War were included in the ‘LIFE Collection of 100 Photos That Changed the World’, and his presence at that cricket match in 1857 reveals that little changes on the village green despite the passing decades.

Roger Fenton’s panoramic views of the cricket match between the Hunsdonbury Club and the Royal Artillery XI in 1857, the earliest photographic record of cricket.

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Poster for ‘Dandy Shandy’ – claiming to be the A cricket poster, 1880, best of all non-alcoholic although the cricketing beverages. (31 x 24cm) scene used suggests a much earlier period. (24 x 17cm) Poster for the Sunday newspaper, ‘The People’, c1900. (70 x 60cm)

Keen’s Mustard advertising board, 1892, with a Lord’s cricket scene as the background, possibly the occasion of the Eton-Harrow match. (46 x 65cm)

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W G Grace’s longevity meant that three royals were created Prince of W G Grace Wales during his career. He is pictured (left) with 1848-1915 the third, who became Edward VIII in 1936.

octor William Gilbert Grace, the Father of Cricket, was the first of England’s legendary D sporting superstars, those players whose exploits and fame extend beyond their natural boundaries into a grateful nation’s consciousness. Incredibly, W G remains the greatest of them all, because of his countless achievements, imposing character and remarkable longevity. Grace was only 16 when he took 13 for the Gentlemen of the South versus the Players in 1865, was 50 years old in his last Test and his unbroken run of 43 first-class seasons took him past his 60th birthday in 1908. His lasting legacy remains at Lord’s where cricketers walk through the Grace Gates, inscribed, ‘W G Grace, The Great Cricketer, 1848-1915.’ It’s hard to imagine that cricket would have prospered so quickly or emphatically without him. Grace knew his worth to the game, as did others. Signs outside grounds would often say, ‘Cricket Match: Admission Threepence. If W G Grace plays, Admission Sixpence.’ Over a later, Grace is still one of the most recognisable faces in sport. ‘The Doctor’ was actually a qualified surgeon, often taking the field having been up all night on medical duties. When Lancashire’s A C M Croome gashed his throat on the pavilion railings attempting to save a boundary at Old Trafford in 1887, Grace held the wound together while help was summoned. It is claimed that his hand never once shook throughout the 30-minute ordeal. His contemporaries had the utmost respect for him. Lord Hawke’s verdict was simple: ‘The greatest there ever could be because no future player will ever have to play on the bad wickets on which he made his mark.’ Grace, himself, believed in keeping things simple: ‘In conclusion, never treat a straight ball with contempt, however badly bowled.’ George W Beldam, who played with W G for The bat used by Grace the London club, was in his last innings in also one of cricket’s 1914, with his original early photographers. signature. Grace believed He presented this album it was wrong to play of personal pictures to cricket while soldiers were Grace’s widow a few fighting in The Great War. months after his death.

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A ‘Pinnace’ cigarette card advertisement display board More free football in fine condition, with photographs of the Aston images, this time in silk, Villa team, given away free in boxes of 50 and 100 displaying the league cigarettes. The series of cards, which came in different clubs’ colours, given away sizes, was launched in 1922 and ran until 1925. with BDV cigarettes.

58 59 sporting straplinehistory The Invincible All Blacks

1924-25

ail Porter’s 1924-25 All Blacks proved themselves more-than-worthy successors to G David Gallaher’s ‘Originals’, winning all 32 matches (including two in France and two in British Columbia), scoring over 200 tries on tour and becoming the ‘Invincibles’. Star of the show was George Nepia, just 19, who played all 28 games in Britain at full-back, a position he had never played in before. Another 19-year-old on the trip was Lui Paewai, already the youngest All Black in history at 17 years and 45 days. The tour was not without controversy. Cyril Browlie became the first player to be sent off in an international after referee A E Freethy had issued a general warning at Twickenham. Despite being down to 14 men for 70 minutes, the All Blacks, inspired by Cyril Brownlie’s brother, Maurice, won 17-11. The All Blacks exacted revenge for that one defeat on the 1905 tour with a conclusive 19-0 victory over Wales in Swansea. Yet the match that might have really tested the tourists, against Scotland, never took place because of an argument going back to 1905. Gallaher’s All Blacks had asked for a guarantee of £200 to play Scotland. The canny Scots, worried about being out The number-10 jersey of pocket, instead offered them any money left over worn by the youngest- after expenses. Such was the success of the tour, The All Blacks XV which ever All Black, Lui the SRU treasurer handed the tourists a cheque for beat the North Midlands Paewai, in the 8-3 victory £1,700. 40-3 at Villa Park, with over Llanelli. That was the background to the SRU informing Cyril Brownlie (back row, New Zealand that it would not be granting them fourth left) and George a fixture. Considering Scotland won its first Grand Nepia (front, far right). Slam in 1925 and is still waiting for its first-ever win over the All Blacks nearly 90 years later, it was probably an even more costly mistake than the financial one made in in 1905.

A menu card from the banquet given in honour A pre-tour souvenir of the of the ‘Invincible’ All second New Zealand tour Blacks on their return to to Britain, match results New Zealand, signed by added in ink. the whole squad.

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A distinctive Eric Fraser Underground poster for the 1926 FA Cup, won by Bolton Wanderers with a goal from David Jack, who had also scored the first-ever goal in a Wembley final three years earlier. Posters A 1920s Norman Wilkinson railway poster for the like this would have been situated above the heads of Gleneagles Hotel and golf course, which will host the seated passengers on the tube. (24 x 30cm) Ryder Cup for the first time in 2014. 101( x 156cm)

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Jardine’s famous harlequin-design Douglas J ardine , which infuriated Australian cricket supporters almost as 1900-58 much as ‘leg-theory’ .

epending on your viewpoint, or more likely Jardine’s bat from the where you were born, Douglas Robert series. It was DJardine is either a great sporting hero or the a ‘William Gunn Extra man who nearly destroyed cricket and broke up the Special’ and is signed by Jardine at Commonwealth. members of both teams 1933, c1990. There are no half measures where Jardine is from the 1932-33 series. By Joe Scarborough. concerned. He has polarised sporting opinion for Also inscribed on the Oil on canvas, 70 x 90cm 80 years. He certainly got under the Australians’ face is ‘Australia Won 1, Jardine, and Harold skins, which for most cricket followers in England England Won 4’ and on Larwood, may have been has always been regarded as no bad thing. the back, ‘Presented to carpeted by Lord’s after His job as England was to bring home Frank Oxenham by D bringing back , the Ashes in 1932-33, which he did in a convincing R Jardine 1933’. Jardine but England’s captain was manner, 4-1. His critics claimed that he didn’t care batted at number six in a hero to cricket fans all how he did it. the first two Tests, but over the country, even in There was a general view after Australia returned showed his defiance by Yorkshire, and here the with the Ashes in 1930 that England would not see opening for the rest of Bramall Lane crowd are them again until Bradman had retired. Bradman, the series, taking first cheering him all the way 21, had scored a record 974 runs at an average ball in the last two. Like to the . of almost 140. And that view, apart from the Bradman, his Test average ‘Bodyline’ series, was correct. The Ashes were suffered in the series, and A letter from Jardine Australia’s until 1953. he scored just 199 runs to left-arm spinner Bill Jardine, the first to label the at 22.11, against a career Johnston, one of the ‘Master’, had upset the Aussies even before ‘fast average of 48. 1948 Invincibles and leg-theory’. His arrogant manner, provocative the only tourist to take harlequin cap and refusal to accommodate the 100 wickets. Johnson media ensured it would be a rough ride. Jardine averaged 102 with the bat knew that already. on the 1953 Ashes tour, England’s bowling attack, spearheaded by with a top score of 28 in , got the job done. Larwood 17 innings – he was only never played again, and Jardine retired before the out once! Australians toured in 1934. The Establishment might not have been grateful, but the country’s sports fans showed their appreciation of Jardine bringing back the Ashes and denting the aura of Bradman. was unequivocal: ‘To me and every member of the 1932-33 MCC side in Australia, was the greatest captain England ever had. A great fighter, a grand friend and an unforgiving enemy.’ Douglas Jardine in 1926, already displaying a very determined and uncompromising façade.

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Original watercolour artwork for the 1936 Olympics: Berlin 1936 swimming poster.

erman efficiency and subsequent events have made the 1936 Berlin Olympics the most G famous, controversial and well-documented in Olympic history. It provided the perfect sporting setting for Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich to prove their theory of Aryan superiority, although Jesse Owens highlighted the flaws in that argument by winning four gold medals. Berlin had been awarded the Olympic Games in 1931, long before Hitler came to power. Worries Olympic bearer’s chrome increased as the event drew nearer, but Germany steel torch from Berlin. issued regular assurances that it would abide by the The lighting of the Olympic spirit. Barcelona, who had lost the host Olympic flame was re- vote to Berlin, organised the alternative People’s introduced at the 1928 Olympics. Over 3,000 athletes and 22 countries Amsterdam Games, but registered, but it was cancelled because of the the torch relay from Spanish Civil War. Greece to the Olympic Leni Riefenstahl’s inventive ‘Olympische Spiel’ site began in 1936. provides an outstanding film record of the Games, and it is clear from correspondence and records that the Berlin Olympics were well organised and enjoyable for both competitors and spectators. Hitler found time to chat up the USA’s Helen Stephens after she won 100m gold, congratulate Egyptian weightlifter Khadr El Touni after winning gold ahead of the German competitor and invite the German women’s 4 x 100m relay team to his box after they had dropped the baton at the final changeover with an eight-yard lead in the final. Berlin introduced the first Olympic torch relay, with 3,075 people taking part. Other firsts included basketball, diving blocks for the swimmers, and the Olympics was shown on TV for the first time and in 26 theatres throughout Berlin; while the last Olympic polo title went to Argentina, who beat Great Britain in the final. The younger competitors left Berlin expecting to take part in the Tokyo Games in four years time. Competitor’s card and badge belonging to Postcard showing the GB’s Alec Burns. After Olympic flame at its finishing seventh in the destination after a journey 5,000m at the 1932 of 12 days and 11 nights Olympics, Burns was fifth covering 2,000 miles. in the 10,000m in Berlin.

108 109 sporting straplinehistory The Matthews Cup Final

2 May 1953

oronation year – 1953 – was a time of Triumphant celebration, not least for sporting triumphs players celebrate as C that had been a long time coming. On 6 gets June, after 27 attempts, Gordon Richards finally his hands on the FA Cup claimed the Classic that had always eluded him, at last, along with his the Epsom Derby, on Pinza, while the Ashes were skipper Harry Johnson reclaimed by England at on 19 August (left). after a wait of over 19 years. The most nerve-wracking moments, though, came at Wembley on 2 May as Blackpool’s Stanley Matthews, by then 38 years old, attempted to win the FA Cup for the first time in a 20-year career which included two losing finals. Despite the wave of public emotion and the presence of Queen Elizabeth a month before her coronation, Matthews looked destined for more disappointment as Bolton Wanderers took a 3-1 lead. The drama and events that contributed to what became known as ‘The Matthews Final’ unfolded in a remarkable final 22 minutes. Matthews crossed for to reduce the deficit and then Mortensen completed his hat-trick direct from a free-kick with just over a minute to go to level the scores. Matthews’ dream was back on as the 100,000 crowd prepared for extra-time. But there was no need. Matthews once again teased and tormented the Bolton left-back, Ralph Banks, with his dribbling skills, crossed from the goal-line and Bill Perry scored with seconds of injury-time remaining. Matthews received his medal and was carried around Wembley shoulder- high – and never failed to pay tribute to his team- mates, and especially Mortensen, for ending his long wait.

The Community Singing song sheet (far left) from one of the most memorable FA Cup finals.

The Bolton Wanderers number-three shirt worn by Ralph Banks that The jersey that proved afternoon. The left-back third time lucky for had the unenviable task of Stanley Matthews in his trying to keep Matthews long quest for an FA Cup in check. winners’ medal.

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Posters from the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ fight, one for a live screening of the Rumble in the Jungle fight in a US cinema, and the other for the actual 30 October 1974 event itself in Zaire. The difference in dates is explained by the different time zones for the two countries. he most persuasive argument for Mohammad Ali’s claim to be the greatest T sportsman of the 20th century lies in the events of the early hours of Wednesday 30 October 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire. Ali, then Cassius Clay, had won the heavyweight title as the 7/1 underdog over a decade earlier – now he was attempting to regain his crown against George Foreman, 25, who had just destroyed the only two boxers to beat Ali, Joe Frazier and Ken Norton, and his odds weren’t much better. Add to that mix an African dictator who used $10 million of his country’s money to stage the fight and a new young promoter by the name of Don King, and you have the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’. When the fight was delayed by over a month after Foreman cut his eye, President Mobutu Sese Seko refused to let the fighters leave the country, worried they might not return. Few gave Ali a chance but, as ever, the former champion talked a good game. Ali took the blows and the punishment round after round, hoping to sap Foreman’s strength with what he called the ‘rope-a-dope’ technique. He kept talking, too, ‘They told me you could punch, George’ and after a big body blow, ‘Is that all you’ve got, George?’ Foreman was tiring, but it was still a shock when Ali came off the ropes in the eighth round and a quick succession of punches had Foreman stumbling to the canvas. Suddenly, the fight was over and all Ali’s predictions had come true. Even hardened boxing hacks could not quite believe what they had seen. Fortunately, that action is still there for all to see in the ‘When We Were Kings’ documentary, which won an Oscar in 1996. Few argued when the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ was recently named the Mohammad Ali is greatest moment in ABC’s sports history. about to become world heavyweight champion for the second time in his career. This picture is signed by both Ali and Foreman.

196 197 sporting straplinehistory A Family Affair TWO SPORTS Football & Rugby

TWO ENGLAND WORLD CUP WINS 1966 & 2003

TWO COHENS Uncle George & Nephew Ben

These two shirts represent a unique family double, perhaps never to be repeated ­– two England World Cup wins in different sports. George Cohen was right-back when England beat West Germany 4-2 at Wembley to collect the Jules Rimet Trophy as winners of the 1966 football World Cup. Ben Cohen, son of George’s brother Peter, was on the left wing when England beat Australia 20-17 in Sydney to collect the Webb Ellis Cup as winners of the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Both finals went into extra time and were won in dramatic fashion. George played 37 times for his country (no goals) and Ben won 57 caps for England with 31 tries.

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