1890–91 Sheffield United F.C. season

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Sheffield Challenge Cup
Runners up
(beaten by Doncaster Rovers)
Wharncliffe Charity CupSemi-final
(eliminated by The Wednesday
Top goalscorerLeague: Watson (10)
All: Watson (13)
Highest home attendanceLeague: 5,700 (v Derby Junction)
Friendly: 14,000 (v The Wednesday)
Lowest home attendanceLeague: 500 (v Kidderminster)
Average home league attendance3,244 (League)

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

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.[1] 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.[1] The committee continued to select the team, although J. B. Wostinholm oversaw the day–to–day running of the club.[1]

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.[2]

Season overview

Midland Counties League

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 1890–91. 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 previous season had been considered reasonably successful, but United still looked to improve the quality of players in the squad.[1] 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.[3] Billy Bridgewater and Edward Cross were signed from nearby Rotherham Town,[4][5] and Harry Lilley arrived from Staveley during the close season,[6] 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.[3] 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.[3] 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.[7][8]

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.[1] 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.[1] They duly negotiated the transfers of John Drummond, Billy Hendry and Samuel Dobson from Preston North End,[9][10][11] 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.[12]

Gavin Crawford
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.[3] 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.[3]

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.[3] 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.[3]

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.[3]

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.[3] 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.[3]

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.[3] Rather than cancelling the pre-arranged friendlies the Blades went ahead with both fixtures, splitting the first team between them.[3] 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.[3] 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.[3]

Squad

Source:[3]

First team

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— FW England ENG Billy Bairstow
— FW England ENG Billy Bridgewater
— DF England ENG L. Brownlow
— FW Scotland SCO William Calder
— MF Scotland SCO Gavin Crawford
— GK England ENG R. Creighton (guest player from Sheffield Club)
— DF England ENG Edward Cross
— MF England ENG Samuel Dobson
— FW Scotland SCO John Drummond
— GK England ENG Richard Fenwick (guest player from Sheffield Club)
— FW England ENG William Getliff
— MF England ENG George Groves (captain)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF England ENG A. Hemmingfield
— DF Scotland SCO Billy Hendry
— DF England ENG Rab Howell
— GK England ENG Charlie Howlett
— DF England ENG
Jack Hudson
— DF England ENG Harry Lilley
— DF Scotland SCO Harry Munro
— DF England ENG Ernest Needham
— FW Scotland SCO W. Robertson
— DF England ENG Ned Stringer
— FW England ENG Arthur Watson
— DF England ENG Michael Whitham

Players leaving before end of the season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— FW England ENG A.D. Barber (guest player from Sheffield Club)
— FW England ENG
T.B.A. Clarke
— FW England ENG A.R. Elliman
No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF England ENG J. Jeeves (guest player from Sheffield Club)
— FW England ENG
Bernard Shaw (guest player from Sheffield Club
)
— DF England ENG
Harry Thickett
 (guest player from Hexthorpe Wanderers)

Transfers

In

Position Player Transferred from Fee Date Source
FW England Billy Bridgewater Rotherham Town Signed August 1890 [4]
DF England Edward Cross Rotherham Town Signed August 1890 [5]
DF England A. Hemmingfield Doncaster Rovers Signed August 1890 [13]
DF England Harry Lilley Staveley Signed August 1890 [6]
FW Scotland Gavin Crawford Fairfield Rangers Signed November 1890 [7]
DF Scotland Harry Munro Somerton Athletic Signed December 1890 [8]
FW England William Getliff Darnall Signed January 1891 [14]
MF Scotland John Drummond Preston North End Signed February 1891 [9]
DF Scotland Billy Hendry Preston North End Signed February 1891 [10]
DF England Ernest Needham Staveley Signed February 1891 [12]
DF England George Groves Sheffield Club Signed March 1891 [15]
MF England Samuel Dobson Preston North End Signed 14 March 1891 [11]

Out

Position Player Transferred to Fee Date Source
FW Scotland James Duncan Released Free June 1890 [16]
MF Scotland Donald Fraser Released Free June 1890 [17]
FW Scotland Dugald Galbraith Released Free June 1890 [18]
DF Scotland L. Gilmartin Released Free June 1890 [19]
DF England Walter Hobson Owlerton Free June 1890 [20]
DF England S. Mack Crewe Alexandra Free June 1890 [21]
FW England Billy Mosforth Released Retired June 1890 [22]
FW
T.B.A. Clarke
 		Sheffield Club Free December 1890 [23]

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
3 Lincoln City 18 7 6 5 34 21 +13 20
4 Derby Midland 18 8 4 6 28 28 0 20
5 Sheffield United 18 8 3 7 32 25 +7 19
6 Burton Wanderers 18 7 4 7 25 33 −8 18
7 Rotherham Town 18 7 4 7 20 28 −8 18
Source: [3]

Squad statistics

Appearances and goals

As of the end of the season[3]
No. Pos Nat Player Total Midland Counties League FA Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
FW England ENG Billy Bairstow 14 3 14 3 0 0
FW England ENG Billy Bridgewater 22 9 18 9 4 0
FW Scotland SCO William Calder 16 4 12 2 4 2
MF Scotland SCO Gavin Crawford 5 4 5 4 0 0
GK England ENG R. Creighton 1 0 1 0 0 0
DF England ENG Edward Cross 21 0 16 0 5 0
MF England ENG Samuel Dobson 5 1 5 1 0 0
FW Scotland SCO John Drummond 5 1 5 1 0 0
GK England ENG Richard Fenwick 1 0 1 0 0 0
FW England ENG William Getliff 1 0 0 0 1 0
MF England ENG George Groves 13 0 10 0 3 0
DF Scotland SCO Billy Hendry 7 0 7 0 0 0
DF England ENG Jack Houseley[note 1] 1 0 1 0 0 0
DF England ENG Rab Howell 23 2 18 2 5 0
GK England ENG Charlie Howlett 24 0 19 0 5 0
DF England ENG
Jack Hudson
 2 0 1 0 1 0
DF England ENG Harry Lilley 20 0 15 0 5 0
DF Scotland SCO Harry Munro 1 0 1 0 0 0
FW Scotland SCO W. Robertson 20 5 16 3 4 2
DF England ENG G. Smith[note 2] 2 0 2 0 0 0
DF England ENG Ned Stringer 5 0 5 0 0 0
FW England ENG Arthur Watson 24 13 19 10 5 3
DF England ENG Michael Whitham 26 0 21 0 5 0
Players who left before the end of the season:
FW England ENG A.D. Barber 1 0 1 0 0 0
FW England ENG
T.B.A. Clarke
 5 0 3 0 2 0
DF England ENG J. Jeeves 3 0 2 0 1 0
FW England ENG
Bernard Shaw
 16 2 11 0 5 2
DF England ENG
Harry Thickett
 1 0 1 0 0 0

Top scorers

Place Nation Position Name Midland Counties League FA Cup Total
1 England FW Arthur Watson 10 3 13
2 England FW Billy Bridgewater 9 0 9
3 Scotland FW W. Robertson 3 2 5
4 Scotland FW William Calder 2 2 4
Scotland MF Gavin Crawford 4 0 4
5 England FW Billy Bairstow 3 0 3
6 England DF Rab Howell 2 0 2
England FW
Bernard Shaw
 2 0 2
7 England MF Samuel Dobson 1 0 1
Scotland FW John Drummond 1 0 1
Totals: 35 9 44

Results

Source:[3]

Key

  Win   Draw   Loss   Void

Midland Counties League

13 September 1890 Burton Wanderers 1–1 Sheffield United Derby Turn
Howell  ' Attendance: 'Large'
20 September 1890 Sheffield United 3–0 Rotherham Town Bramall Lane
Unknown  '
Bridgewater  ',  '		 Attendance: 5,500
27 September 1890 Sheffield United 0–1 Long Eaton Rangers Bramall Lane
Attendance: 3,000
18 October 1890 Lincoln City 2–1 Sheffield United John O'Gaunts
Unknown  ' Attendance: 2,000
27 October 1890 Sheffield United 1–1 Burslem Port Vale Bramall Lane
Robertson  ' Attendance: 2,000
1 November 1890 Sheffield United 4–0 Kidderminster Bramall Lane
Robertson  '
Watson  ',  '
Clader  '		 Attendance: 500
8 November 1890 Gainsborough Trinity 4–1 Sheffield United The Northolme
Robertson  ' Attendance: 2,000
22 November 1890 Sheffield United 2–1 Lincoln City Bramall Lane
Bairstow  '
Watson  '		 Attendance: 1,500
20 December 1890 Derby Midland 2–5 Sheffield United ?
Calder  '
Bridgewater  ',  ',  '
Watson  '		 Attendance: 'Good'
25 December 1890 Sheffield United 2–0 Derby Junction Bramall Lane
Bridgewater  '
Unknown  '		 Attendance: 5,700
27 December 1890 Kidderminster 0–2 Sheffield United Chester Road
Bridgewater  '
Watson  '		 Attendance: 2,000
10 February 1891 Staveley 2–0 Sheffield United ?
Attendance: 3,000
21 February 1891 Sheffield United 0–1 Derby Midland Bramall Lane
Attendance: 4,000
28 February 1891 Derby Junction 1–3 Sheffield United Derby Arboretum
Crawford  ',  '
Drummond  '		 Attendance: 2,000
7 March 1891 Sheffield United 2–1 Gainsborough Trinity Bramall Lane
Bairstow  '
Crawford  '		 Attendance: 4,500
23 March 1891 Sheffield United 2–2 Burton Wanderers Bramall Lane
Howell  '
Munro  '		 Attendance: 1,500
27 March 1891 Rotherham Town 0–1 Sheffield United Clifton Lane
Attendance: 4,500
28 March 1891
[note 3] 		Long Eaton Rangers 2–3 Sheffield United Long Eaton Stadium
Watson  ',  '
Bridgewater  '		 Attendance: 2,000
4 April 1891 Sheffield United 5–0 Staveley Bramall Lane
Dobson  '  '
Bridgewater  '
Watson  '
Crawford  '		 Attendance: 1,000
13 April 1891 Burslem Port Vale 3–1 Sheffield United Athletic Ground
Watson  ' Attendance: 2,000

FA Cup

Source:[3]

4 October 1890 First qualifying round Derby Junction 0–1 Sheffield United Derby Arboretum
Clarke
 '		 Attendance: 2,000
25 October 1890
[note 4] Second qualifying round		 Burton Swifts 2–1 Sheffield United Peel Croft
Watson  ' Attendance: 3,500
15 November 1890 Third qualifying round Sheffield United 3–0 Matlock Town Bramall Lane
Unknown  '
Shaw
 ',  '		 Attendance: 2,000
6 December 1890
[note 5] Fourth qualifying round 3		 Sheffield United 6–1 Loughborough Bramall Lane
Robertson  ',  '
Watson  ',  '
Unknown  '
Calder  '		 Attendance: 2,800
17 January 1891 Round 1 Sheffield United 1–9 Notts County Bramall Lane
Calder  ' Attendance: 9,500

Sheffield Challenge Cup

Source:[3]

11 January 1891 Round 1 Sheffield United 7–1 Attercliffe Bramall Lane
Shaw
 '		 Attendance: 2,000
31 January 1891 Semi-final Sheffield United 3–3 Kilnhurst Bramall Lane
Bairstow  ',  '
Robertson  '		 Attendance: 4,500
14 March 1891
[note 6] Semi-final replay		 Sheffield United 4–1 Kilnhurst Bramall Lane
Robertson  '
Howell  ',  '
Watson  '		 Attendance: 3,500
21 March 1891
[note 6] Final		 Sheffield United 1–2 Doncaster Rovers Bramall Lane
Howell  ' Attendance: 3,500

Wharncliffe Charity Cup

Source:[3]

23 April 1891 Semi-final The Wednesday 2–1 Sheffield United Olive Grove
Drummond  ' Attendance: 3,250

Friendlies

Source:[3]

1 September 1890 Sheffield United 9–0 Sheffield Club Bramall Lane
Clarke  ',  ',  '
Watson  ',  '
Calder
 '		 Attendance: 2,000
11 September 1890 Sheffield United 2–0 Incogniti Bramall Lane
Clarke  '
Robertson
 '		 Attendance: 850
22 September 1890 Sheffield United 0–3 Preston North End Bramall Lane
Attendance: 3,500
29 September 1890 Sheffield United 1–2 Nottingham Forest Bramall Lane
Watson  ' Attendance: 2,500
6 October 1890 Sheffield United 1–2 Everton Bramall Lane
Robertson  ' Attendance: 2,500
11 October 1890 Sheffield United 5–1 Birmingham St. George's Bramall Lane
Shaw  '  '
Watson  '
Bridgewater  '
Robertson
 '		 Attendance: 2,250
20 October 1890 Sheffield United 4–1 Derby County Bramall Lane
Shaw
 ',  '		 Attendance: 3,000
5 November 1890 Sheffield United 4–2 Ardwick Bramall Lane
Howell  '
Robertson  '
Watson  '
Unknown  '		 Attendance: 3,500
17 November 1890 Sheffield United 2–1 Bolton Wanderers Bramall Lane
Watson  '
Bridgewater  '		 Attendance: 2,500
8 December 1890 Sheffield United 3–2 Middlesbrough Ironopolis Bramall Lane
Watson  ',  '
Robertson  '		 Attendance: 1,500
15 December 1890 The Wednesday 2–1 Sheffield United Olive Grove
Robertson  ' Attendance: 10,000
30 December 1890 Sheffield United 7–0 Casuals Bramall Lane
Shaw
 '		 Attendance: 2,000
2 January 1890
[note 7] 		Sheffield United 2–1 Scotland Linthouse Bramall Lane
Calder  '
Unknown  '		 Attendance: 1,250
3 January 1891 Darlington St. Augustine's 1–5 Sheffield United ?
Bridgewater  ',  '
Own goal  ',  '
Robertson  '		 Attendance: 'few'
5 January 1891 Sheffield United 2–3 Corinthians Bramall Lane
Calder  '
Watson  '		 Attendance: 3,500
12 January 1891 Sheffield United 3–2 The Wednesday Bramall Lane
Watson  '
Howell  '
Calder  '		 Attendance: 14,000
24 January 1891
Linthorpe Road
Watson  ' Attendance: 1,500
26 January 1891 Sheffield United 0–1 Grimsby Town Bramall Lane
Attendance: 3,000
7 February 1891 Newcastle East End 4–0 Sheffield United Stanley Street
Attendance: 800
9 February 1891 Sheffield United 6–4 Heanor Town Bramall Lane
Bairstow  ',  ',  ',  '
Whitham  '
Elliman  '		 Attendance: 1,000
14 February 1891
[note 6] 		Derby County 3–2 Sheffield United Racecourse Ground
Drummond  '
Bridgewater  '		 Attendance: 1,000
16 February 1891 Sheffield United 3–0 Rotherham Town Bramall Lane
Watson  ',  '
Crawford  '		 Attendance: 2,000
2 March 1891 Sheffield United 1–4 Nottingham Forest Bramall Lane
Robertson  ' Attendance: 3,000
14 March 1891 Attercliffe 1–4 Sheffield United Old Forge Ground
Crawshaw  ' (
Shaw  '
Bridgewater
 '  '		 Attendance: 'Large'
21 March 1891
[note 6] 		Royal Arsenal 1–1 Sheffield United Kennington Oval
Getliffe  ' Attendance: 3,800
30 March 1891 Sheffield United 3–1 Darlington St. Augustine's Bramall Lane
Getliff  ',  '
Watson  '		 Attendance: 'Not large'
1 April 1891 Middlesbrough Ironopolis 4–0 Sheffield United Paradise Ground
Attendance: 900
6 April 1891
Hyde Road
Watson  ' Attendance: 2,300
11 April 1891 Sheffield United 2–2 Newcastle East End Bramall Lane
Crawford  '
Bridgewater  '		 Attendance: 3,000
18 April 1891
[note 6] 		Lincoln 0–1 Sheffield United John O'Gaunts
Crawford  ' Attendance: 1,000
18 April 1891
[note 6] 		Matlock 3–2 Sheffield United Causeway Lane
Cheffins  '
Anon  '		 Attendance: 'Poor'
25 April 1891 Stockton 3–0 Sheffield United ?
Attendance: 2,000

Notes

Source:[3]

  1. ^ Jack 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.
  2. ^ There 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.
  3. ^ United played with 10 men after Edward Cross and Harry Lilley missed their train to the game.
  4. ^ Although 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.
  5. ^ Originally to be played in Loughborough but switched to Bramall Lane.
  6. ^ a b c d e f United played two first team fixtures on the same day
  7. ^ Only 35 minutes played in each half due to failing light

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 1-874718-65-2
    .
  2. ISBN 1-904103-19-7
    .
  3. ^
    ISBN 0-9508588-2-X
    .
  4. ^ a b Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, p. 65.
  5. ^ a b Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, pp. 93–94.
  6. ^ a b Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, p. 205.
  7. ^ a b Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, pp. 93.
  8. ^ a b Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, p. 237.
  9. ^ a b Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, pp. 108–109.
  10. ^ a b Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, p. 157.
  11. ^ a b Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, p. 105.
  12. ^ a b Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, p. 240.
  13. ^ Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, p. 155.
  14. ^ Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, p. 133.
  15. ^ Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, p. 141.
  16. ^ Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, pp. 109–110.
  17. ^ Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, p. 127.
  18. ^ Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, p. 129.
  19. ^ Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, p. 136.
  20. ^ Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, p. 161.
  21. ^ Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, p. 219.
  22. ^ Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, pp. 235–236.
  23. ^ Clarebrough and Kirkham 2008, p. 84.

Bibliography

  • Clarebrough and Kirkham (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press.
    ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7
    .

External links
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