Cork F.C.
Full name | Ford F.C. (1921–1922) Fordsons F.C. (1922–1930) Cork F.C. (1930–1938) | |
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Nickname(s) | The Tractors League of Nations The Leesiders | |
Founded | 1921 | |
Ground | Ballinlough Road (1921–1930) The Mardyke (1930–1938) | |
League | League of Ireland Munster Senior League | |
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Cork Football Club was an Irish association football club based in Cork. They were founded as Fords F.C. and later became known as Fordsons F.C.. They played in the League of Ireland between 1924–25 and 1937–38. Like several fellow early League of Ireland clubs, such as St James's Gate, Jacobs, Midland Athletic and Dundalk, the club had their origins as a factory or works team. They were initially the football team of the Ford Motor Company, a major employer in the city at the time. In 1930, however, Ford ended its association with the club and they were renamed Cork. The club folded in 1938 and were replaced in the League of Ireland by a new club, Cork City.
History
Fordsons
Early years
In 1921
FAI Cup
Fordsons made their FAI Cup debut in 1922–23. After drawing Rathmines Athletic in the first round they received a bye. In the quarter-finals they defeated Dublin United 3–2 in an away game. Played against the background of the Irish Civil War, travelling up to Dublin for the semi-final against Alton United proved hazardous. Fordsons train came under fire while passing near Blarney. They subsequently lost this semi-final 4–2. However, in 1923–24 they would go one stage further. After receiving another bye in the first round, Fordsons knocked out Jacobs and St James's Gate before they lost to 1–0 to Athlone Town in the final. In 1925–26 Fordsons reached the FAI Cup final for the second time. This time they defeated Shamrock Rovers 3–2. Against the odds, Fordsons defeated Rovers in a sensational final. Fordsons had previously failed to score in nine outings against Rovers and had leaked goals with scorelines ranging from 7–0 to 3–0. Fordsons twice came from behind before beating Rovers. The final was best remembered for Rovers' Bob Fullam withdrawing from a potential dangerous challenge with Bill O'Hagan.[4][5][6]
League of Ireland
Fordsons joined the League of Ireland in 1924–25, replacing Shelbourne United who withdrew from the league on 7 September 1924, the day after the competition officially started. Together with Bray Unknowns, Fordsons became the second and third teams, after Athlone Town, from outside of County Dublin to join the league. They also became the first club to represent Cork city in the League of Ireland. In their debut season Fordsons finished a respectable fourth. In 1925–26 they finished third and then achieved three more fourth-placed finishes in 1926–27, 1927–28 and 1929–30.[7][8]
Season | Position |
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1924–25 | 4th |
1925–26 | 3rd |
1926–27 | 4th |
1927–28 | 4th |
1928–29 | 7th |
1929–30 | 4th |
Cork F.C.
Name change
Sponsored by the Ford Motor Company, unlike later Cork teams in the League of Ireland, Fordsons did not have any financial difficulties. Even without the backing of Ford, they were reasonably self-sufficient, and regular top-four finishes provided healthy gate receipts. Despite this, at the end of the 1929–30 season, Fordsons were informed by the Ford management that they could continue only as a factory team and only compete in local leagues. As a result, the club parted company with Ford and changed their named to Cork Football Club.[9][10]
League of Ireland
In the
Season | Position |
---|---|
1930–31 | 4th |
1931–32 | 2nd |
1932–33 | 4th |
1933–34 | 2nd |
1934–35 | 10th |
1935–36 | 3rd |
1936–37 | 11th |
1937–38 | 11th |
Home grounds
When playing as Fordsons the club played at Ballinlough Road, now the site of Pic Du Jer housing estate. However this site was owned by the Ford Motor Company so when the club became Cork F.C. they moved to The Mardyke.[17][18]
Notable former players
Dual Ireland internationals
Ireland (FAI) internationals
On 21 March 1926
Fordsons
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Cork
On 25 February 1934 in a World Cup qualifier against Belgium the Ireland team featured three Cork players – Jim Foley, Tom Burke and Tim O'Keefe.[21]
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Ireland (IFA) internationals
- Harry Buckle
- Jack Doran
- Paddy Kelly[22]
- Billy Millar[23]
- Bill O'Hagan[24]
League of Ireland XI players
- Frank Brady
- John Blair
- Paddy Kelly[25]
- Dave Roberts
- Charlie Heinemann
Goalscorers
Charlie Heinemann, Pearson Ferguson and Jimmy Turnbull were the top goalscorers in the League of Ireland. John Blair was the second highest scorer in 1930–31. Turnbull remains the League of Ireland record top goalscorer in a single season.
- John Blair (21) – 1930–31
- Pearson Ferguson (21) – 1931–32
- Charlie Heinemann (24) – 1927–28
- Jimmy Turnbull (37) – 1935–36
Honours
Fordsons
- FAI Cup
- Munster Senior Cup
- Winners: 1922–23, 1923–24, 1925–26, 1928–29, 1929–30: 5
- Munster Senior League
- Winners: 1923–24, 1928–29, 1929–30: 3
- Runners-up: 1925–26, 1926–27
Cork
- League of Ireland
- FAI Cup
- Munster Senior Cup
- Winners: 1933–34, 1936–37
- Runners-up: 1930–31
- Munster Senior League
- Winners: 1931–32
- Runners-up: 1930–31
See also
References
- ^ Carey, Tadhg (2009). When We Were Kings: The Story of Athlone Town's 1924 FAI Cup Triumph. Athlone: Temple Printing.
- ^ Munster Football Association
- ^ Cullen, Donal (2007). Freestaters: The Republic of Ireland Soccer Team 1921–1939. Dessert Islands Books.
- Rsssf
- ^ Carey, Tadhg (2009). When We Were Kings: The Story of Athlone Town's 1924 FAI Cup Triumph. Athlone: Temple Printing.
- ^ Cullen, Donal (2007). Freestaters: The Republic of Ireland Soccer Team 1921–1939. Dessert Islands Books.
- Rsssf
- ISBN 1-86223-135-4.
- ^ www.corkpastandpresent.ie
- ^ The Times Are Not A-Changin’ by Brian Kennedy Archived 22 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine
- Rsssf
- Rsssf
- ^ www.corkpastandpresent.ie
- ISBN 1-86223-135-4.
- ^ Ryan, Sean (1997). The Boys in Green: The FAI International Story. Mainstream Publishing.
- ^ Cullen, Donal (2007). Freestaters: The Republic of Ireland Soccer Team 1921–1939. Dessert Islands Books.
- ^ www.corkpastandpresent.ie
- ^ Niall Macsweeney (n.d.), A Record of League of Ireland Football 1921/2-1984/5. Basildon:Association of Football Statisticians.
- ^ www.soccerscene.ie
- ^ www.soccerscene.ie
- ^ www.kickinmagazine.ie
- ^ Northern Ireland’s Footballing Greats
- ^ Northern Ireland's Footballing Greats
- ^ Northern Ireland’s Footballing Greats
- ^ Northern Ireland’s Footballing Greats
- Rsssf
- ISBN 1-86223-135-4.