William Chesterman Remembers
In Conclusion…
“…Later Clubs which appeared included…
Norton…
…Pitsmoor…
&
…Broomhall
…& from this point came a more general appreciation of the game & when…
…eventually took up the game, it was quickly decided to form an Association…”
them Londoners
“Our Sheffield Foot Ball Club had provided the first provincial team to play in the Capital, the match being held at Battersea Park… So called ‘Knocking On*’ was allowed & every Goal that was scored was ‘knocked ’ through…
…& many a fist found a nose ! ”
“…Still, it really was a most pleasant match! ”
Loud laughter…
…VERY loud laughter, indeed!!!
*..Knocking On - Rule 8…The Ball may be pushed or hit with the hand but holding is altogether disallowed…London won the encounter, 3 Knock-Ons to 1…
“ It was wonderful to see how much the game had grown, all the more wonderful considering how difficult it had been to make people think it would come on at all! ”
“ I remember on one occasion when our ‘Club’ travelled to Nottingham for the first time & came back with the win…
Nottingham F.C
0-1
Sheffield F.C
…& booted it, for all its worth, all the way through the old town, to each players door, in turn, until we reached the Sandygate, where the last few members of our team lived - The final door being that of our victorious vice-captain John Charles Shaw who, it was said, carried the ball with him all the way through his door, up his stairs & into his bed ! ”
We were so utterly elated, we tossed the leather up outside the old Wicker Station…
Roars of laughter!!!
“Ahh, Gentlemen, how swiftly the time does fly ! ”
Three Cheers for Chesterman!!!
Hip-Hip...
Hip-Hip...
...Hoo-ray!
...Hoo-ray!
(Wake me up in 2025, when everything’s been sorted…)
Can I go back to sleep now..?
The Sheffield Daily Telegraph…
…19th of May, 1904
