Playing long balls into empty space since 2012.

Sunday 27 June 2021

100 Years Ago Today, 1 July 1921

 Daily Standard (Brisbane), Thursday 30 June 1921, page 4



Six young ladies In Toowoomba are endeavoring to form a Soccer football team, and the nurses at the Toowoomba and Willowburn Hospitals are being invited to down swabs and thermometers once or twice a week and join in. There should be a great trade in hair-pads when the darlings of the Downs set to work at Soccer, for there is a lot of head work in the British game. The reporters will have to be very circumspect in their criticisms of the game; that is if they are males, for only a lady knows how another lady feels.



Sun (Sydney), Friday 1 July 1921, page 2


WOMEN TO PLAY SOCCER

ASSOCIATION FORMED

A meeting was held under the auspices of the Metropolitan (Soccer) Football Association, at the Sports Club, Hunter-street, last night, to consider the formation of a Women's Soccer Football Association. There were over 30 ladies present. Mr. W. Lincoln, president of M.F.A., presided, and other officials present were Messrs. G. K. Martin (hon. secretary), Mr. F. West (president M.J.F.A.), and K. Jones, F. Langford, W. McAllister, C. Robinson, W. Chapman, and E. Drew. The ladies watched the proceedings with interest, and were keen for the formation of an association. Some of them had played in Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, and Melbourne. It was decided to form an association, to be called the Sydney Ladies' Soccer F.A. The following wore elected to the necessary positions: — President, Miss M. Alexander; hon. secretary, Miss D. Finigan; hon. treasurer, Mrs. S. Reed; management committee, Miss M. Thomas, M. Charters, B. Keogh, Z. Maine, and M. Bush. The ladies were given an invitation to attend two first-class Soccer football matches at, Wentworth Park Oval to-morrow. The first management committee meeting of the new organisation will be held next Monday at the Sports Club, and the first practice match will take place at Wentworth Park Oval on Tuesday night.


Week (Brisbane), Friday 1 July 1921, page 18


SOCCER FOOTBALL.

FORMATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS

By "RIGHT HALF."

Quite a craze has set in in Sydney for the formation of women football clubs, and Brisbane has become infected with the idea through the Soccer code. Women play Soccer in Great Britain, and in France, in which countries the game is considered the most suitable for those women who want to play football. Both the Sydney and Brisbane Soccer Associations are alive to this fact, and in the former place a move has already been made in the direction of running women's clubs. The Queensland body considered the matter at its meeting this week. In the meantime, correspondence is invited from those girls who are interested in the formation of such clubs.

In England last season, the French women Soccer footballers defeated an English team by 2 goals to 1. A huge crowd witnessed the game. I remember reading a description of the match—or, at least, a description of the girls who. played in it. The writer was too much hypnotised by "bare knees, adorned by the most fascinating of dimples" to write much about the match itself. He described one French player as "the prettiest little thing who ever strayed off the cover of a magazine on to a football ground." Some kid! as the American would say. The football critic did not stop there. "She is the smallest member of the team." he wrote, "but has a figure like a more solid Venus di Medici." Ye gods!

What a crowd a few such players would attract at the 'Gabba.

The question has been raised whether or not the Australian girls are of a sufficient physique to play football. I was talking the matter over with an official of the Q.F.A. the other day and he pointed out that the Brisbane girl was not so big, strong, and well developed as the Lancashire girls. The English XI, which played France, it might be mentioned, was comprised mostly of girls from the factories of Lancashire, but although they were a heavier combination than the French women. they failed to win. This, of course, goes to prove that it is not always weight that counts in Soccer. Science is almost variably the deciding factor. The French team was drawn from the magasins and offices of Paris—long, thin girls; short, nuggety girls; big, lumpy girls; and dainty, shapely-girls.

Why, the smallest member of the French team Mdlle. Rigal, the girl with the "fascinating dimples," was the trickiest player on the field. Surely, in face of this, no one can deny that the material for women Soccer, teams is available in Brisbane.

"Miriam" (Kangaroo Point), as though anticipating my thoughts on the above subject, writes under yesterday's date, as follows: "I have been a constant visitor this season to the 'Gabba, and while watching the games there I have often thought what great fun it would be if the contestants were women instead of men. I notice that attempts are being made in New South Wales to form football clubs for women, but the only game of the different codes that appeals to me and most members of my sex, is Soccer. I should be glad if you would publish this letter in

your Soccer notes on Thursday-  if only Messrs. Kendal, Hildreth, and Co. make a move in the matter, I am sure you will find that quite a number of girls will come forward. Several of my friends have already made up their minds in the matter.

TOOWOOMBA WOMEN TO PLAY.

Word has been received in Brisbane that a movement is on foot to start women Soccer clubs in Toowoomba. The secretary of the B.F.A. in the Downs city states that several girls have approached him in the matter. An invitation has been issued by the executive to other members of the fair sex. who wish to play Soccer, to send in their names. It is hoped to form two clubs, almost immediately.


Beaudesert Times, Friday 1 July 1921, page 6

Tuesday 22 June 2021

100 Years Ago Today. 27 June 1921

 

Daily Standard (Brisbane), Friday 24 June 1921, page 7


FOOTBALL; SOCCER

(By "WANDERER.")

The positions of the senior clubs up to an including games played on June 18 are as follows:-

….

The match of the day will be played at Bundanba. Bush Rats are leading Bundanba in the competition by two points, and the team that wins this game will probably take the premiership. Bundanba, who, like the. majority of the Ipswich teams, are hard to beat on their own ground, may win. Wynnum, who are at home to South Brisbane, should annex two points.

Tristram Bros, have presented a handsome shield to the Q.F.A. for competition. The competition will be run on the knock-out principle, and the draw for the first round to be played on July 9 resulted as follows:

Western Suburbs v Queen's Park, Bush Rats v Pineapple Rover, Toowong v Kangaroos, Thistle v Blackstone, Bulimba v Corinthians, Wynnum n Kedron, Brisbane City bye. 


Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner’ Advocate, Monday 27 June 1921, page 6


WESTON

Among a large number of letters and telegrams of sympathy received by Nurse Pearce on the occasion of the death of her son were those from Weston Town Bank, CessnockBank, Methodists Ladies Church Aid, Weston L.O.L, Weston Prodestant Federation and Hebburn Colliery Survey Staff. Floral tributes were received from Deputies and Shot-firers, Weston Soccer Club, Weston Rugby League, Weston Town Band, Wenton Band Ladies' Committee, Cessnock Band, Hebburn Survey Staff, Mr D. Roach, Lance and Lizzie Charlton, Weston L.O.L, Elsie Marsh, Mr. and Mrs. Langford, Mr. and Mrs. Ridley, Mr. and Mrs. Hadfield, Mr. and Mrs. Hector, Mr. and Mrs. Fairfall, Mr. Roderick and family, Nurse Hawkins, Nellie and Joe Ruddley, Charlie, Harry and Bert Wrighton. The Rev. D. Weatherall, referred to the fine manly qualities of the deceased, the outstanding feature of his life being his devotion to his widowed mother. He was an enthusiastic Soccer footballer and played his last game on June 11 for Weston. 

 

The Week (Brisbane), Friday 8 July 1921


DEATH OF MR. EDWINM ALDRED

By “RIGHT HALF”

Soccer devotes in Brisbane will regret to learn that Mr. Edwin (Teddy) Aldred, who before he went to Sydney in 1913 played for Bulimba, is dead. Before coming to Queensland from England, the deceased had played with Leeds City II. He played with Bulimba for several years, and in 1913 he accompanied the Mayor of Brisbane’s (Ald. C. M. Jenkinson) team to New South Wales, when he played a wonderful game, and was partly responsible for the Queenslanders turning the tables on New South Wales for the first time in some years. He did not then return Brisbane, and afterwards qualified for Northern Suburbs, Sydney, and afterwards transferred to the Sydney District Club. When war came he enlisted and fought with the A.I.F. until the declaration of peace. He reappeared in Sydney over a week ago as goalie for Campsie against Pyrmont. According to “Referee” he remarked after the game that he “felt as fit as any fiddle and hoped to return to his usual form within the next few weeks”, but died the following Monday. While the Queenslanders were in Sydney recently, Mr. Aldred acted as their trainer. His death comes as a great shoch to his friends in the Bulimba Club and the interstate players who met him recently. 

(Note: Aldred died on June 20th and obituaries were published that week. This report, which came a fortnight later, is the most clear summary of his career. It should be noted the despite references to Aldred playing for Bulimba for a number of years, there is no reference to him in connection to Australian soccer before 1913 with Bulimba, the interstate games and his move south. He played in 1914, and had most recently been seen in 1919. According to Birth, Deaths and Marriages, he died at the age of 47.) 


Women’s Soccer Rumblings. 

Darling Downs Gazette, Thursday 23 June 1921

________________________________________

LADY FOOTBALLERS IN TOOWOOMBA

The secretary of the British Football Association advises that he has been approached by several young ladies regarding ladies playing soccer in Toowoomba. Now that the Soccer Association has taken over the Show Grounds it is felt quite sure that this sport can be enjoyed by the sporting fair sex. The secretary will be pleased to hear from any young ladies who would like a game as a trial, which could be arranged in private if required. Perhaps, write the secretary, several could ladies could get a couple of teams together when a match could be arranged any time that they wish. The secretary’s address is Mr W. Lyon, “Moree” Mary Street, Toowoomba. 


Northern Star (Lismore), Monday 27 June 1921 


WOMEN PLAYNG SOCCER

SYDNEY, Sunday.—A women's soccer team has been formed at Balgownie, South Coast, and has arranged to play a team of women from Woonona.


The Telegraph (Brisbane), Thursday 23 June 1921 

________________________________________

SOCCER FOOTBALL.

FORMATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS.

Q.F.A. EXECUTIVE TO DISCUSS MATTER.

By "RIGHT HALF."

Quite a craze has set In In Sydney for the formation of women football clubs, and Brisbane has become infected with the idea through the Soccer code. Women play Soccer in Great Britain, and In France, in which countries the game is considered the most suitable for those women who want to play football.

Both the Sydney and Brisbane Soccer Associations are alive to this fact, and in the former place a move has already been made in the direction of forming women's clubs. The Queensland body is to consider the matter at its meeting next week. In the meantime, correspondence is invited from those girls who are interested in the formation of such clubs.

In England last season, the French women Soccer footballers defeated an English team by 2 goals to 1. A huge crowd witnessed the game. I remember reading a description of the match —or, at least a description of the girls who played in it. The writer was too much hypnotised by "bare knees, adorned by the most fascinating of dimples" to write much about the match itself. He described one French player as - "the prettiest little thing who over strayed off the cover of a magazine on to a football ground." Some kid! as the American would say. The football critic did not stop there, "She is the smallest member of the team," he wrote, "but has a figure like a more solid Venus di Medici." Ye gods! What crowd a few such players would attract at the 'Gabba.

* * *

The question has been asked whether or not the Australian girls are of a sufficient physique to play football. I was talking the matter over with an official of the Q.F.A. the other day, and he pointed out that the average Brisbane girl was not so big, strong, and well developed as the Lancashire girls. The English XI, which played France, it might be mentioned, was comprised mostly of girls from the factories of Lancashire, but although they were a heavier combination than the French women, they failed to win. This, of course, goes to prove that it is not always weight that counts in Soccer. Science is almost invariably the deciding factor. The French team was drawn from the magasins and offices of Paris — long, thin girls; short, nuggety girls; big, lumpy girls ; and dainty, shapely girls. Why, the smallest member of the French team, Mdlle Rigal, the girl with the "fascinating dimples,", was the trickiest player on the field. Surely, in face of this, no one can deny that the material for women Soccer teams is available in Brisbane.

* * *

"Mirian" (Kangaroo. Point), as though anticipating my thoughts on the above subject, writes under yesterday's date, as follows: "I have been" a constant visitor this season, to the 'Gabba, and while watching the games there I have often thought what great fun it would be if the contestants were women instead of men. I notice that attempts are being made in New South Wales to form football clubs for women, but the only game of the different codos that appeals to me and most members of my sex, is Soccer. I should be glad if you would, publish this letter in your Soccer notes on Thursday. If only Messrs. Kendal, Hildreth, and Co., make a move in the matter, I am sure you will find that quite a number of girls will come forward.  Several of my friends have already made their minds in the matter."


Thursday 3 June 2021

The Trials of George Macaulay

These are three amazing documents sent to me by Val Finlayson. They are form letters (neither personalised nor signed) sent by Harry Bingham inviting George Macaulay to: 

  1. Be selected for an England v Scotland game in 1930 (George was in fact Irish and did not play in the game);
  2. Be available for the Division 1 team to play against the Division 2 team later in the same year. George was in fact selected and helped to create a goal in the first minute of play;
  3. Play in the Victorian team for the Interstate Carnival in Sydney in 1932. The letter also contains travel instructions.
They are remarkable because they give us some insight into bureaucratic and selection practices of the VSFA in the early 1930s. More to come.




But they do more than this. They also give us a picture of the way transport was organised and the extent to which they players were required to supply material that would be provided for them in today's elite level soccer. 

The 'man in Grey' is a curious notion. Apparently (thanks Mav and Adam Muyt) it refers to  a booth at Spenser St Station that was set up to answer traveller's queries and seems to have been a regular meeting point.

100 Years Ago Today 3 June 1921

Queensland Times (Ipswich), Wednesday 1 June 1921, page 4


COLLIERY EMPLOYEES' SPORTS. 

The Queensland Colliery Employees' Sports Club,;in accordance with the usual custom, will hold a sports carnival on the Bundanba racecourse, on Friday next (King's Birthday). The committee has been working energetically during the past few weeks, and the arrangements are now about completed. A good day's sport is assured, Judging by the number of entries which have been received for the various events, and if the function is patronised as largely as the committee expects, a record success should compensate the promoters for the trouble they have gone to in making the preparations. Pedestrian and horse events are set down for decision and not the least of the attrac tions will be the junior inter-city soccer match, one of the events of the season so far as local patrons of this form of sport are concerned; This match will begin at 3.15 p.m. and should, in itself, be a big "draw" to the Q.C.I.U. carnival






Daily Mail (Brisbane), Friday 3 June 1921, page 7


ankle deep in mud.

queenslanders plight;

(Bv a Special Correspondent.)

SYDNEY, Thursday.— After having subsisted for two days upon cups of tea and refreshment-room pies, about a hundred hungry Queenslanders stopped off the mail train at Central station in the early hours of this morning. The ladies wore a most dejected air. All their Queen-street finery had been ruined by the rain and mud of Ben Lomond. One lady lost a pair of expensive suede shoes, and tramped off the platform in her husband's house slippers. The troubles of the passengers who left Brisbane at 8 o'clock on Tuesday morning began at Glen Inncs, where a railway official informed them that owing to land slide the mail could not pass. The Train was shunted into a siding. In several carriages the lights were inoperative, and the passengers could not see to undress in the crowded carriages. The Queensland soccer team kept up its spirits by singing "Do I Want, to See My Mother Any more?" and "Take Me Back to Brisbane." Before the day broke crowds of sleepy passengers besieged the refreshment rooms in search of tea and toast, and it was still dark when the train moved out of Glen Innes for Ben Lomond, a few miles away. Just before Ben Lomond was reached the order "all get out" was given. Rain had fallen all night, and when the passengers lowered themselves from the mail train on to the permanent way they found themselves in a sorry plight. Anklc-deep in mud, they were called upon to transport their luggage about a quarter of a mile to the relief train. To do this the men had to clamber up an almost perpendicular height, as the track was impossible be' tween the train and the railway bank. Many persons had had falls in the mud, but the majority took their reverses in good spirit. Eventually the passengers and luggage were lined up in the vicinity of the engine, which was partially buried, and the relief train got away from Ben Lomond for Sydney about 9 o'clock amid cheers.


Lest we ennoble the soccer players too much: this https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253206276?searchTerm=soccer


Herald (Melbourne), Wednesday 8 June 1921, page 7


football for women

CLAIMS OF RUGBY URGED

SYDNEY, Wednesday.

Considerable controversy In tho newspapers is going on concerning the proposal to establish women's Rugby football clubs In Sydney.

Many people are opposed to the scheme, and medical men have given the opinion that the strain of the game will affect the girls In later life.

Miss Ella Gormlcy, one of the physical culture experts of the Education Department, is opposed to Rugby being played by the girls. She said that in the American universities the girls played "soccer" (Association football), but that was a different game from Rugby. She fancied that this craze for football among Sydney girls was due to tho photographs of the French and English women's football teams and the news of their matches, but she thought the Sydney girls over looked the fact that the game these teams played was "soccer" and not Rugby. She thought that there were plenty of games in which girls could indulge without taking up Rugby football.

Age, Monday 6 June 1921, page 9


Soccer


Windsor 6? goals, St Kilda - 2 goals 

Other results:— 

League I

  • Preston 9, Footscray Thistle ,0;
  • Melbourne Thistle 2 (Robertson, Grant), Spotswood 1 (Shrives).
  • N. and D. 1 (Lennox) Albert Park 0.

League II

  • Welsh United 4, Preston A 0; 
  • Thistle A 4, St. David's 0; 
  • St Kilda A 9, Windsor A 2; 
  • Brunswick 6, Yarra Falls 0.


If we have time: 
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242499227