WE continue our series on early FA Cup winners from the local area, with pictures and accounts of the matches taken from the book The Cup 1883-1932, 50 Years of English Cup Finals, a copy of which has been kindly loaned to us by Rob Griffin of Halesowen.
West Bromwich Albion won the cup in 1888 but after that the “little tin idol”, as the original trophy was known, was taken to Lancashire, won by Preston North End in 1889 and Blackburn Rovers in 1890 and 1891. It was Albion that brought the cup back to the Midlands, defeating Aston Villa, 3-0, in the final at the Oval on 19th March, 1892.
In Bugle 1002 we reprinted an account of the 1892 cup final, taken from a 1914 edition of the Albion News. Somewhat strangely, the official Albion publication chose to illustrate the story with a photograph of the defeated Villa side. Now, thanks to the loan of Rob Griffin’s book, we can print a picture of the victorious Baggies.
The 1892 final was notable on two counts; it was the first cup final played with goal nets and it was the last to be played at the Kennington Oval. The increasing attendance and the damage done to the cricket field led Surrey County Cricket Club to withdraw the use of the ground for the final.
Since 1889 the FA Cup had been divided into qualifying rounds and rounds proper, which meant the big established clubs joined the competition at a later stage and played fewer games. In the first round proper, played on 16th January, 1892, Villa were at their Perry Barr home against Heanor Town, beating them 4-1, while Albion travelled to The Limes Ground, Barnes, London, to play Old Westminsters FC, winning 3-2.
In the second round Villa were at home to Darwen, winning 2-0, while Albion were at home too, at Stoney Lane, taking on the cup holders Blackburn Rovers and defeating them 3-1.
In the third round Villa travelled to Wolverhampton and beat Wolves 3-1, while Albion entertained The Wednesday FC, winning 2-1.
Those victories put the two local teams into the semi-finals held on 27th February, 1892, when Villa beat Sunderland 4- 1 at Bramall Lane, Sheffield, and Albion were drawn against Nottingham Forest at Molineux. That match ended in a 1-1 draw so a replay was held at Molineux on 5th March but again ended 1-1. Perhaps playing at the Wolves’ ground jinxed the Albion for when they played the third replay at Derby County Cricket Club’s Racecourse Ground on 9th March, they trounced Forest 6-2.
Playing for Albion in the final were Billy Bassett, Jasper Geddes, Willie Groves, Thomas McCulloch, Roddy McLeod, Sammy Nicholls, Mark Nicholson, Tom Pearson, Charlie Perry (captain), Joe Reader (goalkeeper) and Jack Reynolds.
The Aston Villa XI was made up of Charlie Athersmith, John Baird, Lewis Campbell, James Cowan, Gershom Cox, Harry Devey, John Devey, Billy Dickson (captain), Walter Evans, Dennis Hodgetts and Jimmy Warner (goalkeeper).
The referee was J.C. Clegg from Sheffield and the linesmen were R.P. Green of the Lancashire Association and E.C. Lythgoe of Liverpool.
Rob’s book describes the match between Villa and Albion as follows: “This Final at the Oval goes down in history as the last of many thrilling encounters for the Cup played on this worldfamous cricket ground.
“It had been realised for some time by the authorities that the everincreasing popularity of the Final necessitated the accommodation of a ground with a much greater holding capacity, and for the two years following the Final was played at Manchester and Everton respectively.
“The Villa forwards, in the early portion of the game, gave every promise of sustaining their reputation for combination, but after play had been in progress for some time, the back line of the Albion had little difficulty in destroying what little combination was attempted. That the play of the Villa was disappointing is stating the matter mildly, as on several occasions they had opportunities to score, but seemed quite unable to send in a good shot enough to beat the Albion goalkeeper, Reader.
“The Albion were superior in every department of the game, although with such a magnificent line of speedy forwards it was a matter of surprise that only Geddes and Nicholls succeeded in scoring in the first half.
“Bassett was the hero of the day and undoubtedly the fastest runner on the field. In addition, he was the most unselfish of players, always keeping his proper position and centring with unerring accuracy. He was an important factor in the placing of the ball on each occasion when the goals were scored in the first half, as well as when Reynolds scored the third and final goal of the match.
“The Albion secured their victory by superior play and generalship. When playing against the wind they acted on the defensive, husbanding their resources and watching their opportunities. In their defence they were cool and collected, and it appeared as they knew they were the better team.”
Another highlight of Albion’s 1891-92 season was their first league game after their cup win, when they beat Darwen 12-0, which still stands as the biggest win in top flight English league football (there have been bigger wins in lower divisions and the FA Cup), equalled by Nottingham Forest when they beat Leicester Fosse by the same score line in 1909.
However, Albion’s cup final win was the saving grace of what had been a poor season for them. Of their 26 league games over they won only six, drew six and lost 14, leaving them third from bottom of the league and facing re-election.
Because of their FA Cup victory Albion were not required to re-apply and were allowed to remain in what became, next season, the First Division.
In the photograph of Albion with the FA Cup the players are, from left, Bassett, Nicholson, Reynolds, McLeod, Reader, Nicholls, Perry, Pearson, Groves, McCulloch and Geddes. The second picture shows the match day programme with portraits of both teams.
