Rushden Football Club
The annual meeting of the Rushden Football Club was held in the reading-room of the Coffee Tavern on Monday last. Subsequently a cricket match between an 11 and 22 of the Football Club was played on the Cricket-ground. The match was decided on the first innings, the result being a victory for the 11 by over 40 runs. At the conclusion of the match, the members, to the number of about 30, partook of tea in the Reading-room. After the cloth had been removed, Mr. C. L. Bradfield was appointed Chairman, who, after a few preliminary remarks, called upon the Secretary to read the balance sheet and report. From the balance sheet it appeared that after paying all expenses the Club had a balance in hand of 17s. 7d. The Secretary's report was as follows:—

In presenting the annual report, we are glad to be able to state that the season of 1881-2, which came to an end so very recently, has been in every respect a satisfactory, as well as an eventful one, so far as the Rushden Football Club is concerned. The season commenced with a match at Rushden on the 15th of October with the Olney F.C., and ended with the match against Leamington on March 25th—a period of time extending to nearly six months. During the season 13 matches have been played, two of our best home matches not coming off owing to the inability of the Bedford and Northampton Town teams to bring a team here. Of these 13 matches, 10 have been won, two drawn, and one lost. The match lost was with the Leamington Rovers on the 25th of last month. The matches drawn were with Olney, where we played fearfully weak, and Leicester, at Leicester, where two of our best players were disabled at the commencement of the match. Both matches were drawn in our favour, Olney having to touch down once, and Leicester twice. It will be in the recollection of the members that the Club joined the Midland Counties Football Union last season, and by doing so were eligible to compete for the Challenge Cup. To some it may have seemed presumptuous on our part to take part in these contests, but it was more, I think, to strengthen the hands of the Union than to take part in the matches that the Committee decided to join. In the first round we were drawn with Stourbridge, and being fortunate enough to win the toss, the match was to be played at Rushden.

The latter team, however, scratched to us, and we were placed in the second round. Handsworth having beaten Worcester in the first round, the former were our opponents in the second round.

The match came off at Leicester, the result being a brilliant victory for Rushden by one goal and five tries to nil. It was a great pity that the next round was not played earlier in the season, for, as you know, an interval of six months elapsed before it was played, and during this time our best players have gradually been falling off, and in the last match five of our best players were unable to take part. First and foremost in the list of unfortunates comes the name of one who has taken a conspicuous part in bringing the Club to its present position, and whose enforced absence this season from our best matches has been much felt I am referring of course, to our captain, Mr. Wilby. All had hoped that the severe accident which had prevented his taking part in the matches at the latter end of last season would have entirely left him and that in our matches this year he would again have had the pleasure of leading the team to the “scene of action” as in past seasons he has done. He however, was only able to play in the Handsworth and Bedford matches. He started to play at Oundle but had to leave off almost immediately, and since then he has been unable to play. I am sure he has the hearty sympathy of all, and that I am only expressing the feelings of the members when I say that it is our earnest wish that soon he may be all right, and again able to take part in our matches. Since then J. Baker, a most useful forward, has been laid aside, having had his shoulder rather badly hurt at practice. During the latter part of the season, just when most wanted, he has been unable to play. Then S. Colson, who received a nasty blow at Leicester, has since been disabled. He has been greatly missed. But this is not the full extent of our misfortunes, for the sad accident which befell G. S. Mason is no doubt the worst of all, at any rate this season. In the match with the Wanderers, as all will know, from a most foul piece of play on the part of one of the latter team, he had his collar bone broken. This accident, happening just when it did, was particularly unfortunate. We are glad to know that the shoulder is going on all right, and hope next season it will be as sound as ever. Our next loss was H. Keep, who though able to play against Leicester, was unable to take part in the match v. Leamington owing to his departure for Australia. He has, I am sure, our best wishes for a pleasant voyage and a very successful career. The third round of the Challenge Cup competition, as all are aware, came off on March 25th. After some correspondence, it was decided that the match should be played at Rushden, and though this necessitated an expense of £5 to the Club, the result proved the wisdom of the Committee in acting as they did, for as will be seen from the balance sheet, after paying all expenses, we had a clear balance of more than £2, with no expense whatever to the members. This match, as has already been stated, was the only one lost this season. Had the players of whose services we have been deprived through accidents and other causes been available in this match, there is little doubt but that the result would have been reversed. As it was, it was not a crushing defeat, and within ten minutes of leaving off, Rushden had the advantage. It is not stating too much, or speaking in any way disparagingly of the Leamington play, when I say that they were decidedly lucky, and Rushden were particularly unlucky.

The matches played this year have, on the whole, been of a better nature than in any previous years, and when it is remembered that in only one of these matches the Club has suffered defeat, I think it is unnecessary to give, further evidence of the strength of the Club. It ought also to be a source of pleasure to us all to know that we can number amongst us three who have been privileged to wear the M.C.F.U. colours. In the match M.C. v. Surrey, at Richmond, C. Bull and G. S. Mason played; in the match v. Yorkshire H. Keep played; and in the match v. Wales G. S. Mason again played. Though asked to play in other of the matches, none of them were able to play again.

Only one dispute worth mentioning has happened; this was in the match v. Leicestershire, and it is satisfactory to note that this was decided in our favour. The following have obtained the tries during the year:- C. Bull 8, G. Mason 4, G. Wagstaffe 2, J. Linnitt 2, W. Burgess 2. The following obtained one try each:—S. Colson, G. Bull, S. Denton, S. Robinson, W. Denton, H. Denton, N. Gilbert, and J. Brudenell. It may be interesting to observe that in the 13 matches played, the Club has obtained 10 goals and 16 tries, to our opponents' two goals and two tries. F. Knight has kicked most of the goals, including one from the field, a splendid one, against Oundle; the others have been kicked by J. Linnitt, H. Tye, C. Bull, and W. Denton. We would conclude by expressing the hope that the football seasons to come may be as successful and eventful as the one we have to-night met to celebrate.

The Chairman said he had listened with pleasure to the report of the Secretary, as no doubt all present had done. It was indeed a matter of congratulation to know that though Rushden had met some capital teams, they had only sustained defeat once this season, and then when playing under most adverse circumstances. After similar remarks from other of the members, Mr. C. Claridge proposed, and Mr. Mason seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr. C. Bull for the very efficient way in which he had taken the captaincy through Mr. Wilby's indisposition. On the proposition of the Chairman, a hearty vote of thanks was also accorded to the Secretary for his report, and for the way in which he had arranged and conducted the matches during the past season. Mr. Claridge, in responding, expressed the pleasure it had always given him to work in any way for the Club, and assured the members that anything he had been able to do they were perfectly welcome to. Votes of thanks were also accorded to the Treasurer (Mr. A. Clayton) and to the Committee. The meeting was prolonged by remarks from various members, and was brought to a close by a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Bradfield for presiding.

CROSS COUNTRY RUN—On Monday last the annual hare and hounds race of the Football Club came off. The start was made from the football field amidst a good gathering, Messrs. C. S. Colson and E. Wilby being the hares, but they were followed for some distance by a number of lads, who it is stated put the hounds on their track without following the trail. They were overtaken in Yeldon field. The number of starters was small, and the prize was not awarded to the first in as they were accused of meeting the leaders and did not follow in the course.

RUSHDEN FOOTBALL CLUB—The annual meeting of the Rushden Football Club was held in the reading-room of the Coffee Tavern on Monday last. Subsequently a cricket match between an 11 and 22 of the Football Club was played on the Cricket-ground. The match was decided on the first innings, the result being a victory for the 11 by over 40 runs. At the conclusion of the match, the members, to the number of about 30, partook of tea in the Reading-room. After the cloth had been removed, Mr. C. L. Bradfield was appointed Chairman, who, after a few preliminary remarks, called upon the Secretary to read the balance sheet and report. From the balance sheet it appeared that after paying all expenses the Club had a balance in hand of 17s. 7d.

The Secretary's report was as follows:—
In presenting the annual report, we are glad to be able to state that the season of 1881-2, which came to an end so very recently, has been in every respect a successful one. The season commenced with a match at Rushden on the 15th of October with the Olney F.C., and ended with the match against Leamington on March 25th—a period of time extending to nearly six months. During the season 13 matches have been played, two of our best home matches not coming off owing to the inability of the Bedford and Northampton Town teams to bring a team here. Of these 3 matches, 10 have been won, two drawn, and one lost. The match lost was with the Leamington Rovers on the 25th of last month. The matches drawn were with Olney, where we played fearfully weak, and Leicester, at Leicester, where two of our best players were disabled at the commencement of the match. Both matches were drawn in our favour, Olney having to touch down once, and Leicester twice. It will be in the recollection of the members that the Club joined the Midland Counties Football Union last season, and by doing so were eligible to compete for the Challenge Cup. To some it may have seemed presumptuous on our part to take part in these contests, but it was more, think, to strengthen the hands of the Union than to take part in the matches that the Committee decided to join. In the first round we were drawn with Stourbridge, and being fortunate enough to win the toss, the match was to be played at Rushden. The latter team, however, scratched to us, and we were placed in the second round. Handsworth having beaten Worcester in the first round, the former were our opponents in the second round. The match came off at Leicester, the result being a brilliant victory for Rushden by one goal and five tries to nil. It was a great pity that the next round was not played earlier in the season, for, as you know, an interval of six months elapsed before it was played, and during this time our best players have gradually been falling off, and in the last match five of our best players were unable to take part. First and foremost in the ist of unfortunates comes the name of one who has taken a conspicuous part in bringing the Club to its present position, and whose enforced absence this season from our best matches has been much felt. I am referring, of course, to our captain, Mr. Wilby. All had hoped that the severe accident which had prevented his taking part in the matches at the latter end of last season would have entirely left him, and that in our matches this year he would again have had the pleasure of leading the team to the “scene of action” as in past seasons he has done. He however, was only able to play in the Handsworth and Bedford matches. He started to play at Oundle but had to leave off almost immediately, and since then he has been unable to play. I am sure no has the hearty sympathy of all, and that I am only expressing the feelings of the members when I say that it is our earnest wish that soon he may be all right, and again able to take part in our matches. Since then J. Baker, a most useful forward, has been laid aside, having had his shoulder rather badly hurt at practice. During the latter part of the season, just when most wanted, he has been unable to play. Then S. Colson, who received a nasty blow at Leicester, has since been disabled. He has been greatly missed. But this is not the full extent of our misfortunes, for the sad accident which befell G. S. Mason is no doubt the worst of all, at any rate this season. In the match with the Wanderers, as all will know, from a most foul piece of play on the part of one of the latter team, he had his collar bone broken. This accident, happening just when it did, was particularly unfortunate. We are glad to know that the shoulder is going on all right, and hope next season it will be as sound as ever. Our next loss was H. Keep, who though able to play against Leicester, was unable to take part in the match v. Leamington owing to his departure for Australia. He has, I am sure, our best wishes for a pleasant voyage and a very successful career. The third round of the Challenge Cup competition, as all are aware, came off on March 25th. After some correspondence, it was decided that the match should be played at Rushden, and though this necessitated an expense of £5 to the Club, the result proved the wisdom of the Committee in acting as they did, for as will be seen from the balance sheet, after paying all expenses, we had a clear balance of more than £2, with no expense whatever to the members. This match, as has already been stated, was the only one lost this season. Had the players of whose services we have been deprived through accidents and other causes been available in this match, there is little doubt but that the result would have been reversed. As it was, it was not a crushing defeat, and within ten minutes of leaving off, Rushden had the advantage. It is not stating too much, or speaking in any way disparagingly of the Leamington play, when I say that they were decidedly lucky, and Rushden were particularly unlucky. The matches played this year have, on the whole, been of a better nature than in any previous years, and when it is remembered that in only one of these matches the Club has suffered defeat. I think it is unnecessary to give further evidence of the strength of the Club. It ought also to be a source of pleasure to us all to know that we can number amongst us three who have been privileged to wear the M.C.F.U. colours. In the match M.C. v. Surrey, at Richmond, C. Bull and G. S. Mason played; in the match v. Yorkshire H. Keep played; and in the match v. Wales G. S. Mason again played. Though asked to play in other of the matches, none of them were able to play again. Only one dispute worth mentioning has happened; this was in the match v. Leicestershire, and it is satisfactory to note that this was decided in our favour. The following have obtained the tries during the year:—C. Bull 8, G. Mason 4, G. Wagstaffe 2, J. Linnitt 2, W. Burgess 2. The following obtained one try each:—S. Colson, G. Bull, S. Denton, S. Robinson, W. Denton, H. Denton, N. Gilbert, and Brudenell. It may be interesting to observe that in the 13 matches played, the Club has obtained 10 goals and 16 tries, to our opponents' two goals and two tries. F. Knight has kicked most of the goals, including one from the field, a splendid one, against against Oundle; the others have been kicked by J. Linnitt, H. Tye, C. Bull, and W. Denton. We would conclude by expressing the hope that the football seasons to come may be as successful and eventful as the one we have to-night met to celebrate. The Chairman said he had listened with pleasure to the report of the Secretary, as no doubt an all present had done. It was indeed a matter of congratulation to know that though Rushden had met some capital teams, they had only sustained defeat once this season, and then when playing under most adverse circumstances. After similar remarks from other of the members, Mr. C. Claridge proposed, and Mr. Mason seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr. C. Bull for the very efficient way in which he had taken the captaincy through Mr. Wilby's indisposition. On the proposition of the Chairman, a hearty vote of thanks was also accorded to the Secretary for his report, and for the way in which he had arranged and conducted the matches during the past season. Mr. Claridge, in responding, expressed the pleasure it had always given him to work in any way for the Club, and assured the members that anything he had been able to do they were perfectly welcome to. Votes of thanks were also accorded to the Treasurer (Mr. A. Clayton) and to the Committee. The meeting was prolonged by remarks from various members, and was brought to a close by a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Bradfield for presiding.

FOOTBALL CLUB—By way of a commencement of football for the season, a match between sides chosen by the captain (Mr. G. S. Mason), and the secretary (Mr. C. Claridge), was played on Saturday last. The weather was all that could be desired, and, considering that this was really the first practice of the season, some really good play was shown. The best runs were made by G. S. Mason, G. K. Wagstaffe, and S. Denton, while Burgess, at half-back, played exceptionally well, as did also S. Colson. Among the forwards J. Baker was always in the thickest of the fight, and, for his side, played the best, Brudenall and one or two others of the forwards also playing well. For the other side Hanger played well, as also did W. Brudenall, Ward, &c. We were very pleased to see C. Wilby playing again, and though not in his accustomed place as three-quarter back, we hope his leg has so far recovered as to enable him to take this position in the subsequent matches. His services will be in requisition even more this year than before if the rumour that neither of the Bulls are playing this year has any foundation. We trust this rumour is incorrect, as their loss to the club will be very great, for they are undoubtedly two good players that the club can ill-afford to lose. We understand that the club are playing some very strong teams this season, and it will be a pity if in these matches Rushden cannot play its full strength. We were glad to notice that G. S. Mason has quite recovered from his accident of last year, and that he appeared at the beginning of the game to play in his accustomed manner. We also noticed that G. E. Wagstaffe had much improved, arid if he can keep on his legs we shall expect to see him doing useful service for the club. S. Denton, too, has very much improved, and will be sure to be a most useful man, as he can play in any position in a very creditable manner. The match on Saturday ended in favour of Mr. Mason's side, who scored two goals and two tries to two goals and one try obtained by Mr. Claridge's side. The following were the players:—Mr. Mason's side: C. Wilby, back; G. S. Mason, S. Denton, J, Crick, three-quarter backs; S. Colson, H. Bilingham, half-backs; W. Hanger, C. G. Ward, W. Brudenall, C. Wagstaffe, W. Carvell, H. White, F. Maddams, J. Greaves, W. Cox, Z. Minney, forwards. Mr. Claridge's side: F. Knight, back; G. R. Wagstaffe, S. Alderman, H. Clayton, three-quarter backs; W. Burgess, G. Denton, half-backs; J. Baker, J. Brudenall, W. Sturman, C. Hewitt, J. Jaques, C. Claridge, W. Freeman, A. Willis, and F. Ellis, forwards.

FOOTBALL—On Monday evening a meeting was held at the Feathers lnn, to commence a football club suitable to engage any second or light team in the neighbouring villages. The following were appointed officers:—Captain J. Brudenall; vice-captain, J. Sturman; secretary, G. Griggs; treasurer, C. Betts; collector, A. Linnitt; committee, O. Ellis, W. Brudenall, H. Hanger, J. Banger, T. Alderman. It was thought that some very good matches might be played by the club.

Football - Midland Counties Union Cup Ties
MOSELEY (Birmingham) v. RUSHDEN
The above teams being drawn to play in the first round of the above competition, the match was played on Saturday last. Moseley were fortunate enough to win the toss for choice of ground, and the match, consequently, was played on the Moseley ground. [part of a longer report]

NEWPORT PAGNELL v. RUSHDEN—Under the auspices of the Wellingborough and District Football Association, these clubs met on Saturday last, in Bury Field, Newport Pagnell, in most inclement weather, to try conclusions in the second round for the Challenge Cup. Rushden having won the toss, availed themselves of the use of the wind, which was blowing rather strong. A goal each was quickly obtained. In spite of the wind in their face, the Newportoneans appeared to more than hold their own as the ball kept too close their opponents' goal to be at all pleasant for them. After playing within five minutes of half-time, the game, terminated rather prematurely, owing to the Rushden captain leaving, accompanied by two other players. The remainder seeing their captain had fled, instantly followed suit, leaving the Newportonians in sole possession of the ground. The excuse for their so doing was the wet and bad state of the ground. Newport was anxiously waiting for the call of half time, when, they would be favoured, by the wind, but ere that time arrived Rushden had made its exit, leaving Newport on the field.

NEWPORT PAGNELL v. RUSHDEN WANDERERS' F.C.—The Captain of the Rushden Wanderers' Football Club writes to a contemporary in reference to the recent match at Newport Pagnell. He states that "the ground was in a most unfit state for play, it being ankle deep in water on nearly the whole piece we were to play upon. In addition to this, it was also raining fast, and we appealed to the Newport men if it was not the better plan to abandon all thought of playing the match that day. They, however, did not think so, and our efforts to dissuade them from this opinion were of no avail. The referee was accordingly appealed to and he gave it as his opinion that the ground was not fit to play upon, and that we were perfectly justified in not wishing to play on ground in such a state. In spite of this, the Newport men persisted in wishing us to consent to make a start, and at length we decided to do so, not, however, before plainly giving them to understand that we played under protest. The game proceeded, but, as the weather became worse, I appealed to the Newport captain to agree to leave off, but to this he would not consent. As my third appeal was of no avail, I told him we should leave the ground, which we accordingly did, every one, so far as I am aware, being glad to do so, as we were completely drenched. The correspondent adds that it has since been decided to treat the match as void, and to play again.

Rushden Accidents
On Saturday last a labourer working on some houses in course of erection in Montague-street, slipped off a temporary scaffolding, and a hod of bricks falling upon one of his legs, the ankle bone was seriously fractured. Medical attendance not being immediately obtainable, the sufferer was conveyed to the Northampton Infirmary.

On Monday afternoon, as a football match, “Married v Single,” was being played for the benefit of W. Brudenall, who some weeks since fractured his collar bone when playing in a match, W. Richardson (who was playing for the Single) fell, and sustained a similar injury.

The Argus 27th May 1898.

Local Notes The representatives of Rushden in the football field journey to Wellingborough again to-morrow to play off the tie of a fortnight ago. The result on that occasion was a disappointment to Rushden footballers, but from what we hear, a determined effort will be made to-morrow to win a decisive victory for Rushden. The result will be wired to our office immediately upon conclusion of play.

The Argus, 10th June 1898, transcribed by Kay Collins

Local Notes The Rushden Football Club has done much towards bringing the name of the town before the reading public, and it is, therefore a matter of congratulation to the executive that they have emerged from the season's work with so favourable a balance-sheet. True, the club is not entirely free from debt, but the profit made in last season's transactions has reduced the adverse balance to a unit. As was pointed out on Tuesday evening, the club must have the support of a larger number of subscribing members if it is to keep pace with the keen competition now raging in the football world. It does seem something in the nature of an anomaly to call the organisation a 'club' when the balance-sheet only shows that five guineas is derived from subscriptions and donations. A club of the importance of Rushden should muster several hundred strong on the members' roll. Now that the weak spot has been pointed out, it is to be sincerely hoped that the followers of the winter pastime in Rushden will rally round the club guarantors and by their loyal and practical support enable the club to carry on its work on a better financial basis. The existence of the club attracts a large number of visitors to the town, and tends to stimulate trade. As the tradesmen would suffer by any retrogressive step they should be the first to liberally support the club either as subscribing members or guarantors.

The Grand Bazaar and Fancy Fair to be held at the Public-hall on Boxing-day and Wednesday next will be well worth a visit, and all who have the welfare of the Football Club at heart should make a point of attending.