Football in Falmouth in 1890

[Mike Odgers]

The Cornwall County F A was formed in September 1889 and probably? the first County match was played at Falmouth on the 4th.January 1890

Cornwall 2 Devon 0 scorer Donaldson 2 (Truro)

Was the Falmouth Recreation Ground in use in those days?

newspaper report of the game

"Play was fairly even and exciting until a corner was kicked, and although beautifully centred,the leather was rushed after an attempt to score.

The Devo0n keeper DREW,broke a thigh,this incident brought the game to a halt,while Dr.Head-Moore and Dr.Owen set the limb,a few minutes later on leaving the field in a cab,DREW raised his hat to the crowd and bid them goodbye.

Cornwall won this fixture 2-0 both goals coming from DONALDSON"

Cornwall Side, C.Hambley(Liskeard)J.R.Paull Capt.(Truro),T.Stacey (Torpoint),T.H.Thackeray (Truro)F.Lewarne (Liskeard & St.Bartholomews),R Treneer-Mitchell (Truro),W.H.Proctor (Liskeard),W.L.Donaldson(Truro & Leatherhead School),F.Clawson (Falmouth),G.K.T.Purcell(Fowey).............

Another article appeared on February 20th 1890 which read-

"We are pleased to observe that Mr.J.R.Paull of Bosvigo,captain of Cornwall has been selected to play for Cambridge University v Oxford "

The following year 1891 Cornwall entertained Devon again at Falmouth and ran out 3-2 winners

[Mike Odgers]

another amusing report

March 5th 1891

Hart House School (Tregony) 3 Fowey Grammar School 1

"The home team were smarter on the ball than their opponents and seemed to understand the art of RUSHING and TACKLING better"

[Guest BenTheYeti]

The Cornwall County F A was formed in September 1889 and probably? the first County match was played at Falmouth on the 4th.January 1890

Cornwall 2 Devon 0 scorer Donaldson 2 (Truro)

Was the Falmouth Recreation Ground in use in those days?

newspaper report of the game

"Play was fairly even and exciting until a corner was kicked, and although beautifully centred,the leather was rushed after an attempt to score.

The Devo0n keeper DREW,broke a thigh,this incident brought the game to a halt,while Dr.Head-Moore and Dr.Owen set the limb,a few minutes later on leaving the field in a cab,DREW raised his hat to the crowd and bid them goodbye.

Cornwall won this fixture 2-0 both goals coming from DONALDSON"

Cornwall Side, C.Hambley(Liskeard)J.R.Paull Capt.(Truro),T.Stacey (Torpoint),T.H.Thackeray (Truro)F.Lewarne (Liskeard & St.Bartholomews),R Treneer-Mitchell (Truro),W.H.Proctor (Liskeard),W.L.Donaldson(Truro & Leatherhead School),F.Clawson (Falmouth),G.K.T.Purcell(Fowey).............

Another article appeared on February 20th 1890 which read-

"We are pleased to observe that Mr.J.R.Paull of Bosvigo,captain of Cornwall has been selected to play for Cambridge University v Oxford "

The following year 1891 Cornwall entertained Devon again at Falmouth and ran out 3-2 winners

Broke a thigh!?! Bet it wasn't even called a foul back then.. Just a hardy hand shake, a no hard feelings and a wave cheerio as he was whisked away to the hospital in a cab..

[TheolderIgetthebetterIwas]

I played in both games - LOL.

[Mike Odgers]

I have been informed that the Recreation Ground in Falmouth was opened in 1887 and used as a sports ground by Falmouth Rugby Club who were formed in 1873.

Regarding travelling by cab it surely would have been horse drawn,though the Falmouth to Truro rail network was in operation.

The main Cornwall hospitals at the time were Truro (R.C.I City),W.C Penzance,Redruth (Miners) and Bodmin.

[cornishteddyboy]

No sick pay either.

I wonder how they survived.

Did the clubs have some form of insurance or did the poor chap's family have to go to the poor house.

[Guest smashing pumpkin]

If any of them players was alive today do you think they would say the standard has dropped.

The way people go on now in a hundred years the game may be so bad that players will turn up and not know what a footballs for.