Bury's record gate - March 1st 1900

112 years ago today, Bury had their largest crowd for a replayed FA Cup match with Sheffield United, the first match having finished 2-2 at Bramall Lane.

1900 FA Cup Third Round replay

Thursday March 1^st 1900

Having given themselves a great chance of making the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time Bury were assured of a good crowd for the replay. In fact events off the pitch, thousands of miles away in South Africa, transpired to create what is almost certainly the largest crowd ever seen at Gigg Lane, beating even the record gate of 35,000 that was set sixty years later for another FA Cup game, this time against Bolton Wanderers.

Great rejoicing had accompanied the news received on the evening of February 28^th that the siege of Ladysmith in South Africa had been ended after 118 days of increasing privation amongst the inhabitants, the Boers having failed to breach the town’s defences. The news came only weeks after the slaughter at the Spion Kop. 

Bury 2

Thompson, Darroch and Davidson, Pray, Leeming and Ross, Richards, Wood, McLuckie, Sagar and Plant

Scorers - Richards - 65 minutes, Plant - 75 mins

Sheffield United 0

Foulke, Boyle and Thickett, Johnson, Morren, Needham, Priest, Almond, Hedley, Beers and Bennett

Referee - Mr Scragg of Crewe

Half-time 0-0

Attendance - 20,139

Receipts £686 9s 6d

The description of the pre-match scenes are taken from the Bury Guardian

The Red Rose is triumphant, and the biggest crowd that ever assembled at Shakerville witnessed the splendid victory of Lancashire’s only hope.

The town was literally taken by storm on Thursday, and after the railway trials had been overcome the invaders, who proved a very mobile force indeed, as they did the distance between the stations and the ground in record time, attacked the entrances to the ground, and as a result of the unprecedented pressure brought to bear upon the gates they, in their eagerness, waxed impatient at what they deemed the insufficiently quick surrender of the tickets, and forthwith proceeded to storm the citadel, escalading the walls and, overcoming the strenuous opposition of the defenders [police and officials], rushed into the grounds without depositing the accustomed silver.

As the defaulters, animated by the spirit of mischievous success, scaled the division to the shilling enclosure, and despite a sound belabouring by the sticks of the inspector and police in charge [and the wielders were no chickens] scores got over, securing better positions.

The takings were over £200 higher than the previous best at the ground [£465 in the Bury - Bolton Wanderers’ fiasco some years ago] totting up to £686 9s 6d.

The relief of Ladysmith came in very opportunely, and as all Lancashire celebrated the achievement in which their representative Fusiliers have taken such a noble part and have suffered so much by a general holiday, and as there was only one big event on in the county that afternoon, it necessarily followed that the Gigg Lane enclosure was the centre of gravitation.

Tis a pity the ground was not bigger, as many hundreds - one estimate puts it at 20,000 - were unable to obtain admission. It is practically certain that had the accommodation been adequate to the demands made upon it there would have been a thousand pound gate.

The enthusiasm, military and football, simply bubbled over, and it is very many years since such a scene was witnessed in Bury. Hundreds travelled long distances to see the match and then failed to get either a sight of it or admission into the grounds, while very many others had to take their view of the match by proxy. It meant enterprising climbers invaded the trees overlooking the ground.

Sheffield were the first out and had to make themselves through the assembled throng, and when they were followed by Bury a great cheer could be heard many miles away with some of the spectators waving small Union Jacks. Pray won the toss and set Needham’s men to face the wind.

From the off Bury pushed forward and Boyle was in smartly to clear the ball. Foulke, showing admirable athleticism for such a big man was down smartly to block Plant’s shot, and then as Richards and Wood opened up the Sheffield defence only a last gasp Boyle tackle prevented the opening goal. Foulke punched away two crosses when challenged in the air before Thickett was injured and was helped from the field after a tackle with Richards. Although he later returned he was to all intents and purposes a passenger for the remainder of the game. With Bury in fine form it would have been difficult enough for the away side with eleven men, but with just the ten the task was always going to be too great.

Bury pressed and Ross thought he had opened the scoring only to be denied by a great Foulke save. Sagar was then able to weave his way past the Sheffield defence only to face the formidable frame of Foulke who dived down on the ball. The away side required desperate defending, and there was relief when McLuckie’s shot beat Foulke but landed in the great crowd behind the goal.

As half time approached Sheffield were able to mount there first serious attempt on the Bury goal, but Priest fashioning on to a Beers shot missed badly when left with only Thompson to beat. When the referee’s whistle thus sounded the score at half time was goalless.

At the start of the second period the away side were further handicapped when a strong sun came out direct into their eyes. Needham blocked Sagar’s shot, two corners were scrambled clear and Davidson had his powerful free-kick blocked by the powerful hands of Foulke, the ball rocketing back to the half way line. The Sheffield keeper was by now being wildly cheered by the Bury faithful as for the next few minutes it was more a case of eleven on to one - admittedly it was a big one! Amazingly the keeper then almost helped his side take the lead - thumping a goal kick into the Bury half where Almond flicked it over his head and turned to see the ball touched round the post by Thompson.

Ross, Leeming and Sagar reasserted Bury’s superiority with shots that Foulke beat away. The question was - could anyone beat him? When they did Boyle kicked clear a shot from the goal line. Richards shot just wide before, at last, the great man was beaten when Wood and Richards combined down the Bury right and Richards opened the scoring amidst tremendous enthusiasm. With Needham needing treatment Sheffield were reduced to ten men, one of whom was injured and the game would have been all over if Leeming’s shot had been inches lower, the ball crashing back off the crossbar.

Foulke denied plant, but the keeper had no chance when Wood dashing down the left found Plant who headed the ball home. Although there was still quarter of an hour to go Sheffield were well beaten and their defeat would have been even heavier if Foulke hadn’t continued to play brilliantly right up to the final whistle. The keeper had been the man of the match but his side had lost 2-0 and the folk of Bury had double reason to celebrate one of its most famous days.

Take from ALL SHOOK UP - Bury FC's amazing Cup story - FA Cup Winners 1900 and 1903, published by Empire Publications 

Bury beat Southampton 4-0 in the 1900 FA Cup Final 

Eureka - why hasn't every town got one?

One of the [major] benefit's of living in West Yorkshire is that with a 4-year old child there's a chance to take him to Eureka, the interactive play and learning centre for youngsters. It's a shame there aren't hundreds of similar places across the country.

Britain's finest pub?

Sadly i have not had the chance to visit all of them, but the Great Western at the back of Wolverhampton train station is definitely one of the best around.

Teams of the decades - 1890 to 2012

Through the decades

1890s

Top side – with 4 league titles and 2 FA Cup win’s it was Aston Villa. Although Everton were the best supported side.

1900s

With 3 league titles, 1 FA Cup win and the highest average gate it was Newcastle United.

1910s

With 2 league titles from just 5 competitive seasons it has to be Blackburn Rovers, although Chelsea was the best supported side.

1920s

With 3 consecutive titles and 1 FA Cup trophy it was Huddersfield although Chelsea despite 6 seasons in Division 2 had the highest average gate.

1930s

With 5 league titles and 2 FA Cup wins the best supported side Arsenal were the side of the 30s.

1940s

With 2 league titles from just 4 seasons it was Portsmouth, although 2^nd division Newcastle were the best supported club.

1950s

With 3 league titles honours were even – Manchester United and Wolves, with little to choose attendance wise between United, Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea. Best watched away side was however Blackpool!!

1960s

Man Utd with 2 league trophies, 1 FA Cup and the 1968 European Cup Win only just beat Spurs with 1 league trophy, 3 FA Cups and the 1963 Cup Winners Cup victory into 2^nd place as the best team of the decade and also taking them to the top of the attendance tree.

1970s

Liverpool with 4 league titles, 1 FA Cup, 2 European and 2 EUFA cup wins were the team of the decade but off the pitch Manchester United assumed their virtually permanent place at the top of the attendance tree from 72-73 onwards broken only by Liverpool in 1987-88 and 88-89.

1980s

With 6 League titles, 2 FA Cup’s, 4 league cups and two more European Cups then Liverpool were the number one team.

1990s

With 5 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, 1 League Cup, 1 Cup Winners Cup Trophy and the 1999 Champions Clubs’ Cup Manchester United were the team of the decade.

This century so far

With 7 League titles, 3 League Cup, 1 FA Cup, 2 Champions League and success in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2008 the current side of the century so far is Manchester United.

Niall Quinn's playing career at Sunderland

With the big man having left Sunderland this week, a look back at his playing career with the club from 1996 to 2002.

"I learned my trade at Arsenal, became a footballer at Manchester City, but Sunderland got under my skin. I love Sunderland."

—Niall Quinn, The Autobiography

Irishman Quinn was Sunderland’s record signing at £1.3 million when manager and former team mate Peter Reid persuaded him to pass up a lucrative contract in Malaysia to sign for newly promoted Sunderland prior to the start of the 1996-97 season. It looked money well spent when he scored twice and led the front line superbly as Sunderland swept Nottingham Forest away to record a 4-1 victory in the second game of the season at the County Ground. A serious knee ligament injury sustained the following month was however to disrupt both Quinn and his new teams rhythm, forcing the former Arsenal and Manchester City man to miss six months of the season.

On his return he never looked completely fit, with rumours constantly circulating that his career, at aged 30, might in fact be at an end. Without someone to knock home the goals Sunderland fought to the end before going losing at Wimbledon to be relegated on the final day of the season.

Fully fit at the start of the 1997-98 season Quinn was joined up front by late starter to the professional game, Watford’s Kevin Phillips. Totally different in size and shape the two were nevertheless to enjoy at times an almost telepathic understanding, especially after Manchester City’s Nicky Summerbee was signed in November 1997 to produce the sort of crosses Quinn could exploit with his superb aerial ability.

It was Quinn that had the crowd at the newly opened Stadium of Light roaring their delight when he scored the first league goal there, and with a goal from Phillips Sunderland were quickly into their stride by beating Manchester City 3-1.

 In March 1998 Quinn scored his only treble during his time at Sunderland as Stockport County were beaten 4-1.  Yet despite winning at Swindon Town on the final day of the season, Sunderland just finished outside the automatic promotion places taken by Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest.

Beating Sheffield United in the semi-final set up Reid’s side for a place in the Wembley play-off final. Playing poorly in the first half and a goal down it was Quinn who got his side back into the match when he brilliantly headed Summerbee’s corner beyond Sasa Ilic and into the Charlton net. It was to spark wild celebration.

Then after the sides had traded goals, with Phillips breaking Brian Clough’s scoring record for the season by scoring his 35^th of 1997-98, it was Quinn who again put Sunderland ahead. It was a fine goal, Geordie scumbag Lee Clark swinging in a deep cross which found Quinn backing away from his marker. The Irishman used his chest to perfectly control the ball before firing past Ilic from an acute angle.

Charlton though weren’t done as after taking the lead three times, Sunderland was pegged back to draw a great game 4-4, with Sunderland born Clive Mendonca scoring three times for the Adicks.

If losing the subsequent penalty shoot-out 7-6 disappointed Sunderland they didn’t show it the following season. From the off they were in charge at the top, and were to go on and record a then record number of points - 105.

Quinn’s scoring touch returned, and he ended up with 21 by the end of the season. One of his most important came at Loftus Road in January, heading home a last minute equaliser and a month later he was repeating the exercise as Sunderland edged past Wolves 2-1 at home.

 It was probably however the game at Valley Parade against promotion rivals Bradford City that moved him into legend status, when after powerfully heading Allan Johnston’s cross into the net on 72 minutes to make it 1-0 he then donned the goalkeeper’s jersey after Thomas Sorensen was forced to leave the pitch with a neck injury. Sunderland won 1-0 and cemented their position at the top of the League.

 In April with more than half the crowd behind them Quinn scored Sunderland’s third at Gigg Lane. Sandwiched between Phillips four the 5-2 victory over Bury ensured promotion. On the final day of the season both men were on the scoresheet, as with skipper Kevin Ball collecting the Championship trophy Sunderland beat Birmingham City 2-1.

With his popularity on and off the pitch at an all-time high A Love Supreme Fanzine released a CD entitled ‘Niall Quinn’s Disco Pants’ and the song can still be heard regularly at home and, in particular, away games.  It got to 39^th in the charts. Funds raised went to the MacMillan Nurses, well done lads.

Come the start of the Premiership campaign Sunderland had four points from their first four games when they made the short journey to what was then St James’ Park. On a night of incessant rain Newcastle were leading until the 64^th minute.

Then Quinn met Summerbee’s free kick from the left with a glancing header, and the ball dropped neatly inside Tommy Wright's right post.

And when Phillips later rammed home the winner the few hundred Sunderland fans allowed entry went absolutely mental, including the author of this particular piece.

 On October 31^st 1999 Quinn played probably his finest game in a Sunderland strip when in addition to scoring two fine goals he led his marker England centre-back Sol Campbell a merry dance as Spurs were beaten 2-1.

His goals were majestic when after pulling away from Campbell he took the ball on his chest and fired a right-foot volley past Ian Walker and into the top corner for his fourth goal of the season. His fifth arrived within 12 minutes in similar fashion as he again used his chest to control a cross before dispatching it into the back of the net with Walker hopelessly exposed.

The Ireland international also played with distinction against Manchester United in December. Without the injured Phillips alongside him, Quinn playing up front his own demonstrated the art of keeping the ball whilst allowing Sunderland’s midfielders to get forward in support. He also scored his sides second before Alex Ferguson’s team profited from some dubious refereeing decisions to snatch a 2-2 draw.

Later, in April 2000, Quinn scored with a delightful lob in a 2-1 win at Southampton that put Sunderland within touching distance of a EUFA Cup place. Failure to beat Bradford City at home ultimately proved it was a step too far but with a seventh placed finish Sunderland had shown they had what it takes to compete with the best.

It was something Sunderland continued to demonstrate during the following season, although there was more than a touch of fortune about the opening day’s victory over Arsenal in which Quinn headed Mickey Gray’s cross home for the only goal of a game totally dominated by the away side.

In November back at St James’ Park Quinn had the travelling hordes again in ecstasy when, following Don Hutchinson’s equaliser on 68 minutes, he buried another Gray cross to give the away side a 2-1 lead. Never the greatest of tacklers though Quinn then blotted his copybook with a poor challenge on Rob Lee that had referee Graham Poll pointing to the penalty spot. Rescued when Sorensen saved Alan Shearer’s subsequent penalty kick Quinn joined his teammates in delirious celebration at the end of the match.

With Sunderland in the last eight of the League cup there was therefore disappointment when Reid chose to rest him in the quarterfinal tie at Selhurst Park and without him Crystal Palace triumphed 2-1.

Sunderland though was in with a chance of qualifying for Europe through a high-place League finish. That was especially the case when returning from injury Quinn had a simple finish as Sunderland raced into a 2-0 lead at Easter against Spurs. The Cockneys though, inspired by Tim Sherwood produced a wonderful second half performance to come off winners 3-2 and in the end Sunderland again finished seventh amidst rumours that Quinn was to lose his strike partner as Phillips sought to boost his international chances.

Both men were to remain at Sunderland for the 2001-2002 season. It was to prove a difficult one, with Reid’s side only just avoiding relegation. With Lilian Laslandes signed, to play alongside Phillips, Quinn was on the bench for the Blackburn game early in the season. Coming on he headed Stefan Schwarz’s cross powerfully home for the only goal of the game. Against Leeds at home he turned provider by chesting the ball perfectly into Phillips path as the Peacocks were denied a return to top spot, Sunderland winning 2-0.

On Boxing Day he gave the 7,500 away fans something to shout about when he headed home twice in the first half as Sunderland won 3-0 at Blackburn Rovers. Seven games without a win in the New Year though had Reid under pressure and there was relief when Quinn scored the only goal at, another relegation threatened side, Derby County. It was the big man’s final goal of his career and as his sixth goal of the season it was probably his most vital as come the end of the season Sunderland finished just one place outside the relegation zone.

It was clear that Sunderland’s fourth season in the top flight was going to be difficult, the promotion spirit engendered in 1998-99, on which Reid’s side had flourished, having long since dissipated as the Scouse manager sought salvation in alcohol.

Niall Quinn though had other things to think about during the summer of 2002. Ireland had qualified for the World Cup in Japan and South Korea. Key to the side’s success was going to be the form of skipper Roy Keane. So there was dismay when angered by the poor facilities provided by the Football Association of Ireland he packed his bags and set off home.

With appeals for him to change his mind failing to move the Manchester United man, Quinn and the rest of the players publicly backed manager Mick McCarthy who Keane had lambasted in the press. Keane had previously left Quinn disappointed when he failed to appear for Ireland at the latter’s testimonial at the Stadium of Light organised at the end of the season. Drawing a crowd of 37,000 all proceeds, around a million pounds, were donated to charity.

Without Keane Ireland did well enough at the World Cup, going out on penalties to Spain in the last sixteen, one round less than in 1990 when as part of the Ireland side Quinn lost 1-0 to hosts Italy in the last eight. Earlier Quinn had scored the vital equalising goal in the final group match with Holland that finished 1-1. With 92 caps and 21 goals Quinn enjoyed a long and distinguished international career.

Quinn was unable to see out the 2002-03 season and it was as a ‘peace maker’ that he ‘enjoyed’ his most memorable moment. Amidst a poisonous atmosphere off the pitch Sunderland had hauled themselves level against Manchester United courtesy of a goal from the player signed to replace Quinn, Tore Andre Flo.

Then late on in the game Roy Keane lost his temper after a tangle with one of his strongest critics, fellow World Cup squad member Jason McAteer. Sent off, Keane was roundly abused as he made his way off the pitch when Quinn, on as a substitute, ran towards him with the intention, agreed beforehand, of offering a conciliatory handshake that would be seen as bringing down the curtain on affairs at the World Cup. Sir Alex Ferguson though was having none of it, and Quinn was left looking slightly foolish. He was though to have the last laugh because four years later, as newly appointed Sunderland chairman, he was able to persuade Keane to take over as manager at the Stadium of Light where in his first season in charge he returned Sunderland to the top flight.

Quinn’s final appearance for Sunderland came against West Ham United in a 1-0 defeat on 19 October 2002. Coming on as a second half substitute he almost grabbed the equaliser on 76 minutes but his delicate half volley came back off the post with David James well beaten. Without his aerial abilities, link up play with Phillips, all round team play and charisma Sunderland slumped to relegation with only 19 points come the end of the season.

Of course if Niall Quinn was finished on the pitch for Sunderland that didn’t prove to be the case off it! 

Incinerator health study finally gets underway

Britain’s first major study into the impact of emissions from municipal waste incinerators will finally get underway shortly.

First announced nearly a year ago this will see the Small Area Health Statistics Unit, Imperial College London, and the Environmental Research Group, King’s College London, undertake the investigation on behalf of the Health Protection Agency, the body that first promised to carry out the study back in 2003. 

Since when Japan in 2004 and Italy in 2007 have conducted their own studies with the former reporting a “peak-decline in risk with distance from the municipal solid waste incinerators for infant deaths and infant deaths with all congenital malformations combined." Then last year a US study concluded that air pollution from industrial sources damages school children’s health and academic success.

News of the study’s start, which will take two years to complete, has drawn a mixed response from campaigners opposed to incinerators and local authorities that have commissioned them.

Shlomo Dowen, who head’s the UK’s without incinerator network [UKWIN], is concerned that the Health Protection Agency [HPA] has used the recent announcement to re-confirm its belief that ‘any potential damage to the health of those living close to well-regulated municipal waste incinerators is likely to be very small’.

“UKWIN has not been consulted on the study's reference terms to make an informed judgment. I expect even if it identifies correlations it will cite confounding factors and uncertainty to downplay the health impacts. I hope the study surprises me, but unless it does, there is not much to get excited about. Furthermore last year Imperial College signed an industry wide statement that claimed ‘energy from waste is not harmful to the environment or public health’, and so they appear to have already made their mind up even before carrying out this research,” says Shlomo.

Meanwhile a spokesperson for Kirklees Council, whose incinerator is located in a busy residential area, said they “will be studying the findings when they become available in 2014”, but would not be drawn on what should happen if the study concluded that emissions did damage the health of infants and young children.

Back in 2009 the authority threatened legal action against anti-incineration campaigners in the Thirsk area for displaying Shrewsbury’s Michael Ryan claims that their incinerator was linked to above average infant mortality levels in some wards. 

It was after two of his children died that the former local government official determined to find out why. Utilising Office of National Statistics figures to assemble the largest statistical base currently available, Ryan has concluded that infant death rates are much higher in neighbourhoods downwind of incinerators. The stats would suggest he’s right.

Asked if the study would include examining Ryan’s work a spokesperson for the HPA would not comment, but did say “The study will be using original Health data obtained from the Office for National Statistics and congenital anomaly registers.  Exposures will be estimated by dispersion modelling of incinerator emissions.” In other words, no.

Ryan is therefore sceptical saying “the promised study won’t get to the truth as neither the Health Protection Agency, nor the Environment Agency wish to be exposed as having been negligent.”

Hostel closures on the rise

Leeds City Council has defended their plans to close a city centre hostel. With admissions to Ladybeck House having ended, the 42-bed hostel with 24-hour staff support will close its doors on 4 March.

This will be the third hostel in Leeds to have closed in the last six months after Richmond Court, a 20-unit hostel for homeless families, and The Hollies, a 31-bed hostel for single homeless women shut in September last year. According to Councillor Peter Gruen there will also be “a gradual reduction in hostels across Leeds in the future”.

Asked if the closure was aimed at saving money a council spokesperson said it “was the result of a remodelling of services after consultation with homeless people showed they felt dispersed temporary accommodation with visiting support would afford them more privacy and independence, and remove the stigma often associated with hostels. We are endeavouring to modernise our services in line with customer preference”. According to the council fifty people had attended consultation events and they had undertaken telephone surveys with those unable to attend.

However, two former residents of Ladybeck are not convinced by the council’s claims. Phil Boden and John Whittaker are Big Issue sellers in Leeds and are in regular contact with people who have, like themselves, benefited from staying at the hostel. According to John he found it “a warm and welcoming place”, whilst for Phil “it put a roof over my head whilst I waited for somewhere to live after leaving prison.

Like many other homeless people I am against its closure as not everyone can live alone because of mental health problems or being unable to cope with paying bills. Also living with people who share similar problems can help. Furthermore there are not enough hostels as it is and I fear homelessness levels could rise”.

The council disputes the latter point, with its spokesperson saying, “There is a new contract in place for dispersed temporary accommodation which is flexible enough to change depending upon demand. There are no limits to the number of beds available to accommodate homeless people in Leeds and we also have a lettings scheme to facilitate access to tenancies in the private sector”.

The situation at Ladybeck is mirrored by events elsewhere across the north.

Providence House, a short stay accommodation for up to 68 men, is the largest in Rochdale. It will close on 31 March, bringing to an end the Salvation Army’s accommodation role that first started in the Lancashire town in 1967. Rather than continue to fund the work of the church, Rochdale Borough Council has said it is ‘in favour of commissioning smaller units’, but would ‘working with the Salvation Army to ensure the transition is as smooth as it can be’.

Back across in Yorkshire the Salvation Army’s Lawley House hostel in Bradford has also had its contract cancelled with the local council and will be closing in May. This first opened in 1971, and as well as offering shelter it has helped people tackle drug and alcohol problems. A spokesperson for the Salvation Army said, “The closure is the result of local authorities having to make some hard decisions because of spending cuts.”