Andrew Amos: Hitchin & England

[anthony.brown]

Nice to read details of players who have appeared for Hitchin teams on the Southern League web site. However, Andrew Amos's England appearances were in 1895 & 1896 (not 1995 & 1996). He died in 1931.
With close family connections living at St Ibbs, London Road, Hitchin, and his brother Herbert starring at centre forward for Hitchin, Andrew was part of a revival of fortunes for the Town club between about 1886-1889. Andrew left for the church, Herbert left for the army. Both deserve more detailed research. A third brother also played a few games.

Andrew Amos and Herbert Gilbert Maclachlan Amos had both played for Cambridge University.
Andrew's debut for the famous Corinthians was at Blackburn Rovers (the 1883/4 FA Cup winners). The game, on 15th December 1884, ended in an 8-1 win for the Corinthians. He played about 47 games for the Corinthians.
Andrew was Rector of Datchworth from about 1898, leaving to take up a curacy at St Annes, South Lambeth in about 1906. Before Datchworth he had been curate of Clare College Mission, Rotherhithe. After Datchworth he returned to the London mission and later became a Labour Councillor.

Herbert G.M.Amos, 28th April 1866-30th June 1924. Haileybury School, Caius College, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. In 1911 he was at St Ibbs, London Road, Hitchin, described as a 'retired military officer'. He received a D.S.O serving as a captain in the Boer War in 1900.

Another Amos brother, James Percy Lax Amos, 25th April 1869-23rd May 1958 also played a couple of games for Hitchin.

[anthony.brown]

I have amended the entry relating to Andrew Amos's debut game. An 8-1 win against the FA Cup holders was surely a debut to remember!
In 1931 he was chosen by a Weekly Despatch sports writer as the best ever left half in the Corinthians team's long history.