Revival of the Crows

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The Royston Football Club, first formed in 1875, soon ceased and had to be revived in 1878. The Herts & Cambs Reporter reported the revival as follows:

A public meeting was held in the Church room on Tuesday evening 8th October 1878, to consider the question of reviving the old Football Club. The chair was taken by the vicar, Rev.J.Harrison, who had promised his cordial support, and many other friends of the movement were present. The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said that although the movement had his entire sympathy, he felt somewhat out of place, like a bull in a china shop (laughter), as he had scarcely ever kicked a football in his life, still he was very pleased to be present, and would do all he could in assisting to place the club on a good footing. He thought that football was a good and manly game, and helped to train the mind as well as the body. Although it was not exactly a religious game, still it was a game that required one to be constantly checking the temper, and he hoped this would be the prevailing spirit of their new club, so that 'quarrelling' should be quite unknown amongst them. A short discussion then ensued, and it was ultimately proposed by Mr O.H.Titchmarsh that the late Royston Football Club be revived; this was seconded by Mr Woollard, and carried unanimously. A second resolution was then moved, that the next meeting be held on Monday evening, the 14th inst., in the same room, for the purpose of electing officers and revising the old rules, etc., proposed by Mr W.Bowskill, seconded by Mr F.Willers, and carried nem con. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the vicar, on the motion of Mr Attridge.
Herts & Cambs Reporter Friday 11th October 1878

ROYSTON FOOTBALL CLUB
This Club which has been recently revived, will open the season tomorrow, Saturday 2nd November 1878, by playing a match on the Heath between local competitors.
Herts & Cambs Reporter Friday 1st November 1878

SAFFRON WALDEN v ROYSTON
Played at Walden on Thursday 7th November 1878, and resulted in an easy win for the home team by two goals, kicked by R.Thompson, to nothing.
Directly the ball was started Walden ran it down close to the Royston goal, and there it remained for about a quarter of an hour, when Royston, by some hard play, managed to get the ball away; but it was quickly returned by the Walden backs, and Bell, after a good run along the side, middled the ball well to R.Thompson, who kicked the first goal for Walden. Royston now tried hard to get the ball away from their goal, but their efforts were unsuccessful, as Walden were playing in their best form. Just before half time three corner kicks fell to the home team, but nothing resulted from them. At half time Walden, with both wind and sun in their favour, completely penned their opponents, and several ineffectual shots were taken at goal; but at last F.Archer middled the ball to R.Thompson, who was a second time successful in placing the ball safely between the posts. Several corner kicks now fell in quick succession to Walden, but nothing came of them, and when time was called Walden remained victorious by two goals to nothing. The Walden team, although several of their best men were absent, played better together than they have ever done before; and all the backs were in their best form, never once allowing themselves to be passed.
Walden: Rev.G.Blaxland, Rev.H.Hall, W.Bell, F.Archer, G.Rand, A.Pitston, R.Thompson (captain) (forwards), J.Thompson, A.Thurgood (half backs), F.Willett (back), E.D.Mersh (goal). Umpire, Rev.J.Wix.
Field Saturday 16th November 1878