FA Cup Curse?
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2022 8:35 pm
Hitchin folk are rightly proud that the Hitchin Club were involved in the first ever FA Cup competition in 1871/2.
However, much bad luck later hit the Club and those involved.
George Edward Hughes, who had been elected president of the Club in 1869, died aged just 50 in May 1872, having caught a chill while playing golf.
Francis Henry Lucas, who possibly captained Hitchin Club in the ill-fated second round tie against the Royal Engineers, died of diphtheria in October 1872.
Thomas Charles Mainwaring, who played in the first round tie against Crystal Palace, broke his neck in 1896, having dived head first off a bathing machine
William Hill, another player, committed suicide in 1914, after becoming distressed about the progress of World War 1. William's grave at Hitchin Cemetery is now fully obscured by a huge football-shaped bush.
George Dashwood Baker died in 1879 at the age of 29.
However, much bad luck later hit the Club and those involved.
George Edward Hughes, who had been elected president of the Club in 1869, died aged just 50 in May 1872, having caught a chill while playing golf.
Francis Henry Lucas, who possibly captained Hitchin Club in the ill-fated second round tie against the Royal Engineers, died of diphtheria in October 1872.
Thomas Charles Mainwaring, who played in the first round tie against Crystal Palace, broke his neck in 1896, having dived head first off a bathing machine
William Hill, another player, committed suicide in 1914, after becoming distressed about the progress of World War 1. William's grave at Hitchin Cemetery is now fully obscured by a huge football-shaped bush.
George Dashwood Baker died in 1879 at the age of 29.