Hitchin Football 1923

[anthony.brown]

A hundred years ago the hopes of Hitchin football fans were vested in the Hitchin Blue Cross team. Still 5 years away from the revival of the Town team, 1923 was a very good year for the 'Cross', winning the Herts Senior Cup 1-0 against Watford Old Boys, revenge for losing to that team in the 1920/21 final by 1-2. Also, they were runners up to Wisbech in a closely fought final of the popular Hinchingbrooke Cup at Huntingdon, a 1-2 defeat. A Blue Cross team also took part in the 1922/23 Herts Charity Shield final, drawing 0-0 with Hoddesdon.
The Blue Cross teams of the mid 20s contained several players who would go on to star for the 1928 Hitchin Town team. These included 'Titch' Cannon, 'Bill' Gatward (for 2 matches!), Cecil Burges, Ted Bullard, and Sid Duller.
I have match reports of the final of the Hinchingbrooke Cup and Herts Charity Shield, but I have not yet located the 'big one', the Herts Senior Cup final.

HINCHINBROOKE CUP FOR WISBECH
Keen Match Ends in Defeat of Hitchin Blue Cross
About two thousand people lined the ropes at Hinchingbrooke Park on Saturday [7th April 1923] for the final of the Hinchingbrooke Cup. For this, the match of the season, the ideal weather helped to swell the attendance, and incidentally the funds available for charity.
Wisbech Town and Hitchin Blue Cross had qualified for the final, Wisbech reaching the position after meeting St Ives three times at Huntingdon to reach a decisive result. Both finalists had made a good impression by their play on the same turf, and a close game was anticipated, Hitchin carrying slightly the balance of public favour. The teams brought strong contingents of supporters, who were full of confidence. The 'Strawberry Pickers' mascot was a huge black cat, decorated with an enormous red bow, and carried bravely by a young lady. Hitchin's crowd included a male enthusiast fantastically dressed in blue and white, armed with a rattle. Conditions were about as perfect as could be wished, there being an absence of wind, although perhaps the sun was troublesome to the side having to face it. Mr Brains, of Peterborough, was referee.
Wisbech relied on the same team that defeated St Ives, and Hitchin's representatives were practically those who accounted easily for Kempston. On the run of former play, the Blue Cross were considered slightly the better. They had luck in the toss, and made Wisbech face the sun. Adopting typical cup-tie football the Reds set the pace immediately, and beating the Blues' back - and this was the weak point in the Hitchin team all through - A.Barker scored from a tussle in front of the goal five minutes after the start. Encouraged by this success, Wisbech kept up pressure, and after repeatedly testing Canham [C.R.M.Cannon?] from a pretty pass by A.Barker, Porter found the net seven minutes later. These early successes were a complete surprise for those who had come to cheer on 'The Brigade'. The vigorous tactics Wisbech had adopted seemed to have almost paralysed the Blues, whose attacks so far had been weak, and their play generally not up to reputation.
But now, with such a long way to go, they settled down to a more determined game, in which their outside-left was a shining light. He was, however, soon a marked man, and the treatment he received, more than once, from one of the opposing backs called forth much resentment from the spectators. Several times Hitchin made onslaughts, and more than once the Wisbech goal was in danger. One shot well out of Murgatroyd's reach sailed well over. Wells followed a fine sprint by a good attempt, narrowly missing with a sparkling cross shot. Brown saved Wisbech from a dangerous situation just before a new ball was called for. Hitchin continued to press with determination, the Wisbech defence being kept busy. Their left-back, who in the previous semi-final games had suggested a weak spot in the team, on this occasion was on the top of his form, and seldom made a mistake. Wells initiated another pretty movement, but the Cross had no luck, the resultant corner going wide. After the Reds had worked down and sent by, Hitchin replied, and making good use of a free-kick, the ball was well-placed for their centre-half to pop into the net. But the opportunity was missed. After another good attempt by Wells, exciting play led to an appeal for hands against Wisbech in the penalty area. This was not allowed. The Reds, however, could make little headway, and were content with defensive tactics. Two corners came to the Cross, their centre-half banging in a lightning shot that travelled wide. Wisbech supporters were getting tired of seeing so little of their team, and in response to shouts of encouragement, the right-wing got going, Sisman calling on the goalie, and directly afterwards dropped a slow shot into Canham's hands. Hitchin were still game, and Murgatroyd for the first time had to leave his position. Wisbech cleared a corner and Cole earned the compliment "Good old Joe" by stopping a dangerous run, but the Cross came again. Wright responded with a fine sprint being beaten in pace by Gatwood [Gatward?]. Just before the interval Wells got going, Murgatroyd making a brilliant save. Immediately afterwards he all but fumbled a low shot.
Half-time: Wisbech 2 Hitchin 0
With a lead of two goals Wisbech supporters were elated at the prospect of taking possession of the handsome cup after an interval of 27 years.
The second part of the play calls for very little description, as it was almost entirely confined to the Wisbech goal. Corners were frequent. From one of these usually well placed shots there was great excitement, three players lying on the ground struggling for the ball. An appeal for a penalty was not given. After Wells had been badly winded, and the game re-started with a corner for the Cross, one of their forwards missed the easiest of chances. Breaking away the Reds put through an offside goal. Hitchin were soon attacking once more, Murgatroyd being temporarily disabled by a charge. Cole, the captain of the "Strawberry Pickers", rendered valuable aid at this stage, but Hitchin were not to be denied, their reward coming twelve minutes after the restart, when Burgess scored from a pass by Wells, with a shot that gave the goalie no chance. A little later a corner shot might, with a little more judgment have put Hitchin level. Moules, too might have done better with his shot. A foul gave the Cross a free-kick five yards beyond the penalty line, but Wisbech had the best of the movement. Fouls were rather frequent against Wisbech, and the crowd were sarcastic. Murgatroyd was having repeated anxieties. Hitchin fought gamely to the last moment, but though they had practically three parts of the afternoon's play they failed to draw level, the whistle sounding with the result: Wisbech 2 Hitchin Blue Cross 1.
THE CUP PRESENTED
The handsome trophy was presented to Captain Cole by the Mayoress of Huntingdon, who was accompanied by the Mayor. The winners received gold medals, and the losers silver medals.
Wisbech: Murgatroyd; Brown and Harrison; Cole (captain), Hemy, and Barker; Barker, A.Sisman, Wright, Porter, and Moore.
Hitchin Blue Cross: Canham; Simpson (captain) and Galwood [Gatward?]; Moules, Duller, and Grimes; H.Canham, Bath, Bullard, Burgess, and Wells.
Peterborough Standard Friday 13th April 1923

HERTS CHARITY SHIELD
HODDESDON 0 HITCHIN BLUE CROSS 0
This was a strenuous final. Extra time was played, but there was no score. There was not a pin to choose between the teams. Play was somewhat spoiled by the strong cross wind. Mead, in the Hoddesdon goal, and Cannon, in the Hitchin goal, made several splendid saves. Play was open and fast. Gatward, Simpson, Duller, and Moules were good in the Hitchin defence, and Ray Haynes and Aylett were good for Hoddesdon. Langdon was one of the best forwards on the field.
Weekly Despatch (London) Sunday 22nd April 1923

[Cat Daisy]

"The Strawberry Pickers" is a far better nickname than "The Fenmen", and is gender neutral for good measure. And was their mascot a real cat?!