TOPIC:

The Dr Mills-Roberts in goal for Preston North End on 30th March 1889, eleven years later served as a surgeon in the Welsh Hospital in South Africa (initially located at Springfontein then Pretoria). On the day Robert Herbert Mills-Roberts kept a clean sheet and PNE won 3-0. Robert played as one of two amateurs in the side and also played for Wales.

A really nice artefact.

I like the fact the referee was a major. CMG.

Not me, but there was a soldier who was bought out of the Black Watch by PNE the year after that cup final, and who later rejoined his regiment on the outbreak of the war, perhaps hoping to go out to South Africa, but actually seeing home service.


....A WELL-KNOWN FOOTBALLER'S DEATH.—On Thursday afternoon the death took place of Wm. McKennie, landlord of the Euxton Hotel, Chorley, who had been a well-known footballer in his time. The deceased was only 35 years of age, and had suffered for a few years from kidney troubles, for which he underwent an operation a year or two ago. He had apparently recovered from a severe attack of illness a few weeks ago, and was out of doors last week, but yesterday week he had to return to bed, and died as stated. Originally a member of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) football team his discharge was purchased by Preston North End, with whom he played in a number of matches, and subsequently he joined the Darwen club, which was connected with the second division of the League. He was twice associated with the Chorley Football Club, the first in their Lancashire Alliance days, when he played forward, and on the second occasion when they had become members of the Lancashre League. A first-rate centre-half, he was instrumental in leading the Chorley lads to the championship of the League. When the South African war broke out, McKennie rejoined his regiment as a veteran and was stationed at Fort George, holding the rank of a corporal. He had a large circle of friends and was highly esteemed. Deceased leaves a widow and two children.
The Chorley Guardian, Saturday 20th September 1902

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_McKennie

Colonel Sir Francis Arthur Marindin, KCMG (1 May 1838 – 21 April 1900) served with the Royal Engineers and was a key figure in the early development of association football. He was later knighted for his work in public services. (says Wikipedia)

The Royal Engineers Association Football Club played an important part in the early history of English football. The club was founded in 1863 in Chatham, Kent and consisted of serving members of the Royal Engineers Corps of the British Army.

In the first FA Cup contested in 1872 by twelve sides, the Royal Engineers ended up in the historical final at the Kennington Oval played on 16 March 1872 and watched by approximately 2,000 people. The Engineers were defeated 1-0 by the Wanderers.

The Royal Engineers participated in the following FA Cup competitions and reached the final again in 1874 when they lost 0-2 to Oxford University. In 1875, in their third final, they became victorious by defeating the Old Etonians 2-0.

Royal Engineers did not reach any more FA Cup finals and they participated for the last time in the 1882-83 competition. Their place among the dominant teams was soon lost because they did not, for obvious reasons, take the step to professional football.

They are credited with introducing the passing game, prior to this forwards hung on to the ball and dribbled their way towards the opponents goal.

The funny thing is I just watched the TV series (on Netflix) called The English Game, I guess our UK members had it on their regular TV..... I thought it was quite entertaining and wonder how historically accurate it is as it supposedly took place in 1879.....

Mike