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There is much more on the background to this extraordinary day in the book “Woolwich Arsenal: the club that changed football“
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by Andy Kelly
119 years ago today on 2nd September 1893, Woolwich Arsenal played their first ever Football League game. The opponents were Newcastle United and the match was played in front of a crowd of 10,000 at the Manor Field in Plumstead.
Having taken a 2-0 lead with goals from Walter Shaw and Arthur Elliott we were pegged back to 2-2 by a strong Newcastle team.
Here is a match report of the game from the Kentish Mercury:
And here is the Kentish Independent’s view on the game – more a report of the day rather than the match itself.
Cheers, Andy. Interesting as always.
“Oh, the backs. They worked like n*gg*rs…”
Dear, oh dear.
“What do you think of the Arsenal team?”
“Spanking good!”
I love it. Thanks Andy.
And just in case you need more there are two other articles, revealed in the ever growing Arsenal Anniversaries archive:
2 September 1893: First ever league match 1893 at http://goo.gl/ndZ4M . Also see this report http://goo.gl/Cq1vb
The full Arsenal Anniversary listing is at http://www.blog.woolwicharsenal.co.uk/anniversaries/
Criticising referees, racism and sexual deviancy.
Not much different to the football of today!
There is also a brief review of the players on http://www.blog.woolwicharsenal.co.uk/189394-2/ although there are more up to date reviews reflecting the most recent research in the Woolwich Arsenal book mentioned above.
From reading the two reports we learn that in Arsenal’s first league match it was ‘Lucky Arsenal’ and the Ref’s competency was questioned.
Just like today? Not until we see the list of resulting injuries. Of course, that was back “when men were men.”