1903-1904 ANECDOTES

1903- 1904 ANECDOTES

MANCOM 28/8/19

Combination matches during the current season. To be in Rules 1903-04, subject to approval. Proposed that any member of Bath FC, who has played for the 1^st or 2^nd XV shall be ineligible for

BATH CHRONICLE

Footballers at full work. Though locally very little has yet been done, more than usual interest at this early stage is being displayed, it seems, in the game. Of course, it cannot be said that ‘football weather’ has arrived. But what matter? – the conditions are richly autumnal! Let all the players hurry forth to battle; the more the merrier. So far as one can judge now the season locally promises to be a very busy one.”

IN THE SWIM

In the second half Vanstone sliced the ball into the river. “Crisp, amid the applause of the onlookers, who crowded to the bank, jumped in the Avon after the ball, which he successfully recovered. He was too wet for football now, and Cashnella left the pack to deputise as three-quarter.”

Later comment: “Crisp’s appearance was welcome, as he had said he could not play. His aquatic exhibition greatly delighted the crowd.”

……….and later: “Crisp as we all know, has been in strict condition as a swimmer, so fond of the water is he that he may almost be classified as amphibious.”

In 1901 Samuel William Crisp was the Somerset 100 yards Swimming Champion. He won the Western Counties freestyle title in 1903 and 1905. An outstanding member of Bath Dolphin’s Swimming Club, he also won numerous prizes at running, hurdling and jumping.

OFF FORM AT ‘OUTS’

This game highlighted the impossibility of  pre-match conditioning in those days.

It is observed that Bath were consistently off form in ‘out games’. Much might be attributed to cumbersome methods of transport; trains were often delayed, and road connections difficult. In some cases players turned up direct from their workplace, and everything was done in a rush. Following the example of the Lydney Club, a proportion of the players had commenced some sort of training. Coaching was either totally absent, or confined to basic running and passing practice.  Some facilities were provided, but if the players did not avail themselves of the opportunities, then it was their own fault. “………. the majority of Bathonians appeared inert and lethargic and the consequence was disaster. It was really far too hot an afternoon for football and after stewing for an hour and a half in the train, the visitors were rather at a disadvantage.”

 CROWD CAUTIONED

On November 23^rd, the Bath Chronicle ran a report of a letter from the County Secretary, stating that the referee Mr. Satterley, had reported on the bad conduct of Bath spectators. “Never in his refereeing experience had such offensive language been used towards him.” His statement was corroborated by the Bridgwater touch judge. An official warning on behaviour was to be posted.

WHY DID IT ALWAYS RAIN IN WALES

BATH CHRONICLE 14/12/1903

(BY “PLAY UP, BATH”).

“Though fairly seasoned in football campaigning, never have I witnessed a match played under such miserable and depressing conditions as that at Penarth on Saturday. Though so close to Cardiff, Penarth is difficult of access. In former years the Bathonians used to drive across the dreary moor, which on Saturday was a vast swamp-but it was such a frightfully chilling ride that of late, when visiting Penarth, the citizens have trusted to the oddly inconvenient service of the Taff Vale railway, with its primitive rolling stock. This on Saturday entailed a dreary wait of half-an-hour on Cardiff platform, and then apparently the locomotive was not equal to the extra load cast upon it by the party from Bath, for ascending the gradient at Cogan it stuck, and the train was at a standstill until another engine came to the rescue and pushed behind.

It had just commenced to rain when we left Bath, but in Wales, from the look of things, it seemed to have been raining incessantly for weeks, it was still drenching down, and a keen East wind pierced every marrow of your bone. The changing loft is half a mile from the station, and the ground three-quarters of a mile further on; by the time the players got to the field they were wet through and shivering with cold. Then they had to wait for some belated members of the home team. But the ground! It was unfit for football, indeed, football was impossible and none was seen. But the thirty men rushed about in frantic efforts to warm themselves, sprawled in the bog and flood, and tried to kick the ball when their mud-plastered optics would allow them to see it. The Penarth Executive should have scratched the fixture. Water had collected on the clayey soil to the depth of nearly a foot in many places, and it is certain the Bath officials would never have allowed a team to spend seven or eight pounds in making the journey with their ground in such a frightful state. There was nothing to gain from the Penarth point of view. Not a spectator was to be seen on the field. A few crouched under the meagre cover of some bushes at the ends of the ground, and about thirty were huddled together in the most sheltered part of the grand stand, and probably wished themselves at home.”

The referee blew ‘ no-side’ fifteen minutes into the second half.

“To add to the misery of the situation there was a lack of hot water and towels when the benumbed and drenched Bathonians reached the changing quarters again. So utterly sick of it all were the players that they vowed they would never visit Penarth again, at least, not on a football bent..

19/12/1903 At the AGM of the Bath Recreation Ground Company –“The Chairman suggested that to beautify the outlook from the Empire Hotel and North Parade, their bank along the Spring Gardens Road, might be planted with gorse, and this meeting with the general favour of those present, the Secretary made a note of it for the next director’s meeting. The Chairman also thought the Corporation should plant a row of chestnuts along the river bank where the elms had been cut down.”

26/03/1903

There was a continuing reluctance to visit the town on the Parrett. Over so many years, Bath had taken a weak or under strength side and suffered a drubbing. In contrast, Bridgwater normally arrived with full muster. The key to all this, appears to have lain in the train timings. Unless there was a train at noon to Bridgwater, the next departure was at 1 o’clock or even later. With any delays, this could mean a 5 o’clock arrival at Bridgwater.

Bath showed a lack of cohesion and the ‘Citizens’ came a cropper.

As an illustration of selection difficulties, Brown of Walcot and Neale of Batheaston were recruited, then Cooling, Watts and Marshman dropped out. Hodges from the ‘A’s filled one place, and ten minutes before the train started, Wilton and Heath were chanced upon and pressed into service. These last two were backs, one at Bath College and the other on holiday from Stoke. In the circumstances the scratch side put up a good fight, but could not match the Albion for hardness and splendid physique.

Wedding Present A report that Cashnella had finally decided on a preference for a bedroom suite for his wedding present, and Somerset Rugby Union had sanctioned the gift. At his request, there was to be no formal presentation.