Glossop's Sporting Past.
This article is based on the notes of Robert Hamnett, originally published as an article in the Glossop Advertiser in November 1913.
Grouse Shooting.
Game having always been plentiful in this district, it naturally follows that those who had time and money would take every advantage of shooting grouse during the season. In my humble opinion it was better sport and more healthy before the introduction of the system of butts. The shooters had to follow the grouse, and not, as at present, have them driven to them. The bags, of course, were not as large, but it was more exciting.
The gentry who indulged in grouse shooting subscribed to the expense, and the moors they shot over were called “the subscription moors.”
None were allowed to subscribe unless they were either leaseholders or sons of leaseholders; this condition led to the present Water Street being built by Joseph Tunnicliffe, of Macclesfield, who dearly loved shooting, and he went to the expense of building twelve houses, which were known as “Moor Game Row”, and are thus named in the rate books of 1846. These houses, however, are better known as the Macclesfield or Maxfield Row. Why they got, the name of Water Street I do not know, but I think the original name was the best.
Hunting.
The Glossop Hunt at one time was well known in the County, the kennels were on the site of Alderman Furniss’ Laundry (The laundry was at Whitfield Cross). The hunt came to an end in 1834, and during its life it was very active and was the cause of several of the small cotton masters coming to grief, having neglected their business to attend the Hunt Meetings.
Coursing.
In 1846 Dr. William Hunt, Messrs. John Wood and Thomas P. Wreaks were the only persons who had licences, the licences were £1 each, but after this date the young cotton masters took more interest in it, and we find in 1854 Mr. Francis J. Sumner giving a silver snuffbox as a prize for coursing, which was won by the late Mr. T. M. Ellison, late Town Clerk.
Cricket.
The first Glossop Cricket Club was formed on the 7th October, 1833, and to celebrate the event a dinner was held at the Norfolk Arms, Mr. Thomas Ellison being the chairman, and Mr. F. J. Sumner vice-chairman.
The members were the gentry of that date: Messrs. Edmund Potter, F. J. Sumner, John Kershaw (Hurst), John Hadfield (Cowbrook), John Hill Wood, Richard Matley (the Hodge), William and James Shepley, John Wood (Hadfield), Thomas Rhodes, Thomas Ellison, and others.
The cotton operatives had no time for sport until the passing of the Ten Hours' Bill. Prior to that, their day was Sunday, when pigeon flying, trail hunting, and cock fighting occupied their time. This was the reason why the Cricket Club could not be kept up. It was, however, re-established 18th April, 1848, when the president was Mr. Edwin Shaw; treasurer, Mr. John Hall; and secretary, Mr. Wm. Oates.
After the passing of the Ten Hours’ Bill the cotton operatives began to take an active part and interest in cricket. We find from the papers that on the 28th August, 1858, Glossop Victoria played against Whitfield Bee Hive, the return match being played on the 11th September following. On the Wakes' Tuesday, 21st September, Whitfield Bee Hive played Hurst.
On the 14th May, 1861, the Glossop Cricket Club was revived, being amalgamated with Glossop Victoria, and has never looked behind it since. They have played many notable matches since, one of the most interesting being played on the Wakes' Monday and Tuesday, 1874 - United South of England against 22 of Glossop. The Brothers W. G. Grace and G. F. Grace were amongst Glossop's opponents.
Another match, which was attractive and amusing, was played July, 1877 - Fifteen of Casey And Mayo's Clown Cricketers v. Fourteen of Glossop. The scores were: Clowns, 1st innings, 81, 2nd, 108 for 7 wickets; Glossop, 97. The Clowns held concerts in the Town Hall on the Friday and Saturday evenings, which were not as well attended as was expected.
The old field in Norfolk Street not being altogether satisfactory, a meeting was held on the 6th November, 1879, to arrange for a new field in Spire Hollin. No time was lost, and a 14 years lease was obtained of the present ground, and on the 9th February, 1880, operations commenced for laying out the new ground, and on the 9th August following the first cricket match was played on it.
Steps were taken to raise funds by means of a bazaar which was opened in the Town Hall on the 13th October, 1881.
The late Mr. Abel Harrison was a good supporter of the club, and on retiring from the Station Hotel, to celebrate the event, he gave the members of the Cricket Club a free dinner on the 14th November, 1889.
On the 4th February, 1890, there was a Grand Assault at Arms in the Victoria Hall, in aid of the funds of the club.
On the 28th June, 1890, the Club held athletic sports, which attracted 2,500 persons.
On the 31st July, 1892, there was a novel cricket match. Immediately on the fall of a wicket the fielders became the batters. The result was: A Charlesworth's side 156. R.G. Hawke's side 88. Mr E. Platt entertained the players to dinner at the Norfolk Arms.
On the 20th April, 1893, a grand bazaar, "The World's Fair", was opened in Victoria Hall, on Thursday by the Mayor, Mr. W.S. Rhodes; Friday by Capt. E. Partington; and on Saturday by Mr. John Wood. The proceeds, about £750 were divided between the Glossop Cricket Club, Glossop Football Club, and the Philharmonic Society.
In 1894 and 1895 the Glossop Cricket and Glossop Rugby Football Clubs held Athletic Sports in aid of their funds.
On the 13th May, 1897, a grand bazaar was opened in the Drill Hall by Lieut. Col. John Wood, in aid of the Glossop Cricket and Football Clubs, over £600 being realised.
A new pavilion, given by Capt. E. Partington was opened by him on the 22nd August 1898, when a silver key was presented to him, bearing a suitable inscription.
The first County Cricket Match at Glossop, was played on the 13th July, 1899: Lancashire, 132; Derbyshire, 56.
At the annual dinner of the Whitfield Bee Hive Cricket Club, held 17th November, 1866, it was stated that the club had won 4 matches, lost 2, and drawn 4. There were 18 players, I. Holland heading the batting averages.
On the same day the Glossop Royal Oak Cricket Club had their annual dinner. The club had won 3, lost 5, and drawn 5. J. Ainsworth heading the batting averages.
On the 23rd of October, 1867, the Glossop Cricket Club had a dinner at the Norfolk Arms, when it was stated that the club had won 7, lost 4, and drawn 7 matches.
Cricket bats were presented to George Williamson and James Braddock, being the best bowler and batter respectively. As some of these players are still living, I give the names of the players in their order of batting averages for the year: Matthew Walton (pro), James Braddock, Thos Shepley, George Williamson, Alfred Smith, J. Sellars, Edwin Barber, J. Clarke, J.H. Warhurst, S. Whewell, Thomas Foster, W. Clarke, J.B. Rayner, Robert James, Samuel Clarke, T. Higginbottom, J.H. Woodcock, J. Grimes. The highest number of runs in a match was 59 by M. Walton Matthew Walton was at one time in business at 7 High Street East, see An Early History of numbers 1 to 25 High Street East, Glossop.
The Glossop and District Cricket League was formed about 1892.
Football.
The first local football fixtures appeared in the local papers on the 12th January, 1889. Prior to that date I find no report of local football matches.
Charlesworth football club had 14 fixtures, including matches against Lower Barn and Glossop North End.
Glossop Association Football Club first eleven, 16 matches, including a match against Dinting Albion, being the first round in the Glossop Cup Competition; the 2nd eleven 12 matches, including matches against Dinting Albion and Glossop North End on the Pyegrove Field.
The results of the football matches on January 5th were as follows:-
Hollingworth Wanderers 3 goals vs Charlesworth 1 goal.
Lower Barn vs Hyde St. Thomas; Fog stopped play.
Rose Green 3 goals vs Dinting Rovers 0 goals.
Glossop Albion 0 goals vs Glossop Star 0 goals.
Dukinfield Unitarian Onwards 2 goals vs Glossop North End 0 goals.
Glossop Rangers 2 goals vs Moorside Wanderers 0 goals.
Dinting Albion 8 goals vs Hyde Chapel 0 goals.
Glossop Rugby 1 goal, 1 try, 5 minors vs Stalybridge 2 tries.
Glossop Team; Full back, T. Bradbury; three quarters, W. Bradbury (Capt.), L. Ward, W. Dewsnap; halfbacks; C. Ward, G. Longden; forwards; A.G. Ward, B. Walton, C. Bradbury, W.J. Drinkwater, S. Darwent, T. Sills, W. Knott, W. Ridgway, and F. Bradbury.
Other football clubs were Glossop Amateurs, Dinting Holy Trinity, Glossop South End, Whitfield Olympic, and Glossop St. Thomas.
On the 1st September, 1894, Glossop North End opened a new ground at the Pyegrove with a match against Sheffield Strollers, which ended in a draw of three goals each. A. Berwick was the trainer this season. On the 14th September, the club played a match against Derby County; Result two goals each.
The end of the season 1898-99 found Glossop in the first division, they had won 20 matches, lost 8, and drawn 6; scored 76 goals, and had 38 scored against them.
Great hopes were entertained that the club would do well in the first division, but at the end of the season, 1900, they were at the bottom of the list having won 4 matches, lost 20, and drawn 10; scored 38 goals, and had 78 scored against them. The players were; Armstrong, Burgess, Carlin, Clifford, Colville, Connachan, Davidson, Evans, French, Gallacher, Goddard, Jackson, Jones, Killeen, Lumsden, Lupton, McCosh, McEwan, Monks, Muir, Morris, Orr, Rothwell, Saunders, Scarratt, and Williams.
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Last updated: 11 November 2022