ALTRINCHAM FC PLAYERS OF 1904/05
The 1904/05 team.
Terry Rowley kindly informs me that he believes that the above postcard picture (postmarked March 1905) is from the 1904/05 season. Altrincham won the Cheshire Amateur (or Junior Cup as the postcard terms it) in 1903/04 but did not defend it the following season, preferring to re-enter the Manchester Junior Cup instead. The Alty line up for the 1903/04 final, against Congleton, which Alty won 4-1 was Crawshaw, Cockram, Forster, Dunn, Bentley, Lang, Valantine, Whitfield, Drinkwater, Tonge, Ashe. Terry assumes the photo was taken in late 1904 or early 1905 as Elmore did not return to Altrincham till November 1904 after spells at WBA, Bristol Rovers and briefly Witton Albion. Richmond did not feature till December 1904. Indeed, the photo was most likely to have been taken on January 2nd, 1905 at the home game against Sale Holmfield as the line-up in the picture played in that match.
Terry Rowley adds the following fascinating information about the players depicted:
William Peak
James Lambern: Trainer and former player. Lived at 14 Albert Street, Altrincham. (This lies off Regent Road in what was a network of terraced houses).
Edward O'Brien: Right-back. He was a labourer who lived at 13 Egerton Terrace, Altrincham.
H. Bentley: Stalwart centre half whose career at Moss Lane ended in acrimony after 8 seasons.
S. Crawshaw: Goalkeeper, from Miles Platting, who was later allowed to leave under 'strange circumstances' on a free transfer to Stretford, after asking Sale £10 for his services. He went on to play for Pendlebury, Tonge and Witton Albion.
Andrew Lim(m)ond: His name was spelt with one or two "m"s. He was an ex-Stockport County and Wigan Rovers player who was signed from Earlestown.
Richard H. Leigh: Founding father and future mayor of Altrincham.
C. Cutter: Assistant secretary of the football club.
Samuel Stone: The financial secretary, from 28 George Street, Altrincham, was a grocer who had a shop on Manchester Road, Broadheath.
Edward Dunn: Played at number four. He was with Braodheath/ Altrincham from 1897/98 to 1905/06 then demanded a transfer. He went to Salford United as a professional and captain. He returned to play for Altrincham during 1908/09-1909/10. He also turned out for Altrincham during the First World War from 1915/16 to 1917/18. He worked as labourer and lived at 45 New Street, Altrincham.
George Elmore: The number eight, he was Altrincham's first star player. From Northwich, he was originally a salt worker. George played for Witton Albion and Northwich prior to joining Broadheath. Altrincham received £10 from WBA for him. He then moved to Bristol Rovers for a season and briefly to Witton, before re-joining Altrincham. Injury forced him to quit the full time game and he led Altrincham in their FA Cup debut. Eventually he had another stab at full-time football with Glossop and then Blackpool before heading up to Scotland, where he played for Partick Thistle and St Mirren.
George Whitfield :Number nine, George was another Altrincham stalwart, who hailed from Warrington. Indeed, George played against Altrincham for Warrington in WW1 but played for over 10 years for Altrincham in just about every outfield position. His brothers also played for Altrincham.
Johnny Vaughan: The side's number ten, Johnny lived at Victoria Cottage in Ashton-on Mersey. By profession he was a joiner. Before joining Altrincham, he played for Sale Holmfield FC.
Jimmy Ash: Ex-Sale Holmfield no.11, who emigrated to New Zealand prior to the 1906/07 season.
John Barnett: John was a reserve, who did not feature in the first team till 1907/08.
H. Richmond: Local player with Altrincham Reserves.
H. Collinge: Reserve player.
The kit shown is the new strip first worn at the home match v Tonge, 1st October 1904. It consisted of scarlet jerseys and light blue Shorts. Altrincham previously played in black and red.