Keith Clayton has now published volume one [1880 to 1915]on the history of the Cheshire Senior Cup.

In a very comprehensive 220 page volume containing all the results in the Cheshire Senior Cup from 1880 to 1915 with match reports on all finals and semi-finals with attendances and goal scorers from other rounds. If it was reported in a paper it was mentioned in the book. Match reports have retained the contemporary words used by the original reporters which give a flavour of the times.

In the early days some players had several different spellings of their name and the name could change several times in the same match report. The identity of the goal scorer can be different depending on which newspaper you read, and even the mode of scoring. Keith apologises if some of the names are misspelt.

The minutes of the Cheshire FA start in 1892/93 season, those prior to this date were destroyed in a fire. The results from the missing years have been painstakingly pulled together over the last few years. One result is missing in 1883/1884 season when Hurdsfield beat Birkenhead in the 1st Round. There was no match report or result, just a mention in the following week’s paper that in the previous week Hurdsfield had beaten Birkenhead on the same ground.

The quality of match reports from the early years varied considerably – from accurate accounts to no mention of players or scorers.

The next volume will take the history from 1918 to 1939.

All the profits from this book will go to the Cheshire Football Association once Keith’s overheads have been recouped.

The book is available from:-
Keith Clayton, 10, Casita Grove, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2QA
Price £14 post free - cheques payable to Keith Clayton