Author: The Hampden Collection

I turn to Robert Smith and shake his hand in congratulation.  "This is momentous, Robert, and will greatly increase Queens Park’s influence. We have a seat at the table.", I said. The committee continues with the first amendment to the Association Rules proposed by Wanderers. "Update Rule Three: change goals after each goal is scored … Continue reading Chapter 95 – Scotlands Committee Place →

President Ebenezer Morley, the creator of the Football Association and the first set of association rules, takes the chair at seven o’clock.  “At the 1868 AGM, Morley explained there were no funds and the expenses of £5 had been covered by the officers.”, Robert whispered. “They were effectively bankrupt?“, I replied quietly. “Yes, however, they … Continue reading Chapter 94 – Football Association Committee →

Following three days of researching the capital, I circle today’s date in my diary: 28 February 1872: Meeting Robert Smith at six o’clock; Football Association AGM.  Tonight is especially cold, as I meander my way through the City of Westminster to the Arundel Hotel, located at the South end of Arundel Street, Strand. Robert Smith … Continue reading Chapter 93 – Arundel Hotel, Strand →

My week commences with meeting George, my architect friend, who has a great knowledge of London. “I have one objective. A large office with adjoining accommodation, close to Kings Cross Station and an address befitting of Thompson & French.” “I like a challenge”, replied George, and we head into the bustling city. At five o’clock, … Continue reading Chapter 92 – The London Search →

James Hogg and I accompany our new journalist acquaintance, Malcolm Anderson, out of the Surrey Cricket Ground, when there is a shout from behind. We turn around to find Robert and James Smith, the Queens Park brothers, walking towards us.  “Where have you been?”, I ask, “and more importantly, why on earth were you not … Continue reading Chapter 91 – The London Debate →

I stare down into the grass of Kennington Oval, “I am a curse on this team, James.” The group of cold, damp and exhausted players trudge off the field. We make our way down and stand beside the two Captains, Charles Alcock and Muir Mackenzie, deep in conversation.  “Not the greatest of matches, Charles, at … Continue reading Chapter 90 – The Lion Rampant →

James Hogg and I stand transfixed as the game kicks off. “Which players are missing from Scotland’s ranks?”, I ask the gentleman in front. “Quintin Hogg and Henry Renny-Tailyour sustained severe injuries this week. Gladstone is unavailable.”, replied the man. Muir Mackenzie, Scottish Captain, allows England to play with the wind behind them in the … Continue reading Chapter 89 – England v Scotland →

We board our carriage and head for Kennington Oval via the Vauxhall Bridge. I hand The Morning Post to James Hogg, which contains an excellent match preview, including the names of the ‘English players and Scotchmen of the metropolis’. “Mr W. H. Gladstone M.P.  is most likely to play for Scotland?”, said James. “Yes, he … Continue reading Chapter 88 – Football Match Preview →

James Hogg and I arrive in London’s King Cross Station, where the air is bitterly cold and filled with smog. We quickly climb into our hackney carriage.  “There were few hotels before the railways. People stayed in coaching inns or rented houses.”, I said. We arrive in the burgh named after the May Fair, which … Continue reading Chapter 87 – The Royal Seat →

The train pulls out of Waverley. James Hogg and I are alone in our carriage, bound for London. I read the first line of my book, “On the 24th of February, 1810, the look-out at Notre-Dame de la Garde signalled the three-master, the Pharaon from Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples.” I snap the book shut.  “James, … Continue reading Chapter 86 – Father of Printing →