Football Queens & Kings

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 →

Edinburgh Waverley is the beating drum of the city, where the variety of life is fascinating. The difference is clear between people rushing to their work and those slowly taking in the city for the first time. James Hogg arrives. “Good morning.”, I said. The smile on James’ face is ear to ear.  “I have … Continue reading Chapter 85 – The Dapper Gentleman →

Edinburgh has been home for a month. After my last meeting with James, where I added additional areas to map in Glasgow, I agreed to base here and support him during February. I sit in my top floor office, which looks out on the Firth of Forth, contemplating our progress. James has successfully established the … Continue reading Chapter 84 – The Edinburgh Office →