Not in the clamour of the crowded street,
Not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng,
But in ourselves are triumph and defeat.
– Henry Longfellow 1876
The New Boys
After the long hot summer, September arrived and Burnley Football Club was ready to begin a new football season in the First Division. John Haworth’s team would now compete amongst the biggest and the best. Teams including Billy Meredith’s Manchester United, Newcastle United and Liverpool. League Champions Sunderland and FA Cup winners, Aston Villa. But the matches Burnley supporters were keenly looking forward to were against rivals Blackburn Rovers, who would arrive at Turf Moor in just one week’s time.
It had been a busy close season behind the scenes at Turf Moor. Work on the new Brunshaw Road stand had been completed. The huge stand with a walled enclosure in front had new dressing rooms for the players and boasted a, ‘nice little tea-room on the first floor’ according to the Burnley Express. The top-priced season tickets at 25 shillings in the new stand had all sold out. The old Star stand on the opposite side had been demolished and replaced by high, sloped cinder banking, increasing Turf Moor’s ground capacity to 40,000.
Despite promotion, the cost of watching Burnley from the terraces in the 1913-14 season were held at last seasons prices. Sixpence for adults (2.5p) and threepence for ladies and children. A match programme cost one penny (1d) and a pre-match pint of Massey’s best bitter threepence - a full afternoon’s entertainment for under a shilling (5p). (See appendix for prices of watching football in 1914.)
Burnley head groundsman Abel Hudson had prepared a fine playing surface over the summer that was ready for the visit of Rovers, but before that encounter, Burnley faced a trip to Goodison Park for the opening fixture of the new season. For three shillings, Burnley supporters could travel to Goodison Park with the Burnley team in luxury on a special chartered train, departing from Burnley after lunch-time and returning at 8:55 pm after the match. It would be a welcome return to Goodison Park for Burnley centre-forward Bert Freeman, who had joined Burnley from Everton for the sum of £550 only two years before. Before the match Everton and Burnley had agreed to pool the income and share the proceeds of both League games at the end of the season. (See Appendix - Calculating Burnley’s Income from Gate Receipts.)
Everton v Burnley, Goodison Park, Monday 1st September 1913, Kick-Off 5:45 pm
The teams lined up at Goodison Park:
Everton: Mitchell, Stevenson, Maconachie, Harris, Wareing, Grenyer, Beare, Jefferis, Browell, Bradshaw, Palmer.
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Taylor, Halley, Boyle Watson, Bellamy, Lindley, Freeman, Hodgson, Husband.
Referee: Mr T. P. Campbell (Blackburn)
Burnley began the game the more positive side with Bert Freeman having two good runs on goal, one effort skimming the crossbar. After a goalless first period where both sides had played not to lose, it was Burnley who took the lead with Jimmy Bellamy’s low drive past an outstretched Mitchell on 71 minutes. Two minutes later Freeman should have doubled Burnley’s tally. With Mitchell beaten, Freeman’s shot hit the post and re-bounded to safety. Heroics from Jerry Dawson in the Burnley goal kept the Clarets on course for a Burnley victory, but with seven minutes remaining Everton equalised. Dawson managed to grab hold of the ball on the floor after a long-range effort from Jefferis. The Everton centre-forward Browell ran in to pick up any prospect of a loose ball. There wasn’t one as Dawson had shielded the ball under his body, so Browell tried to kick the ball out from under him. A free-for-all in the Burnley penalty area ensued. Full-back Dave Taylor, who was standing in front of Dawson, was knocked into the Burnley net. Up to a dozen players were involved in the melee. Mr Campbell eventually stepped in to call a halt to the fracas but rather than award Burnley a free-kick, he gave a drop-ball in the Burnley goalmouth. Burnley managed to clear but the ball came out to Browell, who probably shouldn’t have been on the field after his foul on Dawson, to strike the Everton equaliser.
At Full Time: Everton 1 (Browell), Burnley 1 (Bellamy).
Attendance: 35,000 (Gate receipts of £974 7s).
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What the Papers said:
The Manchester Guardian – “Burnley thoroughly deserved the draw they made with Everton and a continuation of the same form will give them a high place. Dawson was as sound as ever in the Burnley goal with Freeman repeatedly dangerous. There was not a weak spot in the team.”
The Daily Mirror – “Burnley were a little unlucky not to beat Everton. It was a great contest up to the last kick.”
The Burnley Express’s Football correspondent Brunhilde said simply – “Burnley were splendid!”
Burnley supporters travelling home on the train that evening must have wondered how their side had not won the match. The Clarets had certainly made an impressive start on their return to the First Division and won their first point.
A Hard Time at the Hawthorns
Following their impressive start at Everton, The Clarets were on their travels again, this time to the Midlands to play West Bromwich Albion. Burnley soon discovered what life was like in the top division and were given a lesson in goal scoring from Albion centre-forward Alf Bentley, making his debut following his £500 summer transfer from Bolton Wanderers.
West Bromwich Albion v Burnley, The Hawthorns, Saturday 6 September 1913, K.O. 3:30 pm
The teams lined up:
Albion: Pearson, Smith, Pennington, Waterhouse, Buck, McNeal, Jephcott, Morris, Bentley, Lewis, Shearman.
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Taylor, Halley, Boyle, Watson, Bellamy, Lindley, Freeman, Hodgson, Husband.
Referee: Mr T. Kirkham (Burslem)
A warm, sunny afternoon greeted the travelling Burnley supporters and the game was only five minutes old when Albion took the lead with a goal by the debut-making Bentley who beat Jerry Dawson with a fine shot. Burnley rallied and from the re-start a good shot from Billy Watson went just wide of the Albion post. Albion countered, and on nine minutes Tom Bamford failed to clear the ball. Bentley robbed him and slid the ball past Dawson to score his second goal. Straight from the re-start Burnley lost possession and Albion stormed forward again. Jephcott heading the ball at Dawson who caught the ball cleanly. But before Dawson could clear up-field he was charged into the net along with the ball by Bentley to make it three-nil and give the newcomer his hat-trick after only eleven minutes! At three down, Burnley gradually came into the game. A Bert Freeman shot rattled the Albion crossbar. But just before the interval, it got worse for Burnley when winger Jimmy Bellamy was hurt in a collision and had to be carried off the field.
Ten-man Burnley pulled a goal back early in the second half with a fine goal from Freeman. Running at the Albion defence, Freeman beat several defenders to score with a neat chip over the goalkeepers head. It was a great goal, but it was always going to be Albion’s day after such a bad start. As Tommy Boyle pushed his men forward to try and reduce the arrears, six minutes from time, Boyle and George Halley joined the Burnley attack leaving the defence exposed. Pearson the Albion keeper lobbed the ball out to Shearman lurking in the Burnley half. Burnley full-back Tom Bamford protested to the referee that Shearman was offside, but Mr Kirkham waved his arms for them to play on. Shearman centred, Dawson rose to catch the ball and missed it, the ball falling straight to who-else but Bentley to score his fourth goal against a now shell-shocked Burnley.
At Full Time: West Bromwich Albion 4 (Bentley 4), Burnley 1 (Freeman).
Attendance: 25,000
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The Albion defeat hurt and the team only had Sunday off before opening their home campaign with the eagerly anticipated visit of local rivals, Blackburn Rovers.
The Rovers Return
Monday 8th September and a Bank Holiday for the return of the local derby against Rovers and a match that would draw a record crowd to Turf Moor. It would be the first League encounter between Burnley and Blackburn Rovers this century, the last League contest way back in 1899. With the mills and factories closed for the holiday, the Burnley Express reported that an hour before kick-off, huge crowds were seen making their way towards Turf Moor. The crowds must have delayed the Rovers team who arrived at Turf Moor late, only just in time to change into their kit. There was one team change for The Clarets. Local youngster Billy Nesbitt came into the Burnley side for the injured Jimmy Bellamy.
Burnley v Blackburn Rovers, Turf Moor, Monday 8 September 1913. Kick-Off 3.30pm
The teams lined up:
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Taylor, Halley, Boyle, Watson, Nesbitt, Lindley, Freeman, Hodgson, Husband.
Blackburn Rovers: Robinson, Crompton, Cowell, Walmsley, Smith, Bradshaw, Simpson, Shea, Chapman, Latherton, Hodkinson.
Referee: Mr W. J. Heath (Burslem)
Tommy Boyle led out the Burnley team to a bumper crowd at Turf Moor and the Clarets attacked the Cricket Field End in the first half. Jerry Dawson was in action shortly after the kick-off saving first from Chapman and then Shea. With only four minutes gone, Burnley attacked down the right, Boyle feeding the ball to Billy Nesbitt. Nesbitt put in a good centre for Teddy Hodgson who took the ball around Cowell and rolled it into the path of Bert Freeman. Freeman picked his spot and with a hard shot volleyed home to give Burnley the lead. Turf Moor erupted! Burnley held their own for the best part of half an hour before the visitors gained three corners in succession at the Bee Hole End. It was from the third corner that Smith scored the Rovers equaliser. Jerry Dawson found himself in the wars shortly after as did Dave Taylor, who got a nasty gash to his knee which forced him out of the game until the second half. The score at the interval was 1-1.
Burnley attacked strongly again in the second half. A lively Billy Nesbitt supplying Bert Freeman who came close, his shot striking the crossbar. Five minutes into the second half, Rovers won a direct free kick inside the Burnley penalty area. Chapman took the kick and struck it straight through a packed Burnley defence beyond Dawson to give Rovers the lead. Burnley had two chances through Bill Husband but he failed to put them away. Then Freeman was unlucky not to equalise for Burnley. He had a golden opportunity to score and was pulled back by a Rovers defender. Freeman appealed but Mr Heath waved play-on, no foul. After a gutsy performance, the Clarets went down fighting to a 2-1 defeat. Rovers went top of the League while John Haworth’s men were left nursing more injuries.
At Full Time: Burnley 1 (Freeman), Blackburn Rovers 2 (Smith, Chapman)
Attendance: 38,000 (Record gate receipts for a League match at Turf Moor of £940 8s 1d)
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What the Papers said,
Burnley Express: “It is a long time since I witnessed a game with Rovers in which the trainers services were so frequently required. Taylor needed three stitches in a knee and Halley received a blow to the jaw from an opponents elbow.”
Wednesday on a Saturday
With only one point from their first three games, Burnley were fourth from the bottom of the First Division and desperate to find their first victory. On the back of two straight defeats, Burnley secretary John Haworth rang the changes. Eddie Mosscrop was available for selection and he replaced Billy Nesbitt despite the local youngster having a good game against Blackburn. Harry Mountford came in for Bill Husband on the right and Cliff Jones replaced injured full back Dave Taylor.
Burnley v The Wednesday, Turf Moor, Saturday 13 September 1913 Kick-Off 3:30 pm
The Teams lined up at Turf Moor:
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Jones, Halley, Boyle, Watson, Mosscrop, Lindley, Freeman, Hodgson, Mountford.
The Wednesday: Davison, Worrall, Spoors, Brittleton, McSkimming, Campbell, Kirkman, Glennon, Burkinshaw (J), Wilson, Robertson.
Referee: Mr J. E. Hall (Olton)
It had rained overnight but the pitch was in good order and a light breeze blew from the Bee Hole End toward the town. The visitors started the more positive and had several chances to take the lead. Jerry Dawson was the busier of the two goalkeepers and punched clear two dangerous Wednesday crosses from corner kicks. Cliff Jones settled well in defence alongside Tom Bamford, and both full-backs were kept busy. After thirty minutes, Burnley settled down and came more into the game. Teddy Hodgson had a goal ruled offside. Then Eddie Mosscrop came close to scoring for the Clarets just before the interval but skewed his shot wide of the post at the last moment and at half-time the scores were level, 0-0.
The visitors started the better side in the second half and saw more of the ball. With 20 minutes of the second half gone, the game had a goalless draw written all over it. On 68 minutes, a breakthrough came for Burnley. Tommy Boyle placed a good pass out to winger Harry Mountford. Mountford passed inside to Teddy Hodgson. Hodgson was thirty yards from goal, he swivelled, beat the Wednesday full-back and headed on toward goal. Wednesday’s goalkeeper Teddy Davison, at five feet seven inches, the smallest goalkeeper in the League, came off his line to meet Hodgson. Hodgson spotted a small gap between Davison and his post and hit a low shot along the floor that found the bottom corner of the Wednesday net. It was a good goal from Hodgson and won great cheers from all around Turf Moor. The game suddenly came to life as Wednesday pressed forward. Wednesday found the back of the Burnley net only for Mr Hall to rule their effort offside. Six minutes later Burnley attacked again. After shots on goal from several Burnley players the ball came to winger Harry Mountford to score Burnley’s second with a good shot.
Ten minutes from time, Burnley went 3-0 up when Billy Watson and Mountford combined. Mountford sent a through ball to Freeman for the centre-forward to score his third goal in three games. It was a brilliant goal by Freeman, described by Sportsman in the Burnley Express, “Freeman got the ball and dribbling on in his best style, got in between the backs and hooked the ball over Davison’s head.” The Clarets left the field to rapturous applause after an excellent second half performance.
At Full Time: Burnley 3 (Hodgson, Mountford, Freeman), The Wednesday 0
Attendance: 23,000 (Gate receipts £509)
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What the Papers said:
Daily Mail: “Burnley played like a team inspired and their forwards in the last quarter did pretty much as they liked.”
Daily Dispatch: “Burnley gained their first victory without the services of key players but the material the Turf Moor executive has to work upon is good enough to hold its own with the majority in first-class company.”
Another Lancashire Derby
Next was a short journey to Burnden Park and another Lancashire derby against a Bolton Wanderers side going well in the League. John Haworth fielded the same team that had played so well against The Wednesday.
Bolton Wanderers v Burnley, Burnden Park, Saturday 20 September 1913, Kick-Off 3:00 pm
The Teams lined up:
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Taylor, Halley, Boyle, Watson, Mosscrop, Lindley, Freeman, Hodgson, Mountford.
Bolton Wanderers: Edmonson, Baversock, Feebury, Gimblett, Rowley, Thomas, Donaldson, Jones, Lillycrop, Smith and Vizard.
Referee: Mr R. Eccles (Darwen)
Burnley kicked off on what was a dull, cloudy, afternoon with their opponents in a determined mood having beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford the previous weekend. George Lillycrop, Tommy Boyle’s former team mate at Barnsley and now Bolton’s centre-forward, was in the Wanderers team. Lillycrop sent a good ball out to Vizard the Wanderers outside-left. The Welsh international was tackled well by Mosscrop who stole the ball off him and made his way into the Bolton half. With no other Burnley forwards nearby, Mosscrop let fly from thirty yards with a shot that skimmed the Bolton crossbar. After Mosscrop’s effort, Bolton took command and had a number of attempts on goal, Jerry Dawson pulling off several fine saves from Donaldson, Smith and Jones. Once when saving from Lillycrop, Dawson was unfairly bundled into the net and was awarded a free-kick.
It was a rough game. Burnley’s trainer, Ernie Edwards, was kept busy throughout the first half, attending to Boyle, Lindley, Bamford, Halley and finally Dawson. Shortly before half-time, Burnley won their first corner. Mosscrop centred and found Billy Watson ten yards out whose drive rattled Edmondson’s right post. At the interval it remained goalless.
The second half featured mostly Bolton pressure but their attacks were thwarted by heroics from Dawson in the Burnley goal. With an hour gone, there was a moment of controversy when a Bolton claim for a penalty was turned down by Mr Eccles. Donaldson’s cross had bounced up and struck Dave Taylors arm who was stood on the edge of the penalty area. The Bolton players appealed and after consulting with his linesman, Mr Eccles only awarded a free-kick outside the penalty area. The Bolton players were incensed and remonstrated strongly with Mr Eccles, who would have none of it. Sportsman in the Burnley Express, reckoned Taylor was inside the penalty area when he handled, but that it had not been intentional.
Jerry Dawson pulled off a series of flying saves in the latter stages of the game to deny the home side. The game suffered from the high number of fouls from both sides that ruined the run of play. In one tackle, Sportsman described that Halley was ‘laid-out.’ An ‘ankle-tap’ on Freeman should have led to a sending off and then, ‘a retaliatory kick at Donaldson by Taylor’ brought boos from the home crowd. Finally, Burnley’s best player of the contest, Jerry Dawson, was knocked into the back of his net for the second time in the match after saving from a corner, just before the final whistle.
At Full Time: Bolton Wanderers 0, Burnley 0
Attendance: 33,000
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England Call-ups for Watson and Freeman
After their performances in the previous matches, it was announced on the 24th September that Billy Watson and Bert Freeman had both been selected to play in the English League side to play the Irish League, in Belfast on 1st October.
Brilliant Burnley
After two good team performances against Wednesday and Bolton Wanderers, Burnley returned to Turf Moor. It was a golden, end-of-summer afternoon at Turf Moor with mid-table Chelsea the visitors. This was a match where everything came together for John Haworth’s men who put on a performance that would live long in the memory of the Burnley supporters that witnessed it. Haworth again had replacements to find for injuries. McLaren came in at centre-half for an injured Tommy Boyle and Tom Charlton replaced Harry Mountford (thigh).
Burnley v Chelsea, Turf Moor, Saturday 27 September 1913, Kick-Off 3:30 pm
The Teams lined up:
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, D. Taylor, Halley, McLaren, Watson, Mosscrop, Lindley, Freeman, Hodgson, Charlton.
Chelsea: Molyneaux, Whittingham, Sharp, F. Taylor, Logan, Calderhead, Ford, MacFarlane, Turnbull, V. J. Woodward, Fairgay.
Referee: Mr J. Fowler (Sunderland)
Chelsea began the better team and Jerry Dawson’s services were required early on from a corner kick. From Dawson’s clearance, Eddie Mosscrop was put through and his shot on the Chelsea goal on five minutes led to Burnley’s first corner. Mosscrop’s in-swinger corner found Teddy Hodgson totally unmarked at the far post to head in and put the Clarets a goal up. Chelsea attacked but the Burnley defence held firm. George Halley setting up quick counter-attacks for Bert Freeman and then Dick Lindley who both had good chances to score. On fourteen minutes, Freeman found Mosscrop, who centred to find George Halley just inside the Chelsea penalty area to score with a hard shot that Molyneaux never saw until he picked it out of the net. It was a rare goal from the Burnley centre-back to double Burnley’s lead. A Chelsea attack found Ford in the Burnley penalty area who was fouled by Tommy Bamford. Mr Fowler awarded Chelsea the penalty from which Whittingham stepped up to score and make it 2-1. Chelsea surged forward looking for the equaliser but it was the quick breaking runs from Mosscrop, the most dangerous man on the field, who gave Chelsea’s defence problems all afternoon. A shot by McLaren on 30 minutes led to another Burnley corner. It was quickly taken by Mosscrop who’s accurate centre found Bert Freeman’s head this time to score Burnley’s third, making it Freeman’s fourth goal in five games for the Clarets. And at half time Burnley led Chelsea, 3-1.
Chelsea fought to get back in the match right from the whistle. A Woodward shot pulling off a good save from Dawson. Chelsea had much of the early play but their attacks simply couldn’t breech Burnley’s defence. On sixty-eight minutes, Lindley and Mosscrop combined. Lindley’s pass inside finding an unmarked Hodgson who finished brilliantly, to score his second goal of the afternoon. Chelsea pushed forward and were left exposed at the back. Tom Charlton punished them with a fast dribbling run and an excellent finish on his own to make it 5-1 to The Clarets. To cap a fine afternoon, five minutes from time, Eddie Mosscrop won another corner. Mosscrop floated the ball across, Hodgson snuck between two confused Chelsea defenders and headed in to complete his hat-trick and score Burnley’s sixth!
At Full Time: Burnley 6 (Hodgson 3, Halley, Freeman, Charlton), Chelsea 1 (Whittingham pen.)
Attendance: 24,000 (Gate receipts of £555)
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It had been a brilliant afternoon for the Clarets who gave Chelsea a lesson in finishing. It was difficult to pick out an individual Burnley player for special praise, they had all played so well. Teddy Hodgson’s hat-trick gained much praise from Sportsman in the Burnley Express but it was winger Eddie Mosscrop’s all-round performance that made him the Clarets stand-out player.
“Mosscrop has never played a better game for Burnley. He was on the top of his form in speed, command of the ball, centring and placing corners.”
After a shaky start, Burnley were gradually finding their feet and climbing the League table. After six games, the Clarets were now up to ninth place in the Table.
MP Philip Morrell and Lady Ottoline’s visit
Burnley’s Member of Parliament, Philip Morrell and his wife, Lady Ottoline were holidaying in Burnley, staying for a month in Upper Brunshaw with Lady O’Hagan. The couple had watched two of Burnley’s home matches against Sheffield Wednesday and Chelsea.
In Other News
The Government announced they were considering proposals for a joint project with the French to construct a tunnel under the English Channel that would allow trains to run directly between London and Paris.
A Drab Afternoon in Oldham
Burnley’s next match was a short trip to Boundary Park to play Oldham. After Burnley’s recent form, a large number of their supporters made the trip. Kestrel, the Burnley News reporter, wasn’t too impressed with Oldham. His match report complained about the weather, the midges and the mud in Sheepfoot Lane. “Sheepfoot Lane bears an appropriate name for it is more fitted for a sheep track than for an approach or exit to or from a football ground.” His verbal attack went on, “Just as Oldham under a muggy sky was a study in monochrome – dirty brick houses, dirty children and slatternly women – so the game itself was a study in one colour – drab.” The referee also came in for a scathing attack as Kestrel thought the Clarets were “again deprived of both points.” The match featured the Burnley Cricket Club professional Billy Cook playing in defence for Oldham. Tommy Boyle was back at the heart of defence for the Clarets.
Oldham Athletic v Burnley, Boundary Park, Saturday 4 October 1913,
Kick-Off 3:30 pm
The Teams lined up:
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Jones, Halley, Boyle, Watson, Mosscrop, Lindley, Freeman, Hodgson, Charlton.
Oldham Athletic: Matthews, Hodson, Cook, Moffat, Roberts, Wilson, Tummon, Walters, Toward, Woodyer, Donnachie.
Referee: Mr S. D. Peers (Liverpool)
After a slow start, the game came to life when Oldham took an early lead on 17 minutes. Billy Cook scoring for Oldham from a penalty, given away by Tommy Boyle for, “fisting out a goal-bound header by Walters.” The Burnley skipper was stood on the goal-line at the time and had little choice, the ball too high to reach with his head. Boyle wasn’t cautioned, booked or even spoken to by the referee. On twenty three minutes, the Burnley captain made amends. Dick Lindley found Tom Charlton with a return pass who tore down the wing and beat Hodson the Oldham full-back. The ball came inside to Teddy Hodgson, who passed to Bert Freeman. Freemans shot cannoned off a defender straight into the path of Boyle. The Burnley skipper let rip from 25 yards with a screamer. Matthews in the Oldham goal sighted the ball coming his way, coming at pace, heading straight for his top right-hand corner. Kestrel – “the custodian sprang for the ball and reached it but so great was the speed the ball, tumbled him back into the net.” At half-time the sides remained at 1-1.
The second half featured very little football. It became more of a kicking contest, the play littered with nasty, niggling fouls between the players. Roberts the Oldham centre-half, according to Kestrel, “was particularly offensive to Freeman, who had to protest about his tactics” and who was later kicked for his complaining. Moffat lost his temper after an incident when he and Charlton were going for the ball. Moffat deliberately kicking Charlton on the shin when the ball was out of play. No record was given of any bookings or sending’s off by the referee. In the match summary, Kestrel reported that Oldham had most of the play in the first twenty minutes but after that Burnley dominated for well over an hour.
At Full Time: Oldham 1 (Cook pen), Burnley 1 (Boyle)
Attendance: 16,000.
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Victory over Rovers in the Lancashire Cup
The second round of the Lancashire Cup took place at Turf Moor on Monday the 6th of October. Both sides played their first teams and Burnley knocked Blackburn Rovers out in front of a small crowd of around 6,000. The match featured the return of Billy Nesbitt in place of Eddie Mosscrop who was teaching. The Clarets won comfortably, 3-0 with goals from Dick Lindley, a Tommy Boyle penalty and Bert Freeman.
Burnley’s Walking Wounded
With the season less than a month old, the team were picking up results but injuries were mounting. Jimmy Bellamy was still ruled out. Tommy Boyle had missed the Chelsea game “through slight concussion, the result of hard knocks in the Bolton and Blackburn matches.” Dave Taylor’s knee had been stitched up, he was sporting a head injury and had torn a ligament in his left ankle in the first half during the Chelsea game but had played on. Harry Mountford had a damaged thigh muscle. In the reserve team, goalkeeper Ronnie Sewell had received such a bad kick on the thigh it required the trainer to be called out at midnight. Bill Husband had influenza and reserve full-back Bob Reid was in bed suffering from ‘quinsy’ (tonsillitis).
New Burnley Stand Proposal
The Club directors had asked Mr Arthur Bell, the club’s architect, to cost the provision of a shelter on the side of the ground where the ‘Star’ stand was located (The Longside). The directors were keen on something similar to what was being completed at Ewood Park, a ‘semi-double-decker.’ This would consist of a stand overhead with seating accommodation and rising terraces underneath. The designs and proposals were currently under discussion by the Burnley board.
The Return of the Welsh Wizard
Burnley’s next encounter was against Manchester United. Between two and three thousand United supporters arrived in Burnley by train early on Saturday morning. It was the first return to Turf Moor of United since their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Spen Whittaker’s Burnley in the 1910 FA Cup. United’s Billy Meredith had celebrated his 39th birthday earlier in July but was still up to his old tricks. The Clarets were unchanged from the previous week’s game at Oldham.
Figure 12: Manchester United 1913-14
Burnley v Manchester United, Turf Moor, Saturday 11 October 1913 Kick-Off 3:00 pm
The Teams lined up:
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Taylor, Halley, Boyle, Watson, Mosscrop, Lindley, Freeman, Hodgson, Charlton.
Manchester United: Beale, Chorlton, Stacey, Duckworth, Whalley, Hamill, Meredith, Turnbull, Anderson, West, Wall.
Referee: Mr J. T. Hornby (London)
Manchester United appeared in dark blue shirts to avoid the colour clash. Burnley captain Tommy Boyle won the toss and elected to play with the wind behind the Clarets, toward the Cricket Field End. Right from the kick-off, United pressed forward. Billy Meredith gave Dave Taylor a torrid time and the Burnley defence was severely tested. On 23 minutes, a long ball from United sailed over the heads of the Burnley full-backs. Jerry Dawson ran out to claim the ball but was beaten to it by United’s centre-forward George Anderson, who opened the scoring. Tommy Boyle called to his wingers to get forward and on 36 minutes Burnley won a deserved equaliser. Full-back Tom Bamford sent a long ball up-field. Teddy Hodgson held the ball up in the United half and passed inside to Bert Freeman who fired into the United goal. Freeman’s strike generated enthusiastic applause from the home crowd. The Clarets had their best spell of the game and efforts from Dick Lindley, Teddy Hodgson and a long-distance blast from the skipper completed the first half with the teams going in for tea at 1-1.
Burnley began the second half strongly and Beale in the United goal was kept busy by Tom Charlton, but a mix-up at the back cost Burnley on 49 minutes. The ball was received on the right by Wall who centred and found and unmarked Anderson to score his second goal. Dawson’s view was blocked by a Burnley defender and Dawson couldn’t stop the ball going in. Burnley poured forward and a claim for a penalty was turned down when a shot from Bert Freeman hit a United defenders hand, but Mr Hornby waved play-on. Burnley had another good chance through Eddie Mosscrop with a run on goal, only he was pulled back by a United defender. No foul and play on said Mr Hornby. United were more dangerous in the closing ten minutes after Burnley first lost Teddy Hodgson to injury and then Tommy Boyle. Burnley finishing the match with only nine players. United left Turf Moor with the points while the Clarets were left nursing more injuries.
At Full Time: Burnley 1 (Freeman), Manchester United 2 (Anderson 2)
Attendance: 30,000 (Gate receipts of £730 14s 9d)
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Burnley’s Best
According to Sportsman in the Burnley Express, “Bamford was the better of the defenders, Boyle in the intermediate line while Hodgson and Mosscrop were perhaps the pick of the forwards with Freeman running them close.”
Death of Old Burnley Groundsman
The death was announced by the Club on October 15th of Mr Onias Pickles, aged 71 who for a number of years was the head groundsman at Turf Moor. As a mark of respect the flag was lowered to half-mast.
Burnley Win Their Spurs
Burnley had played five out of the top six sides when sixth placed Tottenham Hotspur arrived at Turf Moor. It had been five years since Burnley had last played the London side who had started the season well with only one defeat in eight games.
Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur, Turf Moor, Saturday 18 October 1913, Kick-Off 3:15 pm
The Teams lined up:
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Jones, Halley, Boyle, Watson, Mosscrop, Charlton, Freeman, Hodgson, Husband.
Tottenham Hotspur: King, Collins, Webster, Weir, Steel, Grimsdell, Fleming, Minter, Cantrell, Bliss, Middlemiss.
Referee: Mr J. E. Hall (Olton)
Tottenham had more of the play in the first period with Jerry Dawson the busier of the two goalkeepers. On fifteen minutes Burnley won a free kick. Tom Bamford placed the ball and struck the ball toward goal. The ball bounced higher than King in the Spurs goal expected and though he managed to get a finger to it, the ball slipped from King’s fingers. The ball rolled towards goal and winger Tom Charlton ran in and knocked it over the line to give Burnley the lead. Following Spurs pressure, ten minutes later an attack led to Fleming centring for Cantrell to score for the visitors with a fine header to level the scores. Before the interval, Bert Freeman had a good chance to put Burnley back in front but his effort went just wide of King’s post.
Seven minutes into the second half, Freeman was causing problems among the Spurs defenders. He held up the ball and released it to Tommy Boyle who was brought down in the penalty area. Mr Hall pointed to the spot and Boyle stepped up to score and put the Clarets back in front. Burnley maintained the pressure and from an Eddie Mosscrop centre, Teddy Hodgson put the ball in the net but it was flagged offside, which was met by derision by the home crowd.
On 78 minutes Boyle found Mosscrop on the wing with one of his long swinging passes. Mosscrop set off down the line on one of his hare-like runs, leaping over flying tackles. Taking the ball into the corner, Mosscrop beat the Spurs defender, pushed the ball along the dead-ball line and then got his cross in. The ball landed in front of the oncoming Tommy Charlton to score his second of the afternoon and Burnley’s third. Spurs showed some clever combinational play in the latter stages of the game but never really threatened to score while Burnley held firm right up to the final whistle.
At Full Time: Burnley 3 (Charlton 2, Boyle pen), Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Cantrell)
Attendance: 23,000 (Gate receipts of £545)
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That evening as Burnley supporters celebrated their team going 7th in the Table, Doc Hodges, the Burnley club physician was the busiest man at Turf Moor. Bill Husband had wrenched both his calf and thigh muscles in his right leg. George Halley had tendon trouble in his right knee and Jimmy Bellamy was still two weeks from being fit again. With the nights drawing in and winter approaching, the Burnley squad was getting ever thinner.
Who’ll be Outside-Left?
With injuries to his two regular wingers, Jimmy Bellamy and Bill Husband, the big problem for John Haworth was who could play in the outside left position. The other ten positions more or less picked themselves but in the first nine league games, three players had filled the outside-left berth. The previous Monday during a Lancashire Cup-tie against Manchester City at Turf Moor, Haworth had even tried out full-back Dave Taylor in the outside-left berth. Taylor was a keen sprinter but after City won the tie 2-1, Sportsman in the Burnley Express wrote, “Taylor was clearly out of his element, though his head came in useful on occasions.” Local youngster Billy Nesbitt had provided cover for Eddie Mosscrop on the right and was a regular outside-right in the reserves, but could he make the step-up to the first team and switch to play on the left?
Next, a short trip to Deepdale. George Halley’s knee kept him out and Willie McLaren came in to cover at right back. Billy Nesbitt came back into the team at outside-left for Bill Husband and Tom Charlton kept his place after his two goals against Spurs. (Burnley captain Tommy Boyle would switch Nesbitt and Mosscrop over from right to left several times during a game.) Sportsman commented on the travelling support, a large number of Burnley supporters making the trip via four special trains, numerous hire cars and charabancs, “there appeared to be as many Burnley shouters as Prestonians.”
Preston North End v Burnley, Deepdale, Saturday 25 October 1913 Kick-Off 3:00 pm
The Teams lined up:
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Taylor, McLaren, Boyle, Watson, Mosscrop, Charlton, Freeman, Hodgson, Nesbitt.
Preston North End: Taylor, MacFadyen, Broadhurst, Johnstone, McCall, Henderson, Morley, Common, Toward, Osborn, Barlow.
Referee: Mr L. N. Fletcher (Bury)
With a quarter of the season gone, Preston North End had yet to chalk up their first victory in the First Division. Burnley got off to a good start. With only 90 seconds on the clock, Teddy Hodgson fired in to give Burnley the lead from Billy Nesbitt’s cross. The goal delighted Burnley’s travelling army of supporters. Preston attacked, sending passes out to the wings, Jerry Dawson managing to clear efforts first from Barlow, and then Toward. On twelve minutes, Bert Freeman set off from the half-way line in a straight-line for goal. Two North-End defenders, MacFadyen and Broadhurst raced toward Freeman to intercept him from left and right. Freeman saw them coming and his clever timing slipped the ball between the two full-backs at just the right instant, before the pair of defenders crashed into each other, which the crowd loved, but Freeman failed with his goal effort. Preston grabbed an equaliser on 36 minutes after sustained pressure on Dawson’s goal. McCall kicked the ball long up-field for Toward to chase who wrestled that ball away from Boyle and when it seemed he would pass it out to the wing, he did the complete opposite. He swivelled and shot on the turn past an outstretched Dawson. It was an excellent goal and Preston were in the ascendency. More Preston pressure and three minutes before the interval, Dawson saved a penalty, fisting the ball high over the crossbar to send the teams in at one goal each after an exciting first half.
In the second period, Tommy Boyle switched Eddie Mosscrop and Billy Nesbitt over on the wings. Teddy Hodgson rattled the Preston crossbar with a header and then another Hodgson effort skimmed past the post. At the other end, Jerry Dawson saved Burnley on a number of occasions. Sportsman’s views on the Burnley keeper’, “Dawson was brilliancy itself. He fisted away, gathered the ball, dodged eager opponents, kicked away and for one, flung himself full length to push a shot by Morley just round the upright.” The game looked to have a 1-1 draw stamped all over it but on 83 minutes, North End grabbed a late winner with a fierce, low shot from Barlow, which found the net through a crowd of players.
At Full Time: Preston North End 2 (Toward, Barlow), Burnley 1 (Hodgson)
Attendance: 27,000 (Gate receipts of £640)
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The Return of the Geordies
It had been thirteen years since Burnley had played Newcastle United at Turf Moor and another big crowd turned out at Turf Moor to see the match. Burnley’s new signing from Blackpool, Levi Thorpe, came into the defence in place of the still injured George Halley.
Figure 13: Burnley v Newcastle Programme
Figure 14
Figure 15
Burnley v Newcastle United, Turf Moor, Saturday 1st November 1913 Kick-Off 2:45 pm
The Teams lined up:
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Taylor, Thorpe, Boyle, Watson, Mosscrop, Lindley, Freeman, Hodgson, Nesbitt.
Newcastle United: Lawrence, McCracken, Hudspeth, Hay, Low, Finlay, Douglas, Hall, Sheperd, Hibbert, Wilson.
Referee: Mr L. Baker (Nantwich)
Tommy Boyle won the toss and Burnley played toward the Cricket Field End in the first half. Sportsman in the Burnley Express reported that the game was played at a fast pace. The first real chance of the game fell to Burnley on 22 minutes. Eddie Mosscrop got away from his marker and put in a good centre for Bert Freeman to flick the ball on with his head to Teddy Hodgson whose shot was saved low down by Lawrence. At the other end, Shepherd missed an opportunity to score from a Wilson cross. Burnley countered and a good shot from Billy Watson struck the Newcastle post. With 35 minutes gone, Burnley had the ball in the Newcastle half on the right. Freeman slipped the ball between two defenders to Dick Lindley’s shot beat Lawrence. “To a scene of wild enthusiasm. The shout was heard quite plainly about two miles away,” according to Sportsman.
In the second half Newcastle went with five up front. Dave Taylor was Burnley’s saviour on a number of occasions according to Sportsman. With gaps at the back, Burnley’s Teddy Hodgson and Dick Lindley had further chances to increase Burnley’s lead. Towards the end of the half, a Lindley shot cracked the paint off Lawrence’s post before going out for a goal kick. Burnley’s defence were tested before the end which overall had been a fine all-round performance by the Clarets and two more precious points.
At Full Time: Burnley 1 (Lindley), Newcastle United 0
Attendance: 30,000 (Gate receipts of £712)
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A Star Is Born
Figure 16: Robert Kelly
Burnley were still finding their feet in the First Division but it was only two months into the season and they were already suffering a number of injuries. Jimmy Bellamy and now George Halley were on the long-term injured list and several other regulars were carrying knocks but playing. Following the 2-1 defeat at Deepdale a fortnight before, John Haworth had been on the hunt for new players. The Burnley manager had missed the Clarets home victory over Tottenham. Along with a number of other managers, Howarth was in St. Helens, watching a talented eighteen year-old amateur playing in the Lancashire Combination. The youngster had played well and at the end of the match, Haworth approached Robert Kelly and his father, and made him an offer ahead of a number of other First Division clubs. Howarth convinced Kelly he had a great future at Burnley Football Club and the youngster signed professional forms and became a Burnley player later that evening.
And so to Anfield Road. Home of Liverpool Football Club and a rain-drenched afternoon on Merseyside. Burnley were unchanged from their 1-0 victory over Newcastle United.
Liverpool v Burnley, Anfield Road, Saturday 8th November 1913 Kick Off 2.45pm
The Teams lined up:
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Taylor, Thorpe, Boyle, Watson, Mosscrop, Lindley, Freeman, Hodgson, Nesbitt.
Liverpool: Campbell, Longworth, Pursell, Fairfoul, Lowe, Ferguson, Goddard, Lacey, Miller, Dawson, McKinlay.
Referee: Mr G. W. Drewery (Hull)
With only a minute on the referees watch, Dave Taylor was hit square in the face by the sodden, heavy ball that felled him like a tree. After a whiff of smelling salts and a dousing from Ernie Edwards cold sponge, Taylor was dazed but soon back on his feet. Five minutes later, Burnley had their first break when Billy Nesbitt won Burnley’s first corner. Watson’s corner floated over the Liverpool defence to the far post where an unmarked Bert Freeman found the top corner of the Liverpool net with a close-range header. The ball struck the iron stanchion of the goals and stuck there. From the re-start Liverpool attacked. Jerry Dawson was kept busy several times. On twenty minutes, a Liverpool attack saw a Goddard centre loop over the Burnley defenders to reach Bill Lacey who scored to make it 1-1.
Burnley began more aggressively in the second half and took the game to Liverpool.
Bert Freeman found himself in a good scoring position, only for Campbell, coming off his line, to block a good shot. The ball came straight out to Billy Watson who had pushed forward, whose shot flew across the goal and out for a goal-kick. One of the best chances of the game fell to Teddy Hodgson who after rounding Fairfoul, sent the ball over the crossbar from an oblique angle. On two occasions Freeman was ‘bowled over’ according to Sportsman in the Burnley Express, when he had certain goal-scoring opportunities that could have won the match for Burnley. The game ending with honours even at Anfield and the points shared.
At Full time: Liverpool 1 (Lacey), Burnley 1 (Freeman)
Attendance: 20,000
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Meanwhile Back At Turf Moor.
Burnley Reserves were playing Liverpool Reserves in a Central League fixture. New signing Bob Kelly was in the Burnley side wearing a claret and blue shirt for the first time. In front of a crowd of around 5,000, three players were making their Burnley debuts, Shaw, Bell and Kelly. Burnley Reserves beat the visitors 2-0. One goal coming from George Milligan’s boot, the other from the debut making Kelly with a fine header. “Kelly was the star artiste,” reported the Burnley Express the following week.
Kelly’s performance must have impressed the watching Burnley directors who selected the eighteen year-old for the next first team fixture against Aston Villa the following week. Villa had won the FA Cup in April and had finished runners up in the League to Sunderland last season. On paper, visitors Villa were the strongest side Burnley had faced in the League so far. Another good home crowd turned out to witness a brilliant team performance from Burnley. Again injuries had forced changes. Bob Kelly was making his debut in place of the injured Teddy Hodgson. Cliff Jones was deputising for Dave Taylor and Bill Husband came in for Billy Nesbitt.
Aston Astonished
Burnley v Aston Villa, Turf Moor, Saturday 15 November 1913 Kick-Off 2:45 pm
The Teams lined up:
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Jones, Thorpe, Boyle, Watson, Mosscrop, Lindley, Freeman, Kelly, Husband.
Aston Villa: Anstey, Lyons, Weston, Tranter, Harrop, Barber, Wallace, Whittaker, Slade, Stephenson, Hall.
Referee: Mr H. Swift (Sheffield)
With the colour clashes, Villa turned out in white shirts with red shoulder flashes. The pitch was in excellent condition for November according to Sportsman in the Burnley Express. Tommy Boyle won the toss and elected to play toward the Bee-Hole End, profiting from the strong easterly wind. Villa began well, the centre-forward Whittaker testing Jerry Dawson in the Burnley goal, who finger-tipped his effort over the crossbar. Following the corner-kick, Burnley cleared and attacked. Bob Kelly’s run on goal and shot winning Burnley a corner. From Eddie Mosscrop’s corner kick, the ball found Dick Lindley who rose above the defence to head in and give Burnley the lead with only five minutes played.
Burnley were the more settled in midfield and more dangerous in front of goal. Anstey was much the busier of the two goalkeepers. On 23 minutes, Kelly won the ball in midfield and found Eddie Mosscrop. Mosscrop’s run and centre found Billy Watson who had pushed forward to run in and score Burnley’s second. Burnley were in command and nine minutes later, a lovely one-two combination between Kelly and Freeman, led to Kelly on his debut, making it three-nil with a fine shot. After more sustained Burnley pressure, Mr Swift brought the game to a close and at the interval, Burnley led Aston Villa, three goals to nil.
Villa came out a different side in the second half and exerted early pressure on Dawson’s goal. The Burnley goalkeeper making three or four good saves, one Villa effort hitting the upright. Kelly and Freeman were working well as a pair and continued to cause havoc among the Villa defence with their neat combination play. Burnley’s defence was solid and managed to keep Villa out following a number of attacks. Three minutes from time, Lyons, the Villa full-back, failed to clear a Burnley cross from Husband and let Bert Freeman in to net Burnley’s fourth goal of the afternoon. Burnley running out comfortable winners, 4-0.
At Full Time: Burnley 4 (Lindley, Watson, Kelly, and Freeman), Aston Villa 0
Attendance: 25,000 (Gate receipts of £599)
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It had been a wonderful performance from Burnley and no-one in the crowd would have expected such an overwhelming performance or predicted a 4-0 scoreline. Burnley had shown that they could compete with the very best at this level. Bob Kelly came in for praise in the papers and the Athletics News sang his praises in this poem to the youngster that was printed on their front page.
Robert Kelly
Has anyone seen Kelly!
To whom I strike the lyre;
The Burnley ‘find,’
Swift as the wind -
The talk of Lancashire?
Why, Burnley folk acclaim him
A jewel, by the mass;
A diamond rare
Beyond compare
Raised in the town of glass.
Has anyone seen Kelly?
The newest rising star
Who scintillates
To cheering gates
With brilliance regular
At Burnley you may find him
If you will use your eyes
And Kelly will
With Polished skill
Inspire your mild surprise.
Has anyone seen Kelly?
His years are but eighteen,
A stripling slim
But dour and grim
In League campaigns, I weep
An old head on young shoulder
With cunning, twinkling feet
At inside right
As bold as wight
A sturdy back may meet.
A younger generation
Are knocking at the door
So Ibsen says
In may way
The fact I much deplore
And ardent souls like Kelly
Are apt to make a din
Importunate
At Fortune’s gate
Twere best to let him in.
Athletics News 29 December 1914.
It’s Grim up North (East)
After the stunning victory over Villa, Burnley were brimming with confidence. The Clarets travelled north on a long train journey to Redcar early on the Friday morning where they stayed overnight in preparation for the match against Middlesbrough. George Halley returned after injury for the Clarets and after his stunning debut against Villa, Bob Kelly kept his place in the Burnley attack. Middlesbrough featured the famous Carr brothers, Jackie and Walter.
Middlesbrough v Burnley, Ayresome Park, Saturday 22nd November 1913 Kick-Off 2:45 pm
The Teams lined up:
Middlesbrough: Davies, Hisbent, Walker, Davidson, Carr (W), Cook, Stirling, Carr (J), Elliott, Windridge, Nicholl
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Jones, Halley, Boyle, Watson, Mosscrop, Lindley, Freeman, Kelly, Husband.
Referee: Mr T. Garner (Barnsley)
Tommy Boyle won the toss and elected to play with the sun behind his team on a blustery, but dry afternoon in the north-east. Middlesbrough won several of the early scraps in midfield and Jerry Dawson was tested early on by Jackie Carr, punching his shot over the crossbar. George Elliott then had a good chance to give Boro’ the lead with an open goal, but missed his chance. A Jimmy Windridge effort brought another fine save from Jerry Dawson.
On ten minutes a solo run from Jackie Carr found Windridge lurking in the Burnley penalty area. Windridge was unmarked and scored with a diving header that gave Dawson no chance. The goal woke Burnley up who retaliated with a three-man forward attack involving Bob Kelly, Bill Husband and Bert Freeman. On a follow-up attack, Freeman got on the end of an Eddie Mosscrop centre, the ball landing straight to his feet for the Burnley centre-forward to smash the ball past Davies giving him no chance. All square, and as the half drew to a close, Burnley came close through a Bill Husband run on goal which was thwarted by the other Carr brother, Walter in the Boro’ defence. The ball going out for a Burnley corner. From the corner-kick, the ball was handled by a Burnley player just outside the Boro’ penalty area. From the free-kick, Elliott struck a long shot at Dawson who only just managed to parry the ball and turn it around the post for a Middlesbrough corner. Carr’s short corner found Windridge to tee up the ball for Elliott who struck the ball past Dawson and gave Boro’ a 2-1 lead at half-time.
Burnley began the second half with attacks down both wings, first through Eddie Mosscrop who beat Walker and then Husband who beat Hisbent on the other wing but both of their efforts were dealt with. Sportsman in the Burnley Express noted that the exchanges in the match were, “fast and interesting”. Both sides mounted quick attacks that were halted by the opposing half-backs. Mid-way through the second half, Burnley won a corner. Davies in the Boro’ goal managed to scramble the ball out after Bert Freeman’s goal-bound effort. With only five minutes remaining, Freeman had another good chance, but put the ball wide of the Boro’ post. Just before the final whistle, Billy Watson picked up a bad knee injury and had to go off the field. Burnley had come close in salvaging a point, with several chances for the forwards but Middlesbrough saw the game out and ran out winners, 2-1.
The following week’s Athletic News picked up on the better exchanges of the contest, “the tussles between Walker the sturdy Scot and Mosscrop, the outside-right of Burnley were a frequent source of delight.”
At Full Time: Middlesbrough 2 (Windridge, Elliott), Burnley 1 (Freeman)
Attendance: 16,000 (Gate Receipts of £534)
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Mountford and Charlton moving on
Prior to the next match it was announced by Burnley that Harry Mountford had been sold to Third Lanark and Tom Charlton, scorer of three goals in seven appearances, had signed for Blackpool, his third club in a year after his signing from Stockport County. The football club announced no new signings to replace the two outgoing players.
Burnley made two changes for the visit of Sheffield United that included the return of Dave Taylor in defence and Levi Thorpe came in for Billy Watson who was nursing the leg injury he picked up at Middlesbrough. For Tommy Boyle, it was a day for renewing old acquaintances. George Utley, his old midfield partner at Barnsley, was now captain of United, the Sheffield club breaking the £2,000 transfer record in the summer.
Burnley v Sheffield United, Turf Moor, Saturday 29th November 1913 Kick-Off 2:30 pm
The Teams lined up:
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Taylor, Halley, Boyle(c), Thorpe, Mosscrop, Lindley, Freeman, Kelly, Husband.
Sheffield United: Gough, Cook, English, Brelsford, Hawley, Utley(c), Simmons, Gillespie, Kitchen, Fazackerley, Revill
Referee: Mr H. H. Taylor (Altringham)
Tommy Boyle beat George Utley to the toss and the Clarets played with the breeze toward the Bee Hole End. Burnley had the better of the opening chances and won the first corner. United took up the attack and Billy Gillespie’s shot narrowly missed the target, shooting across Dawson’s goal. Gough, the Sheffield goalkeeper, repelled several Burnley attacks, saving first from Boyle, and then from Dick Lindley whose header hit the crossbar. In the struggles that followed, the visitors defence was kept busy. Levi Thorpe fired in a long shot which Gough saved low down. Then the United keeper’ saved a follow-up effort from Bob Kelly. At the other end, Tommy Boyle saved a dangerous situation, clearing the ball as Gillespie was about to pounce. Burnley were the more aggressive side and Bert Freeman received a good delivery from Husband the left which Cook managed to head away. Just before the interval Jerry Dawson saved The Clarets as a close-range United effort struck the Burnley upright.
In the second half the wind increased and drizzling rain made the pitch heavy. The light was also fading on a murky afternoon, both teams struggling to pick out their players in the darkness. Sheffield pressed forward and Boyle, Thorpe and Taylor were all kept busy. The Burnley defence according to Sportsman were “outstanding all afternoon.” Burnley’s best opportunity came on 75 minutes. Bert Freeman won the ball in the Sheffield half and set off on a solo run. With only the goalkeeper to beat, Gough ran out of his penalty area and according to Sportsman, “successfully tackled him with both feet, and managed to clear the ball.” As the game drew to a close, it was Gough again who saved the day for United. In was an awful day for football and in the end both sides settled for a share of the spoils.
At Full Time: Burnley 0, Sheffield United 0
Attendance: 23,000 (gate receipts of £500)
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In Other News
In other Burnley news this week, Eddie Mosscrop had secured a permanent teaching position at a boy’s school in his home town of Southport, and was shortly transferring from the school in Salford where he was currently teaching. Burnley’s inside-forward, Dick Lindley got married on December 3rd and Burnley FC reported that all the stand tickets for the match on Christmas Day against League Champions, Sunderland had sold out. In local politics, Burnley pork butcher, Mr. George Haffner, had been elected to serve as councillor for Burnley’s Fulledge Ward.
The Long Month of December.
Three months had passed since the start of the season. The dark nights had drawn in and the month of December had arrived. From the footballers point of view it was the worst month of the year. They would be away from their wives and families over Christmas, spending the festive period sleeping in strange hotels with games one after another.
Burnley’s previous two games against Middlesbrough and Sheffield United had been dour affairs which had won just one point. John Haworth decided to change things. Bob Kelly and Bill Husband were dropped. A fit again Teddy Hodgson returned to his place in the forward line and Billy Nesbitt came back into the team, replacing Bill Husband. It was the first time that the same forward line had played together since November 8th when the team had drawn against Liverpool at Anfield. Burnley’s defence would have to be alert toady. They were up against Derby County forward Horace Barnes who had cost the princely sum of £10 in 1908 and was the current First Division’s leading scorer with twelve goals. Burnley travelled to Derbyshire on the Friday prior to the game.
Figure 17: The Baseball Ground, Derby
Derby County v Burnley, The Baseball Ground, 6th December 1913 Kick-Off 2:30 pm
The Teams lined up:
Derby County: Scattergood, Atkin, Barbour, Bagshaw, Buckley, Richards, Grimes, Moore, Leonard, Barnes, Neve.
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Taylor, Halley, Boyle(c), Thorpe, Mosscrop, Lindley, Freeman, Hodgson, Nesbitt.
Referee: Mr A. Hargreaves (Blackpool)
Burnley started well on the Baseball Ground’s mud covered surface. Straight from the kick-off, Eddie Mosscrop won the ball on the wing, ran and centred for Teddy Hodgson whose shot was hit straight at Scattergood. Dick Lindley and then Bert Freeman both had good chances. Scattergood saving what should have been a certain goal from Freeman off the line at the last moment. Further Burnley pressure was applied from two successive corner kicks, the second of which the ball was again cleared off the goal-line, by defender Atkin. On 20 minutes, Tommy Boyle had a crack at goal from range which went just over the Derby crossbar. With half an hour gone, County won a corner after Dawson had tipped the ball over the crossbar following a shot by Buckley. From the corner, the ball was cleared and eventually came to Henry Leonard whose strike through a crowd of players, gave Derby the lead against the run of play. From the re-start, Burnley attacked with efforts from Mosscrop and then Hodgson that kept Scattergood busy. Then Lindley and Freeman had chances that were foiled by the Derby custodian. It was all Burnley as Freeman charged Scattergood who dropped the ball in the Derby area, but he managed to gather it in time. Five minutes from the break, an attempt by George Halley led to Scattergood clearing the ball, only for Buckley to charge at a Burnley player. That offence led Mr Hargreaves to award Burnley a penalty. Tommy Boyle stepped up and put it past Scattergood and the teams went in for tea all square at 1-1.
Burnley again dominated the play at the start of the second half. The tempo of the game picked up and tempers rose. Hodgson, Halley and Bamford were all in the wars and Barbour was struck on the nose with the ball. A goal-line clearance from a Freeman effort, should have given Burnley the lead, the ball chested off the line by Buckley. From the clearance, Teddy Hodgson blasted his shot wide. A Dick Lindley header then went just wide from a Mosscrop centre. The game looked to be ending in a draw, but with ten minutes remaining Leonard beat the Burnley offside trap to score his second of the game with a low shot to beat Jerry Dawson. Tommy Boyle pushed his men forward to find an equaliser. Derby had the ball in Burnley’s half and won a free-kick. Grimes free-kick found the head of Horace Barnes, who headed down and past Dawson to make it 3-1 and secure the points for County. It had been a game of missed opportunities for the Clarets who had had plenty of goal-scoring chances but just couldn’t put the ball in the net.
At Full Time: Derby 3 (Leonard 2, Barnes), Burnley 1 (Boyle (pen))
Attendance: (Unofficial gate of 12,000)
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The Other Freeman
At Turf Moor the same Saturday that Burnley played Derby, Burnley Reserves were playing hosts to Stalybridge Celtic at Turf Moor in the Central League. In a bad-tempered match, in front of around 5,000 spectators, Burnley beat The Celtic, 2-0, with both goals scored by the Clarets promising young Scottish centre-forward, Billy Pickering. The match was notable for the appearance of the other Freeman brother, Bert’s elder brother, Walter, playing at outside-left for the visitors. The match itself was quite a violent affair. “There was more or less unpleasantness for the greater part of the game,” according to the Burnley Express reporter. Immediately after Pickering’s second goal, two players (Lockett and Husband) were both sent off for ‘kicking each other.’
It was back to Turf Moor the following Saturday for the first team and the visit of Manchester City. Despite defeat at Derby, John Haworth kept faith with the same team. Billy Watson was still unfit, so Levi Thorpe kept his place in central defence. The Clarets had met City at Turf Moor earlier in the season in the Lancashire Cup and had lost 2-1 so Tommy Boyle’s men were out to make amends.
Burnley v Manchester City, Turf Moor, Saturday 13th December 1913 Kick-Off 2:45 pm
The Teams lined up:
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Taylor, Halley, Boyle (c), Thorpe, Mosscrop, Lindley, Freeman, Hodgson, Nesbitt.
Manchester City: Smith, McGuire, Fletcher, Hughes, Hanney, Hindmarsh, Dorsett, Taylor, Howard, Browell, Wallace.
Referee: Mr J. T. Howcroft (Bolton)
The weather was pretty awful as Sportsman’s report began, “The weather was cold and threatening and a strong wind blew across Turf Moor toward the Bee Hole End which in my opinion completely spoiled the game.” City won the toss and elected to play with the wind. Burnley began the match with only ten men. Tom Bamford had broken a boot stud coming onto the field and could only watch from the touchline as it was repaired. Tommy Boyle put George Halley temporarily at full-back. As a consequence, City took advantage and Jerry Dawson was the busier goalkeeper saving efforts first from Browell, then Taylor and Howard. With Bamford’s boot now fixed, and the Clarets at full-strength, Burnley re-shaped and went on the attack. Burnley’s first attempt came from a Dick Lindley, his header going just wide of City’s post. With a City attack ruled out for offside, Burnley had a free-kick. From the kick Burnley pressed forward again. On sixteen minutes, Levi Thorpe ran through and was fouled just outside the City penalty area by Hanney. Tommy Boyle stepped up to take the free-kick. “A shot with terrific force” according to Sportsman, that went straight to Smith in the City goal who palmed it out for a corner. Billy Nesbitt took the corner and his cross picked out Dick Lindley whose bullet header gave Smith no chance and Burnley went a goal in front. City pushed forward and Jerry Dawson made a fine save from Dorsett, when a City goal looked certain. After winning the ball fairly, Teddy Hodgson was ruled offside by Mr Howcroft who, “was soundly hooted” by the Burnley crowd. Eddie Mosscrop’s centres from the right were causing City problems and with Mr Howcroft’s whistle, the teams went in for the interval with Burnley on top, leading 1-0 at half time.
With the wind at their backs, Burnley attacked the Bee Hole End in the second half. The wind swirling around Turf Moor made good football difficult. The forwards on both sides taking every opportunity to shoot at goal in the hope the wind would assist the ball into the net. The two goalkeepers were the busiest players on the field. Sportsman reported on an incident regarding a Billy Nesbitt corner. “From a corner placed by Nesbitt, the ball curved and blew straight into the net, evidently without touching a second player.” (No goal was awarded*). With ten minutes to go, Dawson made a good save from Howard, tipping the ball around the post for a City corner. From the corner, George Halley cleared the ball up-field, the ball going out for a throw-in close to the Bee-Hole End. Dick Lindley took the throw long, the ball finding Hodgson, who got in a low header, the ball rolling past Smith over the line and into the net. Eddie Mosscrop’s last shot of the game almost brought a third goal for the Clarets but the ball scuffed the crossbar and went out to safety before Mr Howcroft brought the game to an end.
At Full Time: Burnley 2 (Lindley, Hodgson), Manchester City, 0
Attendance: 20,000 (gate receipts £437) Burnley’s lowest gate of the League season so far.
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Football Association Headquarters, Russell Square
The draw for the First Round of the FA Cup was made on Monday the 15th of December at the Football Association headquarters in Russell Square. Burnley had been given a home draw and would play the winners of the 5th Qualifying round drawn match between Luton Town or South Shields, that match being replayed at South Shields ground on the 17th December.
Christmas with the Clarets
December rolled on and the start of four League games packed together over eight days, with three of those played on consecutive days. These matches would test already bruised and tired legs with no time to recover. Football played on cold, dark-early, winter afternoons, on rock-hard unforgiving pitches. Pitches that barely showed a blade of grass, covered in tonnes of sand and goalmouths covered in straw. Pitches that would occasionally burst the ball if it hit a frozen jagged rut that could also finish a player’s career. As protection, knees and elbows would be swathed in bandages to protect the players exposed joints. But that would offer little protection against half a dozen wooden boot-studs that would easily rake the flesh from a players shin. The footballers played in all conditions over the winter of 1913-14 but it wasn’t that bad a winter weather-wise. Only a handful of matches were called off, none of which involved Burnley’s programme. Despite a mild winter, only the strongest and fittest players would survive all the games played through December. The players needed to keep fit, stay alert for the wild challenges. There would be no drink, no turkey and very little in the way of Christmas cheer for them. There would be hardly any family time over Christmas as the players would either training, playing at Turf Moor or playing away somewhere.
The Burnley players now knew that they would face South Shields at Turf Moor in the First Round of the Cup. But before that match arrived, the first of the four Christmas games involved a short trip to Bradford City with Burnley still looking for their first away win. The Clarets were without the services of Tommy Boyle, the skipper suffering from a chest infection. Levi Thorpe took over at centre-half and Billy Watson returned to the side from injury.
Bradford City v Burnley, Valley Parade, Saturday 20 December 1913 Kick-Off 2:15 pm
The Teams lined up:
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Taylor(c), Halley, Thorpe, Watson, Mosscrop, Lindley, Freeman, Hodgson, Nesbitt.
Bradford City: Ewart, Potts, Boocock, Robinson, Torrance, Gane, Bond, McIlvenny, Storer, Fox, Currie.
Referee: Mr J. H. Palmer (Hucknall Torkard)
Despite the earlier kick-off, Sportsman in the Burnley Express noted that the light was quite poor on a really grey afternoon. Dave Taylor took over as the Burnley captain and the Clarets began well, attacking Bradford’s, Spion Kop End. An early Burnley corner was taken by Eddie Mosscrop whose centre was headed just wide by Teddy Hodgson. Billy Watson was enjoying his return to the Burnley defence and it was Watson who began the move that led to the first goal on eight minutes. Watson challenged for the ball and won it in midfield. Seeing Billy Nesbitt free on the left, Nesbitt set off into the Bradford half, passing inside to Teddy Hodgson. Hodgson beat Torrance and then evaded Boocock before passing to Bert Freeman. Freeman hit the ball hard and low to Ewart’s right who had come too far off his line to put Burnley a goal up. It was a well-worked goal from the Clarets. With few threats from City, Burnley defended well for the remainder of the first half and took their 1-0 lead into the tea interval.
From the start of the second period, Burnley protected their lead and pulled men back, with only occasional forays up field. But the plan didn’t work. Successive Bradford attacks led to their equalising goal. A corner to City resulted in a melee in the Burnley penalty area. The ball was crossed and Dawson grabbed for it. He only half held on to it and was charged into the net, the ball slipping from his grasp, and put over the line by McIlvenny. Sportsman spoke of Burnley’s ill-luck and once again the Clarets had been a goal up only to be pegged back to come away with only a point. Worse for the team was at the end of the match, Burnley were suffering injuries to no fewer than five players; Taylor, Halley, Thorpe, Freeman and Hodgson all picking up knocks.
At Full Time: Bradford 1 (McIlvenny), Burnley 1 (Freeman)
Attendance: 20,000
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In the middle of the week there was an early Christmas dinner organised for the players by the football club and then it was down to business and training for the visit of Sunderland on Christmas Day. It was the first time Burnley had met the Wearsider’s since their exit from the FA Cup last season. Sunderland, the reigning League Champions. Sunderland and their all-international star-line-up. Sunderland and their uncompromising captain Charlie Thomson who had kicked Boyle out of the Semi-Final replay and ended his season. Burnley would play them twice in two days. Burnley would have to be on their mettle for their two toughest games of the season. It was a match that saw the return of Tommy Boyle and Jimmy Bellamy was fit again who replaced Billy Nesbitt on the left wing.
Burnley v Sunderland, Turf Moor, Christmas Day, Thursday 25 December 1913 Kick-Off 2:15 pm
The Teams lined up:
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Taylor, Halley, Boyle (c), Watson, Bellamy, Lindley, Freeman, Hodgson, Mosscrop.
Sunderland: Butler, Hobson, Ness, Cuggy, Thomson (c), Low, Best, Buchan, Richardson, Holley, Martin.
Referee: Mr P. Sant (Barnsley)
The frost of the previous night had given place to rain and the game was played in an almost continuous downpour. Tommy Boyle returned as captain and the Clarets played with the wind toward the Bee Hole End. “Burnley played brilliantly in the first half, Mosscrop being the most conspicuous forward, and it is no exaggeration to pronounce him the best outside-left of the season,” said Sportsman. Burnley outplayed their opponents for two-thirds of the game but as in recent games, Burnley simply could not score. Butler was the much busier goalkeeper, with Dawson playing a minor role in the first half an hour. After an uneventful first half, the players went in for tea at 0-0 at half time.
With the wind at their backs, Sunderland came more out of their shell in the second half and did more attacking as rain continued to pour down. With twenty-four minutes of the second half gone, and against the run of play, a long range shot from Cuggy flew like a rocket with the wind behind it, straight into the top corner of Dawson’s net. It had been Sunderland’s only real shot on target and it stunned Burnley. The Clarets eventually rallied and with three minutes remaining and following a melee in the Sunderland penalty box, Burnley had the ball in the Sunderland net from the boot of either Lindley or Hodgson, but the goal was disallowed by Mr Sant who whistled for an offside player. In the end it had been a fairly uneventful game regards Christmas entertainment. Burnley again simply couldn’t put the ball in the net and the Wearsider’s punished them for it.
At Full Time: Burnley 0, Sunderland 1 (Cuggy)
Attendance: 25,000 (Gate receipts of £700)
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Within half an hour of the end of the match, both teams travelled up to Sunderland on the same train. From Towneley Station, the party (including the match referee, Mr Sant) travelled to York, before changing trains to reach Sunderland late on Christmas Day arriving at 10:30 pm, with another match to play the following day. Bert Freeman was ruled out with a bad cold and Jimmy Bellamy with a recurrence of the same leg injury that had plagued him all season. Levi Thorpe, Bob Reid and Bob Kelly all travelled with the Burnley party as reserves.
With Bert Freeman ruled out and John Haworth struggling to pick a side, the manager made some surprising team changes. Centre-half Tommy Boyle became centre-forward Tommy Boyle. Levi Thorpe replacing Boyle at centre-half. Injured outside-right Jimmy Bellamy was replaced by Bob Kelly now a winger, switching wings with Eddie Mosscrop. Tommy Bamford and Dick Lindley were both suffering heavy colds but played regardless. Boyle and Teddy Hodgson were also carrying knocks but played. Sunderland also made two changes of their own from Christmas Day.
Sunderland v Burnley, Roker Park, Boxing Day, Friday 26 December 1913. Kick-Off 2:15 pm
The Teams lined up:
Sunderland: Butler, Hobson, Ness, Cuggy, Thomson (c), Cringan, Best, Buchan, Low, Holley, Martin.
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Taylor, Halley, Thorpe, Watson, Mosscrop, Lindley, Boyle (c), Hodgson, Kelly.
Referee: Mr P. Sant (Barnsley)
The ground was soft and the weather fine on a dull afternoon in the north-east. Burnley were the first to attack before Sunderland broke forward and gave Dawson work to do, saving first from Best then Charlie Buchan. Levi Thorpe adapted well to his new role as did Tommy Boyle. Boyle’s first opportunity was, “a lovely rising shot” according to Sportsman in the Burnley Express that Butler the Sunderland goalkeeper tipped over his crossbar.
Bob Kelly took the corner but the home side cleared. With fourteen minutes gone, Burnley took up the running. The ball found Mosscrop who beat Cringan to cross for Hodgson who headed home past Butler to give the Clarets a well-deserved lead. 1-0 to Burnley. Hodgson was hurt in scoring his goal, winded by Cuggy’s knee, but was alright again after some attention from Ernie Edwards. Dick Lindley had an opportunity not long after the Burnley goal but for the rest of the half the Burnley defence held strong and were kept busy with Billy Watson clearing up, first from Buchan and then Holley. Sunderland pushed forward just before the interval and Mosscrop was on the receiving end of a few “unfair charges as at Burnley” according to Sportsman, “…once Cringan banged him into the rails when the ball was out of play.” Buchan later claimed for a penalty after he was brought down, and then made another appeal when it seemed Bamford had handled. Mr Sant consulting with his linesman but waving away both of Buchan’s appeals. The referee was roundly hooted by the Roker Park crowd as the teams left the field at the interval with Burnley leading 1-0.
Burnley began the second period with long ball up-field from Levi Thorpe which found Teddy Hodgson. Hodgson’s effort was cleared only to Dick Lindley who was brought down by Charlie Thomson in the penalty area, Lindley needing attention from the Burnley trainer after that challenge. No penalty said Mr Sant. Sunderland’s Charlie Buchan then went forward and tripped Dave Taylor before centring the ball for Low to head past Dawson but the goal wasn’t awarded. Burnley given a free-kick instead.
On sixty minutes Sunderland scored a carbon copy of the goal they scored the day before at Turf Moor. Sunderland broke down the right, Best centred and as the ball came down, half a dozen Burnley and Sunderland players took a swing at the ball. Holley nipping in to place the ball into Dawson’s net. Burnley bounced straight back. Mosscrop swung the ball across the field having spotted Bob Kelly free. Mosscrop’s long pass was just a yard too long for the youngster to reach. At the other end Jerry Dawson pulled off a fine save from Best. A Buchan shot struck Billy Watsons hand in the Burnley area and the former again remonstrated with the referee without success. (Buchan seemed to make a habit of claiming for penalties at every opportunity according to press reports.). Once again he was turned down by Mr Sant. It was at this point that an “excited” spectator according to Sportsman, “ran onto the field toward the referee and the game had to be stopped. Charlie Thomson prevented the man from approaching the referee, and a policeman, the Sunderland secretary and both team trainers hurried to the spot, the policeman escorting the intruder off.” Shortly after that incident Mr Sant blew his whistle with the teams sharing the points and a score of 1-1.
At Full Time: Sunderland 1 (Holley), Burnley 1 (Hodgson)
Attendance: 35,000
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Regardless of the score, it had been an excellent performance at Roker Park to go to the League Champions and take a point off them. The performance began a run of form that carried the team well into 1914. Straight after the match the Burnley party caught the 5:00 pm train from Sunderland for a five-hour train journey back to Lancashire. At Turf Moor the following afternoon the Clarets opponents were West Bromwich Albion. The players had only twelve hours rest before another bruising encounter. Burnley had played West Brom already, losing that game at The Hawthorns 4-1 in September with Albion’s’ goals all scored by Alf Bentley. Luckily, Burnley had not picked any additional injuries at Roker Park. With Bert Freeman still ruled out, Tommy Boyle kept his position as centre-forward, leading the line for Burnley’s final game of 1913.
Burnley v West Bromwich Albion, Turf Moor, Saturday 27th December Kick-Off 2:15 pm
The Teams lined up:
Burnley: Dawson, Bamford, Taylor, Halley, Thorpe, Watson, Mosscrop, Lindley, Boyle (c), Hodgson, Kelly.
West Bromwich Albion: Pearson, Cook, Pennington, Waterhouse, Deacey, McNeal, Jephcott, Edwards, Bentley, Morris, Nicholls.
Referee: Mr T. Kirkham (Burslem)
Sportsman reported that the weather at Turf Moor was, “unfavourable” and noted that fewer supporters than the Christmas Day match had turned out because of it. Tommy Boyle won the toss and the Clarets kicked off in their third game in three days.
Burnley were soon busy, attacking down the right and from a throw-in by Dick Lindley, Tommy Boyle had a good chance to score, his shot glancing off the Albion post. Pearson saved Albion on a couple of occasions before they got in their first attack. Five minutes later, Dick Lindley tested Pearson with shots that he blocked while at the other end, Jephcott brought off a good save from Jerry Dawson. In the closing minutes of the first half, Lindley was forward when he was fouled close to the penalty spot by Cook. Boyle claimed for the penalty but Mr Kirkham ignored him and waved play on only for the ball to be cleared by Pearson.
In the second half, Teddy Hodgson brought off the save of the match from Pearson, while Dawson diverted a shot from Jephcott’s ‘specials’ that was going under the bar. Burnley struggled to penetrate the Albion defence and the game was all played out in the middle of the pitch. Commenting on the passing, “both teams lacked accuracy more than usual” reported Sportsman in the Burnley Express. Twenty minutes into the second half, Tommy Boyle and Levi Thorpe changed places, the Burnley skipper clearly tired. Thorpe, the reserve centre-half, now first team centre-forward, combined well with Dick Lindley. It was Thorpe who got in one of the best shots of the game which Pearson only just dealt with. The final 15 minutes was more of an end-to-end scrap. Dawson made a magnificent save in a goalmouth in the dying moments, before his long throw found Mosscrop, whose run and centre came to nought. And at the end of a lack-lustre performance from both teams, Burnley had to settle for the share of the points.
At Full Time: Burnley 0, West Bromwich Albion 0.
Attendance: 20,000 (Gate Receipts £477)
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Burnley had clearly missed the services of Bert Freeman over Christmas and had scored just one goal in three games. Doc Hodges, the team doctor, had worked his magic and Freeman would be fit for the visit to Ewood Park on New Years Day.
Fire in Stand at Turf Moor
Over Christmas, a rumour gained currency to the effect that an attempt had been made, presumably by the suffragettes, to burn down the grandstand at Turf Moor by setting it alight in several places. This proved to be unfounded, but it was discovered that a slight fire had occurred in the boiler house, where some woodwork and a small cupboard had been destroyed.
Cup Ticket News - Burnley v South Shields
The Burnley directors announced that they had fixed the prices for the Cup-tie with South Shields. They would be the same as for League matches, (sixpence for adults) and the booking of Stand ‘A’ seats was now proceeding.
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* Goals scored directly from corners were not allowed until 1924.