Church's Magnificent FA Cup run....
 

Wynonie s & myself have recently been comparing notes on the local football teams of the 1880's, so thanks to Wynonie for the website link posted below.

The table shows the results of Church football club in the days prior to the formation of the foorball League in 1888 when the only competitive trophy was the FA Cup. What is puzzling though, is the only games shown in the table are the FA cup games and friendlies aganist various Scottish teams, presumably on the basis that this was "international" club competitition. Presumably, Church's players did'nt just come togeather for these games but so far we've not obtained evidence of other games played and their circumstances. So we only have part of the story.

But what a story it is! In the 83-84 season, Church demolish local rivals Clitheroe & Darwen before succumbing to Blackburn Olympic, who go on to win the FA Cup in that season; a slight slip-up in 83/84 against Darwen before we come storming back in style, by by putting 10 in against Southport and then disposing of Darwen. Through what truly must have been a miscarridge of referreeing judgement, we get beat in the quarter finals of the FA cup by the 1881 winners, Old Cartusians.

In 1885/86, we take sweet revenge on our defeat by winners of the FA cup 3 years earlier by thrashing Olympic 3-1 on their home ground before making an obviously unplanned exit to some dodgy outfit called Swifts (?????).

No matter, we're back in 86/87 and this time after an away 7-1 crunching of Rawtenstall, we take on the big boys. Glasgow Rangers. Yep, that's right. Glasgow Rangers, who despite having the Scottish FA cup, continue to play in the English. No doubt however, that had their been a few more Churchites prepared to take the long and arduous jouney to Hampden Park then the result could easily have gone the other way rather than the narrow 2-1 victory to the home side.

The smell of Scottish blood was now in Church nostrils. To prove the point, in January we entertained St Mirren to a 5-1 drubbing, and then departed on a small tour north. On 9th May 1887, we made a slight slip up against Partick Thistle, but not to be outdone, the following day we came up against a full-strength Hibernian team, whom we took apart 4-1.

Well, you may say, Hibs then ain't what Hibs is now, And you're probably right...because in the same month of that year, the Scottish FA cup was played...and the winner was not Celtic, Rangers or Aberdeen...but Hibs.

And there our little story ends. But all information on Church FC will be more than useful. Here's the connection to the site, thanks to Wynonie:

http://www.442data.co.uk/team.asp?varTeam=Church

Re: Church's Magnificent FA Cup run....
 

Lovely story Tealeaf....Church can rival the Man Utd's of to-day with their achievements.

I wonder where they use to play their matches though? Was it up Church Kirk just over the Canal Bridge?? I can remember some old goal posts (metal ones) being in the field (when I were but just a babe). Nelson Square doesn't seem an option!!

Who knows.-..perhaps we'll have a new team: Church Kirk Wanderers, now where's that Jack Walker type who has lots of dosh!!

Nice one Tea!!

Re: Church's Magnificent FA Cup run....
 

Just spotted this article and my husband informs me that their home was on land that was used to build the mill factory which came to be known as Bury’s – not to be confused with Fountain Bury’s, Exchange Street – and more recently Rists Wires & Cables.

He says:- The site was originally a sports ground until about the 1890s when the ground was first built on.

It was the home of Church Cricket Club and Church Football Club. The Cricket Club moved to West End and the Football Club folded. There were also bowling green’s, two of which were retained, one by the Pickup’s Arms and one by Springhill Workingmen’s Club.

Church FC was formed in 1874 but never played in any league – they only played friendlies and Cup games.

They competed in the F.A.Cup between 1882 and 1888, playing 18 times; one game was away to Glasgow Rangers, which they lost 2-1.

Another FA Cup game, on 3rd Jaruary 1885, resulted in them beating Southport on this site by 10-0, arguably their greatest achievement.

This info was supplied by my husband, who, many years ago, read about it in a book in Accrington Reference Library on Local Sports History.

We have never found anyone to corroborate the truth of these facts so perhaps this needs looking into.

Re: Church's Magnificent FA Cup run....
 

That's very interesting and glad this thread was raised will look at Tealeafs original web site posting

Re: Church's Magnificent FA Cup run....
 

CHURCH FC
Formed 1874. Played at Spring Hill, Accrington.
1882-83 1st R 2.9.82 H v Clitheroe WON 5-0 (Illingworth 2, Smith 3)
2nd R bye
3rd R 6.1.83 H v Darwen DREW 2-2 (Crawford, 1 other)
3rd Rr 20.1.83 A v Darwen WON 2-0 (scorers unknown)
4thr R 3.2.83 A v Blackburn Olympic LOST 0-2.

1883-84 1st R 27.10.83 A v Darwen DREW 2-2 (Gregson 2)
1st Rr 3.11.83 H v Darwen Lost 0-1.

1884-85 1st R 18.10.84 H v Hurst WON 3-2 (scorers unknown)
2nd R 6.12.84 A v South Shore WON 3-2 (scorers unknown)
3rd R 3.1.85 H v Southport WON 10-0 (scorers unknown)
4th R 17.1.85 H v Darwen WON 3-0 (Holden 2, 1 other)
5th R bye
6th R 14.2.85 H v Old Carthusians LOST 0-1.

1885-86 1st R 31.10.85 A v Blackburn Olymic WON 3-1 (scorers unknown)
2nd R Third Lanark, Scotland walkover.
3rd R 12.12.85 H v Rossendale WON 5-1 (scorers unknown)
4th R bye
5th R 16.1.86 H v Swifts LOST 2-6 (Beresford, 1 other).

1886-87 1st R 23.10.86 H v Rawtenstall DREW 1-1(scorer unknown)
1st Rr 13.11.86 A v Rawtenstall WON 7-1 (scorers unknown)
2nd R 20.11.86 A v Glasgow Rangers LOST 1-2 (Beresford).

1887-88 1st R Cliftonville, Belfast walkover
2nd R 5.11.87 A v Darwen LOST 0-2.

Taken from 'The Guinness Record of the FA Cup' by Mike Collett.

Re: Church's Magnificent FA Cup run....
 

Thanks for that, interesting stuff! Who would've thought there was a football stadium where Rists used to be? :)

Re: Church's Magnificent FA Cup run....
 

There will be maps of this area in the library. It is likely that the land was owned by the Pickup family. I have a pal who spends all his time researching for the National Football Museum He still works at the Preston one, which is a storeroom now. Let me know if you want to be put in touch.