| British Ladies team at Portman Road 16:45 - Nov 6 with 1898 views | PhilTWTD |
Reference to Emma Clarke, Britain's first black female footballer, having played for a British Ladies team at Portman Road late 1890s/early 1900s.
"The Bootle-born player first featured for the British Ladies' team in 1895 and went on to appear at stadiums such as St James' Park and Portman Road."
Anyone aware of the game or any details? Nothing in The Men Who Made the Town that I can see. Stadium is pushing it a bit for Portman Road in that era.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46042994 |  | | |  |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 17:15 - Nov 6 with 1833 views | GeoffSentence |
There is a passing mention of the 'Lady footballers from London playing an exhibition game at Portman Road' in TMWMTT - page 38. Could that be it?
"On Wednesday 13th November 1895 the lady footballers from London played an exhibition match at Portman Road. A large crowd enjoyed the novelty, some of the team being only girls" [Post edited 6 Nov 2018 17:25]
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| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 17:26 - Nov 6 with 1807 views | PhilTWTD |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 17:15 - Nov 6 by GeoffSentence |
There is a passing mention of the 'Lady footballers from London playing an exhibition game at Portman Road' in TMWMTT - page 38. Could that be it?
"On Wednesday 13th November 1895 the lady footballers from London played an exhibition match at Portman Road. A large crowd enjoyed the novelty, some of the team being only girls" [Post edited 6 Nov 2018 17:25]
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Well spotted, I was expecting more and missed it on my flick through. That will be it. | | | |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 17:30 - Nov 6 with 1796 views | GeoffSentence |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 17:26 - Nov 6 by PhilTWTD |
Well spotted, I was expecting more and missed it on my flick through. That will be it. |
It seems that even back then women's football didn't get much medi coverage. Novelty or not. | |
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| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 17:34 - Nov 6 with 1793 views | PhilTWTD |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 17:30 - Nov 6 by GeoffSentence |
It seems that even back then women's football didn't get much medi coverage. Novelty or not. |
Indeed, although might have been more in the papers at the time. This is the TMWMTT reference for anyone who is interested.
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| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 17:42 - Nov 6 with 1777 views | GeoffSentence |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 17:34 - Nov 6 by PhilTWTD |
Indeed, although might have been more in the papers at the time. This is the TMWMTT reference for anyone who is interested.
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I just did a search on the British Newspaper archive, sadly you need to pay to get access, but it seems that a couple of days before there was some doubt about their arrival, as I can see this snippet on my search
"... described in certain prejudiced quarters. Because the lady cricketers failed to turn up. it does not follow that the lady footballers will not appear. In fact, they will arrive Ipswich from London the 1.53 train, and will dress at the Station Hotel, where .." | |
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| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 17:46 - Nov 6 with 1770 views | PhilTWTD |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 17:42 - Nov 6 by GeoffSentence |
I just did a search on the British Newspaper archive, sadly you need to pay to get access, but it seems that a couple of days before there was some doubt about their arrival, as I can see this snippet on my search
"... described in certain prejudiced quarters. Because the lady cricketers failed to turn up. it does not follow that the lady footballers will not appear. In fact, they will arrive Ipswich from London the 1.53 train, and will dress at the Station Hotel, where .." |
The Station Hotel was where teams changed in those days. This is the team, which isn't a national side as is suggested by their name.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Ladies%27_Football_Club | | | |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 17:54 - Nov 6 with 1766 views | GeoffSentence |
Here you go, the newspaper archive provides some free access so found this from the EADT on November 12th
The lady footballers will arrive at Ipswich tomorrow (Wednesday), by the 1.53 train, and after dressing at the Station Hotel, will be conveyed to the Portnm Road Ground by a special tramcar. A group of the ladies in their footbll costumes is on exhibition in the window of the Blue House, Tavern Street. The teams will be as follows:-
North (Red) - Lynn(goal) , A. Lee and Fenn (backs), Smith, S.Yates and Brown (half backs), Aylin, Edwards, Gibert, F. Clark and Dennis (Forwards)
South (Blue) - H. Graham, (goal), E.Clarke and Rogers (backs), J.Clarke, Elliot and Garbett (half-backs), Lee, Welburn, L.Yates Welsh and Izatt (Forwards)
So it seems that Emma played as a back for the South. [Post edited 6 Nov 2018 17:55]
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| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 18:08 - Nov 6 with 1743 views | PhilTWTD |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 17:54 - Nov 6 by GeoffSentence |
Here you go, the newspaper archive provides some free access so found this from the EADT on November 12th
The lady footballers will arrive at Ipswich tomorrow (Wednesday), by the 1.53 train, and after dressing at the Station Hotel, will be conveyed to the Portnm Road Ground by a special tramcar. A group of the ladies in their footbll costumes is on exhibition in the window of the Blue House, Tavern Street. The teams will be as follows:-
North (Red) - Lynn(goal) , A. Lee and Fenn (backs), Smith, S.Yates and Brown (half backs), Aylin, Edwards, Gibert, F. Clark and Dennis (Forwards)
South (Blue) - H. Graham, (goal), E.Clarke and Rogers (backs), J.Clarke, Elliot and Garbett (half-backs), Lee, Welburn, L.Yates Welsh and Izatt (Forwards)
So it seems that Emma played as a back for the South. [Post edited 6 Nov 2018 17:55]
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Excellent, no mention of the score? | | | |
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| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 18:12 - Nov 6 with 1740 views | GeoffSentence |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 18:08 - Nov 6 by PhilTWTD |
Excellent, no mention of the score? |
Looking for it, but there are limited free pages | |
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| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 18:31 - Nov 6 with 1720 views | GeoffSentence |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 18:08 - Nov 6 by PhilTWTD |
Excellent, no mention of the score? |
4-3 to the Reds, there is quite a long report which I will transcribe. It might take me some time. | |
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| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 19:10 - Nov 6 with 1683 views | GeoffSentence |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 18:31 - Nov 6 by GeoffSentence |
4-3 to the Reds, there is quite a long report which I will transcribe. It might take me some time. |
The greatest novelty that has been seen at Ipswich for some considerable time visited the town on Wednesday when two teams of the "Original Lady Footballer" played a match on the Portman Road ground.
The visit had been extensively advertised and special fares had been granted by the G.E.R from various stations, so that it was not surprising to find that the affair was a complete success.
The ladies arrive at Ipswich by the 11:50 from Liverpool Street and made the Station Hotel their headquarters, ample dressing room accomodation being made for their reception. A special tramcar (under the charge of Mr. Mortimer) had been chartered, and the lady exponents (22 in number) were conveyed to the ground promptly to the advertised hour of the kick-off.
A large crowd had assembled at the Station to witness their arrival, and a considerable number of persons waited and accompanied the tram, the roadway, in fact being lined with interested onlookers from Princes Street to the Drill Hall.
By three o'clock both sides of the enclosure were well filled with spectators, the sixpenny side being, for a change, the more packed, and it was estimated that over 2,000 persons were present. Indeed it is some long time since the ground has accomodated such a great gathering as on Wednesday. In addition the crowd was thoroughly representative, all classes of society, including the Mayor and members of the Corporation, and several of the gentry of the neighbourhood being present.
The teams took the field punctually to time, and the ladies, who were dressed in knickers ( and in some instances short skirts), blouses and the ordinary football boots, stockings, and shin-guards, took their places in the following order :--
NORTH (Red) -- Lynn (goal), A. Lee and Fenn (backs), Smith, D.Hill and Brown (half-backs), Aylin, Edwards, Gilbert, F.Clark and Daisy Allan (forwards)
SOUTH (Blue) -- H.Graham (goal), E.Clarke and Rogers (backs), J.Clarke, Lee and Garbett (half-backs), Lewis, Welburn, S.Yates , A.Lewis and Roberts (forwards)
Referee -- Mr J.R Fozzard (St Helen's)
Linesmen -- Messrs E.A. Cotton (Ipswich Town) and W.W Swann (Ipswich Town)
The "Blues" won the toss and played with the wind in the opening half from the river goal. Miss Yates, at centre forward, was quickly in evidence, and in the first two minutes scored a goal. The "Blues" had rather the best of the exchanges and Miss Yates was able to add a second point. Miss Daisy Allan, a little girl of about ten years, who started at outside right, but was generally to be found in the vicinity of the ball, was frquently applauded for some really clever play for one so young. Several times she almost got through the "Blues" defence, and though neither of the opposing the backs put in any "tall" kicking, and were somewhat slow in their movements, the "Reds" forwards were unable to open their account and the interval arrived with the South leading by two goals to nil.
Upon resuming, after an ample allowance for a "breathe," the ladies were quickly at work again, and although the "Reds" pressed, Miss S.Yates, who was the mainstay of her side, ran clean up the field, and following a scrimmage landed the ball again in the net. For the next ten minutes the play was fairly even, the crowd evidently enjoying the players attempts at passing and tackling, the latter being especially amusing. Then little Miss Allan, who had promptly been dubbed "Tommy" and "Willie" by the spectators, fairly brought the house down by her trickery, and from now to the finish the "North" had the best of the game. "Tommy" (two), Miss Edwards and Miss Gilbert each registered goals and the scoring caused plenty of fun, if not "excitement".
In the meantime Miss Yates, the centre forward for the "Blues," had put the ball through, but the referee ruled the point off-side, much to the amusement of the crowd and the discomfiturr of the South players.
Eventually the "Reds" left the field winners by four goals to three, the game having lasted 70 minutes. No little difficulty was experienced by the players on reaching the tramcar, which was in waiting to convey them to the Station Hotel, owing to the mass of people outside the ground, many of whom had witenessed the match from over the fence, tree-tops, and other points of 'vantage.
Tea was provided by at the hotel by the promoters of the venture, Host Last serving the repast in his well-known fashion, and the ladies left Ipswich in a special saloon carriage by the 7.20 train to Liverpool Street.
The day's proceedings were a most enthusiastic character, and the gentlemen responsible for the arrangements are to be congratulated upon the success of their enterprise. | |
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| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 19:12 - Nov 6 with 1679 views | GeoffSentence |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 19:10 - Nov 6 by GeoffSentence |
The greatest novelty that has been seen at Ipswich for some considerable time visited the town on Wednesday when two teams of the "Original Lady Footballer" played a match on the Portman Road ground.
The visit had been extensively advertised and special fares had been granted by the G.E.R from various stations, so that it was not surprising to find that the affair was a complete success.
The ladies arrive at Ipswich by the 11:50 from Liverpool Street and made the Station Hotel their headquarters, ample dressing room accomodation being made for their reception. A special tramcar (under the charge of Mr. Mortimer) had been chartered, and the lady exponents (22 in number) were conveyed to the ground promptly to the advertised hour of the kick-off.
A large crowd had assembled at the Station to witness their arrival, and a considerable number of persons waited and accompanied the tram, the roadway, in fact being lined with interested onlookers from Princes Street to the Drill Hall.
By three o'clock both sides of the enclosure were well filled with spectators, the sixpenny side being, for a change, the more packed, and it was estimated that over 2,000 persons were present. Indeed it is some long time since the ground has accomodated such a great gathering as on Wednesday. In addition the crowd was thoroughly representative, all classes of society, including the Mayor and members of the Corporation, and several of the gentry of the neighbourhood being present.
The teams took the field punctually to time, and the ladies, who were dressed in knickers ( and in some instances short skirts), blouses and the ordinary football boots, stockings, and shin-guards, took their places in the following order :--
NORTH (Red) -- Lynn (goal), A. Lee and Fenn (backs), Smith, D.Hill and Brown (half-backs), Aylin, Edwards, Gilbert, F.Clark and Daisy Allan (forwards)
SOUTH (Blue) -- H.Graham (goal), E.Clarke and Rogers (backs), J.Clarke, Lee and Garbett (half-backs), Lewis, Welburn, S.Yates , A.Lewis and Roberts (forwards)
Referee -- Mr J.R Fozzard (St Helen's)
Linesmen -- Messrs E.A. Cotton (Ipswich Town) and W.W Swann (Ipswich Town)
The "Blues" won the toss and played with the wind in the opening half from the river goal. Miss Yates, at centre forward, was quickly in evidence, and in the first two minutes scored a goal. The "Blues" had rather the best of the exchanges and Miss Yates was able to add a second point. Miss Daisy Allan, a little girl of about ten years, who started at outside right, but was generally to be found in the vicinity of the ball, was frquently applauded for some really clever play for one so young. Several times she almost got through the "Blues" defence, and though neither of the opposing the backs put in any "tall" kicking, and were somewhat slow in their movements, the "Reds" forwards were unable to open their account and the interval arrived with the South leading by two goals to nil.
Upon resuming, after an ample allowance for a "breathe," the ladies were quickly at work again, and although the "Reds" pressed, Miss S.Yates, who was the mainstay of her side, ran clean up the field, and following a scrimmage landed the ball again in the net. For the next ten minutes the play was fairly even, the crowd evidently enjoying the players attempts at passing and tackling, the latter being especially amusing. Then little Miss Allan, who had promptly been dubbed "Tommy" and "Willie" by the spectators, fairly brought the house down by her trickery, and from now to the finish the "North" had the best of the game. "Tommy" (two), Miss Edwards and Miss Gilbert each registered goals and the scoring caused plenty of fun, if not "excitement".
In the meantime Miss Yates, the centre forward for the "Blues," had put the ball through, but the referee ruled the point off-side, much to the amusement of the crowd and the discomfiturr of the South players.
Eventually the "Reds" left the field winners by four goals to three, the game having lasted 70 minutes. No little difficulty was experienced by the players on reaching the tramcar, which was in waiting to convey them to the Station Hotel, owing to the mass of people outside the ground, many of whom had witenessed the match from over the fence, tree-tops, and other points of 'vantage.
Tea was provided by at the hotel by the promoters of the venture, Host Last serving the repast in his well-known fashion, and the ladies left Ipswich in a special saloon carriage by the 7.20 train to Liverpool Street.
The day's proceedings were a most enthusiastic character, and the gentlemen responsible for the arrangements are to be congratulated upon the success of their enterprise. |
And that Phil, is how you report on a football game.
I don't think I have ever learnt about ladies knickers, the number of gentry in attendance or the manner that tea was served in one of your reports.
If you take one thing away from that report it is that enthusiastic use of commas is a plus. | |
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| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 19:30 - Nov 6 with 1643 views | PhilTWTD |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 19:12 - Nov 6 by GeoffSentence |
And that Phil, is how you report on a football game.
I don't think I have ever learnt about ladies knickers, the number of gentry in attendance or the manner that tea was served in one of your reports.
If you take one thing away from that report it is that enthusiastic use of commas is a plus. |
Ha, and the train and tram arrangements are something else I've overlooked up to now, however, I shall take note and will include them in the future.
Cheers for that, an interesting piece of semi-forgotten Portman Road history. | | | |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 22:39 - Nov 6 with 1495 views | solemio |
What an interesting thread. Thanks, folks. |  | | |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 10:38 - Nov 7 with 1400 views | Hullblue |
| British Ladies team at Portman Road on 19:10 - Nov 6 by GeoffSentence |
The greatest novelty that has been seen at Ipswich for some considerable time visited the town on Wednesday when two teams of the "Original Lady Footballer" played a match on the Portman Road ground.
The visit had been extensively advertised and special fares had been granted by the G.E.R from various stations, so that it was not surprising to find that the affair was a complete success.
The ladies arrive at Ipswich by the 11:50 from Liverpool Street and made the Station Hotel their headquarters, ample dressing room accomodation being made for their reception. A special tramcar (under the charge of Mr. Mortimer) had been chartered, and the lady exponents (22 in number) were conveyed to the ground promptly to the advertised hour of the kick-off.
A large crowd had assembled at the Station to witness their arrival, and a considerable number of persons waited and accompanied the tram, the roadway, in fact being lined with interested onlookers from Princes Street to the Drill Hall.
By three o'clock both sides of the enclosure were well filled with spectators, the sixpenny side being, for a change, the more packed, and it was estimated that over 2,000 persons were present. Indeed it is some long time since the ground has accomodated such a great gathering as on Wednesday. In addition the crowd was thoroughly representative, all classes of society, including the Mayor and members of the Corporation, and several of the gentry of the neighbourhood being present.
The teams took the field punctually to time, and the ladies, who were dressed in knickers ( and in some instances short skirts), blouses and the ordinary football boots, stockings, and shin-guards, took their places in the following order :--
NORTH (Red) -- Lynn (goal), A. Lee and Fenn (backs), Smith, D.Hill and Brown (half-backs), Aylin, Edwards, Gilbert, F.Clark and Daisy Allan (forwards)
SOUTH (Blue) -- H.Graham (goal), E.Clarke and Rogers (backs), J.Clarke, Lee and Garbett (half-backs), Lewis, Welburn, S.Yates , A.Lewis and Roberts (forwards)
Referee -- Mr J.R Fozzard (St Helen's)
Linesmen -- Messrs E.A. Cotton (Ipswich Town) and W.W Swann (Ipswich Town)
The "Blues" won the toss and played with the wind in the opening half from the river goal. Miss Yates, at centre forward, was quickly in evidence, and in the first two minutes scored a goal. The "Blues" had rather the best of the exchanges and Miss Yates was able to add a second point. Miss Daisy Allan, a little girl of about ten years, who started at outside right, but was generally to be found in the vicinity of the ball, was frquently applauded for some really clever play for one so young. Several times she almost got through the "Blues" defence, and though neither of the opposing the backs put in any "tall" kicking, and were somewhat slow in their movements, the "Reds" forwards were unable to open their account and the interval arrived with the South leading by two goals to nil.
Upon resuming, after an ample allowance for a "breathe," the ladies were quickly at work again, and although the "Reds" pressed, Miss S.Yates, who was the mainstay of her side, ran clean up the field, and following a scrimmage landed the ball again in the net. For the next ten minutes the play was fairly even, the crowd evidently enjoying the players attempts at passing and tackling, the latter being especially amusing. Then little Miss Allan, who had promptly been dubbed "Tommy" and "Willie" by the spectators, fairly brought the house down by her trickery, and from now to the finish the "North" had the best of the game. "Tommy" (two), Miss Edwards and Miss Gilbert each registered goals and the scoring caused plenty of fun, if not "excitement".
In the meantime Miss Yates, the centre forward for the "Blues," had put the ball through, but the referee ruled the point off-side, much to the amusement of the crowd and the discomfiturr of the South players.
Eventually the "Reds" left the field winners by four goals to three, the game having lasted 70 minutes. No little difficulty was experienced by the players on reaching the tramcar, which was in waiting to convey them to the Station Hotel, owing to the mass of people outside the ground, many of whom had witenessed the match from over the fence, tree-tops, and other points of 'vantage.
Tea was provided by at the hotel by the promoters of the venture, Host Last serving the repast in his well-known fashion, and the ladies left Ipswich in a special saloon carriage by the 7.20 train to Liverpool Street.
The day's proceedings were a most enthusiastic character, and the gentlemen responsible for the arrangements are to be congratulated upon the success of their enterprise. |
Amazing - thanks for sharing.
"...the crowd evidently enjoying the players attempts at passing and tackling, the latter being especially amusing." What a time capsule.
Also thought it was funny that at the end they commended the 'gentlemen' who organised it, rather than the women who actually played! |  |
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