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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Monmouthshire => Topic started by: Mofamily on Monday 10 July 17 12:15 BST (UK)
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Hi there.
I'm looking for information on a relative of mine who apparently played "professional" football for Abertillary Football Club possibly in the 1920s - 30s. It could even have been earlier.
His name was George Holborn and he lived in Sunderland. Why or how he came to play for Abertillary is a complete mystery.
I was wondering if anyone knows where I can access photos and information of the club at that time. I understand that it was "football" and not rugby, although I am not entirely sure.
Thanks
Mo
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Hi Mo
There is a forum which I had some success with regarding the local rugby club; worth a look
http://tilleryonline.myfreeforum.org/
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A club was in being in Abertillery in December 1908. They joined the Southern League in 1913 and returned to that league after the war. They were also members of the Western League for one season - 1920-21. At one time the club's player-manager was James Blessington (ex Scottish international). At the end of the 1920-21 season they (ambitiously) applied for election to the Football League but received only four votes. In 1922 they finished in the penultimate place in the Southern League and the following season failed to complete their fixtures. By 1923 they were defunct. The team would have been professional and signed players from anywhere in the country. Lots of north east players were lured to south Wales by the money but it didn't last and by the mid to late 1920s most of these pro clubs had collapsed.
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Cheers Canary - food for thought.......
and you too Dannemois (sorry, forgot to thank you last time).
Mo
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Glad it was of help.
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Hi - 4 players from Sunderland joined Abertillery Town in 1921, George Holborn, Joseph Campbell, Robert Shaw and Alfred Wale, - South Wales Gazette 29 July 1921.
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Hi - 4 players from Sunderland joined Abertillery Town in 1921, George Holborn, Joseph Campbell, Robert Shaw and Alfred Wale, - South Wales Gazette 29 July 1921.
That edition includes a report on the shareholder's AGM
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Abertillery beat QPR and drew with West Ham around that time and both of those clubs promised to support their football league application because of their facilities, but Arsenal brought in the amendment to re-elect relegated clubs.
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Thanks Stoob for your post.
It is great to know it wasn't just a family story and he did indeed play for the club. I see he was an inside forward.
George Holborn got a DCM and MM during the first world war.
I have been looking to see if I could find a photo of the team at that time, but so far no luck.
I will keep on trying.
Thanks again
Mo
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Hi Mo
Respect to your grandfather for his wartime achievements, assume his commendations appeared in the London Gazette.
I've not seen a team photograph for 1921-1922 in the South Wales Gazette, I have been looking down the years because Tom Farquarson was in that side. Look him up on wiki, he carried a revolver in his kit bag and rumour had it he once fired it into the dressing room ceiling at Ninian Park.
Don't know if you have access to the newspapers but hopefully they'll add the South Wales Argus one day, more sporting pictures appeared in there.