Footballer/Rugby player - dating please

[amethyst0_9]

Hello
Please could you date the attached photo, and if anyone has a strong magnifying glass could they please try and read what is on the cup?
Thanks
Jan

[Pels.]

Hi Jan,

I'm afraid the cup isn't giving away clues .. but I will pass this link
onto someone who might have information about the style of boots worn
during certain time scales.



Kind regards,

Pels.

[Gadget]

This is tricky because the shirt says to me early 1900s - maybe 1890s but the shorts and boots look far more modern - say 1920s or even later.

Here's a Rugby site that may be worth looking at:

http://www.rugbyfootballhistory.com/index.htm

and soccer:

http://www.soccerhistory.org.uk/footballing%20ancestors2.htm

Added - here's a better one for football:

http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Articles/History.htm


Gadget

[Gadget]

Here's a link to a photograph of one of my rellies - the outfit is similar.  I think it was taken in the early 1900s:

http://www.soccerhistory.org.uk/Billy%20Meredith.htm


Gadget

[Gadget]

Another guide:

By 1901 the regulations that required footballers to cover their knees were relaxed and shorts (known as “knickerbockers” or "knickers") became shorter.......Shirts with laced crew necks became popular but a variety of collar designs were evident.

From: http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Articles/History.htm

[chewboy]

He is wearing shinguards.

There has to be a point where these were first worn..... first introduced in 1874, so that is really unhelpful.

I think Gadget has it right sometime around WW1, but the shorts are confusing, as the cut seems quite modern.

chewboy

[Pels.]

I thought that too .. but the area around his tummy makes it appear as though he's rolled the waist of his shorts round for some reason .. could be to make them appear shorter ?

Would he have had anything else round his waist .. ?

[chewboy]

Probably a drawstring with a bow

[Gadget]

I was just going to say that - he's hoisted them up  - and above the knees was more 'in fashion' from about 1901. I still think it's the 1900-1910 period because Billy was b. 1874 and he looks young in the photo link that I put up. The shirt is def. circa early 1900s.

With this person, the hairstyle looks modern though! 

I wonder if Jan has any other cluesx to give us - who does she think it might be; if the family were rugby or football inclined, etc.


Gadget