The Fight for the Association Cup

Pall Mall Gazette March 26, 1888

“After months of hard fighting, the final battle for the championship was left to be fought out by 11 doughty Prestonians and equally doughty footballers from West Bromwich.

The champions were encouraged by the support of their admirers, who had come up in trains to give them all a hand.

Every charge, pass and run, fine bit of dribbling and shot at goal was the signal for a deafening roar. The men seemed to be as ready with their heads as their feet, and they never scrupled to receive the leather projectile on their cranium if an advantage was there to be gained.

The ‘Brummies’ at last got a goal – this only made the Prestonians play up more fiercely, and their endeavours were rewarded.

Then came the tug of war. But the luck was with the ‘Brums’, who scored another, and their opponents never had another chance – it was a splendid battle.” A genuine match report covering the 1888 FA Cup Final.