Why were twenties team called the Early Closers?
THE team on the right are one of the more unusually-named sides we’ve come across.
They were Lye Early Closers Football Club, and we can only assume it was something to with a pub – did they stop drinking early to keep in shape?
Their name is painted on a small box, held by the fellow on the far left, and as well as him there are another three ‘backroom staff’, including the gent with the bowler hat, briefcase and towel – surely the smartest-looking trainer of any pub side.
They also appear to have had their own mascot too, the young lad in ‘Just William’ style blazer, shorts and cap. Was he the captain’s son, perhaps?
The date is just about visible painted on the ball – season 1927-28.
The picture below it is even earlier, dating from season 1925-26, and this one shows Cradley Heath FC. Helpfully, there are eleven names on the back, though they don’t appear to be in any particular order. Presumably the man in the shirt and tie, perhaps the manager or club owner, is the one not named. The players are: Woodhouse, Evans, Bridges, Jones, Johnson, Yardley, Lowe, Taylor, Andrews, Boxley, Morgan.
• Can you tell us anything about either of these teams? Email us on gjones@blackcountrybugle.co.uk, call 01384 889000, write to us, or pay us a visit at Black Country Bugle, Dudley Archive Centre, Tipton Road, Dudley, DY1 4SQ.