Black Country football sides of early last century – and the one before
HERE are a couple of local footballing photographs from the Bugle collection which have a combined age of well over 200 years.
Above is a team shot, understandably a little the worse for wear, which was taken way back in 1886 – a time before many of the top clubs of today had even been established.
They were named then simply as Halesowen Football Team, but became known as Halesowen Town FC – commonly known as The Yeltz.
The club was formed in 1873, which makes it older than Wolves, Albion and Aston Villa, and so was already thirteen years old when this picture was taken. Having played on several different pitches in their first few years, the club settled at The Grove around 1881, so there is every chance this photograph was taken there, at the ground that is still their home to this day.
The team on the left were from Tividale, according to the name on the ball, and were pictured during the season of 1923-24. We think it says ‘VMC’ on there too, which may give someone out there a clue as to who they may have been.
We can say though that they weren’t Tividale FC, as that club was only formed in 1954.
■ Do you recognise anyone in the team, perhaps a father or grandfather? Email gjones@blackcountrybugle.co.uk or give us a call on 01384 880531 if you can tell us anything further about either picture.