OLD HARROVIAN A.F.C.

A BRIEF HISTORY

OF THE

OLD HARROVIAN

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB

1963 to 1988

Compiled and Edited by

R.H. Woolley

for the Club’s Silver Jubilee Season

THE REVIVAL

On Saturday 5th October, 1963 a 4-2 victory over Lancing Old Boys 2nd Xl announced to the football fraternity the return of the Old Harrovians after some 30 years of hibernation - the original club was founded in 1859. The spirit was willing but the flesh was all too evident. Certainly the standard of fitness was around the level expected from a group of 18-year-olds enjoying their new found freedom after five years of confinement. Collectively they did not impress. Players often arrived in strange dress including pyjamas and black tie.

David Buik and Fred Woolley were the principal architects of the revival which had begun the previous season when a number of Harrovians and other denominations masqueraded as footballers under the banner of Exhill F.C. Four matches were played (and lost) including encounters with improbable opponents, Stevenstown Rovers and Manor Rangers. Andrew Brodie, Alex de Grunwald and Roderic Hill devoted much time and energy to promoting this ambitious creation which the sceptics believed would soon burn itself out.

In 1963/64, the first official season, Charles Jamieson (14 goals) emerged as a powerful force in front of goal and Peter Beckwith showed that skill could be accommodated in this pioneering effort. De Grunwald was clearly an outstanding goalkeeper and gained representative honours with St. Andrew’s and Dundee Universities. Don McNeill, slightly older and a master at Harrow, did much in these early days both on and off the field. His constant encouragement and optimism became a feature of the Club for many years to come. His ability as a player commanded the respect of Harrovians and opponents alike. There was even competition for places. Robin Du Boulay scored four goals against Old Tiffinians and was then dropped for the following Saturday. One fine weekend the Club was defeated 0-8 by Old Chigwellians on the Saturday and 1-9 at Brentwood the following morning.

In early 1964 Charles Clover Brown agreed to become President. He injected new authority into the Club and supported the determination of the Committee loyally and enthusiastically throughout his term of office until he died in 1982.

By September, membership had reached 25. Efforts to secure a home ground were rewarded when John Lyon School permitted the Club use of its facilities at Sudbury for the 1964/65 season. The pitch was narrow, sloping and normally waterlogged and the Secretary became familiar with the groundsman’s depressing Friday evening telephone message: ‘You’ll never get on it, Mister’. Despite these deficiencies, this would be home until 1975.

More heavy defeats were suffered as the Club strove to establish itself, 0-10 (Chigwellians), 0-9 (Foresters and Bradfieldians), 0-7 (Aldenhamians), all of which tested character and strengthened resolve.

Although the Club struggled to field a regular team two enterprising Easter tours to Etretat in 1964 and 1965 were well supported by the hard core as a result of Buik’s persuasive marketing techniques. On the second visit the Old Harrovians competed in a local ‘tournoi’ at Les Loges, earning £3 l0s. 0d. in gate receipts. Fixtures and travel arrangements were organised by de Grunwald who set a high standard of efficiency and provided members with many enjoyable holidays throughout the Sixties.

In January 1965 a dance was held in the School gym which raised £14 17s. 9d. for the Club and £5 for Oxfam. Mickey Finn and his band stimulated activities in the fencing loft. McNeill had devoted a week’s holiday to making the necessary arrangements. The Club entered the Royal Exchange Assurance Group six-a-side tournament at East Molesey and engaged the advisory services of former Wolves inside-forward, Cameron Buchanan (then manager of the Harrow School Laundry) with an eye on the following season when things would become more serious.

The first AGM was held at 4b Albert Court, SW7 on 9th June 1965, where it was reported that membership had reached 45 (26 players, 19 non-players). McNeill and Du Boulay had played in all 20 matches in the 1964/65 season. The Balance Sheet at 30th April, 1965 stated Net Assets of £31 12s. 3d. The Minutes record that the Harrow Association had now accepted the Club as an official OH activity and that the School was ‘bursting with enthusiasm for soccer’.

LEAGUE AND CUP

The Old Harrovians’ application to join the Arthurian League was accepted for the 1965/66 season and the Committee worked hard to motivate prospective players. Training was held in the School gym on Thursday evenings in order to ‘compensate for lack of footballing experience by superior fitness’. The match fee for home games was increased from 2s.6d. to 5s. and a procedure for applying to play in matches was introduced. Members would be approached to play only if insufficient applications had been received! Numerous approaches were made but applications in writing were received from Lawrence Verney, then aged 41, expressing a particular wish to play against the School at left-back, from James Cox who guaranteed to play at short notice if needed and from John Sheffield who confessed to being ‘not very fit’ and requesting to play on the wing.

The Club acquitted itself well in its first league season, finishing 9th with 7 points from 12 games. Opponents were greatly impressed by the Club’s standard of play. 27th March, 1966 saw the first of many memorable encounters with Old Etonians for the Millett Cup which Tony Millett had kindly presented. Result: Harrovians 3 Etonians 2 after extra time. In 1965/66 Peter Siddons played in all 28 matches (without appearing to enjoy any of them) and Garth Bearman set a new Club record scoring 24 goals. McNeill, Archie Boyd and Boo Rahman were selected for the Arthurian League Representative Xl.

The Club took part in both the Royal Exchange and Old Cholmeleians six-a-side tournaments and the highlight of the season was the Easter Tour to Brussels to compete in a tournament organised by the University of Brussels. In preparation, the Old Harrovians played against Red Star, Ganshoren, a 4th Division professional side whose impressive pre-match work-out was in sharp contrast to the tourists’ reluctance to vacate the bar. Much to everyone’s amazement Old Harrovians won 2-0.

In his ‘Notes On The 1965/66 Season’ the President wrote: ‘The OHAFC is in no way opposed to Rugby Football. We are, of course, very proud of Harrow’s fine Rugby record and the successes which have been achieved against some of the most famous of Rugby playing schools. However, there is no doubt that a number of Old Harrovians wish to play Soccer after they leave the School and the Club has been formed to cater for their interests.’ These sentiments exist today.

The 1966 AGM was held at the Public Schools Club, 100 Piccadilly, W1, where Buik, de Grunwald, Du Boulay, McNeill and Woolley were thanked for their hard work throughout the season. The President had continued to take an enormous interest and had attended many matches, in all weathers. The annual subscription was raised to three guineas but remained at two guineas for students and members under 21. The Meeting gave the Club Captain, McNeill, the power to select teams himself and decide tactics for all matches. Presumably the Club had been suffering from ‘too many cooks’.

At a subsequent meeting of the Committee it was agreed to introduce a new category of membership - Life Membership - open to OH’s over the age of 40. In return for a single payment of five guineas, retired players would be kept informed about the activities of the Club. This was also an attempt to persuade more senior OH’s to lend their support to a still predominantly young organisation.

The John Lyon Games Committee warned of the ‘obvious risk of the 1st Xl pitch being overplayed and OHAFC matches, therefore, should be restricted to twelve per season. Home fixtures should be arranged so that they do not clash with any school cross-country events at Sudbury. As many home fixtures as possible should be played from September to January when the pitches are drier and when less call is made on the use of the Pavilion by cross-country runners. Arrangements have worked well so far although slight irritation has been caused by a few Old Harrovians staying on late at the Pavilion after the game. Once or twice games have been played when conditions were far from suitable, thereby over-riding the Groundsman’s advice.’

For the 1966/67 season the Old Harrovians, founder members in 1902, received an invitation to re-enter the Arthur Dunn Cup Competition thereby increasing the number of clubs in the draw to 17. Owing to ground difficulties, home advantage v Old Brentwoods in the first round had to be surrendered and the tie was played at Brentwood. The Club lost 2-3 in the last seconds of extra time and Brentwoods went on to win the Cup. The Millett Cup was retained and a victory over Old Salvatorians was recorded in the first round of the Middlesex A.F.A. Senior Cup before losing 1-8 to Crouch End Vampires.

A 2nd Xl, led mainly by Buik and Hill but with no formally elected captain, entered the League and contested matches with spirit and determination. 48 Old Harrovians played for the Club, compared with 30 the previous season. Chris Holt (19 appearances) travelled from Cambridge each week and the wizardry of the talented John Garfield became available. He played in nine matches, mainly in the 2nd Xl, and relieved pressure on the back-four with mazey runs, often beating the same full-back three times before losing possession. The Club returned to Brussels at Easter to play in a tournament organised by the Brussels British Sports Club. Fred Woolley was first to make 100 appearances for the Club and was presented with an engraved (empty) pint tankard.

Throughout the season efforts had been made to expand membership support. In reply to one such invitation a personal secretary replied: ‘Your courteous favour of the 30th August, unsigned, and enclosure addressed to Mr. N.S. Gulbenkian has been received and I am to say that, at the age of 70, he has no wish to play soccer - which he did not play, even at Harrow - and therefore, besides sending his good wishes, he is not interested in the activities of the Club.’

PERIOD OF CONSOLIDATION

The Club had made tremendous progress over the last three years but was still lacking in the departments of skill and tactics. Well-meaning strikers would often synchronize their outbursts of ‘Where’s the midfield?’ in attempts to improve team cohesion but without the basic training which other clubs had received at school, the Old Harrovians were at a disadvantage. De Grunwald believed in the Club’s potential and felt strongly that some form of coaching was desirable in order to maximise interest and enthusiasm amongst the members. These proposals were not implemented until 2 years later.

1967/68 was the most successful season to date and several fine victories were achieved over strong sides. Although the last four matches were disappointing the final position was higher than before which was considered to be satisfactory as the standard of the League continued to improve. Jamieson and de Grunwald orchestrated the 1st Xl in a professional manner. Another dance was held in December 1967, this time at the Harrow Club, W10 with entertainment provided by Newtons Theory. The surplus of £39 6s. l1d. was divided equally between OHAFC and the Harrow Club. The first Annual Dinner was held at Merries Club, 49 Hallam Street, London W1 on Friday 22nd March, 1968.

In 1968/69 the 1st Xl, under Siddons (more cheerful now), improved its position in the League and the season saw Buik and McNeill reach the milestone of 100 appearances for the Club, an achievement which the Committee felt should be marked once again by the presentation of tankards. Bearman finished as top goal scorer for the fourth successive season and out of a number of recent school leavers who played regularly, Stuart Donaldson, Mike Keenan and Willie Stogdon emerged as the most promising. McNeill twice represented the League and produced outstanding performances on each occasion.

The 2nd Xl battled its way off the foot of the table for the first time in three seasons. The progress made was due to the spirited efforts of Richard Adams (the first formally elected captain) and Dorian Ferdinando whose enthusiasm for the team’s future proved that a viable existence was possible.

Training was held on Wednesdays at 9pm at the Harrow Club, W10. The second Annual Dinner was held in January 1969 at Merries Club and was attended by 38 members and 20 guests. The fifth Easter Tour, this time to Paris, was superbly organised by de Grunwald. The Club reached the semi-final of the Old Lyonian Football Club invitation six-a-side competition which comprised teams mainly from the Arthurian and Southern Amateur Leagues.

At the 1969 Annual General Meeting the Secretary reported that a major attempt had been made by the Committee to acquire a better ground. During the season, owing to the poor condition of the John Lyon ground, only 8 of the 12 permitted games had been possible. Home advantage in the Dunn was again surrendered. Letters had been sent to 130 clubs and associations but a disappointing response had been received. A club without a home would always struggle and the problem was to continue for many years. Lawrence Verney was elected Vice-President of the Club and Brodie, who had been asleep throughout the meeting, awoke to find that he had been appointed 2nd Xl Captain for the following season.

In 1969/70 1st Xl results were the best yet and 60 Old Harrovians played for the Club compared with 39 in the previous season. Brian Stewart-Brown equalled the Club record of 24 goals in a season but Bearman scored 38 bringing his total to 102 goals in 101 matches. The milestone of 100 appearances was passed by Bearman, Beckwith, de Grunwald, Du Boulay, Jamieson and Stewart-Brown. Two matches were played against the School and a 3rd XI organised on a match/manager basis, was fielded on five occasions. At the start of the season the Club spent an excellent weekend in Tiverton winning two matches against village teams captained by the vicar. Ferdinando provided hospitality at Rackenford Manor.

Bearman’s enthusiastic captaincy and regular training directed by FA coach, Jackie Goodwin, resulted in the 1st Xl finishing 6th in the League and produced the first Dunn victory: 2-1 at John Lyons against Old Westminsters. In the second round, again at John Lyons, a titanic battle took place with the eventual losing finalists, Old Foresters, whose substitute was Robin Trimby, a man who had gained full amateur international honours. Given the strength of the visitors, the final scoreline was certainly no disgrace: Harrovians 3, Foresters 4.

An official 12 page programme was on sale at the ground containing detailed descriptions of the players of both teams. The current League positions also appeared which showed Harrovians in second place behind Reptonians who were to beat Foresters in the Dunn final. De Grunwald had compiled the information for the programme (price 2s.6d.) which was sponsored by The London Steak House, The Harrow School Bookshop, S. Shaw, Hills and Saunders, G. Ward & Co., Stevens and Billings & Edmunds Limited. It is not known whether the sponsors gained any benefit from their entries; suffice to say that the exercise has never been repeated.

Around this time a ‘friendly’ referee, Jim Dixson, often came to the rescue of the Harrow defence and created a number of useful openings in attack. The Dinner was held at the Hotel Russell, the first of six annual visits which were to keep the waiters fully extended. In 1970 de Grunwald organised the Club’s sixth European Easter Tour with his usual eye for detail. Matches were played in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. This was Alf Draper’s first tour from which he returned to the U.K. as a promising opportunist.

In 1969 and 1970 Bradbys was used to host receptions after home Dunn matches. Mark Tindall, House Master, ensured hospitality of the highest quality. In 1970/71 the Club again drew Old Foresters. In the dressing-room prior to the match Jimmy Cox pulled a hamstring whilst lacing up his boots and was unable to take the field. Beckwith, attending as a spectator and looking under-nourished, was called into action. The problem of finding a satisfactory ground lingered on. At the 1971 AGM the match fee was amended from 5s. to 25p and Mark Tindall was elected a Vice-President. Cox and Siddons had joined the ‘100 Club’.

Although Geoff Harrow was a dangerous attacking force in his first season with the Club, there was mounting concern over the lack of new members and the Secretary wrote to all those leaving Harrow at the end of the 1971 summer term. Of these Charlie Hall, Jonathan Halliday and Charles Holland became regular players for the Club but not immediately. Training was held at the Elliott School in Putney where facilities were shared with the Old Aldenhamians. Keenan was presented with his ‘pot’ for 100 appearances and the tradition was then discontinued. Jackie Goodwin was not retained for the 1971/72 season but arranged for a posse of FA trainee coaches to attend, with notebooks, the Arthur Dunn Cup first round tie at Eton. This was to be a day of disappointment for the Club, losing the match 0-1 with the Hon. Secretary ‘cautioned for persistent infringements in late tackling’, after only 5 minutes play. The 2nd Xl, captained by de Grunwald, now a midfield player, reached the semi-final of the Arthurian League Junior Cup. At the 1972 AGM, B.M.S. Hoban (Head Master), R.A.A. Holt (Chairman of Governors) and E.G. Sheffield (Chairman of Carlisle United FC) were elected Vice-Presidents of the Club.

The Arthurian League Committee was becoming increasingly concerned over the question of misconduct by member clubs (not only at Eton) and issued the following directive: ‘The position has deteriorated seriously this season and has reached an intolerable level. Whereas previously it was very much of a rarity for Arthurian League players to be cautioned by the referee it has regrettably become a regular feature this season with reports of such incidents being received weekly by the Secretary. Furthermore, four clubs have had players dismissed by the referee during this season which until very recently was virtually unknown in our football. The Arthurian League has always prided itself on its reputation for sportsmanship and good conduct both on and off the field and the committee is not prepared to see this reputation tarnished and jeopardised by clubs who cannot discipline their members. To deal with this problem a disciplinary committee is being set up at once to consider each case with power to impose fines and other sanctions. It is regretted by the committee that it should have proved necessary to take this step, but clubs must appreciate that the answer lies clearly with them to impose a firm code of behaviour on their members and not to permit persons to represent their club who are not prepared to adhere to this. If a club shows itself incapable of controlling its members in this way with the result that the reputation of the League is endangered, the committee will be left with no alternative but to consider suspending or determining that club’s membership of our league.’

1971/72 represented the 100th Anniversary of the inception of the FA Challenge Cup. On the occasion of the Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on 6th May, 1972 a pre-match parade was organised depicting 100 years of Cup Finals and incorporating a march past with representatives of each club which had won the final. No club had been more closely associated with the Wanderers in 1872 than the Old Harrovians and they were duly represented in the parade by Bearman, Buik, Cox, Holt and Woolley as symbols of each year the Wanderers had won the Cup. As the Wanderers had won the first Cup Final, naturally the Old Harrovians led the parade.

At the 1972 AGM the Secretary reported that, for the first time in 40 years, soccer was played at the School on an official basis for the last two weeks of the Easter term. On Sunday, 19th March, 1972 the Club had produced three teams to play against the School on the Reddings and six schoolboys had played for the Club on three occasions during the Christmas holidays. Despite this encouraging aspect of the season the Club’s results were disappointing with both 1st Xl and 2nd Xl finishing one from bottom in their respective divisions of the Arthurian League.

NEW BLOOD

In September 1972 Jackie Goodwin was back as Club Coach and Woolley was appointed 1st Xl Captain. A pre-season tour to Carlisle was well supported and heralded the arrival of new blood. Nigel Hughes, Miles Thompson and Robert Worthy were to become prominent players in the future. Garfield, Jonathan Halliday (despite a bloody head-on collision with each other at Woodford) and Willie van Straubenzee all performed regularly to a high standard, whilst the old guard of Bearman, Beckwith, Brodie, Cox and McNeill remained as competitive as ever. The Club was fortunate to have three outstanding goalkeepers in Nick Du Boulay, Simon Ffrench and Richard Miller. Keenan was selected for the Arthurian League against the Old Boy’s League.

In February 1973, de Grunwald and Brodie summoned 41 fading stars to the Moorgate Well Club for drinks. The purpose of the gathering was to establish support for the formation of a veterans side coupled with an alcoholic wander down memory lane. Clearly the Club had reached the crossroads. The founder members were running short of puff for league football and new blood was still in short supply.

Team management took on a fresh look. Keenan became 1st Xl Captain for the 1973/74 season and commanded regular support from the younger players. Draper took hold of the 2nd Xl with vision and commitment not previously contemplated and this ailing squad was transformed after the disappointing results of the previous season. David Tindall impressed as the League’s leading goal-scorer in Division 4. In the Dunn v. Brentwoods at Hampstead Cricket Club, van Straubenzee broke a leg and never played again. The Club was deprived of the services of a gifted footballer who would have contributed much to this new era.

However, the future of the Club rested in the balance. Despite approaches from the President, the Head Master and the Governors had not seen fit to make a satisfactory ground available to the Club at the School. It was possible that the present arrangements with John Lyons could be extended but obviously this was not the answer. It was extraordinary that every other Old Harrovian sport was well catered for by the School, yet the OHAFC continued to be ostracised despite its good record both on and off the field.

In 1974/75 under Geoff Harrow’s captaincy, the 1st Xl became locked in a marathon encounter with Old Salopians in the Dunn. A 3-3 result at Shrewsbury was followed by an exciting 4-4 draw at Hampstead and the matter was eventually resolved back at Shrewsbury where Salopians won 6-3. Corrie Halliday made his only Dunn appearance, as substitute in the final minutes of the match, but did not get a kick. At the AGM Peter Brodie was elected a Vice-President.

At about this time the Club lost a dear friend and admirer who died following a road accident. Jim Dixson, Arthurian League Referees’ Secretary, had officiated at many matches involving Harrovian teams and commanded much affection, perhaps more for his sociability than his attempts at discipline on the field. In his memory the League introduced an annual six-a-side tournament which has often provided the highlight of the 2nd Xl season.

For the 1975/76 season a major acquisition lifted moral and confirmed the Club’s credibility. Hampstead, which had been used during the two previous seasons on Sundays for Veterans games and Dunn matches, now became the official home ground for league fixtures from October to February. The excellent facilities persuaded members to play more regularly and familiarity with the pitch itself became an advantage.

Inspired by pre-season training at Bisham Abbey the 1st Xl registered 17 points, just reward for Mike Hall’s outstanding work as Captain. The recovery in one season from 16th to 5th was a creditable effort and only a disappointing result against Old Salopians at the very end of the season prevented the team from finishing in 4th position. It was a pity that the momentum of the previous six months could not be sustained for that final game. Matches were played v. the School in the Christmas and Easter terms and Mike Hall was selected for the Arthurian League Representative Xl v. London University. In the Arthur Dunn Cup the Club lost 2-3 at Lancing. Keenan had interrupted his honeymoon in order to play only to be carried off in the latter stages with an unidentified injury, possibly exhaustion.

The 2nd Xl enjoyed an excellent season and won promotion to Division 3. The performance of the side provided evidence of what can be achieved with a regular team, well-attended training and, in Draper, a dedicated captain. Indeed, the momentum of the 2nd Xl effort was sustained right up to the last game when a second victory was registered against the Division 4 Champions.

ARTHURIAN LEAGUE

1975/76

Division 4

Goals

		P.	W.	D.	L.	F.	A.	Pts.
1.	Cholmeleians	12	8	1	3	36	14	17
2.	Harrovians	12	7	3	2	27	15	17
3.	Ardinians	12	6	5	1	24	15	17
4.	Chigwellians	12	5	4	3	28	14	14
5.	Bradfieldians	12	4	4	4	23	25	12
6.	Brentwoods	12	2	1	9	19	49	5
7.	Foresters	12	1	0	11	14	37	2

The Veterans Xl operated successfully on Sunday mornings through the efforts of de Grunwald and Brodie and provided enjoyable football for those members who had withdrawn from the league scene. The Easter Tour was to Le Touquet and La Havre, where the Club reached the Final of the ‘Coupe Jean Delauney’, losing 2-1 after extra time. The 1976 Annual Dinner was held in February at the Paviour’s Arms, Westminster and was attended by 77 members and guests. The change of venue from the Hotel Russell had resulted in a record attendance. At the AGM Buik was elected a Vice President. His drive and personality were amongst the Club’s greatest assets.

The 1976/77 season was one of mixed fortunes, for whilst the 2nd XI continued to gain strength and the spirit of the Club in general remained healthy, 1st Xl players failed to produce the level of commitment and character necessary to achieve positive results in the Arthurian League. Numerically the Club had never been stronger, but regular availability of the better players was lacking with the result that the team seldom took the field at full strength. A 1-0 victory over Lancing Old Boys and a 0-0 draw with Old Etonians (for the second successive year) provided the highlights of a disappointing performance in the League. In a first round replay of the Arthur Dunn Cup, after a 2-2 draw at Hampstead (where Woolley scored for both teams in extra time), a 4-1 defeat was suffered at the hands of Old Foresters. A 5-1 win was registered against the School. Guy Stille, Des Baucher and Tony Pigott joined the Club with all the qualities of outstanding players. Certainly they provided new hope just as Hughes, Worthy and Thompson had in 1972.

Despite the handicap of being the only club in the League where soccer was not played at school as a major sport, the 1st XI had proved over the years that it was capable of doing well in the Arthurian League and there remained only one club, Old Cholmeleians, never to have been beaten by the Old Harrovians. During that time a regular team and an appetite for hard training had been the principal ingredients for a successful season. Alas, these very essentials were now in short supply and an injection of new blood, combined with a return of some of the old, was required to produce the necessary balance for the following season.

The gloom was lifted by the outstanding performance of the 2nd Xl whose elevation from Division 4 was celebrated by further promotion (on goal average) and entry into Division 2. The achievements of the 2nd XI were a product of Draper’s cool efficiency during his four years (so far) in office, before which the future of the 2nd Xl had been in grave doubt, and it was a credit to his leadership that the Club had here a team which took the field with the confidence to produce results.

ARTHURIAN LEAGUE

1976/77

Division 3

Goals

		P.	W.	0.	L.	F.	A.	Pts.
1.	Brentwoods	16	10	5	1	41	22	25
2.	Harrovians	16	10	3	3	38	20	23
3.	Aldenhamians	16	10	3	3	44	25	23
4.	Foresters	16	6	3	7	31	28	15
5.	Reptonians	16	6	2	8	32	35	14
6.	Ardinians	16	5	3	8	28	48	13
7.	Malvernians	16	5	3	8	38	37	13
8.	Wellingburians	16	5	2	9	30	42	12
9.	Cholmeleians	16	1	4	11	24	49	6

The Veterans played only six matches owing to the appalling weather which caused several cancellations. Over the past four years these Sunday morning games had proved extremely popular providing the necessary relief for the semi-retired and for those professionals whose energy extended to two outings in a weekend. The success of this area of the Club’s activities was due principally to the efficiency and enthusiasm of its founders, Brodie and de Grunwald.

The Annual Dinner was held at the Paviour’s Arms and was attended by 65 members and guests. The toast to the Club was proposed by Simon Groves, Old Bradfieldians, the Guests by Alf Draper and the Reply was given by Bill Frindall. An enjoyable Easter tour to Devon was organised by Worthy and James Phillips, and proved a suitable substitute for the now financially prohibitive trips to the Continent.

At the Annual General Meeting in April, McNeill was elected a Vice-President of the Club in recognition of his enormous contribution both as player and former Captain.

CHAMPIONS

In 1977/78 came the Cinderella story which would give the Club a new momentum. Old Harrovians, unbeaten, won the Arthurian League Championship and thus became the first non-soccer school to achieve this distinction.

ARTHURIAN LEAGUE

1977/78

Division 1

Goals

		P.	W.	D.	L.	F.	A.	Pts.
1.	Harrovians	15	10	5	0	38	15	25
2.	Brentwoods	15	9	5	1	48	15	23
3.	Foresters	15	9	3	3	43	24	21
4.	Aldenhamians	15	9	3	3	44	29	21
5.	Chigwellians	15	9	2	4	38	20	20
6.	Carthusians	15	8	3	4	46	27	19
7.	Wykehamists	15	6	5	4	43	31	17
8.	Wellingburians	15	6	3	6	40	33	15
9.	Bradfieldians	15	6	3	6	31	29	15
10.	Cholmeleians	15	5	3	7	28	28	13
11.	Lancing Old Boys	15	4	5	6	20	28	13
12.	Etonians	15	5	1	9	30	40	11
13.	Malvernians	15	4	2	9	34	34	10
14.	Reptonians	15	3	2	10	22	41	8
15.	Salopians	15	2	1	12	23	78	5
16.	Ardinians	15	2	0	13	19	75	4

A sound defence was built around Thompson and Charles McClure, now recognised as two of the best central defenders in the League, and Worthy who had been converted into an excellent goalkeeper. The strength and energy of Charlie Hall were always in evidence and provided a good balance in midfield with Keenan, Hughes or Stille. Keenan (v. Cambridge University) and Worthy (v. Oxford University) were selected for the League Representative Xl.

In attack Mike Hall regained his accuracy in front of goal and, apart from the captain, Fred Woolley, was the only man to play in all 16 League and Cup matches. Bearman, recalled to 1st Xl duty after four seasons, was a tower of strength at centre-forward and enabled the team to develop its superiority at set pieces. Geoff Harrow, who was playing in the Southern Amateur League for Winchmore Hill F.C., was an important addition for the last two league games and recorded his presence, not unexpectedly, by scoring two vital goals.

Above all, the commitment and determination of the younger players were magnificent. Stille, Baucher, Pigott and Charlie Bott all played with skill, enthusiasm and character and their presence in the team did much to motivate the older players. Tim Glennie and Simon Toulson-Clarke made their debuts and the performances of all six promised well for the future of the Club.

The long-awaited victory over Cholmeleians was registered in November, 4-1 at Totteridge. In the Dunn the Club was unlucky to meet Malvernians, the eventual winners, in the first round. An exciting game at Hampstead was resolved in extra time when the legendary J.W. Bridle (formerly J.W. lllaszewicz) scored his second goal to give Malvernians a 2-1 victory. The Harrow defence had been particularly impressive in containing a powerful Malvernian attack.

The 2nd XI, promoted from Division 4 to Division 2 in successive years, was expecting a tough time. However, after losing the first two league games, six consecutive wins were registered which settled a few old scores against such clubs as the Foresters and Brentwoods. The side progressed to the quarter-finals of the Junior Cup before losing to Chigwellians and ended the season respectably in fourth place.

Having beaten every club in the League except Cholmeleians, the 2nd Xl was more than holding its own and looking forward to yet another successful season. The playing strength was deeper than ever and the blend of youth and experience had done much to settle the team after the heady successes of previous seasons. Much credit was due to Draper who, naturally, was re-elected Captain for the following season.

An increase in the number of playing members, combined with the efforts of Steve Vine and John Matthews, accommodated the re-emergence of a 3rd Xl and the season went steadily rather than spectacularly with its fair share of wins, draws and defeats. Again, a blend of youth and experience was the keynote with valuable contributions from old hands Tony Higginson and Robin Du Boulay, while younger members Sid Drew, Simon Greenwell, Philip Oppenheim, Christopher Rayment and Tony McWhirter were useful additions to the Club. If things continued to go well the prospect of joining the League did not look too remote.

The Veterans, under the direction of de Grunwald, played eleven matches, two of which involved a team (Hampstead C.C.) which boasted an Australian 1974 World Cup player. Welcomed back as regulars were Brodie, Cox and Robin Du Boulay.

A music-hall at the Pindar of Wakefield, another record attendance at the Annual Dinner to receive Mark Tindall’s ‘maiden speech’ and a successful Easter Tour to Devon were confirmation of the Club’s current health and prosperity which, it was felt, would be further enhanced before long now that some soccer was played at the School.

At the Annual General Meeting in April, held at the East India and Public Schools Club, Brodie and de Grunwald, both founder members, were elected Vice-Presidents in recognition of their outstanding services since the Club’s revival. A motion to increase Life Membership to £25 was passed by 8 votes to 6.

RETURN TO EARTH

In 1978 Nottingham Forest experienced the additional pressures placed on a team defending the championship when many of its better players are injured. A resident physiotherapist in the Harrow dressing-room would have been a sound investment and a successful defence of the Arthurian League title might then have been possible.

Competition reached its highest level since the League was formed in 1961 and on the last day of the season any one of four clubs could win the championship. As it was, two teams finished on 24 points with Old Carthusians taking the title over Old Cholmeleians by virtue of a superior goal difference. Old Harrovians finished in 9th position but gained comfort from the fact that the new champions were held to a 2-2 draw. In the Arthur Dunn Cup, Old Wellingburians were despatched 3-1 but a 2-1 defeat by Old Salopians in the second round was a direct result of wasted chances.

Long periods of injury to Woolley, McClure, Hughes, Bearman, Garfield, Stille and Mike Hall provided opportunities for Rayment, Greenwell and Nick Sibley to establish themselves as members of the 1st Xl squad. Thompson (Blackburn), Pigott (Brighton), Glennie (Burford) and Keenan (Aylesbury) supported the Club magnificently. Taking into account training attendance as well as match appearances, Baucher and Charlie Hall displayed the high level of commitment which clearly can be achieved by players living in London.

The 2nd Xl had a difficult season with many players repeatedly called up for 1st Xl duty. The result was relegation to Division 3 which coincided sadly with Draper’s retirement from the captaincy after six seasons in office. The Club is indebted to him for his enormous contribution during years which saw the standard of the 2nd Xl improve beyond all expectations. Phillips was given the difficult task of maintaining the momentum.

Yet another record attendance, 92, at the Annual Dinner, a repeat of the music-hall, an undefeated Easter Tour to South Devon, the development of the 3rd Xl and a thriving veterans section all reflected the personality and character of a well supported and unique Old Harrovian activity. The Club was playing a significant part in the lives of the many members who enjoyed meeting regularly throughout the winter months and the spirit and friendships generated provided the vehicle through which the Club could realise its full potential.

At the 1979 AGM held at 2 Wilson Street, EC2, the cost of Life Membership was increased from £25 to £35 and the qualifying age was reduced from 40 to 35. The cost of running the Club was now £1,500 per season. It was reported that there existed a League undercurrent to split the 1st Division into Premier and Division 1, the third time such a move had been proposed. The meeting agreed that this could destroy the spirit and purpose of the League and felt that the larger clubs had not proved that they could consistently defeat the smaller clubs.

Problems were being encountered at Hampstead as regards costs, premature cancellations and lack of bar facilities on Saturday afternoons. It had become clear that the Harrovians were tolerated but not encouraged and this situation prevented a totally happy association. Nevertheless, the ground was made available for pre-season training and Audrey’s Sunday roast was a popular feature after Vets games.

NEW ERA

The next three seasons witnessed a new era as Worthy and Hughes assumed responsibility for the 1st Xl. A determined effort was made to ensure that training continued on a regular basis and greater importance was placed on skill and tactics. As goalkeeper, Worthy found difficulty in captaining the side effectively and, at the end of the 1979/80 season, handed over to Hughes. Worthy’s great value to the Club as an ambassador and devoted member prompted the creation of a new position, Club Captain, to assist with the heavy workload of the 1st Xl Captain. He would be responsible for promoting good relations with other Arthurian League clubs and, along with the Secretary, would act as a mouthpiece in matters that may concern the League Management Committee and other authorities. He would assist in the administration of the teams and would absorb the role of School liaison officer to encourage leavers to join the Club.

On Sunday 4th November, 1979 the 1969/70 Dunn Xl was resurrected to play against the Vets now managed by Brodie and Buik. It was intended each season to field the side which represented the Club in the competition ten years previously. This tradition has been maintained and has provided some of the highlights of recent seasons. The referee on this first occasion, Mr. R.M.N. Green from Colchester, had been the Club’s official linesman at Dunn matches for many years and a loyal player during the early years of the 2nd Xl’s development. The 1980 Dinner attendance of 114 has yet to be surpassed. Members and guests were entertained by Jimmy Cox, Graham Lyon (Old Foresters) and Frank Crozier (BBC).

For season 1980/81 Colin Sarre was elected Hon. Secretary and a long term of office has ensued. The disciplinary record of many clubs in the League was causing more concern. The Club was anxious to show that its own house was in order and, at the 1980 AGM, it was agreed that an automatic fine of £2 would be levied on OH players booked for dissent. Hampstead Cricket Club decreed that the Old Harrovians would no longer be permitted use of the Billiards Room which had now been extensively refurbished. The writing was on the wall and the Club realised that a new home would soon be required.

In June 1980 Woolley was elected a Vice-President of the Arthurian League. At a Special General Meeting in July the format of the League was changed with the 1^st Division splitting into two sections and the OHAFC, after further consideration, now voting in favour of the new structure - the younger members welcomed the additional competition provided by promotion and relegation. The split between the Premier and 1st Division would be established on the basis of final league tables at the end of the 1980/81 season. The 1st Xl, ably captained by Hughes, was unfortunate to finish 9th, on goal difference, thus placing the Club below the line.

Despite this disappointment there were notable performances by several newcomers, in particular Tony Ward and Paul Spraggon, and praise must be given to Thompson and Jeremy Balcombe who consistently travelled great distances to play for the Club. Worthy and Stille both played for the Arthurian League Representative Xl.

The season culminated with an Easter Tour to Miami, the tourists playing six matches in ten days against good opposition. Charlie Hall organised this ambitious and enterprising event which takes its place in this history as one of the Club’s greatest achievements. So much for ‘soon burning itself out’.

At the 1981 AGM Beckwith was elected a Vice-President. For season 1981/82 the 3rd Xl was elected to League Division 5. Giles Browne, in his second year as captain, displayed a high degree of commitment and optimism. Whiteley Village was used for home matches whilst 1st Xl and 2nd Xl continued to alternate at Hampstead. Sarre began the first of his four years as 2nd Xl Captain whilst Hughes kept the 1st Xl on a tight rein. The new generation under Phillips took over the Veterans which was fast becoming an opportunity for members to play twice in a weekend though genuine vets would always be given priority at selection. At the 1982 AGM Woolley and Ian Beer were elected Vice-Presidents.

THE LAST FIVE YEARS

Following the termination of the Club’s tenancy at Hampstead, efforts were being made to secure a permanent home for the Club at Harrow School. The Charles Dorin Partnership drew up architectural proposals for refurbishing, at the Club’s expense, the Sixth Form Cricket Pavilion to provide dressing-rooms suitable for football as well as cricket, whilst John and Peter Beckwith offered to provide financial assistance to alleviate the Club’s initial difficulties in raising the necessary capital. Buik was now Secretary of the Field House Club which could be put to good use in the winter months if certain improvements were carried out.

Agrapower and Balfour Beatty conducted surveys on the Phil Athletic Ground and concluded that sub-soil drainage could be achieved at a cost of £3,600 per pitch but that, in itself, would not markedly improve the playability of the surface in clay ground. It would merely reduce the period of waterlogging after heavy rain. An additional more sophisticated method, sand-slitting, would cost a further £3,000 per pitch but the process would probably have to be repeated every two years.

The School Governors were enthusiastic about the Club’s use of the Phil for soccer but it was decided that the above costs were prohibitive and that the Phil would be used only by the 3rd Xl in 1982/83, without additional drainage, employing the area on a slight slope just below the Buxton Pavilion. Changing-rooms were hired from Whitmore High School, situated at the bottom of the Phil in Porlock Avenue. After games players adjourned to the Hill Restaurant, where Jim Crook supplied tea and hotdogs, before they moved on to the Castle for more popular sustenance.

The quality of the Phil was not considered suitable for 1st and 2nd Xl matches and the Club was forced to rent additional pitches at Whiteley Village, the South Suburban Co-operative Society in Beckenham and the Harrodian Club in Barnes (where the pitch could be used on Saturday mornings only). The co-operation of opponents was sought throughout a difficult season.

The Club enjoyed a most successful season in 1982/83. The 1st Xl, undefeated at Christmas, won the Arthurian League Division 1 Championship and reached the final of the Argonaut Trophy losing a close game to Carthusians. In the Arthur Dunn Cup Lancing, the eventual winners, scored two late goals to deprive Harrow of a place in the semi-finals.

ARTHURIAN LEAGUE

1982/83

Division 1

Goals

		P.	W.	D.	L.	F.	A.	Pts.
1.	Harrovians	16	11	1	4	39	20	23
2.	Malvernians	16	9	3	4	42	27	21
3.	Ardinians	16	9	2	5	45	35	20
4.	Salopians	16	8	2	6	50	37	18
5.	Wellingburians	16	7	1	8	33	35	15
6.	Westminsters	16	5	4	7	31	39	14
7.	Wykehamists	16	6	2	8	29	39	14
8.	Reptonians	16	5	3	8	26	38	13
9.	Etonians	16	1	4	11	27	52	6

The creative skills of Ward, Baucher and Greenwell on the left flank presented many opportunities for the high-scoring forwards Geoff Harrow and Ian Gibson. Much of the credit for the side’s performances this year was due to the able captaincy of Stille whilst Mark Baddeley, Robert Buckeldee and Patrick Chalmers became valuable members of the Club. Worthy was elected Captain of the Arthurian League Representative Xl, an honour bestowed on him for five seasons.

The 2nd Xl had a reasonable year, finishing third in Division 3. By now three Tindalls were playing regularly. David, Nick and Robert contributed much to success both on and off the field. The 3rd Xl under the guidance of Drew gained promotion to Division 4, a most encouraging performance, and there were now more playing members than ever in this the most flourishing of Old Harrovian sports.

ARTHURIAN LEAGUE

1982/83

Division 5

Goals

		P.	W.	D.	L.	F.	A.	Pts.
1.	Salopians	14	11	2	1	61	25	24
2.	Harrovians	14	9	2	3	54	24	20
3.	Chigwellians	14	7	3	4	51	25	17
4.	Haileyburians	14	7	3	4	55	41	17
5.	Brentwoods IV	14	4	2	8	32	50	10
6.	Brentwoods V	14	3	2	9	23	47	8
7.	Foresters	14	3	2	9	29	56	8
8.	Cholmeleians	14	3	2	9	19	56	8

The season concluded with an Easter Tour to Berlin, organised by Eric Sumner. After a defeat by the Combined Services and a win over the R.A.F. the tourists, in a carnival atmosphere, drew with the German league side, Brandenburger Lichterfelder.

Following the death of Charles Clover Brown in late 1982 a memorial salver was introduced, the Charles Clover Brown Award, to be presented annually for outstanding services to the Club. The first award was presented by Clover’s son, Robert, at the Annual Dinner on 11th February 1983. At the AGM Mark Tindall was elected President and Keenan a Vice-President.

In 1983/84 Veterans matches were played at the Reckitt & Colman ground in Chiswick, the site now occupied by Riverside. The 2nd Xl and 3rd Xl continued to play at Beckenham and Harrow School where the pitch (though not entirely symmetrical) had been relocated and enlarged. The 1st Xl moved to fresh but not greener pastures at the Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields on Wimbledon Common and were relegated to Division 1.

The Club enjoyed its best season in the Dunn. A convincing victory at Eton was followed by a triumph of character over Old Chigwellians and a home draw against Lancing Old Boys in the semi-final. This was the first time the Old Harrovians had ever reached this advanced stage of the competition. The match was played at Whiteley Village, Walton-on-Thames, on Saturday 3rd March. After trailing 0-3 Lancing found an extra gear and ran in winners 5-3. An excellent game was tarnished when Geoff Harrow broke a leg.

An enjoyable tour to Amsterdam was organised by Sumner and three matches were played against Dutch opposition. One win, a draw and a defeat were the outcome of some notable performances, in particular from Jeremy Lloyd-Jones.

At the 1984 AGM Draper was elected a Vice-President. During the summer the London Borough of Harrow increased its charges to the unacceptable level of £85 per game for use of the dressing-rooms and showers at Whitmore High School. Alternative accommodation could not be found so no further use could be made of the Phil. Reluctantly the Committee accepted Wimbledon Common and Firs Farm, N13 (known affectionately as the ‘Funny Farm’) as the Club’s principal residences until Christmas when the Reckitt & Colman Sports Ground became available for the remainder of the season.

In 1984/85 under Simon Greenwell’s captaincy the 1st Xl gained promotion to the Premier Division once more. Simon Haggas joined the Club and quickly impressed as a strong and powerful striker. At the end of the season Sarre retired from the 2nd Xl captaincy after four years continuous service. During this time the team had been run efficiently and to the total enjoyment of those under his leadership. A proposed tour to Paris was cancelled as the tournament in which the Club was due to take part was called off owing to snow and ice. At the AGM the automatic fine for a dissent booking was raised to £5 to be levied and payable on the day of the offence.

ARTHURIAN LEAGUE

1984/85

Division 1

Goals

		P.	W.	D.	L.	F.	A.	Pts.
1.	Harrovians	16	9	3	4	39	23	21
2.	Reptonians	16	9	2	5	47	25	20
3.	Wellingburians	16	8	3	5	43	24	19
4.	Salopians	16	9	1	6	42	38	19
5.	Ardinians	16	8	2	6	29	34	18
6.	Bradfieldians	16	6	3	7	32	34	15
7.	Citizens	15	5	2	8	24	35	12
8.	Etonians	16	4	2	10	26	39	10
9.	Wykehamists	15	4	0	11	19	49	8

At last there was real hope that the Club would acquire a permanent home ground. The Beckwiths’ London and Edinburgh Trust PLC was planning to build Riverside, an indoor tennis, squash and fitness centre where it was hoped that a football pitch could be retained and leased to the Old Harrovians at a peppercorn rent.

In 1985/86 the Club had the use of two pitches at Riverside for the whole of the season. Sadly the 1st Xl were again relegated, again after only one season in the Premier Division. Sumner captained the 2nd XI applying his legal head to most situations but was less effective on the ground. Balcombe organised a successful tour to Cologne. Two matches were played against German opposition with Stille and Haggas the principal marksmen in matches played on difficult shale surfaces. The 1986 and 1987 Dinners were held at the Cricketers Club of London after ten years at the Paviours where the kitchens, to everyone’s surprise, had finally been condemned by the health authorities.

For eight years the 3rd Xl, under the successive management of Vine, Browne, Drew, Robert Tindall and Woolley, had been struggling to attract regular support without achieving significant momentum. The nucleus of players required for team credibility had not been forthcoming and it was decided, therefore, that the Club would run only two Saturday teams in the 1986/87 season.

Phillips retired as Veterans Xl Secretary, the office he had held for five seasons, to take up a post in New Zealand. His personality and commitment had created a way of life on Sunday mornings (and afternoons) for the more sociable members. Hanwell Town F.C. had become the favourite venue where the pitch dimensions exceeded those at Wembley Stadium. Peter Leaver was now refereeing all the Vets fixtures, sometimes out of curiosity but mainly because matches were contested in a friendly atmosphere. He has made a significant contribution to OHAFC prosperity and is the current holder of the Charles Clover Brown Award. The Vets was now a vehicle whereby 1st Xl, 2nd Xl and semi-retired players could enjoy together social football with a competitive edge.

In 1986 Worthy, still a goalkeeper, returned as 1st Xl Captain, David Tindall took over the 2nd Xl and Chris Carline ran the Vets. For the first time in four seasons the 1st Xl did not change divisions, managing to finish only 4th in Division 1 when promotion had earlier seemed a possibility. The injury list was so bad that 24 members played for the 1st Xl. There was concern about lack of new blood - not for the first time - and a match was played against Eddie Thornton’s Xl in the quest for fresh talent. Haggas assumed responsibility for activities in Hamburg over Easter and at the 1987 AGM Bearman and Cox were elected Vice-Presidents.

The Club was now established at Riverside where construction was underway. Use of the nearby Civil Service boat-house dressing-rooms was the preferred alternative to changing behind the trees!

JUBILEE SEASON AND BEYOND

On 20th September, 1987 the Club celebrated the official opening of its 25th season with a football extravaganza at Riverside. Three OHAFC teams were on parade plus Eddie Thornton’s Xl, now regarded as the Club’s official vehicle for identifying new blood. Many past players and guests from other clubs attended during the day and appeared to enjoy the hospitality provided.

The Jubilee Cup, presented by Tim Monckton, will be contested annually at Harrow between the School and the Old Harrovians in the form of a five-a-side competition to be held in the sports hall. The Silver Jubilee Dinner will take place on Friday 29th January 1988 at Armoury House, when a record attendance is expected. The Easter Tour will be to Majorca.

The Club has stood the test of time. Of the original members only Beckwith and Woolley are still playing. Keenan, now in his 21st season of Arthurian League football, continues to produce quality performances and refuses to accept retirement to the back-four. As regards youth, Ayas Khan, David Manasseh and Will Reynolds have impressed as 1st Xl players in their first season with the Club.

Mark Baddeley and Charlie Feather, both fiercely competitive, have been appointed captains of the 1st Xl and 2nd XI respectively. It was reported in The Times on 7th January, 1988 that ‘in the first division (of the Arthurian League), Old Harrovians will take a lot of catching with eight wins from ten games, a remarkable performance for a side connected with a school much better known for rugby union’. A major campaign has been launched in search of young players. Just as their predecessors have generated a strong spirit of friendship within the Club so too can future members expect to enjoy many happy hours both on and off the field. It has always been important to maintain a healthy balance between athleticism and humour. A prosperous future depends on the continued harmony of these qualities.

* * * *

APPENDICES

REVIVAL AT HARROW

Sunday Times February 1966

Happy is the country that has no history. Or the football club which didn’t know it had one. The skeleton of Harrow’s distinguished soccer past has been so firmly locked in the cupboard that when two young Harrovians revived the Old Harrovians in 1962, they did not know such a club had ever existed!

Orwell’s Ministry of Truth, with its memory hole, clearly has something to learn from an organisation which can bury a club that produced half a dozen full English internationals, 31 Blues, a Secretary of the Football Association, and gave Soccer the law whereby a player may be sent off. That law, in fact, was found in the rules of the Harrow game, still muddily played at the beginning of the Easter term. Those patricians who blamed its introduction into Soccer on the growing prevalence of working class players were thus being quite unhistorical. Gentlemen, too, are capable of misbehaving themselves, as certain events at Twickenham this season have reminded us.

This season, the new, revived Old Harrovians entered the Arthurian League, where they compete with the various Arthur Dunn Cup Old Boys’ sides; a competition which they themselves have not yet entered. It will be interesting to see, when at last they decide they are ready to do so, whether - as original contestants - they’ll be admitted. The 16 schools which at present compete have in previous years jealously kept out all newcomers. Meanwhile, the Harrovians compete annually with the Old Etonians for a cup of their own, the Millett Cup; a match they won last year by the spanking score of 7-1.

The chief motivators of the club are two 21 year-old Londoners, Fred Woolley and David Buik. Frustration seems to have had much to do with it; the Harrow game, as Woolley says, “was nearly Soccer but not quite.” It’s a game played with an enormous, flat-sided ball on largely, waterlogged clay pitches, lying at the foot of the famous Hill.

“The idea of the game is to hoof the ball between two posts. Some of the more talented tried to dribble round people, then were confronted by five or six opponents - but, with a rugby offside rule, you can’t push the ball through the gap. With no foul play rule, you can knock a man over, 10 yards from the ball. Soccer at school is a really dirty word; you’re lucky if you get five-a-side on the house lawns - any suggestion of Soccer is really frowned upon. We find it very difficult to give encouragement to the boys at the school.” It is on these boys, as Woolley and Buik wisely realise, that the future of their club depends: “If only we could get 10 school leavers.”

The Harrovians borrow the John Lyon School pitch at Harrow for their home matches and train once a week in the school gymnasium under the gym master - their captain, Don McNeill: three-quarters of an hour’s gymnastics, followed by three-a-side. They have even had some professional instruction from Cameron Buchanan, the old Wolves player, now manager of the flourishing Harrow School Laundry. Woolley is anxious to stress that they are no opponents of Rugby; he merely feels that the two games could and should co-exist. Certainly the revival of the Old Harrovians goes one step further towards dragging public school attitudes, kicking and screaming, into the latter twentieth century.

BRIAN GLANVILLE

SEASON 1966/67

ARTHUR DUNN CUP— 1st Round

Old Brentwoods 3 Old Harrovians 2

(After Extra Time)

Another foundation stone in the Old Harrovian AFC’s history was laid on Saturday, 14 January 1967, when, after an interval of 37 years, a Harrow eleven competed in the first round of the Arthur Dunn Cup. Drawn against the Old Brentwoods, one of the strongest sides in the competition, and forced by circumstances to play at Brentwood, the Old Harrovians were very much the underdogs, an impression which the large and vociferous home crowd doubtless helped to create.

Anything can happen in cup-ties, however, and although Brentwood soon gained midfield control, half-time saw the Old Harrovians leading 2-1 after opportunist goals by Stewart-Brown and Woolley. In the second half the pattern was much the same. Brentwood dominated play in midfield, but their finishing was poor, and Harrow always looked dangerous when counter-attacking. It was finally a defensive error which enabled Brentwood to equalise, and although de Grunwald was forced to leave the pitch for some time with an injured ankle, the score at the end of 90 minutes remained 2-2.

This was a hard-fought game, played on a heavy pitch, and it is not surprising that during the two halves of extra time many players were stricken with cramp. The Harrovians were now coming into the game more and more and both sides were near to scoring. Then a free kick just outside the Harrow penalty area found an unmarked Brentwood forward, and the ball was in the net. A few seconds later the final whistle went.

Brentwoods were a sporting team who well deserved their victory, narrow as it was. The Old Harrovians are to be congratulated for a splendid performance and for the spirit which they showed throughout the match.

Team: A. de Grunwald; J.L. Cox, P.R. Siddons, C.A. Holt, P.A.McN.Boyd; R.H. Woolley, C.J.A. Jamieson; P.M. Beckwith, D.C. McNeill (Capt), G.R. Bearman, B.T. Stewart-Brown.

THE HARROVIAN

27th January 1967

SEASON 1969/70

ARTHUR DUNN CUP 2nd Round

Old Harrovians 3 Old Foresters 4

The greater experience of the Old Foresters triumphed narrowly over the spirit and determination of the Old Harrovians in an exciting match at Harrow on February 7th, and earned them a place in the semi-final against the Old Cholmeleians.

A slow start by Harrovians enabled Foresters to establish an all important two goal lead within a quarter of an hour of the kick-off. Rogers scored the first, having eluded a square defence, and Wheeler the second after de Grunwald, who had an otherwise faultless game, allowed a half-hit shot to slip through his hands into the net.

During this time, Harrovians had not been without their chances. Firstly, Bearman, who was being closely guarded by Morley, created space in the opponents’ penalty box, but his shot towards an unattended net lodged in the mud on the goal-line and was kicked clear by a defender. Secondly, a reckless tackle on Bearman led to a penalty, but Jamieson shot wide.

Apparently unperturbed by these disappointments, Harrovians fought their way back into the match and applied pressure in the Foresters’ half through a succession of corners. It was from a corner that Stewart-Brown scored Harrovians’ first goal. Lurking unmarked on the edge of the box he made a determined run towards the near post and rising above several opponents headed powerfully past the helpless Peacock.

Half-time: Old Harrovians 1 Old Foresters 2

After the interval, playing uphill and into the wind, the Harrow defence was fully extended. Their forwards were making little impression against a packed Foresters defence when Stewart-Brown found himself free on the left. An accurate centre across the face of the goal fell at the feet of the unmarked Bearman who coolly made it 2-2.

Thirty seconds later Harrovians were again trailing when Wheeler, the outstanding player on the field, scored his second goal, but Harrovians, showing no sign of surrender, kept running and gave Foresters no respite. Andrew, who had contained Smith well, began to forage upfield while McNeill and Holt continued to work hard.

When Wheeler completed his hat-trick (4-2) Harrovians had ample excuse to concede victory but the game remained a cliff-hanger until the final whistle. A loose ball was snapped up by Stewart-Brown on the edge of the box and a well-placed shot made it 4-3. Cook came on for the injured Woolley ten minutes from the end but despite a shot being cleared off the Foresters’ goal-line, victory for the Harrovians was not to be.

The Old Harrovians can feel well pleased with this fine spirited performance against a team containing players of far superior experience, and whose substitute had gained full amateur international honours. The Old Foresters deserved their victory but have good reason to feel dubious about collecting two points when they play Harrovians in the League later in the season.

Team: A. de Grunwald; J.A. Andrew, P.R. Siddons, C.J.A. Jamieson, M.J. Keenan; R.H.Woolley, D.C. McNeill, C.A. Holt; P.M. Beckwith, G.R. Bearman (Capt), B.T.Stewart-Brown.

Substitute: P.R. Cook.

THE HARROVIAN, 7th March 1970

SEASON 1971/72

ARTHURIAN LEAGUE JUNIOR CUP— 2nd Round

Old Malvernians 2 Old Harrovians 3

(After Extra Time)

An entertaining match, full of cup atmosphere and excitement, resulted in Harrovians’ first ever victory over a Malvernian team and a visit to Totteridge on March 4th in the semi-final against League Champions, Cholmeleians.

Malvernians are a strong club and experienced campaigners in cup football but they were beaten by the superior fighting qualities of the Harrovians who had knocked out the holders, Old Foresters, in the previous round.

Playing with the wind in the first half, Harrovians almost took the lead in the first minute when Beckwith’s fierce shot from close range hit the bar. Malvernian attacks were swiftly and efficiently repelled whilst Harrovians replied with raids on the right by McNeill and through the middle by Andrew. However, shortly before half-time Malvernians attacked with more purpose and scored with the Harrow defence in disarray.

After the interval Malvernians began to take control of the midfield and had soon increased their lead to 2-0. The Harrow defence continued to be subjected to periods of sustained pressure but good marking and covering by Boyd and Halliday, coupled with some aggressive tackling by Brodie and Beresford, kept Harrow’s hopes alive until, with 25 minutes gone, Du Boulay put Beckwith away. A little jink on the edge of the box took two defenders out of the game and an accurate shot left the goal-keeper helpless (2-1). A minute later Beresford was brought down inside the penalty area and Beckwith scored from the spot (2-2).

And so to extra time with the Harrow defence looking as strong and uncompromising as at any time in the match and with McNeill still covering every inch of the ground. Before the end of the first period Beckwith had completed his hat-trick (3-2) and Harrovians were in no mood to surrender the advantage for which they had fought so hard.

Harrovians are entitled to feel well satisfied with this excellent team performance and it comes as no surprise to hear that Cholmeleians have doubled their training programme in a vain attempt to reach the Final.

Team: S.G. Ffrench; A.M. Brodie, P.A.McN. Boyd, J. Halliday, R. de la P. Beresford; D.C. McNeill, A. de Grunwald (Capt), J.A. Andrew; D.B. Buik, P.M. Beckwith, R.B.H. Du Boulay.

THE ORIGINS OF SOCCER

The origins of football are lost in antiquity, though it is known that Roman soldiers occupying Britain played a game in which two approximately equal teams tried to force an inflated ball over a line marked on the ground at the rear of their opponents. This game, ‘harpastum’ was probably the ancestor of modern Association Football.

During the middle ages a wild and brutal kind of game was played in which whole towns or villages took part, the object being to drive a ball from one district to another by fair means or foul. This riotous game earned the censure of the law and was prohibited by seven monarchs between 1200 and 1650.

Nevertheless it survived and exists today in the Shrove Tuesday matches at Alnwick, Northumberland, and elsewhere, but football as a team game, with some kind of rules, originated not in these free-for-alls but in the great public schools. Unfortunately each school developed its own form of the game, with its own rules and variations in the size of pitch, number in team, etc... Football developed into a ‘handling’ and ‘hacking’ game in the country schools, which played on soft turf, and into a ‘dribbling’ and ‘passing’ game in the stone-flagged playgrounds of the London schools.

However, in spite of the failure of two attempts at Cambridge, in 1848 and 1862, to draw up uniform rules, football became popular outside the schools and universities. Clubs started at Sheffield (1855), Blackheath and Hallamshire (both 1857); the Old Harrovians began in 1859 and the Forest Football Club, as well as the Wanderers, in 1860.

The need for uniform rules became imperative as these and other clubs began to attract increasingly large numbers of spectators. Accordingly in October, 1863, a meeting of representatives of the chief clubs and schools playing football was held at the Freemason’s Tavern, Great Queen Street, London, with the object of forming an association ‘to establish an official code of rules for regulating the game.’ In the following month the Football Association came into being and on December 1st, 1863, a set of rules was agreed and adopted.

On the question of the legality of ‘hacking’, however, there was an open division of opinion and those clubs - led by the Blackheath which upheld ‘hacking’ withdrew from the Association and later formed the Rugby Union. From that time onwards, one of the prime functions of the Association has remained the same; to act as a coordinating body for the game, so that the various clubs may play against each other under agreed rules and conditions.

By the end of the 19th Century Association Football had become popular throughout Europe and in 1904 The Federation Internationale de Football Association was founded through the agency of M. Robert Gurin, its first President. The F.A. gave its adherence in the following year but, after various disagreements, in 1928 the four British Associations left F.I.F.A. over the payment of amateurs from time to time lost from work. It was not until after the Second World War that the F.A. rejoined.

In 1903 the Football Association was registered as a limited liability company with a capital of £100 in 2,000 shares of 1s. each. But no shareholder has ever made any payment to the company for his shares or received any dividend or bonus. An important part of the F.A.’s revenue is drawn from a percentage of the gate money taken at its Cup and International Matches.

SIR STANLEY ROUS

HARROW SCHOOL-CRADLE OF THE F.A. CUP

When Liverpool defeated Everton in the 1986 F.A. Cup Final it was fitting that the match was played at Wembley Stadium. Wembley is not only the ‘home’ of soccer but is within view of the birth place of the F.A. Cup - Harrow School. Harrow’s inter- house competition and Old Harrovians played a dominant role in shaping the game in its formative years.

No official organisation of football existed until the formation of the F.A. in 1863. One of its earliest tasks was to establish a set of common rules and those governing the game as played at Harrow formed the basis of the original 14 rules. These rules are little different from those which govern Harrow football today and the first eight remain the basis of the present Rugby Union rules.

The first ‘official’ football match was London v Sheffield on 31 March 1866. During the match C.W. Alcock (OH) had the distinction of being the first player ruled offside in an official FA. fixture. Despite this, Alcock (Druries 1855-59) joined the F.A. Committee and in 1870, at the age of 28, became F.A. Secretary. He quickly organised the first ‘international’ at the Oval on 19th November 1870. England beat a team of Scotsmen resident in London (including W.H. Gladstone, the P.M.’s son). Although selected, Alcock did not play but W.P. Crake (West Acre 1866) represented England.

Alcock’s finest achievement was in persuading the F.A. in 1871 to establish a knock out cup competition. A cup was purchased for £20, 15 clubs entered and the competition was based on the Harrow House competition - the winning side effectively being the Cock House.

Fittingly, OH’s were to play a great part in that first final played on 16th March 1872 in front of 2,000 on a pitch devoid of crossbars, goal nets, centre-circle, halfway line and free-kicks. Royal Engineers lost 1-0 to Wanderers, captained by Alcock, and containing three other OH’s: Crake, who had played in that first international, M.P. Betts (HM’s 1862-65) and R.C. Welch (Home Boarders 1864-71). Alcock became the first player to have a goal disallowed (for hands) in a cup final and Betts scored the winning goal.

The following year Wanderers retained the cup in a unique final, the only one in which the holders were exempt until the final, giving the trophy its official title - the F.A. Challenge Cup. Oxford University won the qualifying competition, ‘challenged’ Wanderers and lost 2-0. The only OH in the Wanderers side was Welch but oxford University contained two: C.J. Longman (The Park 1864-70) and W.B. Paton (Rendalls 1866-72).

Wanderers made history in 1886, 1887 and 1888 when they won three successive finals and won the cup outright. Although no OH played in the side, Alcock was still Wanderers’ Secretary and in this role he returned the cup to himself, as F.A. Secretary, on condition that it could never be won outright again.

The last OH to play in a cup final was A.F. Hills (Rendalls 1871-76) who played for the losing Oxford University side in 1877. However, C.W. Alcock refereed both the 1875 and 1879 finals. It is not impossible that Harrow will, in the future, be represented in the same capacity. To many that would be a fitting reminder of Harrow’s long and intimate association with the world’s premier cup competition – The Football Association Challenge Cup.

DAVID ELLERAY