RENTON v. ALBION
CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD, MAY 18, 1888.
— "Bauldie" | 06/10/1902 —

I have been led to revive memory of this very unique match for two reasons — (1) Because Renton show signs of revival; and (2) to preserve the one solitary hair that adorns the intellectual pyramid of our venerable Mister "Notes and Queries," who week in and out is asked for the names of the two famous teams. Rejoicing at Renton's revival, I hope it may be lasting, and that it may it behoves their guide, philosopher, and friend, Peter Campbell, to play the young yins with potions of his famous "chicken bree" which in the days of old was largely responsible for Renton's doughty deeds. I think I had better give the names of the world's champion teams here, and would advise all interested to cut them out and paste them in their diaries.

Renton — Goal, J. Lindsay; backs, A. Hannah and A. M'Call; half-backs, R. Kelso, J. Kelly, and J. M'Kechnie; forwards, N. M'Callum, H. Campbell, J. Campbell, J. M'Call, and W. M'Nee.

West Bromwich Albion — Goal, Roberts; backs, Mason and Green; half-backs, Horton, Perry, and Timmins; forwards, W. J. Bassett, Woodhall, Bayliss, Wilson, and Pearson.

The circumstances which led up to this famous match were due to the fact that the Renton were our Scottish Cupholders and the Albion the English in that season. A general desire was expressed that they should meet, and happily this was answered to by the appearance of the champions at Hampden Park. Unfortunately the weather turned out most wretched, a terrible thunderstorm stopping play twice, and causing the players to beat a retreat to the pavilion. The crowd (5,000) was by no means up to the nature of the fixture, but in the merry month of May football as a drawing power in these days was not so great. Renton's progress up to meeting the Englishmen had been of the all-conquering order, for the team had scored no feer than 166 goals, and lost but 43; whilst they had only lost one single match — that to their neighbours of the Vale in the final for the Dumbartonshire Cup.

Now to describe the play of this great day. Albion winning the toss, M'Call kicked off for Renton. Kelso, a huge thrower-in, assisted his team to reach Roberts, where a corner well taken by Mallam very nearly suc-ceeded in the capture of the English citadel. Overweighted by the novelty of the occasion and the renown of their opponents who stood like Macgregor on his native heath, the Albionites were long in settling. Their right wing, Pearson and Wilson, however, shone out and tested Lindsay, who proved equal to the call made upon him. Kelso, then at the top of his form, was almost impassable to the visitors, and, supported ably by James Kelly and M'Kechnie, the forwards were able to besiege the English goal, which, for a time, was literally peppered with shots. Roberts, however, proved himself a great keeper, and deftly dealt with all the efforts sent in to beat him.

Rain at this stage fell in torrents, and the plight of the poor players in it was pitiable to look upon. Their stamina was tested to the utmost, and in this Renton excelled the Englishmen who palpably tired.

Wiping the Water from His Eyes, M'Nee fixed them on Roberts' standards, and these were captured by the dapper little left winger with a fine cross shot. In addition to the cheers that greeted this success, Heaven's artillery boomed out, and vivid lightning, with rather fearsome glare, lit up the "classic slopes" as I have never seen them lit before or since during a football match. Play was actually stopped, so violent was the storm for full fifteen minutes, during which the crowd on the ground stood shivering and dripping with the rain. The score at half-time was 1-0 in Renton's favour, and as they were going strong and confidently, they were expected to win.

Albion forwards improved on resuming, and in a blinding shower they equalised through Woodhall. M'Nee, whose sturdy build suited the ground to a nicety, damped the "drooked" visitors by popping on a second goal.

James M'Call followed shortly after with a third. The going and gameness of Renton was too much for the softer Englishmen, who, in fairer or less trying ground and weather, would undoubtedly have made a better fight of it. Considering the conditions and the team against them, the visitors played very well, but J. Campbell set the seal on their fate with a fourth goal, and the Ranton lads, their banner unfurled, proclaimed them champions of the world.

As a match it was matter of general regret that the weather and ground quite spoiled it from a spectator's point of view. Had these been suitable, then I think play worthy of the championship would have been witnessed, and the spectators thrilled by dashing runs from goal to goal. The match, to those who witnessed it, will never be forgotten by reason of the sublime, yet terrifying, fireworks that enlivened the scene. It will never be forgotten either by our "Mister Notes and Queries," who has it indelibly fixed on the tablets of his memory.