ALBION'S SHOCK FOR THE OLD INVINCIBLES
— William Bassett | 28/10/1929 —

When I left off my reminiscences a week ago I was dealing with the Cup Final between West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End in 1887-8, in which I took part.

I was referring to the confidence that everyone felt in the success of the "Old Invincibles," and to the comment of a London critic that "the mug will be held by the champion club." So much by way of preface to the continuance of my story.

We found we were staying in one wing of the Euston Hotel, and North End were staying in the other. Of course, we fraternised, and I distinctly remember getting the impression that according to their view we had no chance.

I daresay some superior people will smile when I say that the nearest approach to the old Albion style I have seen of late years was Aston Villa's traditional game by any beat Newcastle United in the Cup Final in 1904-5. That was not the Villa's traditional game, by any means, but it was the most effective game I have ever seen them play, great team though they have ever been. But there was real science in that exhibition, and there was real science in the Albion's display.

PRESTON CONFIDENCE. 

The supporters of North End were quite as confident as the team. North End and the Corinthians were on excellent terms, and Londoners were firmly convinced that North End would win the Cup.

There was a smoking concert on the evening before the Final in connection with the London Football Association, and Major Marindin was in the chair. One of the singers gave a specially composed topical song, one of the verses in which spoke of North End as already winners of the Cup.

Mr. Henry Jackson, the clerk to the West Bromwich magistrates at that time, one of our greatest supporters — he always pleaded our cause before the Football Association when we had any grievance — happened to be there, and this struck him as being in rank bad taste, as it undoubtedly was.

He was complaining to Major Marindin about it — the major was the referee that day — and the Major said "That is nothing to what happened a few minutes ago. Why, North End officials actually asked me if they could have the Cup for a time, as they wished to be photographed with it in front of them."

"And what did you say?" asked Mr. Jackson.

"Why," I said, rather indignantly, "hadn't you better win it first?"

Now that is the actual account of an often incorrectly described incident. I may say I had the version direct from Mr. Jackson's own lips.

North End were a supremely great team. They did not mean to be boastful, and I am sure they did not mean to be inconsiderate to their opponents. They were like a man who feels he has a favourable handicap in a billiards tournament, and who says without a trace of egotism, "I am so well in that I do not see how I can lose." I can appreciate their standpoint. Look at their glorious record!

MOBBED BY ADMIRERS.

I have never seen a finer goalkeeper than Bob Roberts was at his best. One save he made from John Goodall was bewilderingly clever.

"Nick" Ross and Graham battered "Spry" Woodhall and myself fairly well, but we did not grumble. I never saw men more determined than this great pair. I managed to dodge their rushes pretty well, but poor Woodhall had some awkward bumps. I contrived to draw Russell and Graham away from the centre, then slipped the ball to "Jem" Bayliss, and he sent it whizzing past Mills-Roberts, the International Welsh custodian. Then John Goodall equalised.

Later Woodhall, after making a fine run, put the ball back to me. "Nick" Ross, who had made some fierce rushes at me throughout the match- no complaints from me, mind you; he was noted for his rushes, and that was the most momentous game of his life-came full-tilt at me on this occa- sion. Down I went, and he turned a complete somersault over me.

But I had back-heeled the ball to Woodhall in the nick of time, and in went one of our International's lovely shots. The ball hit the far post, and went through. "Here is one who is going to play back," said Woodhall to me, and he and Bayliss hung back to give the defence a lift.

MY FIRST CAP.

Then the whistle sounded, and I remember being mobbed by eager admirers as I strove to find my way to the pavilion. I was very proud — but even prouder when later in the evening I was told that I had been selected to play for England in the International match with Ireland, and that I was to partner the greatest forward of the age, W. N. Cobbold, of the Corinthians!

He was selected, but he did not turn out owing to an injury. I was chosen for outside right, although in the Cup final I played at inside right.

I understood I was the youngest man who ever played for England, but I have since heard that W. H. Mosforth, the Sheffield "Pocket Hercules," was only eighteen when he received his cap.

What a whirl of excitement was West Bromwich in on the Sunday after the final! On the Monday we drove into Birmingham, and had a royal reception.

£5 10s. A WEEK TEAM.

By the way, our players were then in receipt of 10s. each a week; it was really more of an honorarium than a wage. It has been stated in official publications that the Albion won the Cup with a team which cost £10 a week. That is incorrect: the cost of the eleven was £5 10s. a week.

The only sums the Albion club received from the Association for our three early Finals were three sets of railway fares!

It was a great day, for the Boat Race was rowed in the morning, and there seemed to be crowds of sportsmen everywhere. There was a fina gate — for those days — at the Oval, and we had a wonderfully favourable reception. The sympathies of the crowd were with us, because we were a purely local team, and also we were deemed the weaker side.

And we really were the weaker team; there is no question for that. We were not the cleverer side, although we won. We went into the play with big hearts — that was characteristic of the Albion. Some critics said we played a kick-and-rush game. Tha twas not correct; there was more method in our play than some people could see.

OVAL MEMORIES.

I played against Scotland in 1888-9 at The Oval. It was the last match of its kind at the headquarters of the Surrey Cricket Club. I revelled in playing at The Oval; you had plenty of room, and I always disliked a narrow ground. The crowd was so bright; there were so many soldiers admitted free.

That was the match in which M'Laren, "the old General," as he called, scored the winning goal. He and "Watty" Arnott were chaired to the pavilion. The win created extraordinary interest, and avenged that severe defeat of 5—0 at Glasgow.

In the next season we met North in the semi-final at Bramall-lane. That was in a sense the most remarkable game in which I ever participated. There was a huge crowd, and very soon they were across the touchline.

Time after time i collided with a spectator when I made a rush to get the ball. Several times I took a corner with the crowd surging all round me. They were quite good-tempered; they could not get back as they were being pushed by those from behind.

NORTH END'S REVENGE.

However, North End won by a goal to nothing, and the F.A. Committee decided to let the result stand. I don't think that decision was a just one. North End contended that the breaking in of the crowd did not affect the match; if that were so, why did they lodge their protest?

Originally they protested ot the referee that the game ought not to be regarded as a Cup-tie; assuredly it should never have been regarded as a serious match at all.

However, North End won the Cup, beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 3—0, and richly they deserved it. They won the Cup and the League that season: the League without meeting with defeat, and the Cup without losing a single goal.

"GIANTS."

I have rarely seen any finer half-back work than Reynolds, Charlie Perry, and Groves showed in the Final when we beat Aston Villa 3—0. Many excuses were made for the Villa's defeat, but I think it is generally conceded now that the wonderful play of the Albion half-backs was the deciding factor. How great they were everyone knows.

Some people, Dennis Hodgetts included, always say that the team which beat Scotland 5—0 at Glasgow in 1888 was the finest that ever represented England. Their forwards were a wonderful set, viz.: Spry Woodhall, John Goodall, Tinsley Lindley, Fred Dewhurst, and Dennis Hodgetts. Giants, most of them. Hodgetts declaes that it was the finest team he ever played with.

MY BEST TEAM.

The best team I ever saw was what was called "The Old Crocks" team, which beat Scotland 4—1 in 1892. It consisted of George Toone, of Notts; Bob Holmes and A. T. B. Dunn, the famous Corinthian; Reynolds, Holt and Alf Shelton, of Notts; myself, Goodall, John Southworth (one of the finest centres England ever played), Edgar Chadwick, and Dennis Hodgetts.

The publication of the team created derision in Scotland; why, I don't know. We were dubbed "The Old Crocks," and were invited to come to our doom. Well, we went to Scotland, and our forwards gave the finest exhibition I have ever seen in an International match.

The pace was bewildering, and we won with ease — 4—1. The first goal as scored without a single Scot touching the ball!