The Golden Age Of Soccer

A Durham Amateur Football Trust [DAFT]  publication tells us/reminds us, word for word, of the following:

Bishop Auckland were victorious in the FA Amateur Cup Final on ten occasions, twice as many as the next team - nearby Crook Town - who won it five times!

In 71 seasons of the FA Amateur Cup, Northern League teams appeared in 39 finals and won on 24 occasions.

Crook Town appeared in five Amatur Cup Finals and won each one, enabling Jimmy McMillan [ the DAFT President] to capture four winner's medals - an unbeatable record.

In 1928 the two street village of Cockfield in County Durham - with every player unemployed - reached the Amateur Cup Final at Middlesborough before losing 3-2 to Leyton.

Bob Hardisty, to many the greatest amateur soccer player of all time, played for the British team at the Olympic Games, and won 15 international Caps for England.

In the 1954 FA  Amateur Cup Final between Crook Town and Bishop Auckland required three games before Crook Town won 1-0 and was watched by crowds totalling almost 200,000.

I might add that Johnny Weirs  was educated at Waterhouses Secondary Modern and went on to winner an FA Amatur Cup winners medal with Crook Town in 1964. The Ushaw Moor County school team had the pleasure of playing against him and that is dealt with in some detail elsewhere on site. 

Why not apply for membership of the Durham Amateur Football Trust? It has some fun and interest and can be contacted at:

4 Soho Cottages, Shildon, Co. Durham DL4  1PQ.  Address your letter to the Membership Secretary - you will not regret it.

WB