The Competition

The competition commenced in March 1886 as a knockout competition. The Yorkshire Cup was such a success east of the Pennines that the committee of the West Lancashire and Border Towns Union created this new cup competition. There had also been a rapid growth in Association Football and the introduction of the cup was a deliberate attempt to maintain rugby as the dominant football code by increasing local interest.

Wigan was the most northerly of the teams that took part that first season, along with St Helens, Widnes and Warrington are the only surviving clubs today. The other competing sides came from the south west area of Lancashire.

The competition proved to be a great success with a big increase in gates for all cup matches, a number of which exceeded 10,000. This greatly helped the finances of the competing clubs.

The Cup was made by Pilkington & Co of Liverpool and cost sixty guineas. The silver cup on a pedestal stood thirty inches high. It was an impressive trophy and typical of those made at that time.

The scoring at this time was much different to today’s points scoring system. The team scoring the most goals was declared the winner. A goal could be scored by the conversion of a try or by dropping a goal in open play. If teams were level on goals scored then the victors would be the team scoring the most tries. A try is the same as it is today. If scores were still level then the result would be determined by the team scoring the most minors. A minor was scored when you tackled the opposition behind their own try line. American Football still have the minor, but call it a “Safety”.

The Route to the Final

In the first round Warrington played Lymm and Outrington at (old) Wilderspool. The pitch was covered by snow in the early part of the week and was cleared by volunteers under the supervision of Fair Turner and Jolley, two of the players. The pitch was hard and the weather very cold but the players of both sides agreed to play. A crowd of over 2,000 assembled to witness Warrington’s first cup match.

The match itself was a one sided affair with Warrington winning by 4 goals, 9 tries and 6 minors to nil. Warrington were on top from the kick-off and scored tries and minors at regular intervals. A number of players attempted a goal following the nine tries with Speakman being successful twice. Jolley also dropped two goals.

In the second round Widnes were the visitors to Warrington and the home side triumphed by a goal, a try and 4 minors to nil. A crowd of 10,000 assembled at the enclosure on Wilderspool Causeway. They witnessed a splendid contested game, with Barnes dropping a goal. Shortly after half-time, a stand holding 200 people collapsed, but fortunately no one was hurt. After the match delighted spectators carried the Warrington hero Tommy Barnes shoulder high from the ground to the Griffin Hotel. The Griffin Hotel was the club’s headquarters, it later became William & Glynn’s bank and was knocked down in 1991 to make way for the branch of The Royal Bank of Scotland in Horsemarket Street.

Warrington were again drawn at home in the third round, this time St Helens were the visitors. Warrington won by 5 goals, 3 tries and 4 minors to nil. Speakman kicked 3 goals from 4 attempts and Barnes dropped two goals.

The semi-final between Warrington and Runcorn took place at Widnes on 3 April 1886. Both sides had won their way easily through and so a highly entertaining match was eagerly anticpated by a crowd of over 12,000. They were not disappointed as Runcorn played aggressively in an attempt to put Warrington off their game. As a result the game was an even, end to end contest. A player from each side was dismissed for fighting on the hour mark. Shortly afterwards Runcorn lost a player through injury and the Runcorn captained asked the referee to allow the dismissed player to return. The referee refused and so the Runcorn captain took his team from the field. The referee waited 10 minutes for them to return before abandoning the match.

The Cup competition committee met at the Goat Hotel in Liverpool and decided that the match had to be replayed. The replay took place the following Wednesday at Southport. Warrington scored a goal, 3 tries and 9 minors to a try and 10 minors for Runcorn to qualify for their first ever final. Speakman kicked the all important goal, in a match dominated by Warrington.

The Match Report

Warrington: A drop goal and a minor

Aspull: A minor

An estimated 2,000 Warrington fans travelled to Fairfield in Liverpool for the final. Most supporters travelled by steam train, although a number did go by horse and cart. Warrington’s opponents Aspull had just defeated Wigan to win the Wigan Town Cup and so were experienced cup campaigners. Warrington triumphed in an exciting match by a drop goal and a minor to a minor.

Aspull captain Frank Turker won the toss and elected to play down the slope and with the sun in the Warrington eyes. Harry Ashton the Warrington captain led out the “Boys in White” in this memorable first final. In the first quarter the game was very even with both sides scrimmaging well, defending each other’s rushes and with deep kicks from the full-backs. As the half moved on Warrington began to put pressure on Aspull and Roberts was forced to touchdown over his own line resulting in a minor for Warrington, but Fair Turner failed to convert to a major point.

The second half started with a great run from Frank Turner which almost resulted in a score for Warrington. Warrington continued to apply pressure and from a line out the ball quickly went through the hands to Barnes who nicely dropped it over the crossbar although surrounded by his opponents. Aspull attacked from the kick-off and a Buxton error forced him to concede a minor. Aspull began to apply pressure to the Warrington defence which held. Warrington finished the match strongly and Fair Turner was held up by Cartwright as he looked to score.

An entertaining and keenly fought contest was brought to an end with Warrington the victors of the first ever West Lancashire and Border Towns Union Cup. The first half was even but Warrington showed their superior staying powers in the second half. Credit for this must go to their trainers messers Smith, Jones and Foster. Ashton, Fair Turner and Rigby deserving special mention, but Barnes was the hero of the day, dropping the winning goal.

The cup was presented to the Warrington club President Mr F. Francomb. The players winning gold medals were presented at a grand dinner a few days later.

The Celebrations

When news reached Warrington, crowds of delighted men and women gathered at Central Station and along Horsemarket Street and Bridge Street. The victorious team were due to arrive at 8pm. On the platform to meet them were Mr Samuel Hunt, the Chief Constable and down below two brass Bands: St Pauls and Mr Fletcher’s. A train steamed in and the bands struck up, but it was a false alarm, only cheering spectators came down the station steps. At 8.20 the train carrying the team arrived to be greeted by the bands playing “See the Conquering Heroes”. A four horse wagonette took the players and officials headed by the bands on a tour of the town. They went along Sankey Street, Parker Street, Wilson Patten Street, Bridge Street and then to the Griffin Hotel. The club’s first president, Councillor F. Francomb congratulated the team and led the celebrations.

The players were back to the Griffin Hotel on the Tuesday to continue the celebrations with a grand dinner and to be presented with their gold medals.

On this Day: Warrington win first ever trophy