FOOTBALL
KINGSTON CHARITY FESTIVAL
The annual charity festival of the Kingston clubs took place on Saturday, matches under each code being played on the ground of the Kingston F.C. in Richmond-Road. The Association game this year was played between the Kingston Wanderers and St. Margaret's A.C., while in the Rugby game the teams were Kingston and Kingston Rangers. Both games proved close and interesting, and singularly enough, both were left drawn, the Association two goals each, and the Rugby nothing scored.
The weather during the morning was showery, but it was fine while the matches were in progress. There were between 300 and 400 people on the ground during the afternoon, and among these were the Mayor of Kingston (Mr. E.T. Coppinger), Alderman G. C. Sherrard, J.P., and other members of the Corporation, and a number of ladies. Following are details of the play:-

KINGSTON WANDERERS V. ST. MARGARET'S A.C. (A.)
This match formed the first item on the programme, and, as was expected, furnished a very keen and evenly contested game. Prior to the start the Wanderers were photographed by Messrs. G. T. Jones and Co., of Surbiton, and then Collins, having lost the toss, drew his men up in front of the lower goal with a stiff breeze against them.
Borlase kicked off, and the ball was immediately worked down by Henton and East and a corner kick taken. Then Dixon eluded Collins, and Peck gave another fruitless corner. The home team were very slow in getting to work and their backs had a busy time, the wind making it difficult for them to get the ball away. Dixon was conspicuous on the right, and frequent attacks on the Wanderers' goal were only foiled by Lanham, who, it was at once seen, was in his best form. Two or three corner kicks fell to the visitors, but without result, until at length Dixon put in a swift shot and beat the home custodian. Cheers from the St. Margret's supporters, who were very much in evidence along the side line, greeted this feat.
The reverse, however, seemed to rouse the home team, and Kemp and Nott put in a good bit of passing, the latter's shot going wide. Then Ocock and Rowles got away and were beginning to look dangerous, when Ocock collided with the centre flag and the ball went out. Still keeping up the pressure the right wing and centre worked the ball up the field, and Borlase, with a good shot, equalised the score greatly to the delight of the Wanderers' friends.
St. Margaret's now got to work again, and, owing to weak play by the halves of the home team, soon began to be dangerous. From a pass by Dixon, Henton put the ball through, but as that player was palpably off-side, the point was disallowed. A long shot by Montague looked like sailing through the goal, but Lanham jumped and just put the ball over the bar. This was a capital save and was duly recognised by the spectators. Half-time was now called, with the score- Wanderers one goal, St. Margaret's one goal.

After a short interval the game was resumed, and the Wanderers, now having the wind in their favour, showed up much better. Their halves were playing better than at first, though at no portion of the game did they play up to their best form. Borlase, Ocock, and Rowles showed up well, but Montague was playing grandly at back and put an end to several well-meant attacks. Kemp and Nott did not play with their usual dash, but after the former had crossed to Ocock that player shot into Newton's hands. The custodian appeared to take the ball under the bar, but no appeal was made.
Borlase hustled Newton and prevented him clearing properly, and Rowles rushed up and banged the ball through, giving his side the lead. The St. Margaret's now attacked again on the left, where Hurliman deprived and passed on to Rowles who centred, and Borlase executed a brilliant run and had the goal at his mercy. He did not shoot early enough, however, and Montague hustled him off and returned the ball. Dixon got possession, and passing Peck put in a pretty dropping shot, which rolled along the bar some few feet and at length dropped over.
Time was fast running out, and it seemed likely that the Wanderers would be victorious, but Dixon, in response to the calls of his friends, made several dashing runs, and from a good centre Henton put the sphere past Lanham, again equalizing the score.
In the last few minutes the dark red and white stripes again swarmed about the visitors goal. Borlase once more baffled all his opponents, but overran the ball near goal. From a throw in, Kemp put in a pretty side shot, which only just missed the mark, and "time" being called the game was drawn at two goals each.
The St. Margaret's forwards were very well together, but Dixon quite eclipsed his confréres by his brilliant runs. Henton and East did well too. The halves were not quite so good as the rest of the team, Braidwood being best. Montague at back played a fine game and was the mainstay of the defence. Most of the Wanderers appeared to be nervous. Kemp and Ocock, though putting in good work at times, were lacking dash. Borlase was in good form, but missed one or two chances by not shooting as soon as he had the chance. Rowles showed up well considering his lack of weight. He has plenty of pluck and dash. The halves, with the exception of Sayers, were weak both in tackling and kicking. The loss of G. Whenman, who injured his knee on Easter Monday, was severely felt. Hurliman was the better back, and Lanham could not have played a better game. His "saves" were really brilliant and he did not make a single mistake. Sides:-
Kingston Wanderers : F. C. Lanham, goal; A. Peck and W. Hurliman, backs; G. S. Cousins, E. E. Sayers, and C. Collins (captain), half-backs; W. Ocock and C. J. Rowles (right), S. Borlase (centre). G. Nott and J. Kemp (left), forwards.
St. Margaret's: R. O. Newton, goal; A. A. Montague (captain) and R. P. Mansfield, backs; T. Braidwood, F. Dixon, and G. Jones, half-backs; W. H. Dixon and R. J. Vaughan (right), G. A. Medcalf (centre), K. Henton and A. J. East (left), forwards.
Referee: W. G. Carn, K. W. F. C.
(with thanks to Peter Pepperall for the converted text).

Report from Surrey Comet dated 11 Apr 1891- see report in original format.


FOOTBALL.
KINGSTON CHARITY FESTIVAL
Kingston Wanderers v. St. Margaret's A.C .
Kingston v. Kingston Rangers.
"Smoker" at the Kingston Hotel.
The winding-up matches of the Football season were played on the Richmond Road ground, before an enthusiastic "crowd," - amongst whom were Mayor Coppinger and several ladies - on Saturday afternoon. The attendance, though considerably above the average, still left something to be desired, especially when it is remembered that the proceeds were to be devoted to those excellent and deserving local institutions the Nursing Society and the Provident Dispensary.
Proceedings were opened with the match, under Association rules, between the Kingston Wanderers and St. Margaret's A. C. This showed from the start that a close game would result, and as each team in turn registered goal for goal, the excited cheering of supporters nerved them for further efforts. The feature of the game was the good defence shown by both goal-keepers, who, though at times very hardly pressed indeed, made some excellent saves, and the shooting of Howard Dixon, playing on the wing, for St. Margaret's, one of whose shots from near the touch-line actually struck the post and rebounded into play. This player was in other respects unfortunate, as when following up a shot near goal the Kingston custodian, while delivering a "fist out" with some energy, missed the ball, the fist spending its force on the extreme tip of Dixon's nose, producing a plentiful sample of the quality of his blood.
The interest was maintained to the end, and amidst a scene of enthusiastic cheering "no side" brought a cessation of hostilities, with the score reading goals each, the first match thus ending in a draw.
Teams:-
Kingston Wanderers- F. C. Lanham (goal), A. Peck and W. Hurliman (backs), C. Collins (captain), G. S. Cousins and E. E. Sayers (half-backs), W. Ocock and C. J. Rowles (right), S. Borlase (centre). G. Nott and J. Kemp (left), forwards.
St. Margaret's-- B. O. Newton, (goal), Montague and Mansfield (backs), Braidwood, Jones, and. Dixon, (half-backs), Dixon, Vaughan, Medcalf, Henton and East (forwards). Referee- Mr. W. G. Carn.

THE SMOKING CONCERT
A capital smoking concert arranged by Mr. T. R. Elsam, Hon. Secretary of the Rangers Club, with the assistance of Mr. H. Edmonds, Hon. Secretary of the Town Club, followed the play. There was a crowded attendance including the Mayor, who presided, Alderman G. C. Sherrard, Mr. G. C. Sherrard, jun., Mr. W. Lane, Mr. B. Colbron, Mr. V. N. Douetil, Mr. Sturt, and Mr. A. Laurence. A really good programme was presented, reflecting credit upon those who had had its arrangement in hand. Mr. W. Neave who played the pianoforte accompaniments during the evening, gave a couple of solos on that instrument, the second being "The Rangers' March" written by himself especially for and dedicated to the Rangers Football Club. This was very highly appreciated. Mr J. H. Shearcroft recited, and songs were contributed by Messrs. F. G. Smith (comic), G. Robins (comic), G. H. Maskell, and H. R. Colbron, and glees by the Excelsior Glee Choir. All these artistes gave their services gratuitously. Mr. Robins was the "star" of the evening, his humorous songs being encored over and over again.
A MUSICAL SKETCH
given by him in a very masterly style evoked much laughter and was rewarded with a storm of applause. During the evening there was just a little speechifying. At the outset the Mayor expressed the pleasure which he experienced at having been asked to preside on that occasion; they all knew, he said, that he was intensely fond of athletics of every description. He congratulated the various clubs upon the way in which the day's matches had gone through and ventured to think that the play could not have been more gratifying to anybody. Each club tried to beat the other and did not succeed- that was to say there was a tie in each case. It was also very gratifying to notice what channel the proceeds of the festival would go into; this showed that not only were they fond of athletics but that their hearts were in the right place. He complimented Mr. Edmonds upon being so active on the field during the afternoon- the Club should be proud to have such a man among them. (Applause) Later on Alderman Sherrard proposed that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to the Hon. Secretaries of the four Clubs for arranging such
AN ADMIRABLE DAY'S ENTERTAINMENT
This was he thought a very unique occasion, being the first time a smoking concert had been held in connection with the football charity festival in this neighbourhood, and he did not think it would be right for them to separate without acknowledging their indebtedness to those gentlemen upon whom had fallen most of the work. He regarded the matches as being of a very satisfactory nature but he dared say there were many players who did not because they could not be satisfied unless they had beaten their opponents. (Hear, hear.) All the men worked splendidly on the ground and could not have fought more earnestly had they been the greatest enemies in the world. They should be proud to have at their head this year a Mayor who took such lively interest in sports. (Hear, hear and applause). It had been very gratifying to have
THE MAYOR'S PRESENCE
among them so often while they were engaged in matches: it had not been his fault when he had been absent. (Applause). Having again referred to the meeting's indebtedness to the honorary secretaries, and also mentioned the fact that the captains, too, had done good work, Alderman Sherrard said he remembered that fifteen or eighteen years ago matches were played in the old barrack field and one there was the first football match he ever saw. The old football club which then existed came to an end eight years ago more and the present Kingston Football Club owed its resuscitation to the interest which Mr. Edmonds took in the game in 1884. The meeting he convened was attended by only three gentlemen including himself (Mr. Edmonds) but he persevered and the result was that they now had a really splendid football club. (Applause.) The Rangers Club only started five years ago and the fact that they could place in the field a team which the town club could not beat should give them all satisfaction. He did not intend speaking on
THE SUBJECT OF AMALGAMATION
but he would say, that what they had to do for the honour of the Kingston district was to put the best possible team on the field whatever might be their opinions. If they could see their way to an amalgamation he thought they would have a team which would be one of the best in the country (applause). The Town Club on Friday tried conclusions with Portsmouth, the club which had just taken the Hampshire Cup under Rugby rules but they were not beaten; he considered the town should be proud at and well satisfied with the result of that game. It showed that they had the right material in their midst and the best thing for them to do was to see that they used it properly.
He
COUPLED WITH THE VOTE
the names of Messrs. Edmonds, Elsam, Carn (Wanderers F. C.) and Ward (St. Margaret's A. C.)- The thanks were accorded, with considerable enthusiasm- In reply Mr. Edmonds said he had worked to establish the Town Club since it was reformed. He had done his best to forward the game and should continue to do so. The thing to be done was to bring forward good Rugby material, which was in the town if they could only get it together. He would be willing to assist in formulating any new scheme which would bring the two clubs together.- Mr. Elsam and Mr. Carn also replied, the latter remarking that it was at his suggestion that this "smoker" was held.- Mr. Eade in a humorous speech proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding, and His Worship briefly responded. He said he was pleased to be able to announce that Alderman Sherrard's two sons would shortly be leaving Cambridge and would be able play with these clubs the game of which they were so fond. (Loud applause).- Hearty cheers were given for Mayor and the gathering then broke up.
(with thanks to Peter Pepperall for the converted text).

Report from Kingston & Richmond Express dated 11 Apr 1891- see report in original format.