1917

From Sid Grant History of Coalfields Soccer

The All Aged idea was repeated in 1917 but Weston's two teams were differently labelled - Weston Albions (blue and white) and Weston Magpies (black and white). 

With a competition of eight teams - a full series of 14 matches were completed. Weston Albions and West Wallsend were equal on the top with 20 points, Wallsend on 19 and Weston Magpies on 18. 

By the luck of the draw, the two Weston teams were together in the second semi-final played at Abermain. Over 1,000 fans packed into the park where they had drama after drama - a riot - nearby mounted troopers called to clear the ground - final result 1 all draw. 

Teams: Magpies - H. Smith, Campbell, Snedden, Kell, Shields, Duxfield, H. Bellamy, Barker, Corrigan, R. Tweddle, J. Bellamy. 

Albions - R. Austen, Lambert, Hicks, D. Austen, Strange, Wake, McNaughton, Avis, Graham, J. Tweddle. 

Scorers: Magpies 1 (J. Bellamy) v Albions 1 (McNaughton). 

Fearing further trouble, the replay was taken to Blackburn Oval. When Albion won by 3 to 0. Taylor replaced Wake in the Albion team while Patterson and Lynch replaced Barker and Corrigan in the Magpies' eleven. 

Scorers for Albion were J. Avis (2) and Tweddle (1). 

A week later in the final on the same enclosure. Wallsend ran out winners by 2 to 0, both goals to Bert Manifield, who later became a leading Methodist Clergyman. 

Albion XI - R. Austen, W. Lambert, J. Hicks, D. Austen, J. Strange, H. Hollingsworth, McNaughton, B. Taylor, J. Avis, L. Gra­ham, W. Tweddle. During this season, eight Westonites gained inter­district honours. To aid coal production for the war effort, localised competitions were in full force in 1918. 

Weston won the Hemmings Cup without suffering a loss, scoring 20 goals for and 5 against. But all eyes turned to the fight for the famous Gardiner Cup. Any two South Maitland All Aged teams were allowed to unite for this trophy so Weston United was the chosen name for the Homestead contenders. In first round, Weston 1 beat Wallsend O - protest was upheld and in replay a bitterly fought 1 all draw. In further replay, Weston ran out winners by 5 to 0. 

In the Cup semi-final, Weston 3 beat Cessnock 1 and qualified to meet Balmain Kiora at Epping. The game drew a crowd of over 2,000 and the only goal was netted by Duxfield giving the Coalies their first Gardiner Cup. 

Balmain lodged a series of protests which were all ruled out. When the Cup winners returned to Weston on the Sunday night, a huge crowd of 5,000 plus the local band gave them a right royal welcome. 

However, the Gardiner Cup did not arrive with the team. It came later after the series of frivolous protests were rejected. 

Weston's final team included - Bob Austen, Bill Lambert (Capt.), J. Henry, Dick Austen, H. Hollingworth, J. Duxfield, Bill Beverley, Len Pugh, Jack Avis, Andy McNaughton, Jim Bellamy - only two Australian-born players. Andy McNaughton and Len Pugh.

Bill Walker

From HH

Weston Albions

Bobby Austin, Dick Austin, A. Lambert, Hicks, Tait, Strang, Reay, Wake, Jack Avis, Taylor, Tweddle, W. Smith, P. Austin

Weston Magpies

Gall, Tweddle, Campbell, Kell, Sneddon, Shields, Brown, Henry, Duxfield, Bowen, Moroney, Fitzgerald, Lynch, H. Smith, J. Bellamy, H. Bellamy