Weston's Gardiner Cup 1918

From Sid Grant's The History of Coalfields Soccer p127-129

GARDINER CUP ON COALFIELDS 

All the writer's early soccer interests. were seen on the once famous Homestead Ground. 

Those were schoolboy days and forgive me if I describe the year 1918 as Annus Mirabilis - just Latin for "year of great wonders". That is how it made me feel! Sixty years have silently slipped away since the Weston United Club won the doyen of all soccer trophies - the Gardiner Cup. 

The rest of the State wondered how such an achievement could occur where such honours went to a small mining town where a group of British migrants brought with them, as well as their working skills, a deeply rooted desire to play soccer - "the major sport of their beloved homeland". 

It must be realised that during the war years, 1915-1918, no senior series were conducted in the North. Instead an "All Aged" premiership which allowed competing teams to include five seniors and six juniors. For example, Weston had in 1916 two teams, Weston A and Weston B - in 1917 it had Weston Magpies and Weston Albions and in 1918 it was Weston and Hebburn. Early in 1918, public patronage dwindled, so President, George Avis Senr., suggested that the club enter the Gardiner Cup. When the Sydney officials, Messrs. Lincoln, Humphreys and Booth, agreed that the two Weston clubs could unite for the Cup series, a hurried meeting of Weston and Hebburn officials was called and the following plan adopted -

1. That the entry be in the name of Weston United.
2. That official colours be that of Hebburn - pale blue with gold star on left breast.
3. That an independent selection committee of non-players be chosen.
4. That Bill Tweddle of Hebburn be the Official Secretary.

The plan caused an upsurge of sporting interest as the entries were made known. There were eleven - Canterbury, Annandale, Pyrmont, Y.M.C.A., Balmain Kiaora, Balmain Fernleigh (6). Adams­town, West Wallsend and Wallsend (3) from Newcastle, and Weston and Cessnock (2) from the Coalfields. 

Weston drew a bye in first round - then crushed Wallsend by 5 to nil, only to have the tie replayed - but Weston won by 1 to nil. 

In the semi-final draw, Weston downed Cessnock by 3 to 1, while in Sydney, Kiaora outed Pyrmont by 4 to 1 after two draws - 1 all and 3 all. 

The final was played at Lilybride, Forest Lodge on 21st Sep­tember, 1918 and drew a gate of £210 at one shilling a male, ladies free. 

Weston squad travelled to Sydney on Friday night. The follow­ing teams lined up -

Balmain Kiara: A. Cornwall, G. Smart, G. Leckie, A. Creighton, E. Ferrier, J. White, C. Hansen, A. Craig, W. Lyons, A. Forbes, J. Hayman.

Weston United: Bob Austen, Bill Lambert (Captain), Jack Henry, Dick Austen, Harry Hollingsworth, Jack Duxfield, Bill Beverley, Len Pugh, Jack Avis, Andy McNaughton, Jim Bellamy. Reserves: Herb Bellamy, Jack Shields. 

A strong breeze blew directly from goal to goal and Lambert elected to play with the breeze. 

Two fastish shots from Avis and Pugh rattled the uprights but it was nil all at the interval. 

Henry was a 'flu victim and was only fielded after special medical treatment. He was out of touch early but recovered to play a blinder. 

With the wind, Kiora set up a consistent series of attacks on the Coalies' citadel and only superb goalkeeping by Austen plus efficient covering tactics by Henry and Lambert kept them off the scoreboard. 

In the 73rd minute, Henry put a long clearance to winger Beverley, who careered along touch to centre. The wind blew the ball back 20 yards to Duxfield who banged the ball into the net. 

Seven minutes later, Henson scooped the ball into the net but referee Kay of Sydney ruled player off-side. This decision caused a scene as Balmain players and officials crowded around the referee, who stuck to his guns. Play was suspended for seven minutes till spectators left the playing area. Then Weston concentrated on defence till the final whistle. 

Minutes later, Balmain officials entered a protest on three grounds: 

1. That several of Weston's players were not club players.
2. That referee had erred in awarding a goal to Duxfield (Weston) who was yards off-side.
3. That referee erred in refusing to recognise Hansen's goal.

The State Executive ruled out the protest, while an appeal to the State Full Council was rejected. 

The return to Weston by train on Sunday night was a typical North of England welcome for the winning team. Church services were shortened to allow everyone to crowd the local railway station. Special music was provided by the Weston Town Band. 

Special praise was given to trainer, Bob Dickman, and secretary, Bill Tweddle. Details of the team which contained nine Englishmen and two Aussies -

Bob Austen - Dawden - County of Durham; 

Jack Henry - Hetton - County of Durham;

Bill Lambert - Woolsingham - County of Durham; 

Dick Austen - Seaham Harbour - County of Durham; 

Harry Hollingsworth - Forest of Dee - Midlands; 

Jack Duxfield - Newsham - Northumberland;

Bill Beverley - Brownhill - County of Durham;

Len Pugh - Minmi (Australia);

Jack Avis - Hetton-on-Wall - Northumberland;

Andy McNaughton - Adamstown (Australia);

Jim Bellamy - Ashington - Northumberland.

Reserves:

Jack Shields - Wallsend (Australia);

Herb Bellamy - Ashington - Northumberland.

Trainer: Bob Dickman - County of Durham.