1953

Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder, 17 February 1953, page 3

---

Weston Soccer Officials.

Officers for positions left in abeyance from the annual meeting have been elected by the committee of the Weston Workers' Soccer Club. They were — Patrons, Messrs. G. Robinson and W. Williams; Senior Vice President, W. Beaney; Publicity Committee, A. L. Lamb, B. Myall, J. Avis Jnr.; Selectors, R. Brown, N. Eddy, P.. Mar well, J. Avis Jnr., B. Beveridge; Signing-on Committee, J. Avis Jnr., R. Maxwell, A. L. Lamb, J. Lynch. In accordance with the constitution, the Club has notified two other clubs that steps will be taken to seek the transfer of prominent players.

1963

From Sid Grant History of Coalfields Soccer

This section is unclear. I think Grant got his years wrong but I'll follow up on that

[In the 1962 season] there were signs of a recovery  with 16 wms and one loss. In the semi-final, Weston beat Belmont­-Swansea by 3 to l and beat Dudley by 2 to 1 in the 2nd Division final. It's final eleven comprised: W. Mahoney, C. Allanson, T. Harper, B. Davies, E. Kemp Jnr., R. Morris, J. Sneddon, N. Jackson, J. Drink­water, M. Hamilton, G. Heaney. 

That success won promotion back to 1st Division and a new era of triumph was well under way. 

Coalfields Women's Fixtures 1928-1930

This is rough but it indicates the level of activity in women's football in the Coalfields or involving Coalfields teams in the period between late 1928 and the beginning of 1930. I've found 17 games. Some are confirmed (C.) and some provisional (P.). The reports indicate that there are more games to be found and I will keep searching. Weston seems to be at the centre of this network of teams but there are at least 6 women's teams in the period.

1928

Five teams in region: Weston, Abermain, Bellbird, Kurri North End, and East Greta

C. 11 August Weston 4 v Abermain 0, Homestead

P. 18 August Weston 3 v Pelaw Main 2, Pelaw Main (date not confirmed)

C. 25 August Abermain 3 v Weston 2

1 September Abermain 1 (Valerie Thornton) v Weston 0, Abermain (Mr N. Endean referee)

8 September Abermain 2 (Doris Outram and E. Baldwin) v Weston 1 (Alma Kelly), Cessnock

22 September Kurri North End v Weston

C. 23 September Cessnock v Bellbird (Cessnock no show)

30 September Cessnock v Bellbird, Aberdare

3 November Kurri North End 4 v Weston 1, Maitland Showground

1929

Weston women 1929

27 July ?? v ?? , Speers Point

P. 17 August Speers Point 2 (V. Thornton pen, V. Roy) v Weston 1 (Alma Kelly pen), Wallsend

P. 17 August Speers Point 2 v Weston 0, Speers Point

3 October Speers Point v Cessnock, Speers Point

C. 26 October Speers Point 1 v Weston 0, Wallsend

Kurri-Weston in red and white.
Alma Kelly is goalkeeper (front) and Esme/Eileen McNabb second left, back row.

C. 16 November Speers Point 1 (V. Roy) v Weston 0, Sydney Sports Ground Weston in black and white

P. 16 November Weston v ??, Waratah (planned but displaced by the above game)

P. 17 December ?? v ??, part of Newcastle Civic Week

P. 20 December ?? v ??, part of Newcastle Civic Week

P. 21 December Kurri-Weston v Speers Point, Newcastle Sports Ground

Of the three latter dates only one was played. Though the mentions in the reports suggest a number of games are missing.

1930

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, 12 February 1930, page 9

---

WESTON LADY FOOTBALLERS' TROPHIES There was a large attendance at the dance organised by the Sports and Entertainment Committee, in the Olympia Hall, Weston, on Monday evening, when, with the consent of the committee, the trophies' won by the Weston-Combined Lady Soccer Football team, during Civic Week, in Newcastle, were presented. Mr B. Evans who presided. congratulated the lady footballcras of Weston on their success in bringing back the football honours of Newcastle Civic Week.

I infer from this report that there are far more games to be discovered, given that Weston won the trophies when their discovered results seem not to warrant champion status.

P. 5 April Weston 0 v Speers Point 1, Corrimal (some doubt about who actually won)

C. 9 May Kurri-Weston 0 v Speers Point 1 (Maude Kear), Drill Hall Ground Kurri

The Death of Jack Mather

The Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder (13 February 1953, page 1) reported the death of Weston identity, Jack Mather. The report is informative and suggests that another of Weston's alumni was a great worker for the club, even from overseas.

---

JACK MATHERS DEATH IN ENGLAND '

Former Weston Resident.

A former Coalfields citizen and sportsman, Mr. Jack Mather, recently died at Kenton, near Newcastle-on-Tyne, in the North of England, at the age of 60 years. For many years the late Mr. Mather resided at Weston and was a deputy at Hebburn Colliery.

He first settled in Weston in 1912 when he immediately joined the Weston Soccer club. He soon became a star in the inside left position. Despite his lack of inches, his astute ball control and clever positional play won him general admiration. In 1915 when Weston failed to enter a team, Mather and the famous Bill Lambert joined West Wallsend and appeared in the Ellis and Gardiner Cup finals. The late Mr. Mather then joined the A.I.F. and served with the Mining Division in France. While on leave he played soccer with the Australian Army teams and with another Weston player, the late J. Gilmour, he received an offer to turn professional with the world famous. English club, Aston Villa. When peace was declared in 1918, they both went to Villa Park, but after several months training decided to return to Australia, where both continued their playing careers. 

After several seasons Jack Mather retired and became an active official with the Weston Club. In the days when the Homestead was the Geordies' home ground. He became treasurer, selector, delegate and committee for the club. In 1934 he returned to his native Blyth in the County of Northumberland to take over his late father's newsagency business. He was a keen soccer fan to the end; and only last year interviewed both Newcastle United and Sunderland Clubs with the aim of getting the teams to make a six weeks' tour of Australia. His wife, who survives him, was formerly Miss Olive Dixon, of Weston. His eldest son, Bill, who was educated at Cessnock High School, won the D.F.C; with the Royal Air Force. He was killed following a raid over northern Italy in 1942. Another son, John, still lives at Blyth and will take over his late father's business. 

For many years now, The Mathers at Blyth have acted as hosts to many Coalfielders who went across to England for a visit.

Sawyers Gully

Sid Grant mentions this historical element of Weston. It's a marginal but important element.

In 1925, there were juniors in the Weston area looking for match play. A group of enthusiasts headed by Mel Nicholls founded the Sawyers Gully Club. Its record included: 

• 1925 - 3rd, Under-21, Under-16. 
• 1926 - 3rd, Under-21. 
• 1927 - 3rd, Under-18, Under-14. 
• 1928 - Reserve Grade, Under-14. 

In 1929 the club folded up and joined forces with the Weston Juniors.

Billy Hicks

This report from the Newcastle Sun (14 June 1922, page 5) tells of one more moment in the strange sequence of deaths at Weston. Billy Hicks was an all round clubman, a type recognisable across all sports. His death came not long after the loss of Bill Lambert and not long before the death of Peter Coppock. George Kennedy, who took on Billy's role also died, in an underground accident, at the end of the following year.

---

SOCCER MAN'S DEATH

'BILLY' HICKS Result of a Fall

W. ('Billy') Hicks, who was badly injured by falling from his horse at Weston on Friday last, died in Kurr Kurrl hospital yesterday. He had been associated with Weston Club for many years. He had been player, trainer, ambulance man, and held various positions on the Weston Club's committee, and was always ready to fight the club's battles. Very little hope was held of his recovery — the back being badly injured — and he succumbed to his injuries yesterday. The loss to soccer is a big one, but to his widow and family the sympathy of all Soccerites is extended.

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.