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1883 - Hartlepool Football Club (Rugby)

What we know about this image :

The first known Rugby club in Hartlepool was formed in 1875 when the Hartlepool’s Football Club was created at the end of the Cricket season at a meeting in the Cleveland Hotel on the corner of Brig Open and Northgate, the building still stands.

 Records though are very sparse but there is mention of Hartlepool playing West Hartlepool in 1876 but these times seem days of happy inconsequence when it comes to recording matches, scores etc.

 The Club was soon making an impact and 3 players, Arthur Hill (whose career is available on this website), Ovi Stephenson and W. Taylor all played for Durham County whilst Hartlepool players.

 A club today called Hartlepool Rovers had been formed in 1879 and a rivalry sprang up between the two Clubs. Arthur Hill realising the difficulties of both clubs making progress suggested an amalgamation in 1883. Instead of that, Rovers offered to take over the Hartlepool Club and this tiny document from the Hartlepool Museum Archives was sent to all members, all of whom presumably joined Rovers, which saw rise of the Friarage Club from that date in 1883.

Date (of image) : 30/7/1883

Donor : Hartlepool Museum Service

Creator : J. Procter, High Street, Hatlepool

Part of the "Robert Wood Collection" collection

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