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1907 - R. A. O. B. - Hartlepool v West Hartlepool

What we know about this image :

West Hartlepool Buffs XV - Winners of the 'Bensley Charity' Cup 1907.

The game took place on Wednesday 17th April 1907 at the Victoria Ground, resulting in the first win for “West Hartlepool R A O B” against “Hartlepool R A O B “in the annual match between the two sides. They had earlier met at the Friarage Field on Easter Monday, at the end of March. The Mail Report stated that the teams were in strict training and if climatic conditions allowed a good gate was expected, tickets still available!

The Bensley Charity Cup was contested annually between “Hartlepool” and “West Hartlepool” former player members of the R A O B in aid of the Hartlepool Widows and Orphans Fund of the Buffaloes.  The donor of the Cup may be John Bensley, prominent in the Buffs, who was Landlord of “The Globe” Northgate and his family had connections with the Pub Trade throughout the two towns. James Bensley was also landlord of the “Fleece Inn” in Hope Street, West Hartlepool between 1880 and 91.

The “Fleece Inn” also has a Rugby connection in that it was the HQ of West Hartlepool Vulcans that won the Durham County Junior Cup in 1897 defeating Stargate (A colliery side from Ryton) at Boldon. The “Mail” reports of the match state that the Vulcans team was met at West Hartlepool Station and led in procession with the Cup along Church Street to Lynn Street thence Charles Street before reaching their headquarters at the “Fleece Inn” in Hope Street.

 

Top to bottom, left to right

Row 1

  1. T. Angus
  2. A. Carlson
  3. J. Pollard
  4. R. Egglestone

Row 2

  1.  lyth
  2. J. Smith
  3. T. Ramsey
  4. W. Pearson
  5. B. Henderson
  6. Counc. W.J. Coates
  7. E. Smith
  8. J. Hogg
  9. J. Emmerson
  10. R Ley?

Row 3

  1. A. McWilliams
  2. T. Green
  3. W. Burns
  4. J. Wood
  5. T.W. Temple (Capt)
  6. B. Hornsey
  7. B. Henderson
  8. ? Wards
  9. W. Houliston?

Front Row

W. Hardwick & J. Nicholson

Donor : Hartlepool Museums Service

Creator : A.G. Silvester

Location


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