Dear Blog,
Fancy a trip down Memory Lane or a quick flip up the Super Highway?
I believe 1886 was a good year for Sauvignon Blanc, won the Grand National at Doncaster as a rank outsider at ten to one on???
~ ~ Jan 2nd The Times reported that the ‘weekly runs will be looked forward to with increasing interests [to the championships]. The muster was a good one and most of the cracks were out.’ A.Mills and G.Harris set off 20 minutes before the pack (J.E.Hickman, E.Lewin (capt), C.Smith, W.J.Mills, A.Davoile, S.Jones, F.W.Smalley, A.Gupwell, C.Marlow, H.Davoile, C.Mortimer, J.Hewitt, W.Sharpe, F.Alexander, I.Clay and A.Tye.) ‘having sped on their way, laid about one of the finest trails they have had this season.’ [Notice the change in terminology in the next few weeks...]. H.Q. to Earlsdon Jetty, to Whor Lane cross country to Kirby Corner, plough fields to Tile Hill, left at the main road and back again via Kirby Corner, cross country to Earlsdon and home, ‘a good spin of ten miles’.
~ ~ Jan 9th. It was announced that the handicap from Nuneaton tom Coventry
~ ~ Jan 30th. With the Midland looming, ‘a final trail of about eleven miles over splendid hunting country, with a view to testing the pack.’ The top four (Hickman, Smith, W.J.Mills, E.Lewin) were given the bags. The pack was A.Davoile, Williamson, J.O.Mills, A.Mills, Smalley, Gupwell, Marlow, Dalton
~ ~ The following week, Godiva provided 22 runners for a combined run over 8 miles with Birchfield and Edgebaston in Birmingham Thornton
~ ~ Feb. 20th The club finally ‘decided to send a team to represent the city of three spires in the National Championships.’ (Times Feb. 24th) after the ‘final run prior to the championships.’ They covered 12 miles ‘with plenty of plough.’
Not only were the clubs like Birchfield and Godiva having varying degrees of financial difficulties, the Midland Association ‘was in want of funds’ and were helped out of the championship staging costs by Long Eaton Athletic Grounds Society who ‘came forward with a free offer of the use of their grounds for this occasion.’ The Athletic News (23rd Feb.) predicted that ‘If assiduous training and perseverance has anything to do with the result then the representative from the “City of 13 spires” (sic) may properly expect to occupy the premier position., They will come to the post thoroughly trained, and, what ever the result may be, they are certain to make a very close race.... Hickman had done very little running of late ... J.O.Mills .. great things are expected of him .... C.Smith ..is so enthusiastic in the sport .... Lewin, if he can stand the rough country, should be in the first flight .... Smalley is said to be a veritable “demon” across country’. Of the result Godiva were second (56 pts => 2. J.E.Hickman, 4. E.Lewin,11. W.J.Mills, 12.C.Smith, 13. C.Marlow, 14. J.O.Mills (Davoile ref: Times! J.O. as 30th), and also entered A.Tye, 22. A.Gupwell, Sid and 16. Sam Jones and F.Smalley, res. F.Dalton, J.Mortimer.) to Birchfield’s 33 points, the club also having the ex Moseley National champion in first . (Snook 47 mins)
After the race the Athletic News (Mar 2nd) was rather scathing in its reporting about the Godiva performances. ‘The Godiva team cut up rather in differently .. they were, so to speak never in the hunt, the result being that they suffered a crushing defeat.. the Coventry
Note in passing that J.Birch (Walsall ) was 6th In the ‘82 race, he had finished one behind Hickman. After the Hickman’s terrible misfortunes of the ‘90s, it was his friend Birch who was to help out.
~ ~ Mar. 5th Godiva finally got their act together and fielded a team. in the National Cross Country Championships. (see accompanying article). It was noted in the National sporting press that Godiva was the only team made up of local runners!! (‘Sport and Play’) 6 teams ran at Croydon, Godiva 2nd team (63 pts=> 1. J.E.Hickman, 5. C.Smith, 6. E.Lewin, 10. W.J.Mills, 18. A.Devoile, 23. C.Marlow non-counters 26. A.Gupwell, ?? J.O.Mills) with Birchfield 1st (50 pts).
National Cross Country, Croydon Racecourse
The morning which promised a fine and glorious day failed to keep that promise (writes our own reporter), and heavy clouds obscured a view of that stranger to London South London pet then making the pace. Hickman, Snook and Mabbutt, however, repeatedly troubled the leader, and when another lap had been completed, Coad was done for and Hickman went to the front, being closely followed by Snook, Mabbutt being third, Savage and Thorton being well up at this point of the race; and shortly afterwards Alexander, having an attack of the “stitch,” dropped out and coached the (Birchfield) team. Snook went up to the leader several times, but could never hold him, and ultimately, after a good finish, the Godiva cum Birchfield man won by 30 yards, about 100 yards separating Mabbutt from Snook. Coad came in next, but was over a minute behind the winner. Lewin and Smith of Godiva were next in and then came Savage and Thorton. Slynn and Wright completed the “Stag” half dozen, arriving 14th and 15th respectively.
Men:
1. J.E.Hickman (God) 54m 48s, 2. W.Snook (Bir) 54m 55s, 3. A. Mabbett (Bir) 55m 29s, 4. W.H.Coad (S.L.H.), 5. C.Smith (God), 6. E.Lewin (God), 7.G.Savage (Bir), 8.T.Thornton (Bir), 9. S.V.Gannon (Liv), 10. W.J.Mills(God), 11.G.H.Bannister (Liv), 12. P.Shay (Liv), 13. G.Pennington (Liv), 14. G.Slynn (Bir), 15. S. Wright (Bir), 16. E.Maccabe (Liv), 17. H.Humphries (Bir), 18 A.Davoile (God), 19. H.Looman (S.L.H.), 20. F.W.Monk (Black).
Team: 1. Birchfield 49. 2. Godiva 63. 3. Liverpool Harriers 82.
This contemporary report, which appeared in the popular magazine of the time ‘Sport and Play’, only scratched the surface of events that were to have such a devastating effect on the lives of two men, one man being ruined, and the reputation of the other tarnished for a number of years. And the satisfaction of winning a Championship Team Trophy for one athletic club was delayed for nearly eighty years!! A century after the Birchfield-Godiva struggle of 1886, newly uncovered documents have enabled that tarnish reputation of one athlete to be rightfully restored to it’s former glory but have not fully resolve the suspicion of a cleverly sprung double bluff by the other runner.
The time when these events started to unfold was the Monday evening before the National Cross Country Championships which were to be held the following Saturday at Croydon. The place was the pleasant surroundings of Anderton’s Hotel in London Liverpool ’s resentment of the recent past boiled over with their objection to the inclusion of Snook in the Birchfield colours. As the only northern club present, they were aware of the uphill struggle they faced with their lodging of an objection, but felt justified in referring to the new ruling on first claim qualification. Less than twelve months on the statute book, this was it’s first test of any substance. It was questionable whether the argument put forward by the reigning champions would successfully sway the support away from the 1885 individual National Champion. It was openly acknowledged that the Northern club were ‘acting quite within their rights by lodging an objection’ but it seems to have been suggested ‘behind the scenes’ that as Bannister and McFee were included in the Liverpool line up, then ‘people in glass houses should not throw too many stones’!!! So, ‘after some amount of discussion over the entry of W. Snook on behalf of Birchfield,’ compromise prevailed and ‘.... with the consent of the meeting (it was) withdrawn.’.
The bad blood existed because of the athletic authority’s lack of policy in the sport regarding club allegiance. Until the recent ruling on ‘First Claim Qualification’, an athlete could chose to run for which ever club he wished. The club who could offer the best inducements, generally got the best team. This switch between teams even took place in the dressing room immediately prior to a race. It was far from an unusual practice. The Godiva Harrier Captain, Sam Jones, switched to Birchfield twenty minutes before the start of the 1883 Midland Cross-Country Championship, ......and then appeared to have been somewhat miffed the following week, when he was thrown out of Godiva! Poaching was not the sole preserve of the national scene either. At local level, clubs helped smaller outfits in the same city to prosper in the certain knowledge that they could cream off the best runners when it suited. In Coventry Liverpool withdrew from the National Championships as a matter of principle because Moseley (a Birmingham
In 1885, Liverpool , employing the maxim ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’, ‘played the same game and beat Birchfield Harriers’ with a closing score of 41 points to 49. This, inspite of the fact that the Stagbearers were able to mop up the free agents caused by the disbanding of the all conquering Moseley Harriers. Even the talent of Arthur Mabbett, who was to be third in the ‘86 National, was not enough to swing the result the Midlanders way! This time, it was the turn of Godiva and South London Harriers to walk away in disgust!
So in 1886, with Godiva as unexpected starters in the Championships, there were wrongs to be righted and old scores to settle. Smoldering from defeat in the committee room because the new First Claim Rule could not be brought successfully to bear, certain factions left the pre-race meeting less than happy..
But the feelings of injustice were certainly strong enough to continue the battle both on the Race Course of Croydon and afterwards, in the committee rooms where decisions were taken which had those far reaching effects on the future lives of the gold and silver medal winners.
After the race, the knives were being honed before the protagonists had time to scrape the mud from their spikes. A newspaper reported that ‘the chief topic of conversation after the race was whether Snook could not have beaten Hickman had he wished to’. A contemporary was to write years later about the National that ‘..(Hickman) was objected to for not completing the whole of the course’ and Billy Snook stood down for him’. The same writer reinforced his belief with the widely held view that Hickman was party to a fixed result because ‘ Flyer did not get his Gold Medal till over 20 years afterwards’. Changing room speculation centred on the common knowledge that ‘Snook gambled very heavily’ and the quoted odds meant that a killing could have been made. Two weeks later the bomb shell really burst with the formal expulsion of Billy Snook. The Southern Counties would not accept the runner up’s excuse that his feet were badly cut and ‘he was entitled to help his team mates’. The A.A.A. backed the Southern’s decision. With little right of appeal, or any chance for the ordinary athlete to overturn harsh decisions, the die was cast for both athletes. Dwindling public interest and the passage of time meant that the goings on of 1886 only had a lasting effect on the first two National finishers and interestingly the first two teams. (cf. footnote.) Snook was subsequently given a life ban, and although he tried unsuccessfully to compete in the professional ranks both in England France Birmingham
Flyer Hickman was not left untainted. There was innuendo that ‘Flyer’ was involved in some way, after all, the argument seemed to run, he had competed in the previous Nationals in the colours of Birchfield and Moseley. These doubts were, unbelievably, still simmering when, in the 1940s, Eric Kennell, a Coventry Godiva Harriers Committee member, wrote the first history of the club. Unable to find conclusive definitive answers to some of these old allegations, Kennell politically never mentioned them in his article about the club which appeared in the ‘Coventry Evening Telegraph’ on December 23rd. 1943. Mr. Kennell relied heavily on the writings of W.J.Harris, known by the Midland Daily Telegraph readers under the pseudonym of ‘The Historian’. The journalist seems to have written with a liberal use of poetic license over a period of more than a dozen years, as he slowly polished and refined the story of the events of not only about the formation of the Coventry Godiva Club in general, but the events of 1886 in particular. Subsequent letters to Kennell were typed up in précis form for further reference, but facts were omitted either accidentally, or perhaps because of the pressures of the War effort, were totally forgotten.
As Coventry Godiva’s centenary approached in 1979, there was an aborted attempt to up date the Club’s history and an appeal went out for information about the club. The history was never written and all the old materials were put in a cardboard box with other club ‘rubbish’ and left to gather dust, much presumably lost or in someone’s loft?
With the diamond jubilee of the Coventry
The letters firstly rubbished the idea that Hickman was involved in any way. All other contemporaries with few exceptions, as well as press reports mentioning ‘Flyer’, described him as ‘a honest man’ or ‘a man of integrity' and ‘a very charming man of very high character’. Even one primary source suggesting skullduggery, says in capitals ‘I COULD BE MISTAKEN’ and requesting that his facts be confirmed or denied by other contemporary club members.
The accusation that Hickman cheated by hiding behind a bush, was obviously a non starter, as the press reports of the time, clearly assert that the race was on a race course and visible for the whole time by the spectators. One of the letters to Mr. Kennell points out that the athletes had to run each lap next to, but inside, ‘the white rails of the horse circuit. There was no vegetation on the course’. The fact that Hickman never showed his medal to anyone for years fueled speculation of dishonesty inspite of the fact that ‘all the medals were presented after the race.’ . Quite simply, ‘Flier got into “low waters” and Tommy Birde of Walsall lent him money on security of his medals. He got that medal back, some years after. And that is why he never had it for years.’ .[The writer is obviously confusing the comments from the 1887 National!]
In the newspaper report in the following week’s sports press following the ‘86 National, it stated that ‘considering the state of Snook’s feet, and the general heaviness of the course, it must be granted that he ran well, but, despite all opinions to the contrary, I certainly think that he was only second best man upon the day of the race’. Freddie W.Smalley, Hickman’s team mate confirmed the shocking state of Snook’s feet, but wrote sixty years later, ‘I was talking to Flier H. in the dressing room when Billy Snook came up (you must understand that a fortnight previous at Long Eaton, Snook beaten Flier in the last fifty yards in the Midland event), Snook said that he was not exactly well and ask Flier if he could beat Coad, the Southern Champion. To use his own words he said, “why I should think so”. “Very well then you can win” and he did so by nearly 40 yards. No man in England
Coupling together the newspaper report of that Midland Championship Race, which did comment on the fact that ‘the Godiva man did look heavy legged and over trained by about a fortnight.’, the fact that Snook had a huge 200 yard victory and the fact that he was victorious over Hickman the previous year, had the obvious effect of lengthening the odds given for a Godiva man’s victory, making them look extremely attractive to the eyes of a gambling man.
Events seem to have exonerated Hickman of any wrong doing. He retained his title the following year and ran for Godiva for another ten years. But we are left to wonder if Snook’s unprecedented appearance and conversation in the Godiva dressing room before the race with witnesses present, was a carefully calculated double bluff.
After more than 110 years, we are unlikely ever to know.
An interesting footnote to the events of 1886
Godiva could justifiably claim that they were denied their rightful Championship Trophy and set of National Cross Country winners medals for first team place.
In the team event for 1886 National Cross-Country, Birchfield lifted the team award with 49 points to Godiva’s 63. However, Bichfield’s last counter was actually 15th, but with the Stagbearer’s disqualification, the 17th finisher, H.Humphries should have been promoted into the team to become their last counter. With Snook’s elimination the new calculated total for Birchfield would have been 58 points but the new Godiva total would also have become 58!!! It should be noted that the count back rule used in modern day championships, had not yet been introduced and the result should have been declared a TIE. (As happened subsequently in 1892* and 1897)
The Southern Counties, with the A.A.A backing, decided to let the result stand.
The actual and comparable theoretical results were:-
Birchfield: Godiva:
W.Snook 2 (sus) J.E.Hickman 1 (1)
A.Mabbett 3 (2) C.Smith 5 (4)
G.Savage 7 (6) E.Lewin 6 (5)
T.Thornton 8 (7) W.J.Mills 10 (9)
G.Slynn 14 (13) A.Davoile 18 (17)
S.Wright 15 (14) C.Marlow 23 (22)
H.Humphries 17(n/s) (16)
TOTAL 49 58 TOTAL 63 58
This should have been Godiva’s first set of gold medals. But they were denied and had to wait nearly ninety more years before they could unquestionably claim their first English National Cross Country title!!
An interesting footnote: Writing in the National press as part of an obituary to ‘Flyer’ Hickman in 1927, W.J.Harris, who wrote under the pseudonym ‘Historian’ for the Midland Daily Telegraph, observed that ‘had the Coventry contingent run for them, they would have had eight in the first nine to finish.’ indicating that Mabbett, Savage and Thornton were also Coventry residents. What about Liverpool ’s********? (See end note)
notes ...had 7 circuits to do, 59 starters, a little under 10 miles....
~ ~ April 21st Settle dies Bicycle and watch manufacturer ...first Hickman boss...
*****form mar 17th to may end nothing in the Times and ed.****
~ ~ June 10th. Cardiff Bicycle and Tricycle Club:- *mile cycle: 1. E.Oxborrow(120)=> 4m 20s????check*** 5 mile cycle: 2. E.Oxborrow. *mile safety: 1. E.Oxborrow. *2 mile tricycle: 1. F.W.Allard(100), 2. Henry Sturmey(180).
~ ~ (Times June 16th.) On June 14th an announcement that the new track was opening ‘best four lane track in the country.’ then ‘The track was in such a condition that Howell and Wood both declined to run upon it last year, and often such a palpable protest and being convinced that an improvement was necessary, the committee in charge set about effecting the construction of a path which would be free from objection. it was re-laid, widened, and banked, corners have been obviated as far as possible, ...and it is claimed to be one of the fastest and best four lap paths in England Coventry Leicester . It was big business. Advertisements, like the one on June 9th in the Times, stressed that the meeting was on the new track and that ‘The improvements effected by raising the track at the corners has placed it amongst the best paths in the kingdom and the prizes offered have had the effect of inducing some excellent entries.’ The meeting was held to ‘celebrate the opening of a practically new track’. In the event, despite ‘the unfavourable weather, the absence of the best known racing men and the slight errors of omission on the part of the committee’ , the Times declared the meeting ‘a success.’ especially as 4 prizes were given for each competition. (Judges .A.Rotherham and Rev. G.Cuffe, referee S.Golder, handicapper A.A.Alexander, starter J.Godsell and W.Wareham(prof.) clerk C.Wareham) The committee was basically the cricket and football clubs of the city.:- *120y hcp(4h): hts J.Payne(4)=>> 13s, J.Lucas(4)=>> 13.2s, W.J.Podbury(3)=>> 12s {3f}N.B. also W.H.Hayward(4½), J.Williamson(scr) (as Birch), J.Hewitt() (Melbourne H.), T.Humphries() (Melbourne H.) unpl. *440y hcp(3h): hts. T.H.Dalton(16) (Stoke Harriers) =>> 59.6s {4f}, J.Steer(17)=>> 58.6s {3f} *mile hcp(28e,20s): 1. E.Gupwell(120), 3. W.J.Mills(45), 4. I.Clay(90) (Chey C.C.) ‘won as he liked’.
~ ~ June 12th Nuneaton Cricket Ground (5000 spectators):- *mile hcp: 1. J.E.Hickman(30) 2. F.Mills(110) (Astley) *½ mile hcp: 1. J.E.Hickman(16) [2. J.D.Johnson(25) (Chester Coventry
Another Godiva man marries, Tom Percy Yardley.(Tues 23rd June ck if married or died
~ ~ ?? Meeting was ‘promoted by the city’s cycle manufacturers and other gentlemen’ Most events were cycle races, but one is left to wonder how many of these gentlemen were also involved in the original track venture eight years before:- 120y hcp: ‘only two finished, W.J.Podbury(3½) ‘did not cross the line’ Things were no going Godiva’s way .. ‘J.Williamson(1) dead heated, but lost out on the rerun with James Askew(10) (Hillfields Rovers F.C.), J.Lucas(4½)=>>12.4sec {1f=>>21.2sec} *mile hcp(20e,11s): 3. J.E.Hickman(scr) ‘three finished’.
~ ~ July 24th Foleshill Sports. (handicapper William Hosier, judge Dr. Orton, referee S.Golder) :- *250y hcp(3h): 1. J.Lucas(7)=>>27sec. 2. J.Williamson(scr) 3. W.J.Podbury(5) ‘finished so closely that they were with difficulty placed.’ 120y hcp: 1. J.Carpenter(8) (Fol)=>>13.4sec 2. W.H.Cowley(4) [winning a copper kettle] *½ mile hcp(22e,20s): 1. J.Hewitt(60) [silover lever watch £4] 2. A.Tye(60) [10/- cutlery] 3. J.E.Hickman(scr) leading with 50 yards from finish but fell over a peg but pluckily finishing took third’. *mile hcp(18e,13s): 1. W.J.Mills(70)=>>4m 32sec. 2. T.Woodward(145) (Stoke) 3. E.Lewin(75) 4. A.Tye(145) *2 mile hcp(15e,13s): 2. E.Lewin(20) 3. J.E.Hickman(scr), the first 3 men beating 10 minutes (1st Hayden=>>9m 55.4sec of Edg. H.)
~ ~ July 31st. Coventry Philanthropic with an 8000 crowd and the usual Coventry ‘who’s who’ in charge viz - judges Dr. Iliffe, John Herbert, Walter Turrell, handicapper H.M.Oliver, referee H.Sturmey, clerks C.Wareham, W.Lines, starter W.Wareham(prof.), timekeeepers J.H.Godsell, W.Hosier:- *mile hcp: 1. Jonathan Hewitt(150)=>>4m 33.4sec. 2. T.Woodward(130) (Stoke Harriers) 3. F.H.Dalton(115) ‘led all through’ won by 8 yards *¾ mile s/c(9h+w/j): 1. E.J.Smith(50) (Leam H.)=>>3m 36.5sec 2. Samuel Jones(45) (Sparton H.) 3. F.H.Dalton(80) ‘Won by 6 yards’. I.Clay(75) became ‘a little bit lame, therefore retired’. *440y hcp: hts. J.Williamson(8)=>>53.0sec {2f} Jon. Hewitt(30) *120y hcp(4h): ht. J.Payne(7¼)=>>13.2sec
~ ~ Aug. 14th Stoke Flower Show:- 120y hcp(4h): J.Lucas(3)=>>12.6sec. W.H.Cowley(9½)=>>12.4sec. C.F.Woodward() (Stoke H.)=>>12.8sec *½ mile hcp(27e,20s): 1. J.Hewitt(50) F.Dalton(30) 3. H.Fennell(70) (Cov) *mile hcp(25e, 22s): 1. J.E.Hickman(scr)=>>4m 31.2sec 2. J.Simpson(145) (Fol ..G.H. in obs. race!) 3. A.Davoile(95) 4. B.Colledge(140) (Brink) ‘closest finishes ever witnessed in the district’.
~ ~ Aug. 21st. Cheylsmore C.C. 2nd Annual Sports (mostly cycle races):- *120y hcp(4h): 1. J.Williamson(6½)=>>11.4sec. 2. W.J.Podbury(9) 3. J.Lucas(8½) *mile hcp(31e,25s): 1. A.Tye(150) (Stoke A.C.)=>>4m 26.2sec) 2. F.H.Dalton(120) 3. T.Birch(55) (no club) ‘J.E.Hickman retired at the half mile being still in the rear’.
~ ~ Sept. 28th at the Coventry Cricket Ground two cycle and one flat organised by the club for the benefit of the keeper, Mr. Collier. (Timekeeper W.Hosier, handicapper S.Golder):- *mile hcp: 1. T.Woodward(10)=>>4m 56.4 (Stoke H.) E.Jones(35) A.J.Gupwell(scr) (Cov)
On the same day at Hinkley, the meeting still attracted entries from a wide area despite the cyclists having an ‘uneven and stiffish hill having to be negotiated’. The racing was ‘of average quality’ but the sprint ‘was as good a one as is generally seen’ (Times Sept. 1st) Of the 11 events, 6 were ‘open’:- *¼ mile hcp: 2. W.H.Venn(23) *mile hcp(18s): 1. Charles Smith(130) (Cov) =>>4m 36.0sec, the Godiva Secretary ‘only two finished’. Dalton (½ mile) and Williamson(300H) also ran. One is left to wonder how they managed to double up at the two meetings!
The beginning of September saw the ‘Reporter’ Sports (Sept. 4th). As arguably the most sports minded paper in Coventry, it is surprising at the number of non athletic events (obstacle, donkey etc.) and the poor quality of entrants and results:- *mile hcp: W.Lewin(150)=>>4m 24.0sec *120y hcp: hts. T.Busby(12) (Warwick)=>>12.0 sec J.E.Hickman(8½)=>>12.4sec W.H.Cowley(9¾)=>>12.0sec {1f ‘a suit of clothes} *220y hcp Y<18yrs(6h): hts. J.E.Kirkman(3) (Melbourne H.)=>>24.6sec J.Athersuch(6) (Wellington H)=>>23.0sec
On the following Monday, Rugby Cycle Club 3rd Annual Sports:- *120y hcp(6h): hts J.Lucas(5)=>>12.2sec {1f=>>12.8sec} R.Swire(8)=>>13.2sec *mile hcp: 1. C.Smith(100)=>>4m 24.2sec 3. W.Lewin(155) *¼ mile hcp: hts J.E.Hickman(6)=>>56.4sec W.H.Venn(10) (Cov C.C.)
~ ~ Thursday Sept. 9th. Perhaps one reason that Birchfield Harriers failed to fulfill their inter club commitments might have been the parlous state of their finances? ‘In connection with the tour of Birchfield Harriers, the object of which is to restore the finances of the club to a flourishing condition, an athletics meeting ... [drew 500 spectators, the cold wind mitigating against their enjoyment ... Most of the amateur flyers were carded, but several of them failed to put in an appearance.’ [All the top locals, amateur and professionals, were named in the pre meeting advertising!] (Times Sept. 15th):- *½ mile cycle: 2. S.H.Brown(28) *300y hcp: hts W.J.Podbury(16) {2f}, J.Lucas(16), J.E.Hickman(16) (Birchfield)=>>33.4sec. J.Williamson(10)=>>34.5sec {3f}
~ ~ September 18th at the Cricket Ground:- ‘The programme was an attractive one, not withstanding that the compilers descended to the transparent device of swelling the numbers of entries by inserting dummy names - a practice which was as objectionable as it was devoid of wit.’ (Times Sept. 22nd). And that was not the only controversy surrounding the meeting, the other having far more serious consequences. Remember that Mr. W.W.Alexander was a respected handicapper and timekeeper. He was also the driving force behind the Birchfield Club. The Times continued ‘A.P.Engleheart and E.Oxborrow had entered [the meeting] and inspite of their recent suspension by the N.C.U., they insisted on competing, though they were not recognised by the judges nor were their numbers telegraphed. As a further sage guard protests were lodged against them by other riders. In the ½ mile race, Oxborrow was put on 18 yards but preferred to ride the whole distance with the view of making a new time, and did his heat in 1m 17sec.. In the mile cycle event both Oxborrow and Engleheart won their heats and took part in the final, Engleheart finishing third but taking no prize, while Oxborrow established a new safety record of 2m 43secs.’ A week later the N.C.U. promptly suspended the five cyclists who took part in the finals as they were regarded as guilty of complicity sine die. And ‘attention was called to the fact that Mr. Alexander, the official handicapper to the Union , had read of the notification the suspension, and had, in spite of this, handicapped the riders. The secretary was instructed to ask Mr. Alexander for an explanation.' (Times Sept. 29th) This was by no means that Alexander was called to account by the authorities!!! It hardly seems credible that the events could have taken place without a nod and a wink from the officials? (Judges A.Rotherham, Dr. Aitken, referee H.Sturmey, starter W.Wareham(prof), clerks W.Seymour, R.Barton, R.Beesley, telegraph steward C.Daly, H.W.Smith, competitors stewards J.Player, W.J.Mills, hon. sec. C.Smith handicapper and timekeeper W.W.Alexander):- *mile hcp(32e,26s): 3. H.H.Davoile(150) was the only Godiva to place. But then we have the interesting members 300 yard handicap heats, note the number who must have had dual membership: ht1. R.Swire(scr.) (Weston A.C.) ‘walk over’ {3f}, ht2. C.C.Wise(9) (Leam), J.H.Brownson(15) (Hinkley), J.Williamson(1½), J.Simpson(24) ‘the pistol hung fire and Williamson did not start, Wise won easily by five yards. Subsequently Williamson and Wise ran again, and Williamson who could have won retired amid the jeers of the spectators.’ ht3. W.J.Peel ‘walk over, ht4. J.Lucas(8) {1f=>>33 sec}, W.Steer(21), T.Birch(12) (Walsall ) Ht5. E.Lewin(25), J.E.Hickman(8), A.King(15), C.Wareham(scr) (Cov. F.C.), the starter’s son! ht6. W.Lewin(35) {2f} ‘walk over’ ht7. J.M.Player(8), A.Tye(22)
~ ~ Sept. 25th. at Aston Lower Ground where a considerable number of Godiva members entered:- *120y hcp: hts J.Wiliamson(6¼)=>>12sec W.J.Podbury(9¾) J.Lucas(10½) (Hillfields Rovers F.C.)=>> 11.6sec {2f} *mile hcp: 2. F.H.Dalton(120) ‘narrowly beaten’ *mile hcp s/c: 3. F.H.Dalton(130)
~ ~ On Dec. 15th, the Times reported that ‘The combined run between Birchfield, Edgebaston and Stratford upon Avon Harriers ... turned out to be a “frost” on account of the non arrival of Birchfield and Stratford while Edgebaston were poorly represented [with 7 men] while most of the crack men of the local club were conspicuous by their absence. [E.Lewin, Sam Jones, A.Tye, F.H.Dalton, A.Davoile, W.Lewin, F.W.Smalley (whipper in) and the hares C.Seymour, J.Hewitt] The run being a slow one all kept well together until two miles from home when the visitors began ‘to warm the pace up’ and after a good finish A..Mabbett [pa Birchfielder] arrived first, E.Lewin second Sam Jones third. After the usual tubbing, about thirty sat down to a knife and fork tea.’ The harmonious evening finished with a rendition of ‘Auld Lang Syne’!
~ ~ On Dec. 18th the club had a handicap with W.Seymour as judge, C.Smith as handicapper, the prizes for which were presented at a smoking concert on the following Monday, Liggins presiding over the proceedings. 15 started with scratch man, J.E.Hickman coming 9th, W.Lewin (3 30), A.Davoile (2 50), and E.Lewin (0 45) taking the honours.
Ref perf folder for individual profiles of above club memebers#
IMES FINISHED AND needs editting,and photos in,EDS >>>>>>>>
OK, OK ,,,,, so it was more like a slow boat to China …. Chill Blog, chill. There’s another 131 years of this stuff to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Colin
PS Lord Leveson will deal with Godiva’s appeal once he has finished reading the ‘Sun’.
Hi Colin Your blog popped up,hoping you can assist with further info.I recently inherited a silver lever fobwatch from my aunt. The watch is inscribed " Coventry Cricket & Football Clubs Sports Whit Monday June 14th 1886 First Prize 1 Mile Flat Race". No name or time inscription for the winner.From your blog above extract "*mile hcp(28e,20s): 1. E.Gupwell(120), 3. W.J.Mills(45), 4. I.Clay(90) (Chey C.C.) ‘won as he liked’". Seems winner was one E Gupwell. I see there are other references to Gupwells.
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