UP

Hull FC 1886 LOCAL TALENT.

HULL v. LANSDOWNE (DUBLIN)

The Lansdowne (Dublin) Fifteen, now on their English tour, made their first appearance on any football ground In England at Hull, on Saturday 27 November 1886 where they met the first fifteen of the Hull F.C.

On Monday the team meet Wakefield Trinity at Wakefield, and on Wednesday they will play their engagement with the Manchester Free Wanderers.

About 8,000 spectators witnessed Saturday's struggle, which was very pleasantly contested through-out. Score Hull, three tries (three points) to one try (one point) for the visitors.

Teams : HULL.- F. Dickinson, back:
 A. L. Kilburn, L Harrison and G Smith, three-quarter backs:
 H Bell and G Calvert, half-backs:
 G Harrison (captain), H H Blanchard, B R Wilson, W Calvert, F Patterson, H Simpson, C Simpson, W Teal and M Tuke Forwards.
 Umpire: Mr G A Hoskins
LANSDOWNE:-J Anderson, back:
 D Bulger, M Bulger and J P Ross, Three-quarter backs:
 R G Warren (captain), and P J O’Conner half backs:
 E J Walsh, W J Hamilton, J Shanahan, J Haurahan, E Cuffy, E Doran, J S Jameson, T McWard and O Orr Forwards. Umpire: Mr J B Moore.
 Referee: Mr S Jenkins, Manchester.

A PRESSING QUESTION.

"I think the time has come when we shall have to find and develop our own talent, and the Northern Union Clubs will have to interchange players amongst themselves."

Such was the (to me) rather startling announcement made by a prominent local official, startling in as much as the speaker has, in the past, been most prominent in the finding and importing of Rugby Union players to Hull.

Naturally, I was keenly desirous of being informed of his reasons for so suddenly becoming a convert to the "local talent" movement which is finding so much support at the present time. I knew quite well that my friend was not sentimentally inclined, and that so long as the man was a good footballer, he did not care a rap whether he came from the

EAST PARK OR TIMBUKTU

Professionalism he declared had raised the standard that is the playing standard, of football to such a high plane that even the Rugby Union players were not equal to its demand. As evidence, he pointed out that all recent rugby union men who had been imported had been more or less failures even although some of them were looked upon as being the pick of the Rugby Union world. Furthermore, he stated that only a few days ago he paid a missionary tour to the South in quest of players, with one individual as his chief pray.

He witnessed a match between two of the leading Rugby Union clubs in the world, and although the player for whom he made the long journey was said to have played as well as usual, my friend kept his hand in his pocket and came back to Hull with the blank cheque and the advice to his committee , go to the highways, the parks and other spots where our local youths congregate for there you will discover better talent than which I beheld. A few days ago a friend remarked that Harry Taylor Testimonial Fund Was not progressing as rapidly as he expected, and the reply was of course not he belongs to Hull.

I am afraid that, in the past, we have not given our young players sufficient attention. Surely Hull, with its quarter of a million inhabitants is as well able to produce capable footballers as Wakefield or Batley. We use to be able to breed fine players and we are yet but except in that position of full-back we have been in the habit of saying what good can come out of Hull.

Speaking of full-backs is not remarkable how successful Hull men have been during resent years. Harry Taylor was long regarded as the Yorkshire, England and Northern Union premier custodian and upon his retirement Carmichael comes along as a natural successor both Hull lads.

In the Rugby Union Dick Partis proved one of the best full-backs Yorkshire had discovered and was I happen to know the reserve for the North. Partis retires and an even greater back in Hugh MacLiwaine fills his shoes again both Hull lads. If we can produce full-backs, why not three-quarters, halves, and forwards. Glancing through the annuals of Hull football I cannot affirm we have been able to produce a multitude of Threes but we must remember that Sammy Morfitt, was a Hull bred player, and West and J. and Charlie Townsend, George Belt and H Bell we have had three fine halves whilst the forward we have had a host. Not second-rate players but tip-top men.

Surely the Hull team who are doing mighty deeds must contain some promising talent. Encourage them, watch them and do not as was in the case some years ago make them play their so-called home matches on some remote spot where the only officials present was, the late Mr. Porter. Give the youngsters a chance.

A Hull FC team full of local born players, with the exception of J S Barker and there is no relationship with the two Barkers, John S Barker born in Westmorland and George E Barker a local lad from Hull both players playing during the 1895-96 seasons.

HULL FC Northern Union.

The football enthusiasts of this city are looking forward to a prosperous and successful beginning this week end. They have turned out in large numbers to witness the teams and are eager for the fray to begin.

The Hull club have been fortunate in arranging their first two matches, at home, and the kick-off on Saturday against Hunslet is looked forward to as being quite likely to furnish a revenge for last season's Cup tie reverse at Parkside.

What ever may be the result of the opening completion encounters, however, the club has got together players who certainly ought to prove good enough to keep up the high reputation the 'darkies' gained last season, when nothing but a fluky display at Wakefield prevented them from carrying of premier honours.

All the old hands are available, and these, on last year's form, seem good enough to win the majority of their engagements, but the directorate have been busy looking out for further talent and they have at last succeeded in getting Cornish, the Cardiff and Welsh International foreword, to throw in his lot with them, this fine player arriving last week and taking part in the preliminary canters that are being indulged In.

It is in the forward department that the club s particularly anxious to strengthen the team and an effort being made to acquire the services of something Irish, though I believe nothing is settled yet. Ford, a Liversedge forward and Wilkinson, a fine scrimmage, from Brighouse, who has found employment in Hull, would both find a position in the regular team, if the club could get hold of their transfers, which are not to be had for the mere asking as it appears, but which may ultimately turn up.

It was in the back division where Hull caused so much sensation last season, there brilliant scientific displays working dire confusion in many camps, yet the authorities are not satisfied with the material that earned on these manoeuvres, being anxious to more equally balance matters in the three-quarter line where Jacques was the most unreliable customer though he wound up in dashing style.

W Jones another Cardiff and international has been good enough to say he will throw in his lot with Hull, but though he has committed himself he doesn't appear in much of a big hurry to turn up, and it may be that he is waiting for the application of more pressure before joining his old colleague and partner in J. Driscoll, in the Hull three-quarter line.

Which reminds me that all-ready Hull claim four men who have at one time or other assisted Cardiff, namely Driscoll, Frank, Savage and Cornish.

Rumour is also busy with A. Hambrecht the Bramley three-quarter and it is a fact the 'Barley Mowers' are ready to give their captain his transfer conditionally, and it is these conditions. I am authoritatively informed, that at present keep him from being engaged as a certain starter with Hull, as it comes under the category of probable.

Garnett, one of Heckmoudwike's best three-quarters, has also been practising with the Hull team, but it is not likely he will find a place with so much talent at the disposal of the directorate.

C. E. Lempriere, their popular wing, is engaged at Harrogate now, but will assist Hull as usual, so that it will be seen the team under any circumstances will begin the season sufficiently well equipped to can fire and sword in the enemy's camp, and It will certainly not be the fault of the managers If the don't go one better in the Senior Competition this season, and carry of the honours which Batley so pluckily dispossessed them of last winter.

By the way, the Hull F.C. have purchased the Hull Athletic Ground, which they have hitherto held on a lease for the sum of 6,000 pounds, a transaction which will entail much responsibility, but with such hard headed and experienced business men as Messrs. C. A. Brewer, Harry Hilldrith, and L Clubley, at the helm, the shareholders have nothing to fear on the contrary, they will have every room for congratulations, or I am much mistaken.