1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season

Small Heath F.C.
1896–97 season
Chairman Walter W. Hart
Secretary Alfred Jones
Ground Coventry Road
Football League Second Division 4th (of 16)
FA Cup First round proper
(eliminated by Notts County)
Birmingham Senior Cup Semi-final
(eliminated by Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Staffordshire Senior Cup First round
(eliminated by Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Top goalscorer League: Jimmy Inglis (16)
All: Jimmy Inglis (16)
Highest home attendance 7,500 vs Grimsby Town (31 October 1896)
Walsall (25 December 1896)
Lowest home attendance 800 vs Manchester City (19 April 1897)
Home colours
← 1895–96 1897–98 →

The 1896–97 season was the 16th season of competitive association football and 5th season in the Football League played by Small Heath F.C., an English football club based in Birmingham. In 1895–96, Small Heath finished in 15th position in the 16-team First Division and were relegated via the test match system. In 1896–97, they finished 4th in the Second Division.

Small Heath entered the 1896–97 FA Cup at the first round (round of 32) and lost in that round for the fifth consecutive year, this time to Notts County. In local competitions, they were eliminated in the semi-final of the Birmingham Senior Cup and the first round of the Staffordshire Senior Cup, on each occasion beaten by Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Twenty-three different players represented the club in nationally organised competitive matches during the season and there were 12 different goalscorers. Alex Leake appeared in every match, and the top scorer was Jimmy Inglis with 16 goals. The highest attendance was around 7,500, significantly down on the previous season.

Background

The Nottinghamshire Guardian suggested Small Heath would "have to greatly improve their present team if they are to make a very prominent display even in [the second] division next season."[1] Billy Ollis, last season's captain, moved on to Hereford Thistle of the Birmingham & District League, Jack Oliver returned to non-League football in his native north-east, Harry Haynes joined Southern League club Southampton St Mary's, Ted Devey left for Burton Wanderers, and Adam Fraser returned to Scotland,[2] but the major loss was that of Fred Wheldon. Wheldon scored 116 goals from 175 matches in league and FA Cup for Small Heath, and the only match he missed in six seasons was when his sister died on the morning of the game.[3] He joined League champions Aston Villa for a fee which, after much speculation, was confirmed at Small Heath's Annual General Meeting as £350 guaranteed, plus the proceeds of a match to be played between the two clubs. The £350 fee was reported to be a transfer record.[4]

Review

September–October

Small Heath prepared for the new season with a friendly match at Aston Villa in connection with Fred Wheldon's transfer. Wheldon scored twice as Villa won 3–1, Small Heath's goal coming from Walter Abbott. Because the kickoff was delayed until six o'clock, the match ended in near darkness.[5] The League season began with a spirited performance at home to Newcastle United on a rain-soaked pitch. First-half goals from Alex Leake, Jimmy Inglis with a header from Tom Farnall's free kick, and Jack Jones gave Small Heath a 3–1 victory,[6] prompting the press to predict a finish in the test match positions.[7][8] In the return fixture, Newcastle led 3–2 at half time – three goals for Richard Smellie against Jones's two – but were reduced to ten men, William Graham having broken his arm. Inglis tied the scores in the second half but the home team scored a late winner.[9] Two days later, Small Heath enjoyed a comfortable home win against Darwen in an early-evening match. Inglis opened the scoring with a header, then in the second half, a disputed goal was allowed, and a fine shot from Billy Walton and two goals from William Robertson made the final score 5–1.[10]

In a poor game, Small Heath suffered an unexpected defeat at home to Lincoln City. The Leicester Chronicle suggested that "if the Heathens have any pretentions towards regaining their position in the First Division, as we believe is their ambition, they will have to show form vastly different from last Saturday."[11] An Inglis header gave his team a first-half lead on a slippery surface at Burton Swifts, and both sides wasted chances before Swifts equalised with ten minutes left.[12]

A 2–1 defeat at home to Burton Swifts[13] preceded a visit to league leaders Newton Heath and reunion with former captain Caesar Jenkyns. The home side had the better of the first half, in torrential rain following a thunderstorm just before kickoff, but the closest they came to scoring was when Smith hit the bar. In the second half, Newton Heath scored from a scrimmage, but Jones equalised for Small Heath after the forwards rushed downfield.[14] Playing with the benefit of the slope, Walsall took the lead twice in the Staffordshire Cup, but on change of ends, Small Heath equalised, and scored twice more in extra time to progress to the next round.[15]

In mid-October, former England international forward Dennis Hodgetts joined from Aston Villa. The Dundee Courier & Argus assessed the player thus:[16]

Aston Villa have so many clever forwards that they afford to dispense with a man like Hodgetts, who is now naturally slow, and disinclined to work. But his judgment and coaching powers should render him a useful recruit for the other Birmingham club ... Hodgetts is the one historic forward England has produced. As an inside left it is doubtful if he ever had an equal; certainly he never had a superior. He was one of the most artistic dribblers and dodgers ever seen, and his unselfishness was proverbial.

He made his debut on a dull, damp day at home to Gainsborough Trinity. Small Heath took a two-goal lead through Inglis and Leake, the visitors brought the scores level before half time, and with 15 minutes left, Trinity's John Scott was sent off for striking Jack Jones.[17] When the matter came before the County Association, the player received a suspension of one week – the minimum punishment permissible – because of his 17 years unblemished conduct and having acted under "great provocation, Jones having kicked him off his legs and he 'only cleaned one hand on him'."[18] Small Heath were overwhelmed by four goals to nil by Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Staffordshire Cup.[19] Perhaps fortunate to find Walsall without their first-choice goalkeeper and three forwards, Small Heath won 6–1 away from home, with two goals from Inglis and Walton and one apiece from Jones and Charles Izon. Despite the convincing nature of their victory, the Leicester Chronicle thought it was probably too late for the team to reach the test match positions.[20] John Logan, late of Partick Thistle, made his debut in a 1–0 defeat at home to Grimsby Town which proved his only appearance in the English leagues.[21]

November–December

Having no competitive fixture scheduled during the early part of November, Small Heath played Wolverhampton Wanderers in a friendly as part of a day of musical and sporting entertainments at the Crystal Palace grounds.[22] On a raw day, only 500 spectators watched Small Heath's 2–0 victory[23] which failed to entertain the Penny Illustrated Paper:[24]

That the paid player is wanting in keenness when the match is "friendly", i.e. not associated with League or Cup competition, has very nearly, if not quite, become proverbial. Small Heath and Wolverhampton Wanderers gave an exhibition at the Crystal Palace which could not be calculated to impress visitors favourably.

Back in the League, Woolwich Arsenal took an early lead at Coventry Road but were 4–1 down by half time, Hodgetts scoring twice and Walton and Robertson once each. In the second half James Brock pulled one back for the visitors, but Charlie Hare, on his debut after joining from the Arsenal a few days before, made the final score 5–2.[25] The visit to Darwen produced a 2–0 defeat which could have been heavier had the home club not had two second-half goals disallowed.[26] According to the Leicester Chronicle, "the match between Newton Heath and Small Heath, as usual, when these teams meet, was not a very scientific one, the players on both sides being too prone to play the man instead of the ball."[27] Jimmy Inglis had to leave the field "badly winded", and Hare had several shots from distance, but the only goal was scored by Jones after five minutes.[28]

A friendly arranged at short notice at Millwall Athletic[29] attracted few spectators, "the poor form displayed recently by Small Heath causing the fixture to possess but little interest"; Millwall won 9–1.[30] Back in the league, a fine attacking display gave Grimsby Town a 2–0 half-time lead; on change of ends, playing against the wind, Small Heath's performance improved, and Hare scored on the break ten minutes from time, but they were unable to equalise.[31] In the first round of the Birmingham Cup, an own goal earned Small Heath a draw at Burton Swifts.[32] The losing run in the League continued with a "sorry show" at Loughborough.[33] The home side's long-ball style effectively disrupted Small Heath's preference for close passing, and the game finished 2–0.[34] At home to Walsall, whom they had beaten 6–1 in the previous meeting, Small Heath had much the better of the first half, with goals from Charlie Izon and Denny Hodgetts, but the visitors equalised after a goalkeeping error, and the final score was 3–3,[35] Walsall being "unlucky in not winning".[36]

December ended with two friendly matches. On Boxing Day, the visitors, Scottish League leaders Hibernians, began the match "in brilliant style",[37] and although the heavy pitch initially inhibited their shooting, they came out winners by five goals to two.[38] A crowd of 4,000 attended a benefit match for Aston Villa full-back Jim Elliott, who had been "incapacitated by illness".[39] Elliott died less than three years later, at the age of 29.[40] After a series of poor results, attendances had dwindled.[38] The Owl's correspondent approved of the selection of Hare at centre-forward, but suggested that until the club signed "two or three good men" to play in defensive positions, the team's decline would continue.[36]

January–February

Small Heath suffered a predictable defeat at Hyde Road against Manchester City on New Year's Day. Poor goalkeeping by Ernest Pointer allowed James Sharples to open the scoring, though both goalkeepers made good saves to restrict the first-half score to that one goal. After the interval, City increased their lead first from a scrimmage, and again from a free kick.[41] After the recent defeats, the committee made several changes for the following day's visit to Gainsborough Trinity. Jimmy Inglis, reported to have been "content to take matters too easily of late", was omitted, Billy Walton moved from the half-back line to his former position of inside right, and Tom Farnall returned at half-back.[42] Gainsborough fielded former Small Heath players Bernard Pumfrey and Tom Bayley.[43] Although the visitors fell behind early in the game, goals from Walton and Denny Hodgetts gave the visitors a half-time lead, which was extended to 3–1 by the close.[44]

A friendly visit to New Brompton in Kent produced a 4–1 defeat,[45] followed on the Monday by Billy Walton's benefit match against Aston Villa. Unfortunately for the beneficiary, who had served the club for eight years and was "generally admitted to be the most consistent player the club possesses",[43] fears that the attendance would be a low one[38] were realised. The Dart's "What We Hear" column suggested that the match raised only £30, "that he deserved far more, and it is a pity that the committee do not see their way to make it up to a respectable sum".[46] Without a fixture for the following Saturday, Small Heath attempted to arrange another friendly in the south of England, but after their previous performances in such matches, no potential opponent were prepared to offer a sufficient financial guarantee for them to agree to travel.[47] Perhaps the free weekend motivated the players, for in wintry weather they won the replayed Birmingham Cup-tie against Burton Swifts by seven goals to one.[48]

A gale damaged the roof of the grandstand at the Coventry Road ground;[49] fortunately, the next day's match was away, at Blackpool, and the damage was repaired before Small Heath played at home again. Blackpool took the lead after only five minutes, but their cause was hindered soon afterwards when they lost Harry Stirzaker to a head injury early in the game, and Tom Oakes scored twice as Small Heath exploited their numerical advantage to win 3–1.[50] January ended with the first-round FA Cup tie played in heavy sleet at home to against Second Division leaders Notts County. In the first half, Notts were largely on the defensive, but early in the second, they twice forced the ball home. Small Heath pressed again, and Walton scored, but they were unable to equalise.[51] The Owl reported they suffered "cruel luck", that Notts' victory owed much to George Toone's goalkeeping, and that "the attack was better than we have seen it this season."[52] The Dart offered particular praise to Denny Hodgetts, "by far the cleverest player on the field", and not at all the has-been he was thought to be when he signed.[53]

Small Heath put out a strong side against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the second round of the Birmingham Cup, but lost Oakes to injury in the first half, and suffered defeat by eight goals to two.[54] Again, the Owl bemoaned the lack of "vigorous and resourceful backs".[55] They returned to League action with a 6–2 win at Burton Wanderers, including two goals on debut for reserve forward Walter Gadsby; a five-goal lead soon after half time led to "the visitors' backs taking things rather too easy".[56] A comfortable 5–1 win against a weakened Liverpool team, in which Charlie Hare, "shooting in a very dangerous manner, and making the best use of openings given him", scored a hat-trick,[57] preceded the return fixture against Burton Wanderers, who featured former Small Heath regulars Will and Ted Devey. An exciting game saw Small Heath fight back to win 3–2 to secure their fourth consecutive victory, marred by a first-half injury to Billy Walton that proved to be a broken shoulderblade that kept him out for the remainder of the season.[58][59] The Leicester Chronicle wondered what they might give now "for some of the points they let slip in the beginning of the season".[60]

March–April

In front of 6,000 spectators at Coventry Road, Blackpool took the lead after half an hour, and doubled it early in the second half. After many fruitless attempts, Small Heath eventually scored from a scrimmage, but Jimmy Martin extended Blackpool's lead again.[61] Despite reaching the interval a goal in arrears to Lincoln City, Small Heath's winning run resumed as they overran the division's bottom club with second-half goals from Inglis, Oakes and Jack Jones,[62] and Loughborough found the home side's forwards in top form as they lost 3–0 at Coventry Road.[63] Denny Hodgetts scored the only goal of Small Heath's visit to Leicester Fosse. Despite the strong cross-field wind,[64] the game was an excellent one: writing for a local readership, the Leicester Chronicle thought that "no one can begrudge Small Heath their victory, though at the same time a draw would more adequately have represented the play", and that "had Fosse won, the game would undoubtedly have been voted one of best seen on the ground; as it was, the only drawback to a splendid exhibition was their regrettable failure in front of goal."[65] The strong wind at Plumstead blew along the pitch, and had a significant effect on the game. Playing with both wind and sun at their backs, Woolwich Arsenal took a 2–1 lead in the first half, but on change of ends, former Arsenal player Charlie Hare scored twice to give Small Heath a fourth consecutive win.[66]

A "great surprise" was the London Standard's assessment of the victory at division leaders Notts County by two Walter Abbott goals to one from Tom Boucher.[67] The win completed a "remarkable" series of performances for Small Heath, "who in the short space of eight days capture[d] the full share of points away from home from such clubs as Fosse, Woolwich Arsenal, and Notts County", an effort that came too late to oust Newton Heath from second position.[68] In the return fixture with Notts, who were by then certain of the divisional championship, Small Heath took a 3–0 half time lead, after which they "did not exert themselves to any great extent", and won the game 3–1.[69] Playing with the wind in their favour at Coventry Road, Leicester Fosse had a one-goal lead at the interval, but on change of ends Inglis equalised, and the game finished two goals apiece.[70] In the last game of the season, at home to Manchester City, Billy Meredith opened the scoring after Robert Hill had a goal disallowed for offside, but Small Heath added three goals in the second half, a header and a penalty from Leake and the third from Hare, to earn a decisive victory,[71] their seventh in the last eight matches of the season, earning them a finishing position of fourth, only two points outside the test match places.[72]

When the Football Association announced the list of clubs exempt from the qualifying competition for the 1897–98 FA Cup, Small Heath were not on it, although their less successful local rivals Walsall received an exemption. The Sports Argus suggested that this was the club's own doing: "a well-known League club's secretary told me that Small Heath only had themselves to blame for their non-inclusion among the exempted clubs, and that whereas they had not a single 'friend at Court', the Walsall people had had most assiduously campaigned for support".[73] After the League season finished, Small Heath played a friendly against Grimsby Town in Hull, a city with a strong rugby league tradition, in order "to encourage the game [of association football] in the town".[74]

Summary and aftermath

The Sports Argus' post-season editorial expressed disappointment with the team's performance and dissatisfaction with the running of the club. At the start of the season, they "confidently looked forward" to Small Heath reaching the test match positions, even if they proved unsuccessful therein. But the team's fine finish to the season on top of such a poor start made it "terribly aggravating to think that the least bit of extra effort earlier on in the season would in all probability have seen them a good second to the County." The club's failure to gain exemption from the qualifying competition of the FA Cup "only serves to strengthen my belief that the club wants a thorough wakening-up".[75] The club made a loss of £369 on the year, which the Dart suggested was due less to the effects of bad weather, as claimed in the annual report, than to a "penny wise and pound foolish" approach to the signing of players which they hoped would not be repeated in the season to come.[76]

Aston Villa's old grandstand in place as a terrace cover at the Muntz Street end of the Coventry Road ground

There was little turnover of players during the close season. The ambitious and well-funded Bristol City, newly elected to the Southern League for the 1897–98 season, signed both Jones and Farnall on attractive terms, reported as £5 to sign, then 50s. during the playing season and 30s. in the summer. "Abbott would also have gone but that Mr. Hart, the President, took action just in the nick of time. As to Farnall, it is doubtful whether he would have been re-engaged, but Jones's loss is regretted, as he was developing into a very smart forward."[77] Charlie Izon left for Walsall, and Denny Hodgetts, who had been reinstated as an amateur, offered his services, but "as he could not promise to play for them regularly", his offer was declined.[78]

The Dart's initial opinion was that the standard of replacement for Hodgetts, who had been reinstated as an amateur, Jones and Farnall – "two or three players who have done well with local clubs have been signed up, and a smart left-wing forward in Kirton, of Lincoln City, has also been secured" – but as the directors preferred to spend their money on ground improvements, in the shape of the purchase of Aston Villa's old stands from the Perry Barr ground, rather than on "stars", these would be inadequate to return the club to the First Division.[79] Having seen the new additions, they changed their mind. "The Small Heath ground presents quite an imposing appearance now that it is adorned with the old Perry Barr grand stand, and as there is now plenty of covered accommodation for spectators the "gates" should materially increase", and though Hodgetts would be missed, Jack Kirton "appears to be a smart player, while the other new men secured are far from being 'duffers'", and apart from Jones and Farnall, "the whole of the other first team players from last season have signed again, and there is no reason why the Heathens should not render a good account of themselves" next season.[80]

Match details

For consistency, attendances and goalscorers' names in the League and FA Cup match details tables are sourced from Matthews' Complete Record.[81] Information in contemporary newspaper reports could, and often did, differ. League positions sourced from Statto.[82]

Football League Second Division

Date League
position		 Opponents Venue Result Score
F–A		 Scorers Attendance
5 September 1896 5thNewcastle UnitedH W3–1Leake, Inglis, Jones 4,000
12 September 1896 7thNewcastle UnitedA L3–4 Jones 2, Inglis 10,853
14 September 1896 4thDarwenH W5–1 Inglis, Walton, Robertson 2, Nixon o.g. 800
19 September 1896 7thLincoln CityH L1–2Edwards 6,500
26 September 1896 7thBurton SwiftsA D1–1Inglis 2,000
3 October 1896 10thBurton SwiftsH L1–2Inglis 4,000
10 October 1896 9thNewton HeathA D1–1Jones 7,000
17 October 1896 9thGainsborough TrinityH D2–2Inglis, Leake 6,000
24 October 1896 7thWalsallA W6–1Izon, Inglis 2, Walton 2, Jones 4,000
31 October 1896 7thGrimsby TownH L0–1 7,500
14 November 1896 7thWoolwich ArsenalH W5–2Hodgetts, Farnall, Walton, Hare, Robertson 2,000
21 November 1896 7thDarwenA L0–2 3,000
28 November 1896 7thNewton HeathH W1–0Jones 4,000
12 December 1896 8thGrimsby TownA L1–2Inglis 2,000
19 December 1896 8thLoughboroughA L0–2 1,000
25 December 1896 8thWalsallH D3–3Inglis, Hare, Izon 7,500
1 January 1897 12thManchester CityA L0–3 16,000
2 January 1897 9thGainsborough TrinityA W3–1Hodgetts 2, Izon 1,500
23 January 1897 9thBlackpoolA W3–1Inglis 2, Hare 1,000
13 February 1897 8thBurton WanderersA W6–2Gadsby 2, Inglis, Hare, Hodgetts, Walton 2,000
27 February 1897 8thBurton WanderersH W3–2Hodgetts, Hare, Oakes 6,000
6 March 1897 9thBlackpoolH L1–3Hodgetts 5,000
13 March 1897 7thLincoln CityA W3–1Inglis, Oakes, Jones 4,000
20 March 1897 7thLoughboroughH W3–0Jones 2, Leake 2,000
27 March 1897 5thLeicester FosseA W1–0Hodgetts 5,500
29 March 1897 5thWoolwich ArsenalA W3–2Hodgetts 2, Hare 3,000
3 April 1897 5thNotts CountyA W2–1Abbott 2 4,000
10 April 1897 5thNotts CountyH W3–1Abbott 2, Inglis 7,000
16 April 1897 4thLeicester FosseH D2–2Hare, Inglis 2,000
19 April 1897 4thManchester CityH W3–1Leake 2, Hare 600
Final Second Division table (part)
Pos Club Pld W D L F A GA Pts
2nd Newton Heath30175856341.6539
3rd Grimsby Town30174966451.4738
4th Small Heath30165969471.4737
5th Newcastle United301711256521.0835
6th Manchester City301281058501.1632
Key: Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn;
L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GA = Goal average; Pts = Points
Source:[72]

FA Cup

Round Date Opponents Venue Result Score
F–A		 Scorers Attendance
1st 30 January 1897 Notts CountyH L1–2Walton 10,000

Birmingham Senior Cup

Round Date Opponents Venue Result Score
F–A		 Scorers Attendance Ref
1st 14 December 1896 Burton SwiftsA D2–2Haddon, "mistake by Chattman" Not known [32]
Replay 18 January 1897 Burton SwiftsH W7–1Hare 3, Edwards, Not known (3) Not known [48]
SF 6 February 1897 Wolverhampton WanderersA L2–8Hare, Hodgetts Not known [54]

Staffordshire Senior Cup

Round Date Opponents Venue Result Score
F–A		 Scorers Attendance Ref
? 12 October 1896 WalsallA W4–2 aetJones, "scrimmage", Not known (2) 2,000 [15]
1st 19 October 1896 Wolverhampton WanderersA L0–4 4,000 [19]

Other matches

Date Opponents Venue Result Score
F–A		 Scorers Attendance Notes
1 September 1896 Aston VillaA L3–1Not known 2,000 Benefit match in connection with the transfer of Fred Wheldon[5]
7 November 1896 Wolverhampton WanderersCrystal Palace W2–0Farnall, Hare 500 Friendly match[23]
5 December 1896 Millwall AthleticA L9–1Good Very poor Friendly match[30]
26 December 1896 HibernianH L2–5Hodgetts, Hare 2,000 Friendly match[83]
29 December 1896 Aston VillaA D1–1Groves 4,000 Benefit match for Elliott (Aston Villa)[39]
9 January 1897 New BromptonA L1–4Hodgetts Not known Friendly match[45]
11 January 1897 Aston VillaH W1–0Edwards, Oakes 1,500 Benefit match for Billy Walton[84]
20 February 1897 LiverpoolH W5–1Hare 3, Walton, Oakes Not known Friendly match[57]
24 April 1897 Grimsby TownA L1–2Not known Not known Friendly match[74]

Squad statistics

Name Position League
apps		 League
goals		 FA Cup
apps		 FA Cup
goals		 Total
apps		 Total
goals
Meates, BillBill Meates Goalkeeper200020
Pointer, ErnestErnest Pointer Goalkeeper28010290
Lester, FrankFrank Lester Full back27010280
Pratt, BillyBilly Pratt Full back27010280
Williams, HarryHarry Williams Full back100010
Dunlop, ThomasThomas Dunlop Half back18010190
Farnall, TomTom Farnall Half back15000150
Good, MichaelMichael Good Half back300030
Leake, AlexAlex Leake Half back30510315
Walton, BillyBilly Walton Half back21511266
Abbott, WalterWalter Abbott Forward12400124
Bennett, BillyBilly Bennett Forward200020
Edwards, BillBill Edwards Forward510051
Gadsby, WalterWalter Gadsby Forward320032
Haddon, HarryHarry Haddon Forward300030
Hare, CharlieCharlie Hare Forward20810208
Hodgetts, DennisDennis Hodgetts Forward22910239
Inglis, JimmyJimmy Inglis Forward2916103016
Izon, CharlesCharles Izon Forward930093
Jones, JackJack Jones Forward20900209
Logan, JohnJohn Logan Forward100010
Oakes, ThomasThomas Oakes Forward920092
Robertson, WilliamWilliam Robertson Forward23310243

See also

References

General
Specific
  1. ↑ "Sports and Pastimes". Nottinghamshire Guardian: p.3. 2 May 1896.
  2. ↑ "Athletics". The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post: p.3. 16 October 1896.
    "Middlesbrough v. Southwick". The Yorkshire Herald: p.7. 2 November 1896.
    "The Week's Sport". Hampshire Telegraph: p.2. 20 June 1896.
    "Football Items". The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent: p.12. 17 August 1896.
    "Opening of the Football Season". The Dundee Courier & Argus: p.6. 11 August 1896.
  3. ↑ Matthews (1995), Complete Record, pp. 131, 140–43.
    "Notes on Sport". Birmingham Daily Post: p.7. 11 February 1895.
  4. ↑ 'Centre-Forward' (29 June 1896). "Facts and Fancies". The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent: p.11. "Speculation has been rife in football circles as to the price paid by Aston Villa for the transfer of Wheldon, the Small Heath inside left. It turns out that the terms are higher than have ever been concluded, if being officially stated at the annual meeting of the Small Heath club in Birmingham on Friday evening that the sum guaranteed was £350, with a prospect of a still further amount conditional on the proceeds of a match to be played in the autumn. Aston Villa are also paying Wheldon a big salary for his services".
  5. 1 2 "Aston Villa v Small Heath". The Yorkshire Herald: p.8. 2 September 1896.
    "Aston Villa v Small Heath". The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent: p.8. 2 September 1896.
  6. ↑ 'Observer' (7 September 1896). "Games and Comments". Northern Echo (Darlington): p.4.
  7. ↑ "Football Notes". Daily News (London): p.3. 12 September 1896.
  8. ↑ "Sports and Pastimes". Nottinghamshire Guardian: p.3. 12 September 1896.
  9. ↑ "Newcastle United v. Small Heath". The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent: p.8. 14 September 1896.
  10. ↑ "Small Heath v. Darwen". Liverpool Mercury: p.7. 15 September 1896.
    "Small Heath v. Darwen". The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent: p.8. 15 September 1896.
  11. ↑ "Football Notes" Leicester Chronicle: p.6. 26 September 1896.
  12. ↑ "Burton Swifts v. Small Heath". The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent: p.7. 28 September 1896.
    "Burton Swifts v. Small Heath". Manchester Guardian: p.7. 28 September 1896.
  13. ↑ "Small Heath v. Burton Swifts". The Standard (London): p.8. 5 October 1896.
  14. ↑ "Newton Heath v. Small Heath". The Standard (London): p.6. 12 October 1896.
    "Newton Heath v. Small Heath". The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent: p.7. 12 October 1896.
    "Newton Heath v. Small Heath". Manchester Guardian: p.7. 12 October 1896.
  15. 1 2 "Other Matches". The Standard (London): p.8. 13 October 1896.
  16. ↑ "Football Notes". The Dundee Courier & Argus: p.5. 29 October 1896.
  17. ↑ "Small Heath v. Gainsbro' Trinity". The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent: p.7. 19 October 1896.
  18. ↑ "Lincolnshire Football Association". The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent: p.8. 5 November 1896.
  19. 1 2 "Staffordshire Cup". The Yorkshire Herald: p.5. 20 October 1896.
  20. ↑ "Walsall v. Small Heath". The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent: p.7. 26 October 1896.
    "Football Notes". Leicester Chronicle: p.7. 31 October 1896.
  21. ↑ "Small Heath v. Grimsby Town". The Leeds Mercury: p.8. 2 November 1896.
    Matthews (1995), Complete Record, p.107.
  22. ↑ "Entertainments, Exhibitions, &c.". The Standard (London): p.1. 7 November 1896.
  23. 1 2 "Wolverhampton Wanderers v. Small Heath". The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent: p.7. 9 November 1896.
  24. ↑ 'Banshee' (14 November 1896). "Our Winter Game". The Penny Illustrated Paper and Illustrated Times (London): p.313.
  25. ↑ "Football. The League". The North-Eastern Daily Gazette: p.3. 12 November 1896.
    "Small Heath v. Woolwich Arsenal". The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent: p.7. 16 November 1896.
  26. ↑ "Darwen v. Small Heath". The Yorkshire Herald: p.7. 23 November 1896.
  27. ↑ "Football Notes". Leicester Chronicle: p.7. 5 December 1896.
  28. ↑ "Small Heath v. Newton Heath". Manchester Guardian: p.7. 30 November 1896.
  29. ↑ "Football". The Standard (London): p.6. 5 December 1896.
  30. 1 2 "Millwall Athletic v. Small Heath". The Standard (London): p.8. 7 December 1896.
  31. ↑ "Grimsby Town v. Small Heath". Manchester Guardian: p.7. 14 December 1896.
  32. 1 2 "Birmingham Cup. First Round". The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent: p.7. 15 December 1896.
  33. ↑ "Loughborough v. Small Heath". The Standard (London): p.7. 21 December 1896.
  34. ↑ "Football Notes". Leicester Chronicle: p.7. 26 December 1896.
  35. ↑ "Small Heath v. Walsall". The Scotsman: p.5. 26 December 1896.
  36. 1 2 "Football enthusiasts at Small Heath have not had a very joyful time lately". The Owl (Birmingham): pp.4, 7. 1 January 1897.
  37. ↑ "Other Matches". The Dundee Courier & Argus: p.6. 28 December 1896.
  38. 1 2 3 Retlaw (1 January 1897). "Football Arrows". The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart: p.6.
  39. 1 2 "Aston Villa v. Small Heath". Liverpool Mercury: p.7. 30 December 1896.
  40. ↑ Elliott, James Alexander Ernest (Jim). Aston Villa Player Database. Jörn Mårtensson. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  41. ↑ "Manchester City v. Small Heath" Manchester Guardian: p.8. 2 January 1897.
  42. ↑ "The Misfortunes of Small Heath F.C.". The Owl (Birmingham): p.16. 8 January 1897.
  43. 1 2 Retlaw (8 January 1897)."Football Arrows" The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart: p.6. 8 January 1897.
  44. ↑ "Gainsborough Trinity v. Small Heath" The Standard (London): p.7. 4 January 1897.
  45. 1 2 "Other Association Matches". The Standard (London): p.6. 11 January 1897.
  46. ↑ "What we hear". The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart: p.12. 25 February 1897.
  47. ↑ Retlaw (22 January 1897). "Football Arrows". The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart: p.6. 22 January 1897.
  48. 1 2 "Smallheath v. Burton Swifts". Liverpool Mercury: p.7. 19 January 1897.
  49. ↑ "What we hear". The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart: p.12. 29 January 1897.
  50. ↑ "Blackpool v. Small Heath". Manchester Guardian: p.7. 25 January 1897.
  51. ↑ "Small Heath v. Notts County". The Standard (London): p.6. 1 February 1897.
  52. ↑ "No title". The Owl (Birmingham): p.7. 5 February 1897.
  53. ↑ Retlaw (5 February 1897). "Football Arrows". The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart: p.6. 5 February 1897.
  54. 1 2 "Football". The Sports Argus (Birmingham): p.3. 6 February 1897.
  55. ↑ "No title". The Owl (Birmingham): p.9. 12 February 1897.
  56. ↑ 'Sancho' (13 February 1897). "Burton Wanderers v. Small Heath". The Sports Argus (Birmingham): p.3. 13 February 1897.
  57. 1 2 'Sancho' (20 February 1897). "Small Heath v. Liverpool". The Sports Argus (Birmingham): p.3. 20 February 1897.
  58. ↑ "Football". The Sports Argus (Birmingham): p.2. 6 March 1897.
  59. ↑ "What we hear". The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart: p.12. 4 June 1897.
  60. ↑ "Football Notes". Leicester Chronicle: p.6. 6 March 1897.
  61. ↑ "Small Heath v. Blackpool". Manchester Guardian: p.7. 8 March 1897.
  62. ↑ "Lincoln City v. Small Heath". The Standard (London): p.8. 15 March 1897.
  63. ↑ "Football Notes". Leicester Chronicle: p.6. 27 March 1897.
  64. ↑ "Small Heath v. Leicester Fosse". Manchester Guardian: p.3. 15 March 1897.
  65. ↑ "Football Notes". Leicester Chronicle: p.7. 3 April 1897.
  66. ↑ "Woolwich Arsenal v. Small Heath". The Standard (London): p.7. 30 March 1897.
  67. ↑ "Football Notes". The Standard (London): p.3. 5 April 1897.
  68. ↑ "Football Notes". Leicester Chronicle: p.7. 10 April 1897.
  69. ↑ "Small Heath v. Notts County". The Standard (London): p.9. 12 April 1897.
  70. ↑ "Small Heath v. Leicester Fosse". Liverpool Mercury: p.7. 17 April 1897.
  71. ↑ "Small Heath v. Manchester City". Manchester Guardian: p.3. 20 April 1897.
  72. 1 2 Birmingham City 1896–1897 : English Division Two (old) Table. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  73. ↑ 'Argus Junior' (17 April 1897). "Gossip". The Sports Argus (Birmingham): p.1.
  74. 1 2 "Grimsby Town v. Small Heath". The Sports Argus (Birmingham): p.3. 24 April 1897.
  75. ↑ 'Argus Junior' (24 April 1897). "Gossip". The Sports Argus (Birmingham): p.1.
  76. ↑ "No title". The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart: p.9. 23 June 1897.
  77. ↑ 'Argus Junior' (28 August 1897). "Football Notes". The Sports Argus (Birmingham): p.1.
  78. ↑ Retlaw (3 September 1897). "Football Arrows". The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart: p.6.
  79. ↑ "Sports Gossip". The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart: p.6. 6 August 1897.
  80. ↑ "Sports Gossip". The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart: p.6. 20 August 1897.
  81. ↑ Matthews (2010), Complete Record, pp.236–37.
  82. ↑ Birmingham City 1896–1897 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  83. ↑ "Smallheath v Hibernians". The Yorkshire Herald: p.7. 28 December 1896.
  84. ↑ "Football". The Standard (London): p.7. 12 January 1897.
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