Helensburgh F.C. (1882) facts for kids
| Full name | Helensburgh | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1882 | |
| Dissolved | 1886 | |
| Ground | Range Park, Mossend | |
| Hon. Secretary | Thomas Robinson | |
| Match Secretary | James M'Innes | |
| Captain | A. Hutchison | |
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Helensburgh F.C. was a football club from the 1800s. It was located in Helensburgh, a town in Dunbartonshire, Scotland. This club played association football, which is the sport we now call soccer.
Contents
The Story of Helensburgh F.C.
How the Club Began
The club first appeared in March 1882. Back then, it was known as Helensburgh Athletic. Their first recorded game was against the second team of Star of Leven F.C.. Before this club, two other senior football teams in Helensburgh had stopped playing.
Helensburgh Athletic started quietly. However, they did join the first ever Dumbartonshire Cup in 1884. In their first match, they lost 10–1 to Dumbarton F.C.. This team was almost professional, meaning their players were paid.
In August 1885, the club changed its name. It became simply Helensburgh. They had already started using this shorter name in a tournament before the official change.
Joining the Scottish Football Association
By August 1885, Helensburgh F.C. had grown. They had 70 members, which was a good number for a club at that time. Because of their growth, they joined the Scottish Football Association. This was an important step for the club.
It seems the club also joined forces with another local team, Helensburgh Albion. Some players from Albion, like D. Campbell and Captain Hutchison, later played for Helensburgh F.C.
Playing in the Scottish Cup
Helensburgh F.C. played in the 1885–86 Scottish Cup. This was their first and only time in the competition. Their match against Dumbarton Athletic F.C. was quite confusing.
The game was supposed to happen, but the referee stopped it. He said Helensburgh had "mismanaged" things. The goal-posts were too high, which caused a lot of arguments. Both teams complained about different issues.
The Scottish Football Association decided the game should be played again. It took place at Helensburgh's home ground, Mossend. Dumbarton Athletic was leading 2–0 at half-time. Helensburgh almost caught up, but Dumbarton Athletic scored again at the end. Helensburgh lost the match 3–2.
The Club's Final Years
After that confusing game, Helensburgh F.C. never played in the Scottish Cup again. They did not renew their membership the next year. The club also struggled against the bigger teams in Dumbartonshire.
For example, they lost to Vale of Leven F.C. in the Dumbartonshire Cup twice. They lost 6–1 in 1884–85 and 8–2 in 1885–86. Even though the President of Vale of Leven said Helensburgh had "mettle" (spirit), the club didn't last much longer. There is only one record of a Helensburgh club playing after 1886. This was a 2–0 loss to Methlan Park F.C. in April 1887. This might have been a different, smaller local team.
Team Colors
Helensburgh F.C. wore bright blue jerseys. Their shorts were white.
Home Ground
When the club first started, they played in a public park in Helensburgh. To become a "senior" club, they needed their own private field. So, in late 1884, Helensburgh F.C. rented Range Park in Mossend. This field was about a quarter of a mile from the Helensburgh railway station.
