The Old Philberdians Football Club was an association football club made up of the old boys and masters of The Philberds school, from Holyport, near Maidenhead, Berkshire.

Old Philberdians
Full nameOld Philberdians Football Club
Nickname(s)the Black and White[1]
Founded1875; 149 years ago (1875)
Dissolved1889; 135 years ago (1889)
Groundschool grounds, Holyport, Maidenhead

History

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The club's first such recorded match was a 0–0 draw in a 12-a-side match against Maidenhead in April 1875, the school's founder, the Rev. Henry Price, being a regular player and captain.[2] By 1877–78 the Old Philberdians were playing regularly against teams in the Berkshire area, and the club was strong enough to beat the established teams of Marlow[3] and the Remnants.[4]

In 1879–80, the club reached the final of the Berkshire & Buckinghamshire Senior Cup, having beaten Maidenhead away 7–0 en route.[5] Following two draws with the Swifts (in Maidenhead and Reading),[6] the clubs agreed to share the trophy.

The club was one of the first fifteen members of the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Football Association[7] and in 1880–81 entered the FA Cup for the only time. The club withdrew when drawn away to Pilgrims; three of the club’s key players (the Wild brothers and Arnott) played instead for the Swifts.

Following that season, the club did not play competitively on either the local or national stage, although it remained a member of the local association until 1887.[8] Old Philberdians continued until at least 1889, with annual matches against Guy’s Hospital.[9]

Colours

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The club played in black and white jerseys.[10]

Ground

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The club played in the school grounds.

References

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  1. ^ "Foot-ball". The Philberdian: 2. March 1876.
  2. ^ "Results". Maidenhead Advertiser: 3. 14 April 1875.
  3. ^ "Football". Buckinghamshire Herald: 8. 1 December 1877.
  4. ^ "Football". The Field: 565. 10 November 1877.
  5. ^ "Football Matches Yesterday". Lloyds Illustrated. 7 March 1880.
  6. ^ "Football". The Standard: 6. 19 April 1880.
  7. ^ Alcock, Charles (1881). Football Annual. p. 111.
  8. ^ Alcock, Charles (1887). Football Annual. London: Virtue & Co. p. 62.
  9. ^ "Association Football". Guy's Hospital Gazette: 271. 7 December 1889.
  10. ^ "Foot-ball". The Philberdian: 2. March 1876.