Olympic Games 2016 - Throwback Football Heroes 1912

Throwback Football Heroes 1912

The country is making final preparations for one of the greatest sporting events, the Olympic Games.  As the last adjustments are being made in Brazil, however, preparations around the country are taking place in order to select the British Olympic Team.

One hundred and four years ago the Olympic Games in 1912 were to be held in Stockholm and in April that year the British Team were to be selected. At that time the sportsmen who were selected were mostly amateur and unpaid, never the less they were the very best of their field.

Glossop has always been highly active in sport over the years and 1912 was no different. April 8^th saw Glossop FC (formally Glossop North End) grab a vital point against Grimsby Town as Glossop battled against relegation in the Second Division.

Towards the end of the season, two men attend a match at North Road to observe the team. It is believed they were “tipped off” maybe by a current or ex player of Glossop that the team had obtained some “legend” players. Olympic records show that one of the men was Terry Graham, a man who worked for the British Olympic team as a sort of scout.  No one knows for sure but it is likely that the “tip off” came from Samuel Hill-Wood himself as he still owned the club although he was no longer manager. He was in London most of the time, as he was standing for MP for the High Peak.

By the end of the season Glossop FC just managed to scrape out of the relegation zone by goal difference. Immediately after the season had finish the British Olympic Football Team was announced and on the team sheet were players from Glossop Football Club.  Stockholm 1912 saw many great achievements let’s hope Team GB can do the same this year.

 By Matthew Cox

To Be Continued…