The massive Wrexham AFC history thread (The sad case of a founding members and player of Wrexham...)

[Rob]

Great spot

[eastsussexred]

Originally Posted by eastsussexred

Gents. You were correct regarding the orientation of the pitch.

North Wales Football Association played Sheffield Football Association, under the London Association rules, on The Racecourse Ground on 18th November 1876. ---.--FOOTBALL.|1876-11-25|Wrexham Guardian - Welsh Newspapers Online


‘Sheffield won the toss and chose to defend the goal nearest the Grand Stand, the wind slightly favourable at that end.’

So as the only grandstand on the course was on Mold Road in 1867, then the pitch had to be orientated from East to West, as you had said. I’m not sure if this had always been the way since our clubs founding, as the records are not clear, but articles in The Wrexham Advertiser show that by 1879, the pitch had been turned to its current North/South orientation. I assume that the pitch may also have changed at other times during our history. I will keep looking.

Also found that on 1st November 1873, Wrexham played Ruabon Rovers on The Racecourse; - "The Rovers won the toss, and took the top goal, kicking towards the house, the Wrexham team having the kick off; and that was all either side got, for at the time for drawing the game it was" As you were."

'The top goal' would suggest to me- the Glyndwr end, but the only house of note that I know of near to The Racecourse at that time, would have been Maes Gwyn. So this also suggests that the pitch was orientated from East to West.

Although the North Wales v Sheffield game in November 1876 may have been one of the last games of that period, when the pitch was orienatated from East to West, as by March of the following Year (77) the orientation had changed


Wrexham Advertiser March 1877
Wales v Scotland

When the rain ceased, a strong north- easterly wind sprang up, which made it once apparent that the side working towards the railway station would have a considerable advantage,
THE INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL MATCH.|1877-03-10|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online

and the pitch was still in this orientation in 1879


Wrexham Guardian December 1879

WELSH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. CUP TIE BETWEEN WREXHAM AND THE DRUIDS. On Saturday, the by far most interesting match of the season was played "11 the racecourse, in the presence of a very large number of exceedingly biased on-lookers. It was the match by which the cup tie between the Druids and Wrexham was played off. The Druids occupied for the first half-time the goal nearest the Crispin Lane,

So it may be that for the first 12+ years, the pitch was orientated from East to West, and then changed to its current layout in 1877; although, it may also have been that the pitch was laid out, depending on the best turf that was available each year after horseracing, cricket, athletics and military activities had taken place. This would not have been a hard thing to do, as there were no linemarkings in those days, just goal posts and corner posts.

[eastsussexred]

Originally Posted by eastsussexred

There was just one nagging doubt regarding George Rumsey Johnston; - i.e. what connection did he have in Wrexham, that made him leave London and work as a clerk in The Provincial insurance office, in Wrexham, before he eventually returned to Caernarvonshire, from where he was commited to Denbigh Lunatic Asylum. But I have now found additional information, which confirms this connection.


George Rumsey's parents- George Johnston and Mary Rumsey (Williams) were both from very well healed, very well connected families in the legal profession, and who lived in Llanbeblig, Caernarvonshire.


In 1863, The Wrexham Advertiser published a letter (attached to an earlier post) from a group of Provincial Welsh Insurance Clerks from the Wrexham office, who had thanked the insurance company when they opened a new reading room and Gymnasium in the insurance companies office in the High Street, Wrexham
G.R. Johnston is one of those clerks, but also on that list is R.O.R. Williams.

Robert Owen Rumsey Williams (b Llanbeblig, Caernarvonshire, 1847) was George Rumsey Johnston's first cousin.
R.O.R. Williams identify is confirmed in the 1871 census in Wrexham.

3 Wellington Road, Wrexham.
Robert (O) R Williams lodger 24 insurance clerk b Caernarvonshire

Another of The Provincial Welsh Insurance Company clerks published in The Wrexham Advertiser in 1863, was Thomas Llewellyn Rees (also born in Llanbeblig in 1842). Thomas Llewelyn lived in lodgings at 35 Chester Street, Wrexham, in 1863, and was a volunteer (later to be a sergeant) in The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade.
Like George Rumsey Johnston, Thomas Llewellyn Rees played cricket for The Provincial Welsh Insurance Cricket Club, but he also played cricket for The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade, as well as playing in the fire brigade’s football team: and whereas, G.R. Johnston played for Wrexham Football and Athletic Club in our first ever game at The Racecourse Ground, on 22nd October 1864, Thomas Llewelyn Rees played on the opposing side, for The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade.

Thomas Llewellyn Rees
Born Llanbeblig, Caernarfonshire 1842- Died Caernarfon 1876

[eastsussexred]

Royal Welsh Fusiliers signed a 40 year lease for the upper (racing section) of The Racecourse in 1883, although, The volunteer Force of the Fusileers would retain their headquarters on the lower (football) section, into the 20th Century, with a sergeants dwelling and arms houses at the lower end of the ground, on the boundary with Crispin Lane, near to the junction with Mold Road

[eastsussexred]

Edward Evans was born the son of Thomas and Mary, in Mold in 1843.
The 1861 census recorded that the Edward had 2 brothers; - John (b1849) and Thomas E. (b1859) and 2 sisters; - Elizabeth E. (b1838) and Mary E. (b1854). At the time of the census, the family were living at 7 Milford Street, Mold, and Edward was listed as a Clerk at an Insurance Office.
Edward married Penelope Done from Wrexham in 1863 and the couple would have 4 sons; - John H. (b1869) Edward E. (b1872) Arthur P. (b 1875) Percy H. (b1878) and 1 daughter; - Mary Louise (b1870). The family initially lived at 29 Lambpit Street, Wrexham.
Edward was a volunteer in The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade, on its inception in 1863 (later to be a captain) and in the same year, he was recorded in a list of Provincial Welsh Insurance Clerks, in a newspaper article about the opening of a gymnasium and reading room at the insurance company’s headquarters in Wrexham. Later that year, he was listed as a member of The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade’s Cricket Team in a match against The Provincial Insurance team, although he also played regularly for Provincial and The Wrexham Cricket Club.
Then, on 8th October 1864, the chairman of Wrexham Cricket Club announced his intention to buy a football and start an athletics club on The Racecourse, and he called for members of the club to attend the field, the following week. Edward Evans attended The Racecourse on 22nd October 1864, for the first ever recorded game of Wrexham Football and Athletic Club, although he played for their opponents- The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade, on that day. However, by the opening game of the 1865 season he was playing for Wrexham Football Club, and he went on to play for the club throughout the 1860’s and the 1870’s, when he was listed in newspaper reports as Edward Evans (snr), as there was another, younger Edward Evans in the team, at that time- a forward, who the newspapers listed as (jnr). Edward Evans (snr) was also elected as the club secretary in 1875.
Unusually, Edward (snr)- a defender and sometimes, mid-fielder, played in goal for The North Wales Football Association in their match against The Sheffield Football Association at The Racecourse Ground on 21st November 1876, although he was to play in his regular position against The Druids at Acton Park, on 30th March 1878, as Wrexham won the first ever Welsh Cup Final, by 1 goal to 0. His last recorded game was a scratch match, consisting of 11 married v 11 single members of the club, in February 1880, but four months later, his wife died, aged just 28 years, and in the 1881 census, Edward Evans- widower, was listed as an insurance clerk, living with his 4 children, his nephew and a servant, at 18 Fairfield Street, Wrexham.
Edward Evans continued his role in The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade into the mid 1880’s although he was no longer recorded as playing for Wrexham Football Club after the death of his wife.
He then re-married to Harriet Woolrich from Marford, in 1884, and they had 2 daughters, born in Wrexham; - Bessie (b1888), and Harriet Emily (b1885) before moving to Bristol, where Harriet gave birth to another daughter- Louie Nesta, in 1891.
Edward continued working as an Insurance Clerk, but by 1911 he had retired and the was living with his wife and daughter- Harriet Emily, at Somerville Road, St Andrews Park, in Bristol.
Edward Evans died in Bristol at the age 79 in March 1922.

Edward Evans
1843-1922.

[eastsussexred]

Edward Lewis was born the son of John and Catherine, in Wrexham, in 1840.
The 1861 census recorded that Edward was a Clothier (tailor/cloth merchant) living with his parents, his brother- Caleb (born 1843) and 1 female servant, at their family business at 9 Queen Street, Wrexham.
Edward was a volunteer in The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade, on its inception in 1863, and was soon promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.
On 22nd October 1864, Edward took to the field to represent The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade, as they played Wrexham Football and Athletic Club in WFAC’s first ever game, although, by the time that the 1865 season had started, he was playing for WFAC.
He married Leah Louisa Roberts in 1868 and they had 1 son- Frank Trevor, and 1 daughter- Catherine, both born in 1870, although Frank Trevor died in 1871.
In the 1871 census, Edward was listed as a Clothier who employed 9 people, and lived at 22 Hope Villa, Bury Street, Wrexham, with his wife, daughter, brother- Caleb and 1 female servant. But by 1875 he had moved to Plas-uchaf Hall, a large gentry house on The Mostyn Family Estate, in Whitford, near Holywell, where he managed an estate farm and where his wife died, aged just 24 years. He then married Leah’s elder sister- Lizzie, in 1876, and was recorded as The Clerk of The Course at The Mostyn Park races in 1877, but he died, at home, at the age of 39 on 30th September 1879.

Edward Lewis
1840-1879

[jonesfach]

39 ? Wow that's young to go even in those days.

[eastsussexred]

Originally Posted by eastsussexred

Edward Lewis was born the son of John and Catherine, in Wrexham, in 1840.
The 1861 census recorded that Edward was a Clothier (tailor/cloth merchant) living with his parents, his brother- Caleb (born 1843) and 1 female servant, at their family business at 9 Queen Street, Wrexham.
Edward was a volunteer in The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade, on its inception in 1863, and was soon promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.
On 22nd October 1864, Edward took to the field to represent The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade, as they played Wrexham Football and Athletic Club in WFAC’s first ever game, although, by the time that the 1865 season had started, he was playing for WFAC.
He married Leah Louisa Roberts in 1868 and they had 1 son- Frank Trevor, and 1 daughter- Catherine, both born in 1870, although Frank Trevor died in 1871.
In the 1871 census, Edward was listed as a Clothier who employed 9 people, and lived at 22 Hope Villa, Bury Street, Wrexham, with his wife, daughter, brother- Caleb and 1 female servant. But by 1875 he had moved to Plas-uchaf Hall, a large gentry house on The Mostyn Family Estate, in Whitford, near Holywell, where he managed an estate farm and where his wife died, aged just 24 years. He then married Leah’s elder sister- Lizzie, in 1876, and was recorded as The Clerk of The Course at The Mostyn Park races in 1877, but he died, at home, at the age of 39 on 30th September 1879.

Edward Lewis
1840-1879

Thomas Ralph Heywood lived next door to Edward Lewis in 1861, and he was also a volunteer in The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade (later to be sergeant) who played for the fire Brigade against Wrexham Football and Athletic Club, in the WFAC’s first ever game, at The Racecourse, on 22nd October 1864. He also played for WFAC in the opening game of the 1865 season, as too, did other members of his family.

Thomas Ralph was born the son of Elizabeth and Thomas Heywood- Watch and Clockmakers, who lived above their business premises on The High Street, Wrexham in 1851, but had moved to a family residence at 10 and 11 Queen Street, by 1861.
Born in 1841, Thomas Ralph had 6 brothers- William Henry (b1846) Alfred Wright (b1847) James Llewelyn (b1849) Frederick Herbert (b1850) Charles Edward (b1851) Phillip Ernest (b1852) and 5 sisters- Mary Elizabeth (b1842) Lucy Anne (b1845) Fanny Marion (b1854) Elizabeth Emily (b1855) and Florence (b1857)
He married Agnes Leah Edmunds of Wrexham, on 12th September 1866 and they had 1 daughter; - Agnes Leah (b1868) although his wife died soon after. Thomas Ralph then married Emma Evans in Marchweil on 16th December 1869 and the couple would have 3 daughters; - Elizabeth (b1872) Edith Annie (b1874) Nesta Mary (b1877) and 1 son; - Thomas Ralph (b1873).

As an Architect, Land and Estate Agent and Wrexham Borough Surveyor; Clerk of Works for The Wrexham Corporation; Director and Secretary of The Offa Permanent Building Society; a shareholder in The Provincial Welsh Insurance Company; the owner/Secretary of The Wrexham Tent Company; a Wine and Spirits Dealer; an enumerator for The Denbighshire Census in 1871; a Corporal and committee member for the Denbighshire 1st Rifle Volunteers; Secretary to The Wrexham Philharmonic Society; a Sidesman for Wrexham Parish church; a Secretary and playing member of The Wrexham Bowling Club; a sergeant and football team player in The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade and an early member and player of Wrexham Football and Athletic Club, Thomas Ralph had played a major role in many of the towns activities. But by 1881 he had moved, and in the 1881 Census, Thomas Ralph was listed as living with his children at 77 Sewerby Street, Manchester, although In December of that year, he was appointed Surveyor for The Wirral Highway Board, so he moved to Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, before moving again to 79 Upper Warrick Street in Liverpool, where he died at the age of 42 on 1st November 1883. He was buried at Brymbo.

Thomas Ralph Heywood
Born Wrexham 1841. Died Liverpool 1883.

[eastsussexred]

A BROTHER’S TALE

William Henry Pritchard and George Pritchard were born the sons of William and Francis Pritchard in Caernarvon: William Henry was born in 1841, and George in 1844.
The 1861 census recorded that the brothers were both tax clerks, living in Llanbeblig with their parents and sister -Alice Mary (b1846) although the family moved to Wrexham soon after.
William Henry next appeared, along with his brother- George on a list of Provincial Welsh Insurance Clerks in an article in The Wrexham Advertiser, in February 1863, and both men were then recorded as being Prince of Wales Fire Brigade Volunteers, on the fire brigade’s inception in March of the same year, when their address was listed as 46 Wrexham Fechan (George Pritchard would later be elected as the fire brigade’s secretary).
Throughout the 1860’s, the Pritchard brothers were named in a number of newspaper articles, as cricketers, playing together for both The Provincial Insurance Office and The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade’s cricket teams; however, in October 1864, The Wrexham Advertiser recorded the first ever football game of Wrexham Football and Athletic Club; - ‘a ten-a-side’ match against The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade, which took place on The Racecourse, on 22nd October. William Henry Pritchard was listed as one of The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade’s team on that day, although The Wrexham Advertiser only listed 9 of the 10, fire brigade’s players. But as Thomas Henry and George lived together, worked together; were both volunteers in the fire Brigade and were always recorded as playing together for the same cricket teams, then it seems most likely that George Pritchard also played for The Prince of Wales Fire Brigade on that day, and that he is the missing ‘10th’ Prince of Wales Fire Brigade player in the newspaper report of the game.
Both of the brothers were known to have played for Wrexham Football and Athletic Club in the opening game of the 1865 season, and each were later recorded as having a long association with The Racecourse and the football club. Both men were listed in Wrexham Football Club teams throughout the 1860’s and 70’s; and they also competed in the club’s annual sports events, with William Henry winning trophies in 1866. William Henry was then elected as Secretary to Wrexham Football and Athletic Club in 1868, and George would serve as acting President in 1874.

William Henry married Margaret Susan Bithel at St Giles Church, Wrexham, on 4th June 1870, and his wife gave birth to a son; - William, at home, at 24 Albert Street, Hightown, on 29th January 1871.
The brothers continued working together as insurance clerks in the same office, and were frequented listed together, with Thomas Henry’s wife, in newspaper reports of social events in the town, but whereas, Thomas Henry now had a family of his own, George became known as a talented illuminator, and something of an intellectual, having been elected secretary to a society in which, he was asked to write a course of lectures that the working classes people of the town could attend, during the winter months; he was also elected as Secretary to The Wrexham Working Men’s Institute and was the local representative of The London Times newspaper, as well as being a member of The Loyal Cambrian Lodge of Oddfellows. Never-the-less, the brothers continued to play football together, and both played for The Provincial Football Club in a 15-a-side, 0-0 draw against Wrexham Football Club, at The Racecourse Ground, on 6th December 1873, and the following week played in a scratch 8-a-side game amongst Wrexham Football Club members, when Ruabon didn’t turn up for a planned game. George also played for Wrexham Football Club in a game against Wynnstay, a few weeks later, in Jan 1874.
Thomas Henry’s wife then gave birth to a daughter on 29th May 1874, although Thomas Henry was to die, in Wrexham, just 6 months later, at the age of 34, on 4th January 1875.
Family Notices|1875-01-09|Wrexham Guardian - Welsh Newspapers Online

Soon after the death of his brother, George Pritchard was promoted to the position of Chief Clerk at The Provincial Insurance Company, and on Friday 13th August he attended a meeting of The Loyal Cambrian Lodge of Oddfellows, before leaving for a holiday at The Isle of Man with fellow insurance Clerk and Wrexham Football Club Player- Edwin Alfred Cross, and another friend from Manchester. Just days after arriving, George was swimming in Douglas Bay when another bather got into difficulty and called for help, and as George was swimming over to help him, he also got into trouble, and both men drowned.
George died, aged 32, on 17th August 1875 and was buried at The Ruthin Road Cemetery on 21st August 1875.


.SAD DEATH OF A WREXHAM GENTLEMAN IN DOUGLAS BAY.|1875-08-21|Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register - Welsh Newspapers Online

FUNERAL OF MB GEORGE j. PEITCHARD.|1875-08-28|Wrexham Guardian - Welsh Newspapers Online



Thomas Henry Pritchard
Born Caernarfon 1841- Died Wrexham 1875


George Pritchard
Born Caernarfon 1844- Died Isle of Man 1875