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

[terrytactics]

"Knickers", snigger. Now there's a topic of interest; when did the term 'shorts' come about?

[eastsussexred]

Originally Posted by terrytactics

"Knickers", snigger. Now there's a topic of interest; when did the term 'shorts' come about?

Started after the first decade of the 20th century.

[B']By 1904 the regulations that required footballers to cover their knees were relaxed and shorts (still known as “knickerbockers” or "knickers") became shorter. Shirts and shorts were close fitting and made from tough, heavyweight natural fibres, usually cotton but sometimes wool. Socks were initially self-coloured but quickly design features such as contrasting rings ("cadet stripes") on the turnover began to appear. The main stocking colour was always dark (black or navy blue or, less frequently red or royal blue): pale colours did not generally appear for another 50 years'.[/B]

[Chief]

Originally Posted by essexred

Very, very funny!, but somewhat ironic for me as I travelled to Braintree for the game before Christmas, ( I live about 30 miles away). The weather had been so stable, that it never struck me to check before leaving that the game may not be on, my garden was certainly playable!. Anyway I got there and parked up near the Orange Tree pub (Wrexham fans usual haunt), and thinking back, yes I parked unusually close to the pub, and went in for a swift one with about 40 mins to kick off, only to find I was the only one who had bothered to attend!!. Gradually with the assistance of Sky sports the ugly realisation gripped me!!, Waterlogged My Arse!!.

Good grief. I didn't realise Sky Sports were broadcasting as far back as 1864.

[Chief]

Leigh Richard Roose. Born Holt, near Wrexham; 24 caps; died 7 October 1916.

One of the most flamboyant personalities of his era - Roose made headlines on and off the pitch as a goalkeeper for clubs from Wrexham, Stoke City to Aston Villa. This son of a pacifist minister always wore the shirt of his old university Aberystwyth under his jersey. Ambitions to become a doctor were diverted by football and a love of the London life. Girlfriends included music hall star Marie Lloyd and he wore Savile Row suits. Roose once hired a train at huge expense so he could get to an away match in Birmingham on time.
He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, and latterly the Royal Fusiliers, for whom he earned the Military Medal during his first engagement with them.
Roose's abilities as a goalkeeper to throw a ball it appears extended to grenades.
"Though nearly choked with fumes with his clothes burnt [he] refused to go to the dressing station," says the citation. "He continued to throw bombs until his arm gave out, and then, joining the covering party, used his rifle with great effect."
But just weeks later L/Cpl Roose was killed in the final stages of the first battle of the Somme at Gueudecourt, one of 190 dead or missing that day.

World War One: Wales footballers who never came home - BBC News

[terrytactics]

Originally Posted by eastsussexred

Started after the first decade of the 20th century.

[B']By 1904 the regulations that required footballers to cover their knees were relaxed and shorts (still known as “knickerbockers” or "knickers") became shorter. Shirts and shorts were close fitting and made from tough, heavyweight natural fibres, usually cotton but sometimes wool. Socks were initially self-coloured but quickly design features such as contrasting rings ("cadet stripes") on the turnover began to appear. The main stocking colour was always dark (black or navy blue or, less frequently red or royal blue): pale colours did not generally appear for another 50 years'.[/B]

Sorry to be pedantic ESR but that doesn't say that the term shorts came in to being in 1904. In fact it confirms that they were "still known as knickerbockers or knickers".

[Rhosymedre Red]

Apologies if already mentioned but the seats for the stand came out of the Majestic Cinema Regent Street when it closed. wrexham stand.jpg

[eastsussexred]

Originally Posted by terrytactics

Sorry to be pedantic ESR but that doesn't say that the term shorts came in to being in 1904. In fact it confirms that they were "still known as knickerbockers or knickers".

Yes, I think the name gradually changed, but I done a quick search on Wales newspaper archives too and found the term 'football shorts' being used in 1910. So have assumed that the term gradually evolved after the rules were changed in 1904.

[eastsussexred]

Originally Posted by Rhosymedre Red

Apologies if already mentioned but the seats for the stand came out of the Majestic Cinema Regent Street when it closed. Attachment 3599

Any idea what year the photo was taken RR?

[Rhosymedre Red]

Originally Posted by eastsussexred

Any idea what year the photo was taken RR?

The Majestic theatre closed in june 1960, so i'm assuming late 1960?.

stand.jpg