Rovers Birthday…

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

I have recently been lucky enough to have come into my possession a copy of what is believed to have been our Club's very first written History.The book was published in 1895 and was given out at the Club's 'Grand Bazaar' event hosted at the Town's Exchange Hall to Club Officials and Event Sponsors.

The 'Bazaar' was held to raise funds for Rovers incurring costs moving to Ewood from Leamington St.There are very few known to exist and are as rare as rocking Horse shyte.I do believe Rovers Memorabilia collector Bernie Horne has a copy in his possession.

Now then..on the very first page it states Rovers were founded at the Town's St Leger Hotel just after Christmas 1874.

Controversy about to unfold?

A few pictures of the Precious Book....

 

 

 

[Oldgregg86]

I bloody hope not, I’ve just had this done a few weeks ago 😡😡

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Btw.....

NO mention of White Shirts with Maltese Crosses...just the famous old blue n white quaters.

[Roving Mick]

Graham Budd the auctioneers recently sold an even older book.  This was published in 1893.  But it also says 1874.  I always thought our formation was November 5th 1875.  But you never know?  I'm also interested to to find out the 'exact' location of the Leamington Street ground and what we were originally called.  Was it Blackburn Rovers, or just Rovers?

Edited March 27, 2022 by Roving Mick
spelling

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Thank you Mick,now then Rovers fans... That's no coincidence!!

Just missed out on this little Gem recently at auction,an 1884 Rovers Season ticket from Leamington St..sold for nearly 1k

 

 

 

Edited March 27, 2022 by SIMON GARNERS 194

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Be interesting to hear Rovers Historian Mike Jackmans ( a member of this Parish I do believe😉) opinion on this....

[Claytons Left Boot]

1 hour ago, Oldgregg86 said:

I bloody hope not, I’ve just had this done a few weeks ago 😡😡

If it turns out to be 1874, Gregg, just cut off your forefinger and put a ‘4’ on your thumb. Simples. 

[Claytons Left Boot]

1 hour ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Now then..on the very first page it states Rovers were founded at the Town's St Leger Hotel just after Christmas 1874.

 

 

 

Interesting find SG. Unless an exact date can be found, I suppose it comes down to the interpretation of ‘just after.’ Seven days after Christmas Day 1874 is 1875.

Edited March 27, 2022 by Claytons Left Boot

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Sure CLB but both Books clearly claim the year 1874...that for me is no accident or mistype.

Scarcity of the said Books factored, I can't believe this has never been questioned before!.

Edited March 27, 2022 by SIMON GARNERS 194

[Claytons Left Boot]

This is an extract from Harry Kay’s 1948 book which, again, mentions Christmas 1874 when the meeting took place in the St Ledger Hotel in King William Street.

”That night Blackburn Rovers Football Club came into existence.”

[Claytons Left Boot]

This on the Rovers site, indicating the said meeting in the St Ledger Hotel, was on November 5th. Not clear as to whether or not this is 1874 or 1875. They certainly state that we were formed in 1875.

[rigger]

When are we going to celebrate our 150th birthday ?

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Thank you CLB....THREE Rovers History Books spanning 55 years,all claim founded 1874.

November 1875 is nearly 12 months out.

Edited March 27, 2022 by SIMON GARNERS 194

[Roving Mick]

Rovers' first reported game at Church was played on the old Church C.C. ground, not their current one at West End.  It was where Church, Ossie and Accy merge.  It was owned by Captain Pickup (no relation), C.O. of the local militia.  I can remember going for a pint years ago in the Pickup Arms just up the road, near Rist's.

[Oldgregg86]

1 hour ago, Claytons Left Boot said:

If it turns out to be 1874, Gregg, just cut off your forefinger and put a ‘4’ on your thumb. Simples. 

Well if you notice just above the piano keys so it’s not a simple as that  😅

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Remember folks this is Rovers founding as a Club not it's first reported game.

I believe we are potentially on to History changing,recorded info here.

[AllRoverAsia]

1 hour ago, Claytons Left Boot said:

This is an extract from Harry Kay’s 1948 book which, again, mentions Christmas 1874 when the meeting took place in the St Ledger Hotel in King William Street.

”That night Blackburn Rovers Football Club came into existence.”

It looks like Rovers played their first proper match in 1875 in "The now famous blue and white quarters"

[Roving Mick]

We could do with one of our Anoraks here.

Anorak of Fire

[Claytons Left Boot]

19 minutes ago, AllRoverAsia said:

It looks like Rovers played their first proper match in 1875 in "The now famous blue and white quarters"

Yeah, it goes on to mention ‘quarters’ in the Harry Kay book, saying that if you unstitch the shirt and unfold it, there are then four quarters, ie. two of blue and two of white.

Interestingly, it states we played for a few games, in one of the early seasons, in ‘eighths,’ so similar to that of Bristol Rovers today. This kit is not shown on the Historical Kits website and I’ve never seen that referenced before.

[bazza]

So we aren't really sure about

1. being formed at Xmas 1874 or 5th Nov 1875

2. Ever playing in the white shirt with Maltese cross.

3. Ever playing in blue and white eighths.

Also, if Lewis and Constantine had attended Shrewsbury School, why did they choose the colours of Malvern School ( green and white quarters) replacing the green with Cambridge blue?

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Yes to all but three times clear evidence has been given to Rovers being founded in 1874.

While we're at it...Rovers historical nicknames : 'The Blue and Whites ' or 'The Rovers'

'The Riversiders'🙄...a name for fans who sit in the Riverside Stand at Ewood Park ffs.

 

 

Edited March 27, 2022 by SIMON GARNERS 194

[Claytons Left Boot]

I don’t think the white shirt with the Maltese Cross has ever been in doubt.

[bazza]

Further investigation reveals Old Malvernians are now based in London. Their AWAY colours are the green and white quarters with green socks. Malvern school was founded in 1865.

Shrewsbury School was founded in 1552. In the 1860s it had close connections with Cambridge University particularly with a boat race known as "bumping". The oars of Shrewsbury were black with a white Maltese cross on them.

Perhaps Lewis and Constantine played for Shrewsbury School against the visiting Malvern School who were wearing their away colours in a match in accordance with the Cambridge Football Rules.

Wiki says regarding Shrewsbury School, "The school has an 1856 copy of the Cambridge rules of football, predating the 1863 rules of the FA."

So Lewis and Constantine perhaps liked the Malvern strip having played against them in the late 1860s or early 1870s.

 

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

49 minutes ago, Claytons Left Boot said:

I don’t think the white shirt with the Maltese Cross has ever been in doubt.

Are you taking that as gospel CLB..where did that site get it's info from with the white shirt and cross?

[JHRover]

Whatever it is it needs nailing down with the 150th anniversary coming soon. Would be an epic slip up to get that one wrong.