Football in Great Linford
Winners of Division II of the North Bucks League 1954/55, the Great Linford Hornets. From back row, left: E. Powell, P. Lyman, E. Smith, G. Cooke, D. Seamark, R. Hayfield, G. Clark, Major Carter, J. Alexander, D. Hayfield, R. Draper, F. Row, B. Jenkins, P. Tompkins, B. Lyham, J. Chamberlin, R. Smith, B. Shrimpton, Tony Hefferon.
The Linford Hornets were the football team synonymous with the sport in the village for many decades, but though the team survived until at least 1959. there seems to be no published history of their activities or how and when they were formed. The earliest reference to the team in local newspapers is dated 1909, however, we can find evidence of earlier organised matches in the vicinity that provide an insight into the fledgling efforts to create interest in the sport. Newport Pagnell had for instance set up a “football club” in 1876, though their first match played on Bury field was little more than a knock about between players, the opposing teams having been picked on the day by impromptu captains.
The earliest known report of an organised football match in Great Linford occurred in 1889, pitting the village 11 against a team from North Crawley. The article comments that this represents the second time that the teams had met, so by this point, some effort is clearly underway to make arrangements between competing villages. However, this does not seem to have been part of any kind of organised league. The account of the match was carried in Croydon's Weekly Standard of Saturday March 16th, and is reproduced below.
The earliest known report of an organised football match in Great Linford occurred in 1889, pitting the village 11 against a team from North Crawley. The article comments that this represents the second time that the teams had met, so by this point, some effort is clearly underway to make arrangements between competing villages. However, this does not seem to have been part of any kind of organised league. The account of the match was carried in Croydon's Weekly Standard of Saturday March 16th, and is reproduced below.
Great Linford v North Crawley, a match
A match was played between these teams on Saturday last, on the ground of the former, kindly lent by Mrs. Uthwatt. The weather was fine and enjoyable. The visitors started the ball, and after some fine play it was put between the posts, making the first goal for the visitors. On the ball being re-started, the home team took it down the field, and succeeded in getting a goal by the fine play of Messrs. Percy, Hill and Warrick. At the call of halftime, the game was one goal each. The ball was again set in motion by Hill, and was taken up the field towards the visitors' goal and remained there during the remainder of the game. H. Nottingham kept goal well for North Crawley, and managed to avoid some very dangerous shots from Walters. For the home team Percey, Hill, Warrick, West, and Walters played well, and for the visitors Brimley, T. Guildwell, Huckle, and Nottingham did good service. At the call of time the game stood one goal each, making the second time these teams have played drawn games.
The teams were: Great Linford - A. West, goal; A. Riley and C. Gaskins, backs; H. Hartup, W. Barnwell and G. James, half-backs;. F. Warrick and T. Kemp, left wing; J. Percy and J. Walters, right wing; H. Hill, centre; G. Smith, umpire.
North Crawley - H. Nottingham, goal; C. Davis and A. Huckle, backs; H. Glidewell, Romans, and T. Elliott, half-backs; C. Brandon and F. Levitt, right wing; T. Glidewell and J. Maslin, left wing; F. Brimley, centre; T. Daniells, umpire.
The detail that the match was played on land lent by Mrs Uthwatt is an interesting one. It seems likely that this was Ann Maria Uthwatt, the widow of Edolph Andrewes Uthwatt, who had passed away in 1882. Ann was then living in the manor house with her young son, who was next in line to inherit the estate.
This report also gives us the opportunity to attempt to identify some of the Great Linford players in more detail by cross referencing to the 1881 and 1891 census records.
This report also gives us the opportunity to attempt to identify some of the Great Linford players in more detail by cross referencing to the 1881 and 1891 census records.
| Name | Occupation | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Alfred West | Shepherd | 22 |
| Arthur Riley | Leather labourer | 21 |
| Caleb Gaskins | Carpenter | 22 |
| Harry Hartup | Saw mill machinist | 24 |
| William Barnwell | Brass moulder | 22 |
| Frederick Warrick | Coach finisher | 19 |
| Joseph Walters | Drayman | 40 |
So, except for Joseph Walters, quite a young team and going by the various trades, many likely employed at Wolverton railway works.
The Linford Hornets
For reasons lost in the mists of time, the footballing fraternity active in Great Linford decided to bestow upon themselves the team name the Linford Hornets. We have no colour photographs, but perhaps it was a reference to the uniforms. The earliest references discovered in newspapers to the use of this name dates to 1909, when the Hornets were reported to have played a number of games, the first of which was an away match against the Buckingham United team in September. The visitors came away goalless having conceded three. A match was played that same year in November against Newport Unity (another 3-0 loss to Linford) and finally on Saturday November 13th, Linford faced the Wolverton Town Minors. This match did not end on an auspicious note for The Hornets, as the following account of the match from the Wolverton Express of Friday November 19th, 1909 reveals.
The Town Minors were at Linford on Saturday last, and won handsomely by 5 goals to one, the scorers being G. Campbell (2). F. Hassell, A. Little, and Sergeant. Campbell won the toss, and the Minors kicked off with the sun at their backs, and a slight breeze in their favour. After ten minutes play Campbell scored a vied goal for the Minors, and soon after Hassell added another with an oblique shot. Linford now played up a little, but the Minors scored twice more before half-time through A. Little and Sergeant. Interval score: Town Minors 4, Linford Hornets 0.
The second half proved a much better game, Linford running very close on several occasions, but their shooting was weak. For the Minors Dawson played very well at back, being very ably helped by the halves. Linford, after 25 minutes play scored with a good shot, after a miskick by Hedge. From the restart the Minors got down in determined style, and Childs had hard luck with his final shot. Little did good work on the right, but Walters cleared!. Just before time, however, Campbell got through on his own, and put the Minors further ahead. Result: Minors 5, Hornets 1, The Minors played well, their halves showing good combination with the forwards, who were generally dangerous.
Only a few match reports can be found in 1910, a 5-4 win for the Hornets against the Wolverton Congregational side in October and a 4-0 win against Stoke Goldington in November. But at least things appear to be improving for the team’s fortunes.
Of passing interest as regards to the way in which teams got about to play each other in those days, a brief note in the Northampton Mercury of Friday October 21st, 1910, recounts that the Great Linford team had travelled to Cranfield (some 8 miles distant) by “brake.” This is described by the Britannica encyclopaedia as a four-wheeled, straight-bodied, open carriage, usually with no doors or side pieces in front of the seats. It was a worthwhile visit, as Great Linford defeated Cranfield by 7 goals to nil.
In September of 1911, the Hornets were playing in the North Bucks & District Football League. We know from the Wolverton Express of Friday September 29th that the club secretary was Mr Herbert Harry Petts of Railway Terrace; the census for 1911 places him at number 23 and tells us that he was a coach painter at Wolverton Railway works.
1911 also saw Great Linford (note, not named as the Hornets) participating in the North Bucks and District Junior League, which had begun that year; also in the league were Stantonbury Old Boys, Olney Town, Deanshanger, Shenley, Stony Stratford St Giles, Stony Stratford Royal Army Medical Core, Hanslope, Stantonbury St. Peters, Stoke Goldington and Cosgrove.
Additionally, the Hornets were reported playing in the first round of the junior section of the Bucks Charity Cup in October of 1911, with a match lined up against Stantonbury on October 14th.
Another win was recorded in the Wolverton Express of Friday September 29th.
Of passing interest as regards to the way in which teams got about to play each other in those days, a brief note in the Northampton Mercury of Friday October 21st, 1910, recounts that the Great Linford team had travelled to Cranfield (some 8 miles distant) by “brake.” This is described by the Britannica encyclopaedia as a four-wheeled, straight-bodied, open carriage, usually with no doors or side pieces in front of the seats. It was a worthwhile visit, as Great Linford defeated Cranfield by 7 goals to nil.
In September of 1911, the Hornets were playing in the North Bucks & District Football League. We know from the Wolverton Express of Friday September 29th that the club secretary was Mr Herbert Harry Petts of Railway Terrace; the census for 1911 places him at number 23 and tells us that he was a coach painter at Wolverton Railway works.
1911 also saw Great Linford (note, not named as the Hornets) participating in the North Bucks and District Junior League, which had begun that year; also in the league were Stantonbury Old Boys, Olney Town, Deanshanger, Shenley, Stony Stratford St Giles, Stony Stratford Royal Army Medical Core, Hanslope, Stantonbury St. Peters, Stoke Goldington and Cosgrove.
Additionally, the Hornets were reported playing in the first round of the junior section of the Bucks Charity Cup in October of 1911, with a match lined up against Stantonbury on October 14th.
Another win was recorded in the Wolverton Express of Friday September 29th.
The Stantonbury Old Boys played their second League match at Linford on Saturday last and were beaten by 3 goals to 2.
Linford kicked off with the wind in their favour and quickly gained the upper hand. Sapwell tested Bailey with a good shot which the goalie cleared at the expense of a corner. From the corner kick, Houten set the Old Boys going, but they were checked by Robinson and Daniells. After a short time of midfield play, the Hornets right wing broke away and Harvey, misjudging the ball, let in Sapwell, who beat Bailey with ease. This reverse set the Old Boys going. Meacham obtained the ball and passed to Fincher, who shot hard and true into the net with Woolley completely beaten, and thus equalising. After this the Hornets played the short passing game, but all their movements were spoilt by the Old Boys’ defence. Sapwell scored again for the Hornets a little before the interval. Half-time arrived with the score in favour of the Hornets by 2 goals to 1.
Upon the restart the Hornets pressed heavily, but they were held by the Old Boys’s defence. Many efforts were made by the Old Boys’ to get on equal terms and at last they succeeded. Meacham doing the needful with one of his usual dashers. The Hornets, however, obtained the lead through Locksley, and maintained it until the end. Many times did the Old Boys try for an equaliser, but try as they would the Old Boys could not score.
The teams lined up as follows:-
Old Boys – Bailey; Gascoyne and Belchambers; Houten, Harvey and Crisp; Foster, Holloway, C. Fincher, Meacham and Walters.
Linford Hornets – Wooley; Robinson and Daniells; Heyfield, A. Walters and Fielding, Sapwell, F. Fincher, Locksley. Hanson and Wise.
The team list once again provides a chance to identify who some of the players were, their professions and where they were born, though in this case we can only hazard a guess at 3 individuals. Of particular interest, 23 year old Francis Belgrave Woolley was born in 1888 in New South Wales, Australia. He was a French polisher. 27 year old Henry Robinson from Cumberland (known as “Doggy” due to his job as a Kennelman with the Bucks Otter Hunt) might have been another of the players, while the third person is likely Alfred Walters, a 19 year old native of the village and a carpenter.
Sadly, revenge was swiftly exacted by the Stantonbury Old Boys, as just a few weeks later on Saturday December 2nd, Great Linford were soundly defeated 3 nil.
Sadly, revenge was swiftly exacted by the Stantonbury Old Boys, as just a few weeks later on Saturday December 2nd, Great Linford were soundly defeated 3 nil.
War interrupts play
By the time the 1911/12 season was drawing to a close, Linford were languishing toward the bottom of the Junior league, having played 19, won 6, lost 10 and drawn for 3. The situation was even worse in the following season, with the Hornets only able to scrape 2 wins out of 16 played. The 1913/14 season was to be the last for some time, as the outbreak of the first world war would drain the league of players.
Rowland Spriggs was one such Great Linford volunteer; his name crops up frequently in match reports but he also featured in the newspapers for another reason, having been reported missing at Salonica (in Greece) in April of 1917. The report of his disappearance occasions the comment that he was considered a “clever player.” It seems however that he was something of an all-rounder, for not only did he return from the war, but he also appears to have become in due course captain of the Great Linford cricket team. Sadly, Rowland’s brother Joseph was killed in action.
A collection of letters from serving soldiers compiled by the MK Heritage Association includes a postcard from Driver Rowland Spriggs, then attached to the 44th Ammunition Column of the Royal Field Artillery. His postcard informs his parents that, he is quite well, but asks his mother to send him a clean shirt “as it is eleven weeks since I had a change.” As for the conditions on active service, “It is very near walking away.” His mother and sister would duly send him a supply of clean shirts.
Mentioned in the same account and serving in the same unit was Rowland’s brother Walter, “well known as a member of the Great Linford Hornets.” He writes to a Mr H. Pinfold of Wolverton, “What I can see of it you have not many of the Hornets left. I heard from Joe the other day, and he tells me most of the Wolverton lads have enlisted. Well, we can do with them. It is quite as hot as any hornet’s nest. … Remember me to the old boys, and tell them I am still alive and kicking. I think we are doing better now.”
Rowland Spriggs was one such Great Linford volunteer; his name crops up frequently in match reports but he also featured in the newspapers for another reason, having been reported missing at Salonica (in Greece) in April of 1917. The report of his disappearance occasions the comment that he was considered a “clever player.” It seems however that he was something of an all-rounder, for not only did he return from the war, but he also appears to have become in due course captain of the Great Linford cricket team. Sadly, Rowland’s brother Joseph was killed in action.
A collection of letters from serving soldiers compiled by the MK Heritage Association includes a postcard from Driver Rowland Spriggs, then attached to the 44th Ammunition Column of the Royal Field Artillery. His postcard informs his parents that, he is quite well, but asks his mother to send him a clean shirt “as it is eleven weeks since I had a change.” As for the conditions on active service, “It is very near walking away.” His mother and sister would duly send him a supply of clean shirts.
Mentioned in the same account and serving in the same unit was Rowland’s brother Walter, “well known as a member of the Great Linford Hornets.” He writes to a Mr H. Pinfold of Wolverton, “What I can see of it you have not many of the Hornets left. I heard from Joe the other day, and he tells me most of the Wolverton lads have enlisted. Well, we can do with them. It is quite as hot as any hornet’s nest. … Remember me to the old boys, and tell them I am still alive and kicking. I think we are doing better now.”
Strife on and off the pitch
Some trouble spilled off the pitch in January of 1920, when a John Atkinson of Great Linford was successfully prosecuted for the assault of one Burt Nursaw, a player with Newport Pagnell’s team. The assault had happened after a match played at Great Linford. From the tenor of the report, it is fairly clear that Atkinson, who was spectating, was in the habit of disagreeing with decisions on the field, and in this case had rushed onto the pitch to remonstrate with Nursaw. Not feeling satisfied, he had carried on his complaints after the final whistle and had struck his victim several times. He was fined £2 for his troubles and warned that he faced harsher justice should he come before the bench again.
The triumphant return of the Hornets
A report carried in the Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press of Saturday September 19th, 1931, has an interesting comment to make about the Hornets. “Years ago, Linford were a force to be reckoned with in North Bucks football, but the club is only just getting together again.” Exactly what happened is unclear, but certainly the Hornets seem to have been absent from the football scene for a number of years; there is not a single reference to them in the local press between the years 1928 to 1930.
However, the Hornets were one of several clubs admitted to division 2 of the North Bucks and District League in July of 1931, alongside newcomers Newton Longville and Stony Stratford. The Hornets got off to a good start with a 5-3 win against Buckinghamshire Reserves in September, followed by other wins, including a 3-1 defeat of Salmon’s and Sons Reserves in November that took them to the top of the league. This was swiftly followed by a win against Deanshanger (3-2) in a match described as an encounter, “full of life”, and in which “both sides wrestled well.”
A Christmas day match played against New Bradwell Corinthians produced a 2-0 win for the Hornets, though finally in February the winning streak was brought to an end by Cranfield, who recorded a decisive 3-1 win. But the Hornets were back on form in their next match, defeating Buckingham Reserves 4-1. However, the race for the top of the league had tightened, and Hanslope were nipping at the Hornet’s heels. A match against Hanslope in early March was made easier by the removal of two of the Hanslope team to hospital in the first half, one with a fractured nose, the other with a broken collar bone. The account of the match does not suggest any rough stuff from the Hornets, (intense local rivalry the only thing alleged) but with Hanslope down to 9 men, the eventual 2-1 win by the Hornets was probably a foregone conclusion. The Hornet’s two goals were scored by Daniells and Sapwell.
Local excitement reached fever pitch in mid-March of 1932, as the race for the Division 2 title came down to the wire between the Hornets and Hanslope. Hanslope had completed all their fixtures, having accrued 26 points, while the Hornets were on 24 points with 2 matches to play. An extremely exciting game was therefore in prospect when the Hornets faced the Buckingham Reserves. The attendance was said to have been a record for reserve matches, bolstered by a large contingent from Hanslope who were hoping to see the Hornets defeated.
The game commenced, “at a terrific pace which was kept up for some time, and great excitement prevailed amongst the spectators.” The reporter commenting on the game observed that the struggle resembled a cup tie rather than a league game, but by half time the Hornets were leading 2-1. The excitement was extreme when 5 minutes before the end of the match, Buckingham equalised, and such was the attack mounted that it seemed for the last few minutes that the Hornets would lose, but they held their nerve and achieved a draw. Victory in the league now depended on a win at home the following week against Cranfield. There must have been extra spice to the game as Cranfield were the only team this season to have beaten the Hornets, but though we can say with confidence that the Hornets won 2-1, a match report remains frustratingly elusive.
However, the Hornets were one of several clubs admitted to division 2 of the North Bucks and District League in July of 1931, alongside newcomers Newton Longville and Stony Stratford. The Hornets got off to a good start with a 5-3 win against Buckinghamshire Reserves in September, followed by other wins, including a 3-1 defeat of Salmon’s and Sons Reserves in November that took them to the top of the league. This was swiftly followed by a win against Deanshanger (3-2) in a match described as an encounter, “full of life”, and in which “both sides wrestled well.”
A Christmas day match played against New Bradwell Corinthians produced a 2-0 win for the Hornets, though finally in February the winning streak was brought to an end by Cranfield, who recorded a decisive 3-1 win. But the Hornets were back on form in their next match, defeating Buckingham Reserves 4-1. However, the race for the top of the league had tightened, and Hanslope were nipping at the Hornet’s heels. A match against Hanslope in early March was made easier by the removal of two of the Hanslope team to hospital in the first half, one with a fractured nose, the other with a broken collar bone. The account of the match does not suggest any rough stuff from the Hornets, (intense local rivalry the only thing alleged) but with Hanslope down to 9 men, the eventual 2-1 win by the Hornets was probably a foregone conclusion. The Hornet’s two goals were scored by Daniells and Sapwell.
Local excitement reached fever pitch in mid-March of 1932, as the race for the Division 2 title came down to the wire between the Hornets and Hanslope. Hanslope had completed all their fixtures, having accrued 26 points, while the Hornets were on 24 points with 2 matches to play. An extremely exciting game was therefore in prospect when the Hornets faced the Buckingham Reserves. The attendance was said to have been a record for reserve matches, bolstered by a large contingent from Hanslope who were hoping to see the Hornets defeated.
The game commenced, “at a terrific pace which was kept up for some time, and great excitement prevailed amongst the spectators.” The reporter commenting on the game observed that the struggle resembled a cup tie rather than a league game, but by half time the Hornets were leading 2-1. The excitement was extreme when 5 minutes before the end of the match, Buckingham equalised, and such was the attack mounted that it seemed for the last few minutes that the Hornets would lose, but they held their nerve and achieved a draw. Victory in the league now depended on a win at home the following week against Cranfield. There must have been extra spice to the game as Cranfield were the only team this season to have beaten the Hornets, but though we can say with confidence that the Hornets won 2-1, a match report remains frustratingly elusive.
Ups, downs and a great depression
Between 1929 and 1932, the country, along with the entire world, was plunged into the economic chaos of The Great Depression, and Great Linford was no less effected. Some 30 years later, Frank Loxley, who had been a goalkeeper for the Hornets at the time of the depression, recalled one match where only 5 of the players were in work. The interview with Frank, carried in the Wolverton Express of December 22nd, 1961, also adds the poignant detail that, “all the players had to pay their own way, and the members out of work paid up in true amateur spirit.” As an additional interesting aside, Frank was offered a trial with Northampton Town FC (known as The Cobblers) but for reasons unremarked upon in the article, turned them down.
But as the country emerged painfully from the depression, perhaps the North Bucks and District League members were buoyed by the recovery, for at their annual general meeting held in July of 1932, it was decided to split division two into East and West, so as to better accommodate 10 new clubs desiring to join. Great Linford Hornets were duly placed in the East division, alongside Bradwell League of Youth, New Bradwell Corinthians, Stantonbury St. Peter’s Reserves, Salmons and Sons’ Sports Reserves, Newport Athletic, Emberton, Olney Town, Cranfield United, Filgrave and Tyringham.
A friendly warmup in September against old rivals Hanslope, (now in the West division), did not offer a good omen for the new season, as the Hornets were overwhelmed 9-1. There were further signs of a slippage in performance when, “a very gruelling game” against Olney saw the Hornets concede the only goal of the match, but they showed signs of a return to form in late October with a 5-3 win over Newport Athletic, however, it was observed on the occasion of a 3 all draw with Emberton that the team were not having such as successful season as last. Another draw followed against Stantonbury, (2 all), but at their next meeting, Stantonbury were made of sterner stuff, and won by 3 goals to 1.
The downward trajectory continued at the close of the year, with a resounding 6 nil defeat inflicted by Bradwell League of Youth. By mid-January of 1933 the league table painted a gloomy picture. With 12 games played, the Hornets had only one victory and four draws to their name, resulting in a plunge toward the bottom of the league. A victory in January against Bradwell Corinthians was too little too late, as the shoe was firmly on the other foot for a return match-up in February, with the Corinthians racking up a 5-2 victory. By the end of March, the Hornets were in the bottom 3 of the league, with 19 games played and only 3 wins and 5 draws to show for their efforts. A late in the day 5-2 win against Salmons and Sons was their only remaining consolation, as Olney took the top spot with 20 games plays, 17 wins, 2 draws and a single solitary loss.
There seemed to be a proliferation of football leagues in this period, with no less than 5 distinct competitions underway, and perhaps this was spreading things too thinly for the Hornets, who in addition to their North Bucks and District League responsibilities were also turning out for the Junior league of the Buckingham Hospital Football Cup and the Berks and Bucks Junior Cup. There appeared to be no better result for the Hornets in these leagues, as exampled by an 8-4 loss against Cosgrove St. Peters in a February match-up in the Buckingham Hospital Cup. It also appears that a new competition known as the North Bucks Shield was established in 1933, this being the earliest newspaper reference found for it. The Hornets appear to have recorded some good wins, but never lifted the Shield and appeared to have dropped out of contention within a year or two.
The Hornets placed a credible 3rd in their division at the end of the 1933/34 season, but by March of 1935 there were rumblings in the press of something amiss with the Hornets, and indeed by the close of the season in April of 1936, they had slumped to virtually the bottom of the league (though back it seems in Division 1), with a dismal 22 losses out 27 games played.
The 1936/37 season was another poor one for the Hornets and ended not only with them languishing once again toward the bottom of the league (5 wins and 3 draws out of 19 played) but also closing with a disciplinary hearing on the charge of not having attended a match (their explanation, unrecorded, was accepted) and a fine for playing a man short.
But as the country emerged painfully from the depression, perhaps the North Bucks and District League members were buoyed by the recovery, for at their annual general meeting held in July of 1932, it was decided to split division two into East and West, so as to better accommodate 10 new clubs desiring to join. Great Linford Hornets were duly placed in the East division, alongside Bradwell League of Youth, New Bradwell Corinthians, Stantonbury St. Peter’s Reserves, Salmons and Sons’ Sports Reserves, Newport Athletic, Emberton, Olney Town, Cranfield United, Filgrave and Tyringham.
A friendly warmup in September against old rivals Hanslope, (now in the West division), did not offer a good omen for the new season, as the Hornets were overwhelmed 9-1. There were further signs of a slippage in performance when, “a very gruelling game” against Olney saw the Hornets concede the only goal of the match, but they showed signs of a return to form in late October with a 5-3 win over Newport Athletic, however, it was observed on the occasion of a 3 all draw with Emberton that the team were not having such as successful season as last. Another draw followed against Stantonbury, (2 all), but at their next meeting, Stantonbury were made of sterner stuff, and won by 3 goals to 1.
The downward trajectory continued at the close of the year, with a resounding 6 nil defeat inflicted by Bradwell League of Youth. By mid-January of 1933 the league table painted a gloomy picture. With 12 games played, the Hornets had only one victory and four draws to their name, resulting in a plunge toward the bottom of the league. A victory in January against Bradwell Corinthians was too little too late, as the shoe was firmly on the other foot for a return match-up in February, with the Corinthians racking up a 5-2 victory. By the end of March, the Hornets were in the bottom 3 of the league, with 19 games played and only 3 wins and 5 draws to show for their efforts. A late in the day 5-2 win against Salmons and Sons was their only remaining consolation, as Olney took the top spot with 20 games plays, 17 wins, 2 draws and a single solitary loss.
There seemed to be a proliferation of football leagues in this period, with no less than 5 distinct competitions underway, and perhaps this was spreading things too thinly for the Hornets, who in addition to their North Bucks and District League responsibilities were also turning out for the Junior league of the Buckingham Hospital Football Cup and the Berks and Bucks Junior Cup. There appeared to be no better result for the Hornets in these leagues, as exampled by an 8-4 loss against Cosgrove St. Peters in a February match-up in the Buckingham Hospital Cup. It also appears that a new competition known as the North Bucks Shield was established in 1933, this being the earliest newspaper reference found for it. The Hornets appear to have recorded some good wins, but never lifted the Shield and appeared to have dropped out of contention within a year or two.
The Hornets placed a credible 3rd in their division at the end of the 1933/34 season, but by March of 1935 there were rumblings in the press of something amiss with the Hornets, and indeed by the close of the season in April of 1936, they had slumped to virtually the bottom of the league (though back it seems in Division 1), with a dismal 22 losses out 27 games played.
The 1936/37 season was another poor one for the Hornets and ended not only with them languishing once again toward the bottom of the league (5 wins and 3 draws out of 19 played) but also closing with a disciplinary hearing on the charge of not having attended a match (their explanation, unrecorded, was accepted) and a fine for playing a man short.
Buckinghamshire football during World War 2
The 1938/39 season finds no reports at all in the press of games played by the Hornets; indeed, an examination of the tables for the North Bucks and District League in 1939 finds the Great Linford team only notable by their complete absence. There seems to be no explanation available in the press as to why Great Linford had ceased to field a team; the outbreak of the Second World War may have been imminent, but this did not seem to disrupt the league as final standings were in place before hostilities kicked off in earnest in September. However, by February of 1940 three clubs were reported to have hung up their boots due to their players having been called up for military service and several more were in difficulties. Great Linford is not mentioned in this tally.
Yet despite the travails of the war and a gloomy prognosis in May of 1942 that the League would have to be suspended until the end of the war, some teams managed to keep going, a “minor league” was organised for younger players and a number of Army teams were raised; in fact, the authorities had by August of 1942 requested that local leagues should continue to operate for the 1942/43 season, if only to serve the forces in the district. This the North Bucks and District League did, even if it meant operating at a loss. The forthcoming season was reported to have four Forces’ sides in contention, with the possibility of a Home Guard 11 joining in.
An illuminating piece in the Wolverton Express of May 1st, 1942, makes mention that, “interesting letters come to hand from the boys” who were serving, including the observation that there were games to be had for those serving abroad and that news from home that football in the county had not entirely succumbed to wartime attrition was most welcome. Indeed, in late December of 1944 the Wolverton Express was able to report the following, prefaced by a line of verse.
Yet despite the travails of the war and a gloomy prognosis in May of 1942 that the League would have to be suspended until the end of the war, some teams managed to keep going, a “minor league” was organised for younger players and a number of Army teams were raised; in fact, the authorities had by August of 1942 requested that local leagues should continue to operate for the 1942/43 season, if only to serve the forces in the district. This the North Bucks and District League did, even if it meant operating at a loss. The forthcoming season was reported to have four Forces’ sides in contention, with the possibility of a Home Guard 11 joining in.
An illuminating piece in the Wolverton Express of May 1st, 1942, makes mention that, “interesting letters come to hand from the boys” who were serving, including the observation that there were games to be had for those serving abroad and that news from home that football in the county had not entirely succumbed to wartime attrition was most welcome. Indeed, in late December of 1944 the Wolverton Express was able to report the following, prefaced by a line of verse.
The Passing Year
The passing year goes out,
but yet,
Good Sportsmen have no need to fret,
Though hard has been their call - "Keep Going!"
The game has gone on, with ne'er a slowing.
The article goes on to say:
Nineteen forty-four has found sport in the district nobly carrying on until the lads whom we all greatly miss return to take up the cudgels We justly feel proud that the North Bucks League has not broken its train of history, but has kept Minor League football going despite very trying conditions.
The post-war years
It appears from newspaper reports of League activity that the Linford Hornets did not return to competitive play until 1947, when in May of that year they were reported to have applied to join division 2 of the league. That same month it was reported that Sid Ellis, then living in New Bradwell and a former secretary of the Great Linford Hornets, had retired after 49 years at Wolverton Railway Works.
The first match of the 1947 played by the Hornets was against old rivals Cranfield, and resulted in a 4-2 defeat, which was reported as follows in the Wolverton Express of September 12th.
The first match of the 1947 played by the Hornets was against old rivals Cranfield, and resulted in a 4-2 defeat, which was reported as follows in the Wolverton Express of September 12th.
In this opening match for both clubs, over-eagerness and the light ball robbed the game of good football. Linford were soon defending, but after several escapes they went to the other end and Gillies scored an easy goal. Chamberlain increased the lead from a penalty. Cranfield did practically all the attacking in the second period, soon drew level, and went ahead to 4-2. Jones, in goal, and G. Lynham at left-back. played a good game for Linford, and C. Temple and P. Wood were of the pick of the forward. Great Linford: D. Jones, C Hals, G. Lynham, C. Alderman, H. Hynham. W. Smallbones, R. Atkinson, C. Temple, J. Chamberlain, J. Gillies, P. Wood.
Unfortunately, the Hornets struggled to find form in the 1947/8 season; there was the consolation of a win in their last game of the season against a strongly performing New Bradwell team, but it was the Hornet's first win and first goals scored in 5 games. The division 2 crown was ultimately claimed by Cosgrove in a 6-1 thrashing of Hanslope. There are signs of improvement in the 1948/49 season. By the close of the season, the Hornets had achieved a credible 5th position in the division 2 league, with 9 wins, 4 draws and 7 losses.
It appears that this promising trajectory could not however be maintained in the following 1949/50 season as by December of 1949 it was observed that the Hornets had just then broken a losing streak of 7 games, with a win against a team from the Buckinghamshire engineering company Wipac. These woes culminated with the Hornets languishing at the very bottom of division 2 in April of 1950. They were described in the Wolverton Express review of the season as having, “struggled on valiantly”, but scraped just 3 wins out of 20 games played.
The Hornets continued to languish toward the bottom of division II in subsequent years, but the 1954/55 season was a hard fought one that saw the team locked in a battle with Tingewick. A series of defeats suffered by the Hornets allowed Tingewick to finish level with them on points, but in a final play-off against Tingewick, the Hornets were victorious, securing the top of the league with a decisive 3-0 victory.
Sadly this was not to be the beginning of a consistent return to form, and the Hornets spent several more years toward the bottom of the league, though it appears that in the 1958/59 season, the reserves were progressing well enough in the Division II Challenge Shield to have a team photo taken on the occasion of their defeat of Stony Stratford 3-0 in March of 1959.
It appears that this promising trajectory could not however be maintained in the following 1949/50 season as by December of 1949 it was observed that the Hornets had just then broken a losing streak of 7 games, with a win against a team from the Buckinghamshire engineering company Wipac. These woes culminated with the Hornets languishing at the very bottom of division 2 in April of 1950. They were described in the Wolverton Express review of the season as having, “struggled on valiantly”, but scraped just 3 wins out of 20 games played.
The Hornets continued to languish toward the bottom of division II in subsequent years, but the 1954/55 season was a hard fought one that saw the team locked in a battle with Tingewick. A series of defeats suffered by the Hornets allowed Tingewick to finish level with them on points, but in a final play-off against Tingewick, the Hornets were victorious, securing the top of the league with a decisive 3-0 victory.
Sadly this was not to be the beginning of a consistent return to form, and the Hornets spent several more years toward the bottom of the league, though it appears that in the 1958/59 season, the reserves were progressing well enough in the Division II Challenge Shield to have a team photo taken on the occasion of their defeat of Stony Stratford 3-0 in March of 1959.
The Great Linford Hornets reserves, photographed March 1959. From back row, left to right: R. Richardson, D. Hayfield. D. Seamarks, R. Hayfield, G. Clarke, ? Lyman, J, Riddy (trainer.) Front row: P. Watcham, K. Smith, B. Linham, R. Shrimpton, ? Tompkins.
Sadly, Great Linford appear to have failed to field a team in the 1959/60 season, and indeed are notable by their absence in the next two seasons, though a story carried in the June 17th, 1961, edition of the Wolverton Express concerning a wedding at St. Andrewes is headlined “Great Linford Footballer Married.” Frustratingly the article then fails completely to pick up on this point, so we know only that his name was Keith Peter Busby and that he lived at 23 High Street.
By 1964, the Bucks Standard of September 11th, was reporting on an acute shortage of referees for the North Bucks League, and as for Great Linford, the list of fixtures is again notable by their absence. Indeed, their last appearance in the 1958/59 season appears to have been the beginning of the end for the Hornets, as an examination of league tables in later years again fails to find mention of a Great Linford team, for instance they are absent in the league tables for 1968. If this was the end of the Hornets, a further examination of later newspapers will be required to be sure, but in the present day at least, Football is once again going strong in the village, though not under the name of the Hornets.
By 1964, the Bucks Standard of September 11th, was reporting on an acute shortage of referees for the North Bucks League, and as for Great Linford, the list of fixtures is again notable by their absence. Indeed, their last appearance in the 1958/59 season appears to have been the beginning of the end for the Hornets, as an examination of league tables in later years again fails to find mention of a Great Linford team, for instance they are absent in the league tables for 1968. If this was the end of the Hornets, a further examination of later newspapers will be required to be sure, but in the present day at least, Football is once again going strong in the village, though not under the name of the Hornets.
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