They Shall Grow Not Old

Originally written in 2018 on the centenary of cessation of hostilities.

Commemorating all those Football Clubs that competed in the 1914-15 FA Cup competition and never appeared in it again. Four hundred and ninety-six clubs entered the FA Cup in the 1914-15 season, 105 of them never did so again.

Some clubs disappeared completely, some merged with others or were absorbed by other clubs, some continued on for a few years after the Great War, and one or two continue on to this day. However, all of them last appeared in the FA Cup in the 1914-15 season, the season that coincided with the outbreak of World War I.

Whilst I have undertaken significant research into club histories, if clubs returned to play football at a much lower level after the War then I may missed noting their League status. Other historians may have more detailed information and I welcome any updates to my records. Note also that many leagues either didn’t start or dissolved part way through the 1914-15 season because of the War and that would be the reason why the league status of many clubs that year has not been ascertained.

I also have limited records of the individual players from the following list of clubs. Therefore I am unaware as to how many of them actually survived the hostilities, but in this 100^th anniversary of the cessation of World War One, I wanted in some small way to pay my own personal tribute to the many players, volunteers and fans of clubs up and down the country at the time who did not return and who ‘shall grow not old’.

The Clubs

Allendale Park – County Durham based Allendale Park only competed in the FA Cup in the 1914-15 season, but were members of the Northern Combination both before and after the Great War, and were actually champions in the 1912-13 season. Their one FA Cup campaign ended in a 3-2 defeat at Washington United in the Extra Preliminary Round. The club did reconvene for a few seasons after the War, my last record is of them finishing bottom of the Northern Combination in the 1925-26 season.

Barnoldswick United – This was the original Barnoldswick United (unrelated to the one that helped form the current Barnoldswick Town club in 2003) and had competed in the FA Cup every year since the 1910-11 season. The club were members of the North East Lancashire Combination in that debut FA Cup campaign and set their best FA Cup run to the 2^nd Qualifying Round, a feat they would achieve once more as members of the Lancashire Combination Division Two. In 1914-15 the club doesn’t appear in any League (they may have begun in the Lancashire Combination and not completed it). Their 1914-15 campaign started with a 4-2 Preliminary Round victory over fellow Lancashire side Portsmouth Rovers before coming to an abrupt end with a 4-3 defeat at Adlington in the 1^st Qualifying Round. The club does not appear to have re-formed after the War.

Barrow Novocastrians – The Cumbrian based Barrow Novocastrians were one of several clubs from the town who competed in the FA Cup prior to World War I. They were members of the North West Association League and competed in the FA Cup six times in the seven years up to and including the 1914-15 season, reaching the 1^st Qualifying Round three times. In their final campaign they were defeated 6-2 at Bigrigg United in the Preliminary Round. I’ve no record of the club competing once hostilities were over.

Barrow St Mary’s – Another club based in the same Cumbrian town as the Novocastrians that were members of the North West Association League in the years leading up to the outbreak of WWI. Barrow St Mary’s competed in the FA Cup just three times reaching the 1^st Qualifying Round twice, including in their final campaign. However, they only did so then courtesy of a walkover against Windermere in the Preliminary Round and they were beaten 4-1 at Carlisle United in the 1^st Qualifying Round. There is no record of the club resurfacing after the War that I can find.

Benwell Adelaide – Tyne and Wear based Benwell Adelaide competed in the Northern Alliance for three consecutive seasons from 1911-12 after having previously been members of the Northern Combination. They first entered the FA Cup in the third of those seasons reaching the 1^st Qualifying Round, but their League status is unknown for their second and final campaign in the 1914-15 season. They played just one match in that campaign, a heavy 5-0 defeat at Seaton Delaval in the Preliminary Round, and the club doesn’t re-appear after the War was over.

Bigrigg United – The Cumbrian based Bigrigg United only ever entered the FA Cup in the 1914-15 season whilst members of the Egremont and Whitehaven League. They opened with a 6-2 home victory over Barrow Novocastrians in the Preliminary Round and followed that up with a tight 3-2 home win over Maryport in the 1^st Qualifying Round. They were then defeated 1-0 at Frizington Athletic in the 2^nd Qualifying Round and seemingly never played again after the end of the season.

Bolton Athletic – Despite what one may think because of their name, this Bolton Athletic were actually based in Rotherham in South Yorkshire. The club only entered the FA Cup in the 1914-15 season whilst members of the Bradford Amateur League securing a 1-1 draw at home to Hardwick Colliery in the Extra Preliminary Round before losing heavily 7-1 in the replay. The club does not appear to have re-started after the War.

Bournemouth Wanderers – This Dorset based club had had eleven seasons competing in the West Division of the Hampshire League from 1903-04 (as well as competing in the Dorset League), but they only entered the FA Cup for the 1914-15 season. Unfortunately, it would appear the club folded either before the season started or early in the season, and scratched from the FA Cup ahead of facing Portsmouth Amateurs in the Extra Preliminary Round. This, unfortunately, was the fate of many clubs as war broke out as Pals Regiments were formed made up of many young men from the same club or sporting associations. Bournemouth Wanderers would not re-appear after the War.

Brooms – The improbably named Brooms were based in County Durham and participated in the FA Cup in the last two seasons before it took a hiatus due to the Great War. Promoted from the Annfield Plain and District League at the end of the 1913-14 season, the club were members of the Northern Combination when making the 1^st Qualifying Round in the 1914-15 season, finishing bottom of nine clubs. They drew 1-1 at the original Esh Winning in the Extra Preliminary Round, defeating them 3-0 in the replay. Then they won by the same score at Sunderland based Grangetown in the Preliminary Round. They then held West Stanley to a goal-less draw, but lost 1-0 at home in the 1^st Qualifying Round replay. This Brooms club did not re-surface after the War, but several other clubs from the area have competed in local league football since.

Caerleon Athletic – Based just outside Newport in South Wales, Caerleon Athletic had been members of the Monmouthshire League in 1913-14 season when first entering the FA Cup. They reached the 1^st Qualifying Round that season, but in 1914-15 they scratched along with their Preliminary Round opponents, Port Talbot, before a ball was kicked. I’ve found no evidence of the club post-war.

Camerton – Somerset based Camerton had had four uneventful seasons as members of the Western League from 1910-11 season, following membership of the Bristol and District League. They’d had six FA Cup campaigns and had twice reached the 3^rd Qualifying Round, but their 7^th campaign in the 1914-15 season would prove to be a non-starter as they scratched along with their opponents, Weston-super-Mare, before their Preliminary Round match. The club seems to have disappeared completely.

Castle Donington Town – Formed in 1885 the Leicestershire based Castle Donington Town is still in existence competing in the Midlands Regional Alliance. Prior to WWI the club were members of the Loughborough League and had had three FA Cup campaigns prior to the 1914-15 season, with a best run to the 1^st Qualifying Round. In their final campaign they played just one match, a 6-2 defeat at Shepshed Albion in the Preliminary Round. Since the War the club has competed in a variety of local and regional leagues.

Chesham Generals and Chesham Town – These two Buckinghamshire clubs had 50 seasons of FA Cup campaigns between them prior to the First World War and would join forces during hostilities in 1917 to form Chesham United who competed in their 92^nd FA Cup campaign in the latest 2018-19 season. Chesham Town were the more successful of the two clubs in the FA Cup reaching the 2^nd Round in 1886-87, but this was before qualifying rounds existed. Chesham Generals had had two 4^th Qualifying Round appearances in their previous 19 campaigns. Both clubs scratched in the 1914-15 season before kicking a ball in the Preliminary Round alongside their respective opponents, Hitchin Union Jack and Leavesden Mental Hospital.

City of Westminster – This London amateur club had had a couple of seasons as members of the Senior West Division of the Southern Suburban League prior to World War I (with London League membership earlier still), but for the majority of City of Westminster’s seven FA Cup campaigns their League status has as yet been unidentified. The club had twice reached the 1^st Qualifying Round, but in the 1914-15 campaign they played just one match, a 4-1 defeat at Southall in the Preliminary Round. I have been unable to find evidence of the club re-forming after the War, but they could be related to one of the other amateur Westminster clubs still in existence.

Clarence Iron and Steel Works – The works team of this Leeds based company entered the FA Cup three times in the lead up to the outbreak of WWI competing in the Leeds and District League. The club had made the 1^st Qualifying Round in their first two campaigns but in the 1914-15 season they lost 2-1 at Heckmondwike in their only match in the Preliminary Round. The Clarence Iron and Steel Works factory moved to Manchester in 1921 leaving the Leeds site derelict.

Connah’s Quay – Formed in 1890, the club was the first to represent the town of Connah’s Quay in North Wales, twice reaching the Welsh FA Cup Final. The club also competed in the FA Cup in the final six seasons before the competition was halted due to hostilities, firstly as members of the highly rated The Combination (during which time they reached the 2^nd Qualifying Round), then as members of Division One of the Liverpool County Combination and then as part of the North Wales Alliance. They entered the FA Cup in 1914-15 season but scratched before facing Wallasey Borough in the Extra Preliminary Round. The club formally folded in 1915 and a new club, Connah’s Quay and Shotton, was formed in 1920, existing for a dozen years before folding themselves.

Croydon Common – Formed in 1897 Croydon Common existed for 20 years and during that time were one of the more successful Southern based teams. As members of the prestigious Southern League they also entered the FA Cup eight times successively leading up to the 1914-15 season. In that time they made it all the way to the 1^st Round ‘Proper’ on five separate occasions, twice losing to Woolwich Arsenal. In those days the 1^st Round was equivalent to the 3^rd Round today. The fifth time they achieved this feat was in the 1914-15 season having beaten Barnet Alston 4-0 in the 6^th Qualifying Round. They lost 3-0 at home to Division One side Oldham Athletic in the 1^st Round and formally folded two years later, becoming the only Southern League Division One side not to resume after World War One.

Darfield United – Formed in 1904 the east of Barnsley based Darfield United competed in the FA Cup half a dozen times before folding in 1915. They had variously been members of the Barnsley Minor Cup League, the Barnsley Association League and the Sheffield Association League during the time they participated in the FA Cup, once reaching the 2^nd Qualifying Round. In the 1914-15 season the club won 4-0 at Atlas and Norfolk Works in the Preliminary Round before losing 3-1 at Bolsover Colliery in the 1^st Qualifying Round. Whilst Darfield United didn’t re-emerge after the War, a Darfield St George was formed almost immediately hostilities ceased, changing their name to Houghton Main Colliery soon after, and then changing again to plain Darfield before folding themselves in 1932.

Darlington St Augustine’s – As inaugural winners of the second oldest league in the world, the Northern League, Darlington St Augustine’s hold a place in football history forever. The Saints competed in the FA Cup 25 times before folding in 1915 coming close to a ’Proper’ Round appearance when reaching the 5^th Qualifying Round in the 1901-02 season. In their final campaign they won 2-0 at West Auckland Town in the Preliminary Round before losing 4-0 at Stanley United in the 1^st Qualifying Round. It’s rumoured the club continued on until 1917, but ostensibly like so many other clubs, their real demise occurred in 1915.

Dartford Amateurs – This is a completely separate club to the still existing Dartford FC and they only entered the FA Cup in the 1914-15 season, scratching without playing a game when due to face Ramsgate Town in the Preliminary Round. A Dartford Amateurs team continued to play on until just after World War II primarily in the Kent Amateur League and latterly in the Kent County League.

Denton – Formed in 1880 Manchester based Denton had been members of the highly regarded The Combination, having also first entered the FA Cup in 1887-88 season (scratching before playing their 1^st Round tie). The majority of their FA Cup campaigns occurred whilst members of first, the Manchester League, and second, the Lancashire Combination. The 2^nd Qualifying Round was the furthest the club would go. In the 1914-15 season Denton received a walkover against Alderley Edge United in the Preliminary Round before losing 4-2 at Hurst (now Ashton United) in a 1^st Qualifying Round replay following a 1-1 draw. After the war a Denton Brotherhood was formed and under the subsequent Denton United name twice competed in the FA Cup in the mid-1930s.

East Ham – Unrelated to the East Ham United club that eventually merged with Barking in 2001, this East Ham club had 10 campaigns in the FA Cup prior to World War I, twice reaching the 1^st Qualifying Round. Their league status in the early campaigns is yet to be identified but they latterly had four campaigns as members of the Spartan League and one in the lower Premier Division of the Middlesex and District League. In the 1914-15 season they appear to have disbanded before ironically facing Barking in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup. East Ham United didn’t form until 1933 and were known as Storey Athletic for the first 22 years of their existence.

Eastbourne St Mary’s – Two FA Cup campaigns and two 3^rd Qualifying Round appearances for Eastbourne St Mary’s, first as members of the East Sussex League and then the following year in 1914-15 when their league membership has not been confirmed. In the second of their two campaigns they received a walkover against Vernon Athletic in the 1^st Qualifying Round and against Worthing in the 2^nd Qualifying Round before losing 2-1 at home to Tunbridge Wells Rangers in the 3^rd Qualifying Round. The club does not seem to have resumed after the War was over.

Frodingham and Brumby United – The Lincolnshire based side Frodingham and Brumby United competed in the FA Cup twice, first as members of the North Lindsey League and then, in 1914-15, as an original Lincolnshire League side. Their only match in their second campaign was a 4-1 defeat at Beverley Town in the Preliminary Round. The club did not re-appear after the Great War, but undoubtedly would have had some connection with the Frodingham Athletic that did appear soon after.

Gateshead (Town) – No relationship to any other club that has carried the Gateshead name has been found with this Gateshead (Town) first competing in the FA Cup as a Northern Alliance club and then as members of the North Eastern League (not 100% sure it is the same club). Either way Gateshead (Town) had a best FA Cup run to the 1^st Qualifying Round but in the 1914-15 season they lost 2-0 at home to Lintz Institute in the Extra Preliminary Round. A Gateshead Town did appear in the Northern Alliance in the mid-1920s which may or may not have been the same club.

Gateshead Rodsley – This Gateshead club entered the FA Cup twice in successive years, first as a Tyneside League club and then in 1914-15 as a Northern Alliance club. A Preliminary Round appearance in their first campaign was followed by a 1-0 home defeat to Pandon Temperance in the Extra Preliminary Round the following year. There is no post-war record of a Gateshead Rodsley that I’ve been able to find.

Grangetown – This Grangetown club was based in Sunderland rather than from the Grangetown area of County Durham and competed in the FA Cup in the final four years before WWI as a Wearside League club. They twice appeared in the Preliminary Round, including in 1914-15 season where they were beaten 3-0 at home by Brooms. Grangetown appeared in the 1917-18 Wearside League table but seem to have disappeared after then.

Grangetown Athletic – This club was based in County Durham and had been a well-established Northern League club from the beginning of the 20^th Century. They’d reached the 3^rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup in 1913-14 season, but had been relegated to the Teesside League for the 1914-15 season. In the FA Cup they were beaten 3-1 at Brotton in the Preliminary Round. A Grangetown Athletic appeared in the South Bank League at the beginning of the 1930s but I’m not clear if it is the same club.

Grantham Avenue – This Lincolnshire based club competed in the FA Cup a dozen times from the beginning of the 20^th Century reaching the 3^rd Qualifying Round in the 1913-14 season whilst members of the original Central Alliance. In the final pre-war season Grantham Avenue lost 2-1 at home to New Hucknall Colliery in their only match in the Preliminary Round. The club did not re-appear after the War with fellow Central Alliance side from the town, Grantham, carrying on, no doubt with some connectivity to the Avenue club.

Grimsby St John’s – One of several Grimsby based clubs who competed in the FA Cup prior to World War One, Grimsby St John’s participated in the five final campaigns before the competition took an enforced break. Competing mainly in the Grimsby League, but also with a season in the North Division of the Lincolnshire League (when they reached the 1^st Qualifying Round), the club’s league status in 1914-15 is yet to be determined. Their only match in that campaign was a heavy 6-0 reverse at the original Cleethorpes Town in the Preliminary Round. No mention of Grimsby St John’s has been found in the post-war period.

Hebburn Argyle – The ‘Irish Highlanders’ were formed in 1882 as St Aloysius Juniors, changing to the Hebburn Argyle name prior to helping form the original Tyneside League in 1891. The club competed in the FA Cup 19 times, first as a Northern Alliance side, and then as members of the North Eastern League. They had already made one run to the 5^th Qualifying Round and almost did so again in the 1914-15 campaign. However, this was only because they were exempted until the 4^th Qualifying Round where they went down 5-0 at North Shields Athletic. The club does appear to have tried to re-form after the Great War ended, but aside from a couple of badly organised friendlies, that appears to have been the end of the club.

Heckmondwike – West Yorkshire side Heckmondwike participated in the FA Cup 10 times and set their personal best run to the 4^th Qualifying Round in their final season in the 1914-15 campaign. They had been members of the West Yorkshire League and then the Yorkshire Combination, but for their final season they were a Midland League club. They began their campaign with a 2-1 home victory over Clarence Iron and Steel Works in the Preliminary Round and then won 1-0 at Castleford Town in a 1^st Qualifying Round replay following a 2-2 draw. Then they won 2-0 at Rothwell White Rose in the 2^nd Qualifying Round before seeing off South Kirkby Colliery 3-1 at home in a 3^rd Qualifying Round replay after a goal-less draw. The run ended in the 4^th Qualifying Round with a 2-0 home defeat to Shirebrook. The club does not appear to have resumed after war-time hostilities ceased.

Hereford City – This Hereford City club entered the FA Cup five times in the years leading up to the outbreak of WWI, most commonly as members of the Worcestershire and District League. The club twice appeared in the Preliminary Round, but in the 1914-15 season it appears they had disbanded before facing Willenhall Swifts in the Extra Preliminary Round. A Hereford City club does appear in the Worcestershire Senior League in the mid-1930s and this could well be the same club, but is unlikely to be related to the Hereford City currently competing in the Herefordshire County League.

Hersham United – Members of the West Surrey League, Hersham United competed in the FA Cup in the final five seasons before WWI, reaching the 1^st Qualifying Round in the 1913-14 season. The club appears to have disbanded before facing Redhill in the 1914-15 Preliminary Round. I’ve not been able to clarify if Hersham United and the Hersham club that eventually merged with Walton-on-Thames to form Walton and Hersham are the same club.

Heywood United – As members of the Lancashire Combination, Heywood United competed in the FA Cup in each of the last six seasons prior to WWI breaking out, going as far as the 4^th Qualifying Round in the 1911-12 season. In 1914-15 their only match was a 2-0 defeat at Hurst (now Ashton United) in the Preliminary Round. No evidence they re-emerged after the War has yet be found.

Hickleton Main (Colliery) – As members of the Sheffield Association League, Hickleton Main (Colliery) participated in the FA Cup in each of the seven seasons leading up to the outbreak of WWI, twice reaching the 1^st Qualifying Round. The Doncaster based club drew 1-1 at home to Stocksbridge Church in the Preliminary Round before going down 3-0 in the replay. A Hickleton Main club appears in the Doncaster and District League in the mid-1980s but it’s not clear if it is the same club.

Hitchin Union Jack – This Hertfordshire based club had been members of the Northern Division of the Herts County League for some years, but had not participated in the FA Cup. Hitchin Union Jack entered in the 1914-15 season but were given a walkover against Chesham Generals in the Preliminary Round and scratched themselves before facing Luton Clarence in the 1^st Qualifying Round. They do not appear to have resumed following the end of the War.

Holly Bush (Parkgate) – Members of the delightfully named Rotherham Licenced Victuallers League, Rotherham based club Holly Bush (Parkgate) only entered the FA Cup once in the 1914-15 season. They drew two apiece at Eckington Red Rose in the Extra Preliminary Round before losing 3-1 at home in the replay. I’ve found no record of the club following the end of the War.

Houghton Rovers – First as members of the Sunderland and District League and then as a North Eastern League club, Houghton Rovers competed in the FA Cup four times before the Great War, reaching the 1^st Qualifying Round three times. In the 1914-15 season the club scratched ahead of facing Boldon Colliery in the Preliminary Round. It’s possible the club is related to Houghton who competed in the FA Cup five times immediately after WWI, who themselves may well have become Houghton Colliery and Houghton Colliery Welfare before folding in 1949.

Hoyland Town – Formed in 1890, this south-east of Barnsley club competed in the FA Cup a dozen times before WWI broke out, first as members of the Barnsley Minor Cup League and then as members of the Barnsley Association League. The club had twice appeared in the 3^rd Qualifying Round but in the 1914-15 season they had just one match, a 4-1 defeat at Eckington Red Rose in the Preliminary Round. Hoyland Town appears to have folded in 1915.

Hyde – Formed in 1885 Hyde is famous for being on the receiving end of the biggest score-line in English football history when losing 26-0 to Preston North End in the 1887-88 FA Cup. It would be almost 20 years before the club re-appeared in the competition and they did so eight times as a Lancashire Combination side making it as far as the 3^rd Qualifying Round in the 1913-14 season. In their final campaign they drew one apiece at home with Macclesfield (Town) in the Preliminary Round before going down 4-3 after extra time in the replay. Whilst the current Hyde United associate themselves with this original Hyde club, they are definitely two separate entities with the earlier club disbanding in 1917 and the later club forming in 1919.

Jarrow – This was the second of three clubs called Jarrow to participate in the FA Cup having been formed as Jarrow Croft after the original Jarrow folded in 1909. In four FA Cup campaigns before the outbreak of WWI this Jarrow club made the 3^rd Qualifying Round twice whilst members of the North Eastern League. In the 1914-15 season the club started with a goal-less draw at home to Slipway from Wallsend in the Preliminary Round before winning 1-0 in the replay. Then Washington United were defeated 2-0 away in the 1^st Qualifying Round ahead of defeat by the same score at Lintz Institute in the 2^nd Qualifying Round. The club amalgamated into Jarrow Caledonians in 1915 but that club then dissolved two years later and a new Jarrow club formed in 1919 called Palmers who would eventually take on the Jarrow name again.

Jarrow Blackett – Having been members of the Tyneside League for a few years, Jarrow Blackett entered the FA Cup just twice in the two years leading up to WWI, reaching the Preliminary Round in their first campaign, but going down 1-0 at home to Spen Black and White in the Extra Preliminary Round in 1914-15. The club does not appear to have re-formed after the War.

Kilnhurst Town – North-east of Rotherham based Kilnhurst Town had been long-standing members of the Sheffield Association League and competed in the FA Cup half a dozen times prior to WWI. The 1^st Qualifying Round was reached twice in those six campaigns. In the 1914-15 season they played just one match, an 8-0 drubbing at the hands of Worksop Town in the Preliminary Round. It is possible the club were connected to or involved in the formation of Kilnhurst United who competed in the FA Cup immediately after the War.

Kingston-on-Thames and Old Kingstonian – Formed in 1885 as Kingston and Surbiton YMCA, and undergoing several name changes thereafter, Kingston-on-Thames had competed in the Kingston and District League, the East and West Surrey League, the West Surrey League and, most latterly, the Southern Suburban League. They’d had five sporadic FA Cup campaigns, the first of which occurred before Old Kingstonians split from the club in 1908, including a 4^th Qualifying Round appearance in the 1912-13 season. Old Kingstonians had competed in the FA Cup four times, whilst in the West Surrey League and the Southern Suburban League, reaching the 3^rd Qualifying Round in the 1910-11 season. Kingston-on-Thames appears to have disbanded early in the 1914-15 season and along with their opponents in the 1^st Qualifying Round, Sutton United, scratched from the competition before the game was played. Old Kingstonians, however, had a bit of a Cup run beating Summerstown 3-2 at home in the Preliminary Round and Tooting 2-0 away in the 1^st Qualifying Round. They then drew two each at Redhill in the 2^nd Qualifying Round before losing 1-0 in the replay. Post-war, the two clubs merged again to form the currently active Kingstonian.

Leeds City – The demise of Leeds City has less to do with any potential casualties in the Great War and everything to do with breaking FA rules regarding payment of players during that period. The club, managed by Herbert Chapman at the time, actually started their 1919-20 League Division Two campaign but were expelled after eight games and replaced by Port Vale. Their last FA Cup campaign in 1914-15 saw the club win 2-1 at Derby County in the 1^st Round ‘Proper’ before losing 1-0 at Queens Park Rangers in the 2^nd Round. Leeds United were formed soon after and were placed in the Midland League.

Leicester Imperial – Having spent most of their history as members of the Leicestershire Senior League, Leicester Imperial made the last two of their eight FA Cup campaigns whilst competing in the original Central Alliance. They had achieved one appearance in the 3^rd Qualifying Round in their first seven campaigns, but in the 1914-15 season they were knocked out by Basford United in the Extra Preliminary Round, losing 1-0 away after a goal-less draw. I have found no evidence of the club competing after the War ended.

Liberty – A club based in the outer London area, Liberty entered the FA Cup three times. I’ve not been able to identify their League status for the 1912-13 campaign, but the following season they competed in the Premier Division of the Middlesex and District League. In both those campaigns the club appeared in the 1^st Qualifying Round, but in 1914-15 they appear to have disbanded early in the season, scratching alongside their opponents, Windsor and Eton, prior to playing their Preliminary Round game. Liberty does not appear to have re-formed after the War.

Lingdale Mines – As members of the Cleveland League, Lingdale Mines competed in the last two FA Cup competitions prior to WWI. They had appeared in the Preliminary Round in their first campaign and only went one round further in 1914-15 courtesy of their opponents, Redcar, scratching. In the 1^st Qualifying Round they lost 3-0 at Shildon, and whilst a club with the same name does appear in the Cleveland Alliance just after WWII, they never appeared in the FA Cup again.

Lock Lane Woodville – This Castleford based club competed in the FA Cup in each of the three seasons leading up to the outbreak of the War. I’ve found evidence of Lock Lane Woodville in the Castleford and District League for the first and last of those campaigns, but not for the middle one. In the 1914-15 season the club played one FA Cup match, a 2-1 defeat at Woodhouse Britannia, and the club does not appear to have re-surfaced after the War ended.

Longfield – The 1914-15 FA Cup competition is the only time Longfield participated in it. They were members of the South East Lancashire League at the time and beat Chapel-en-le-Frith 3-2 at home in the Extra Preliminary Round. They then were beaten 2-0 at Widnes County in the Preliminary Round. I’ve not been able to find the club following the War ending.

Luton Reliance – This Bedfordshire club competed in the FA Cup in each of the final three campaigns prior to the Great War, the first two as members of the Luton and District League, but I’ve not been able to identify the League status for Luton Reliance in the 1914-15 season. They had just one FA Cup game that season, a 4-0 home defeat to Barnet Alston in the 1^st Qualifying Round, and I’ve no evidence of them re-appearing after the War ended.

Maidenhead Norfolkians – Formed in 1884, Maidenhead Norfolkians had competed in the FA Cup 19 times prior to the outbreak of WWI, reaching the 3^rd Qualifying Round four times. They’d been members of several leagues in the Berkshire area, but eventually became an established member of the Great Western Suburban League. For the 1914-15 season their League status has not been identified and in the FA Cup that year they progressed from the Preliminary Round courtesy of Wycombe Wanderers scratching. They then lost 1-0 at Slough in the 1^st Qualifying Round. After the War it was agreed that Maidenhead Norfolkians would be amalgamated into Maidenhead United.

Mansfield Mechanics – Nottinghamshire based Mansfield Mechanics were formed in 1901 and competed in the FA Cup in the final 11 seasons before the outbreak of WWI. They’d been members of the Notts and District League, then the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire League, and finally the original Central Alliance. In 1909-10 season they’d reached the 4^th Qualifying Round and almost did the same in the 1914-15 campaign. Their run that year began with a 2-0 home victory over the original Hinckley United in the Preliminary Round. They then won 4-1 at home to Market Harborough Town in the 1^st Qualifying Round before being held one apiece by Sutton Junction at home in the 2^nd Qualifying Round. However, they won the replay 2-1 away, but then went down 4-1 at Sutton Town (Ashfield) in the 3^rd Qualifying Round. The club does appear to have continued after the War, not folding until 1923, but they did not enter the FA Cup again and I’ve been unable to identify their League status.

Mexborough Town – This original Mexborough Town club were formed in 1890 and could be the same club as the Mexborough club that appeared in 1919, becoming Mexborough Athletic in 1930 before disappearing some time before WWII. Originally members of the Sheffield Association League, they competed in the Midland League for the last nine of their 11 FA Cup campaigns, twice reaching the 5^th Qualifying Round. Their 1914-15 campaign began with an 8-0 thumping of Acomb Working Men’s Club from York in the Preliminary Round. They then lost 1-0 at Goole in the 1^st Qualifying Round, but disputed the result and caused the game to be re-played only to lose by the same score-line again. It’s not clear from my records if they are connected to the Mexborough club who were members of the Midland League immediately after the War ended.

Milford Town – South Wales side Milford Town entered the FA Cup three times, first as members of the Swansea League in 1912-13, and then with no league as yet identified in the last two years before WWI. The club only progressed beyond the Preliminary Round in 1914-15 FA Cup courtesy of a walkover against Newport Barbarians, but they were then well beaten 6-0 by Newport County in the 1^st Qualifying Round. I’ve not been able to find a Milford Town in the immediate post-war period, but they could very well have been members of a league in Wales.

Mond Nickel Works – This Swansea based works team entered the FA Cup in both of the last two seasons prior to the outbreak of WWI. Mond Nickel Works were members of the Swansea League in their first campaign, but appeared to have disbanded early in the 1914-15 season prior to facing Barry in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup. The Nickel Works played an instrumental role in the War, strengthening steel armoury and weaponry, although its German owner had to endure many accusations of aiding and abetting the enemy and profiteering from the War, none of which was proven to be true.

New Crusaders – An amateur team from Sidcup in Kent who briefly were one of the top amatuer clubs in the country. In their first ever FA Cup match in 1905 New Crusaders won 16-0 against Woking, to this day the record victory for a club playing their first FA Cup game. They made the 1^st Round ‘Proper’ that season, scoring 33 goals en route before losing 6-3 to Plymouth Argyle, but were gradually less successful in subsequent campaigns. They soon joined the Southern Amateur League but had a six year hiatus from the FA Cup returning in 1913-14 season as an Isthmian League club. Their League status in 1914-15 has not been determined and they played just one FA Cup game that year, a 2-1 defeat at Northfleet United in the Preliminary Round. The club does not appear to have re-formed after the War.

New Hartley Rovers – Northumberland based New Hartley Rovers were members of the Northern Alliance and competed in the FA Cup in the last four years before WWI broke out, only once going beyond the Extra Preliminary Round. In 1914-15 FA Cup they lost 5-2 at Newburn in that round and I’ve not been able to find evidence of them since then.

Newcastle City – Formed as Byker East End, this Newcastle City club competed in the last five FA Cup campaigns before WWI, firstly as a Northern Alliance club and then as members of the North Eastern League. They reached the 4^th Qualifying Round in 1911-12, but in their final campaign they only managed to beat Newburn 2-1 at home in the Preliminary Round before going down 4-0 at Blyth Spartans in the 1^st Qualifying Round. I’m not sure if this club is related to the team with the same name who competed in the Wearside League in 1994 and folded the following year. I suspect not.

Newton Heath Athletic – Completely unrelated to the Newton Heath that eventually turned into Manchester United this Newton Heath Athletic started competing in the Manchester League towards the end of the 19^th Century. They had one campaign in the FA Cup whilst members of that League in 1906-07 season setting their best run to the 2^nd Qualifying Round. Their four other campaigns were in the last four seasons before WWI whilst members first of the South East Lancashire League and then of the Lancashire Combination. They matched their best run in 1912-13 season but in their final campaign they got no further than the Preliminary Round after drawing one apiece at home to Altrincham and losing 5-1 away in the replay. Unlike most other clubs, though, Newton Heath Athletic did return after the War and continued in the Manchester League until the outbreak of the Second World War.

Norwich St James’ – This Norfolk club had previously competed in the Norwich and District League and then the Norfolk and Suffolk League, but for their one and only season in the FA Cup the League status of Norwich St James’ has yet to be determined. By courtesy of walkovers against Mortons Athletic and Harwich & Parkeston the club found themselves in the 2^nd Qualifying Round where they were soundly beaten 7-0 at Great Yarmouth Town. I’ve not found evidence of their return following the War.

Notts Olympic – Founded in 1884 Notts Olympic were one of several clubs from the city of Nottingham to compete in the FA Cup in the days prior to the formation of the Football League. In those days the club reached the 2^nd Round ‘Proper’ and, unlike many of their local competitors, they continued to participate in the FA Cup and in League football for many years, right up until the outbreak of WWI. They’d been members of the Midland Alliance, the Nottinghamshire and District League, the Nottinghamshire Amateur League and the Notts Alliance all whilst competing in the FA Cup. They played just one match in the 1914-15 campaign, a heavy 9-1 defeat at Netherfield Rangers in the Preliminary Round. The club does not appear to have re-started after the War.

Ormskirk – This Ormskirk club is different to the one that started life as Guinness Exports in 1948 and the current club playing in the Wigan and District League. This Ormskirk only appeared in the FA Cup in the 1914-15 season. I’ve not been able to determine their League status that season but they had been members of the West Cheshire League and the Liverpool County Combination in the years prior to this campaign. They actually had a good Cup run in their only FA Cup campaign. They drew two each at Garston Gasworks in the Extra Preliminary Round and then progressed due to their opponents scratching before the replay was played. They then won 2-1 at Witton Albion in the Preliminary Round before losing 2-0 at Chester in the 1^st Qualifying Round. The club did re-appear after the War continuing to compete in the Liverpool County Combination until at least the mid-1920s.

Padiham – This Padiham is unrelated to the current club with the same name who began life after World War II. Formed in 1878 and known as the Caldersiders, this Padiham club actually competed in the FA Cup prior to the formation of the Football League, reaching the 3^rd Round in their debut campaign in 1883.84. After joining the North East Lancashire League they eventually became regular members of the Lancashire Combination where they competed for the remainder of their FA Cup campaigns. In the 1914-15 season they played just one match, a 3-1 home defeat to Rossendale United in the Preliminary Round. The club does not appear to have re-surfaced after the War.

Petters United and Yeovil Town – These two clubs merged together after the end of WWI to form Yeovil and Petters United who changed their name to Yeovil Town after WWII. Petters United had been formed in 1908 but only entered the FA Cup in the last two seasons before the Great War, first as a Wiltshire League side and secondly as a Somerset Senior League club. They appeared in the Preliminary Round in both campaigns but in 1914-15 season they withdrew before facing Clevedon. The original Yeovil Town started life as plain Yeovil in 1890, becoming Yeovil Casuals five years later. The name changed again to Yeovil Town in 1907. They had 16 FA Cup campaigns in total variously as members of the Somerset Senior League, the Dorset League and the Wiltshire League. They’d reached the 4^th Qualifying Round in 1909-10, but for their final campaign (where there League status has not been determined) they also scratched in the Preliminary Round ahead of playing Paulton Rovers.

Pleasley United – Based on the Nottinghamshire / Derbyshire border, Pleasley United only ever competed in the FA Cup in the 1914-15 season. Their league status that year has not been determined and they played just one FA Cup match, a 2-1 home defeat to New Hucknall United in the Extra Preliminary Round. They do not seem to have re-appeared after the Great War.

Port Talbot – Formed in 1901 Port Talbot competed in the Swansea League prior to WWI but only entered the FA Cup in the last three seasons before War broke out. They appeared in the Preliminary Round in all three campaigns, but in 1914-15 they withdrew along with their opponents Caerleon Athletic before a ball was kicked. The club returned to the Swansea League after hostilities ceased, became founder members of the Port Talbot and District League and then joined the Welsh League. After adopting and then dropping an ‘Athletic’ suffix the club now competes in the Welsh Football League.

Rawmarsh Town – It is unclear if this Rawmarsh Town is a distinct club or whether they are associated with other Rawmarsh clubs such as Rawmarsh Albion, Rawmarsh Athletic and Rawmarsh Welfare, all of whom competed in the FA Cup. Under the Rawmarsh Town name they competed in the FA Cup in the final three seasons before WWI whilst members of the Sheffield Association League, although in 1914-15 season their league status is unidentified. They played just one FA Cup match that year, a 2-1 defeat at Wath Athletic in the Preliminary Round. Rawmarsh Welfare have been identified as competing in the Sheffield Association League between the Wars but it’s not clear if it is the same team.

RGA Weymouth – The RGA in RGA Weymouth stands for Royal Garrison Artillery. The club had been members of the Dorset League where they competed for the first two of their three FA Cup campaigns. In the 1914-15 season they appear to have disbanded early in the season (probably placed into active service) and scratched from the FA Cup before facing Boscombe (now AFC Bournemouth) in the Preliminary Round. The club featured in the 1919-20 Dorset League campaign but no further records have been found. They may simply just have been de-commissioned by the military.

Ripley Town and Athletic – Formed in 1909 by a merger between Ripley Town and Ripley Athletic, both of whom had competed in the FA Cup, Ripley Town and Athletic had five FA Cup campaigns of their own in the seasons leading up to WWI, reaching the 5^th Qualifying Round in 1911-12 season. They’d been members of the Notts and Derbyshire League, then the original Central Alliance, then the Derbyshire Senior League, and in 1914-15, back in the Notts and Derbyshire League. In that final campaign they won 2-1 at home to Newhall Swifts in the Preliminary Round and then lost 3-1 at Tibshelf Colliery in the 1^st Qualifying Round. A new Ripley Town competed in the Derbyshire Senior League and the Central Combination in the inter-war years, and they may or may not have been the same club.

Romford Town – Formed as Romford in 1876 the club started their FA Cup campaigns 10 years before the Football League was formed and even reached the Quarter Finals in 1880-81 season. Although they lost by a record score in the last eight of the FA Cup, 15-0 to Darwen, this Romford Town is the most successful of all clubs in the competition not to re-emerge after the end of World War One who appeared in the 1914-15 competition. The club competed in the FA Cup 25 times mainly as members of the South Essex League, but occasionally as a Southern League club, an Athenian League club, and in 1914-15 season, as a London League club. In their final campaign they reached the 1^st Qualifying Round courtesy of a walkover against Woolwich in the Preliminary Round, but lost 3-0 at Walthamstow Grange. The club folded some time during hostilities and a new Romford club was eventually formed in 1929, albeit not the same club as the current one.

Rothwell White Rose – West Yorkshire based Rothwell White Rose competed in the FA Cup six times in the lead up to World War One, first as a West Yorkshire League side but then mainly as members of the Leeds and District League. The club reached the 2^nd Qualifying Round in half of their campaigns, including in their final 1914-15 season. They began that year with a 4-1 victory at Glasshoughton Colliery in the Preliminary Round and followed that up with a 3-0 home win over Frickley Colliery (now Frickley Athletic). They were then defeated 2-0 at home by Heckmondwike in the 2^nd Qualifying Round. I’ve not found evidence of the club re-emerging after World War One was over.

Rushden Fosse – As members of the Northants League (now the United Counties League) Rushden Fosse had eight FA Cup campaigns in the lead up to the Great War, although in the 1914-15 season their league status has not been confirmed. That final campaign saw the club reach the 2^nd Qualifying Round for their only time after beating Biggleswade and District (now Biggleswade Town) 3-0 in the Preliminary Round and receiving a walkover in the 1^st Qualifying Round as their opponents, Stamford, withdrew. They then scratched themselves ahead of facing Peterborough Westwood Works and the club appears not to have re-formed after the War.

Rushden Windmill – Also as members of the Northants League, Rushden Windmill had seven FA Cup campaigns prior to World War One, although in 1914-15 their league status hasn’t been identified. They appeared in the 1^st Qualifying Round three times, but in their final campaign they played just one FA Cup match, a 2-0 home defeat to Wellingborough Redwell Stars in the Preliminary Round. The club also does not appear to have re-formed after the War, but a new club was formed in the late 1920s.

Ryhope Villa – Formed in 1898 Ryhope Villa were well-established members of the Wearside League but only competed in the FA Cup in the final two seasons before the Great War. Their league status in 1914-15 has not been identified and in the FA Cup they managed a two-two home draw against Sunderland Rovers in the Preliminary Round before going down 3-0 in the replay. The club played in the final war-time Wearside League competition but does not seem to have re-appeared after that.

Slipway (Wallsend) – Also known as Wallsend Slipway, after competing briefly in the Shields and District League, Slipway (Wallsend) had become an established club in the Tyneside League. However, they only ever competed in the FA Cup in the 1914-15 season where they defeated Wallsend 2-0 at home in the Extra Preliminary Round before losing 1-0 at home to Jarrow in a Preliminary Round replay following a goal-less draw. The club does not appear to have re-emerged following the War.

South Farnborough Athletic – Regular members of the North Division of the Hampshire League, South Farnborough Athletic also competed in the Southern League during two of their seven FA Cup campaigns. The club made the 1^st Qualifying Round in their first two campaigns, but that was the best it ever got. For their final two seasons they withdrew from the League both times and in 1914-15, after progressing from the Extra Preliminary Round following the withdrawal of Southampton Cambridge, they scratched themselves before facing Longfleet St Mary’s in the Preliminary Round. Despite their challenges of the last two pre-War seasons, the club did compete in the Aldershot Senior League from 1919-20, but never again in the FA Cup.

South Shields Parkside – Originally competing as members of the Shields and District League, South Shields Parkside became members of the Tyneside League when first participating in the FA Cup, and then very quickly joined the Northern Alliance. They made their best run to the 2^nd Qualifying Round in their debut campaign and by the time of their 6^th campaign in 1914-15 they had returned to the Tyneside League. They played just one FA Cup match in that final season, a 3-0 home defeat to Blyth Spartans in the Preliminary Round. The club does not appear to have resumed after WWI was over.

Southampton Cambridge – There is evidence that Southampton Cambridge competed in the Hampshire League in 1904-05 season, but I’ve been unable to identify their League status for any of the four seasons they competed in the FA Cup. The club reached the 3^rd Qualifying Round in their debut campaign in 1910-11, but in 1914-15 they scratched ahead of facing South Farnborough Athletic in the Extra Preliminary Round. I’ve also found no evidence of the club following the end of the War.

Southport Park Villa – Members of the West Lancashire League from when it was known as the Preston and District Combination and then joining the Liverpool County Combination, Southport Park Villa competed in the FA Cup three times, appearing in the Preliminary Round on each occasion. In their 1914-15 campaign they played just one FA Cup game, a 1-0 defeat at local rivals Southport Central (now Southport). The club does not seem to have resumed after the War.

Stocksbridge Church – As established members of the Sheffield Minor League, Stocksbridge Church only ever competed in the FA Cup in the 1914-15 season. They began their campaign with a 2-1 win at Tankersley in the Extra Preliminary Round. Then they drew one each at Hickleton Main before winning 3-0 at home in the replay in the Preliminary Round. The run came to an end with a heavy 6-0 defeat at Staveley Town in the 1^st Qualifying Round. I’ve not found evidence of the club resuming after the War ended.

Sunderland Rovers – Starting life as Sunderland Royal Rovers in the 19^th Century, not dropping the ‘Royal’ moniker until 1910, Sunderland Rovers were one of the stronger pre-war amateur clubs in the North-east. They were established members of the Wearside League when first entering the FA Cup making the 5^th Qualifying Round in 1902-03. By the time of their 14^th campaign in 1914-15 they had become established, if struggling, members of the North Eastern League. However, in their final campaign they equalled their best FA Cup run. They began with a two-two draw at Ryhope Villa in the Preliminary Round, going on to win the replay 3-0 at home. Then Horden Athletic were dispatched 4-0 at home in the 1^st Qualifying Round. A two-two home draw with Boldon Colliery in the 2^nd Qualifying Round was followed up with a tight 1-0 win away in the replay. Then West Stanley were well beaten 4-0 at home in the 3^rd Qualifying Round before a three match goal-fest with Willington in the 4^th Qualifying Round. The first match ended four-all, the second a one-one draw, before Sunderland Rovers won the third game by four goals to three. In the 5^th Qualifying Round they drew one apiece at home to Darlington before eventually succumbing 3-0 in the replay. The club competed in the final war-time Wearside League but do not appear to have carried on after the War ended.

Sutton Court – Regular members of the Spartan League, Sutton Court only ever entered the FA Cup in the 1914-15 season. The club appears to have disbanded either before the season started or early on in the campaign as, along with their opponents Dorking, they scratched from the competition before playing their scheduled Preliminary Round match. The Sutton Court name did not re-appear after the War, but the club is strongly associated with Old Latymers who continued in the Spartan League, then the Southern Olympic League, and the Southern Amateur League well into the 21^st Century.

Tonge Temperance – Lancashire based Tonge Temperance only ever entered the FA Cup in the 1914-15 season whilst members of the South East Lancashire League. In their one and only match they were defeated 3-0 at Chorley in the Extra Preliminary Round and do not appear to have resumed after the War.

Tottington – Regular members of the Bury and District Amateur League, Tottington competed in the FA Cup in each of the final four seasons before WWI broke out, appearing in the Preliminary Round in the last three of them. Their 1914-15 campaign consisted of just one match, a 9-1 thrashing by Nelson in the Preliminary Round. The club does not seem to have re-appeared after the War, but other clubs from the town do appear in Leagues I’ve identified later in the Century, so they could well be related to one of them.

Troedyrhiw Stars – This Mid-Glamorgan based club, Troedyrhiw Stars, only entered the FA Cup in the 1914-15 season, but I’ve not identified their League status at the time. In their only campaign they won 4-2 at home to Caerau Rovers in the Extra Preliminary Round and then held Bargoed at home two-two in the Preliminary Round before losing 4-2 in the replay. The club could very well be related to Treodyrhiw who competed in the FA Cup in the 1940s and ‘50s whilst members of the Welsh League (South).

Tunbridge Wells – This original Tunbridge Wells club were formed in 1886 and are unconnected to the current club playing in the Southern Counties East League. They had nine campaigns in the FA Cup prior to WWI whilst variously being members of the South East League, the Spartan League and the Isthmian League. However, in the 1914-15 campaign, as with their early runs, their League status has not yet been identified. The club reached the 3^rd Qualifying Round in 1912-13 season, but in the 1914-15 campaign they scratched ahead of facing Worthing in the 1^st Qualifying Round. The club then folded some time during 1915.

Tutbury Town – This Staffordshire based club had been members of the Burton and District League, but for their only FA Cup campaign in 1914-15 season the League status for Tutbury Town has not been determined. Their campaign began with a 2-0 victory at Blackwell Colliery in the Preliminary Round before suffering a heavy 7-0 loss at home to South Normanton Colliery in the 1^st Qualifying Round. The club did re-appear after the War ended continuing as members of the Burton and District League before joining the Uttoxeter and District League from 1929 onward.

Walkden Central – Originally members of the Lancashire Alliance, Walkden Central competed in the FA Cup five times as members of the Lancashire Combination, reaching the 2^nd Qualifying Round twice. They played just one FA Cup match in the 1914-15 season, a 3-0 home defeat to Eccles Borough, and do not appear to have resumed following the end of WWI.

Wallsend Elm Villa – Established members of the Tyneside League, Wallsend Elm Villa entered the FA Cup four times, but just once made the Preliminary Round. Their league status in 1914-15 hasn’t been identified and their only FA Cup match ended in a 4-1 home defeat to Seaton Delaval in the Extra Preliminary Round. No record of the club competing after the War has been determined.

Wareham Town – Dorset based Wareham Town entered the FA Cup in both the last two seasons before WWI exiting in the Extra Preliminary Round both times. Their league status for both seasons has not been determined and in 1914-15 the club withdrew before facing Bournemouth Tramways. The club does not appear to have resumed following the end of the War.

Washington United – Having previously been members of the Wearside League and the Sunderland and District League, Washington United were competing in the Tyneside League during their sixth and final FA Cup campaign in 1914-15, which also proved to be their best. They started with a 3-2 home victory over Allendale Park in the Extra Preliminary Round and followed this up with a 2-1 home win over Pandon Temperance. However, in the 2^nd Qualifying Round they were beaten 2-0 at home by Jarrow. The club does not appear to have resumed following the end of WWI.

West Hartlepool St Joseph’s – Having been members of the Teesside League, West Hartlepool St Joseph’s competed in the FA Cup for the final two seasons before the outbreak of WWI. Their League status in 1914-15 has not yet been identified, but the club appears to have disbanded early in the season and withdrew from facing West Stanley in the Preliminary Round. The club, however, did re-form after hostilities were over and competed for a season in the Northern League before joining the Palatine League.

Widnes County – Formed as Widnes Wesleyan Guild and taking the name Widnes County in 1910, the club then competed in the FA Cup prior to WWI as members of the Liverpool County Combination. Their best run to the 1^st Qualifying Round came in the 1914-15 season after winning 2-0 at home to Longfield in the Preliminary Round. However, they were then well beaten 5-0 at Eccles Borough and do not appear to have resumed after the War was over.

Willenhall Pickwick and Willenhall Swifts – Both clubs competed in the last seven FA Cup campaigns before the outbreak of WWI. Willenhall Pickwick had competed in the Birmingham and District League in 1889-90 but following a stint in the Walsall and District League they were members of the Birmingham Combination for their FA Cup campaigns, reaching the 4^th Qualifying Round in the 1912-13 season. However, they were beaten 4-0 at Walsall in their only match in the 1914-15 FA Cup in the Extra Preliminary Round. Willenhall Swifts were also members of the Walsall and District League before joining the Birmingham Combination ahead of competing in the FA Cup. Their best runs were to the 1^st Qualifying Round and their last four campaigns occurred whilst they were members of the higher Birmingham and District League. In their 1914-15 campaign they received a walkover in the Extra Preliminary Round as Hereford City withdrew, and then lost 1-0 at home to Redditch (now Redditch United) in the Preliminary Round. The two clubs merged after the cessation of hostilities forming Willenhall who competed in both the FA Cup and the Birmingham and District League for the next dozen seasons or so.

Willington Athletic – A well-established Northern Alliance club, Willington Athletic competed in the FA Cup 24 times prior to WWI reaching the 5^th Qualifying Round at the turn of the Century. Their 1914-15 FA Cup campaign began with a 2-0 home victory over Newcastle East End in the Extra Preliminary Round. Then Mickley were defeated by the same score-line at the same place in the Preliminary Round. In the 1^st Qualifying Round Seaton Delaval were beaten 3-0 away and then Blyth Spartans were defeated 1-0 at home in the 2^nd Qualifying Round. The run ended with a 3-1 loss at Lintz Institute in the 3^rd Qualifying Round, and the club appears not to have re-formed after the War was over.

Woodford Albion – They had been members of the Northants League and then the Spartan League, but Woodford Albion appears to have disbanded prior to playing in the only FA Cup campaign they entered in 1914-15, withdrawing before facing Leytonstone in the Preliminary Round. No evidence of the club re-forming after the War has been determined. Addendum – unconfirmed, but potentially likely to have actually been an Essex based club called Woodford Albion –  Further Addendum – Thanks to further input from other historians it can now be confirmed that this WoodFord Albion was indeed the one based in Essex who had competed in the Olympian League from 1909-1912 and then the Spartan League from 1912-1914.

Woodhouse Britannia – The West Yorkshire based side only entered the FA Cup once in the 1914-15 season whilst Woodhouse Britannia were members of the Leeds Amateur League. They beat Lock Lane Woodville 2-1 at home in the Preliminary Round before losing by the same score-line at the same place to South Kirkby Colliery in the 1^st Qualifying Round. I’ve found no evidence of the club re-forming after the War was over.

Woolston – Formed as Bitterne Guild, this Hampshire club first entered the FA Cup under that name before changing to Woolston in 1912, all the while as members of the Hampshire League. The club had reached the 4^th Qualifying Round in 1909-10 season, but appear to have disbanded early in the 1914-15 campaign and withdrew from the FA Cup before facing Portsmouth Amateurs in the Preliminary Round. The club does not appear to have re-emerged after the War ended.

York City – This York City club is unconnected to the current club who were FA Cup Semi-Finalists in 1955. Formed in 1908 this original York City competed in the FA Cup six times variously as members of the Northern League, the Yorkshire Combination and the Midland League. They’d had their best run to the 4^th Qualifying Round in the season before 1914-15 where they began their campaign with a 2-0 victory at Beverley Town in the 1^st Qualifying Round. They then played out two goal-less draws home and away against Goole in the 2^nd Qualifying Round before having a 3-2 victory voided by the FA. They eventually lost 2-0 in the fourth match and the club went on to fold in 1917.

“They shall grow not old”