Weybridge F.C.

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Weybridge
Full nameWeybridge Football Club
Nickname(s)the Swallows
Founded1876
Dissolved1881
GroundPortmore Park

Weybridge F.C., often referred to as Weybridge Swallows, was an English association football club, based at Portmore Park in Weybridge, Surrey.

History[edit]

The club was founded in 1876 and used the Queen's Head public house for its facilities.[1] The ground was known for its poor condition and spartan facilities.[2]

The first known game for the club was at South Norwood in November 1878.[3]

The club's only entry to the FA Cup was in 1880-81. The Swallows beat Henley at home in the first round [4] and lost 3–0 at home to Upton Park in the second, conceding an own goal and a last-minute third.[5]

Esher Leopold[edit]

After the 1880–81 season, the club disbanded, its captain and players mostly forming the new Esher Leopold football club, which played at Sandown Park, close to the racecourse.[6]

Esher's sole contribution to the national game was its one appearance in the FA Cup, a 5–0 home defeat to the holders, Old Carthusians, in 1881-82,[7] although the club did reach the semi-finals of the first Surrey Senior Cup in 1882–83, losing to Reigate Priory.[8] The club continued into the 1883–84 season.[9]

Successor club[edit]

A new Weybridge club was founded in 1892, playing its first match in October against the Walton club in the West Surrey League.[10]

Colours[edit]

The club wore black shirts, white shorts, and black stockings.[11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Alcock, Charles (1880). Football Annual. p. 152.
  2. ^ "Weybridge Swallows 3-1 Henley". Henley Advertiser: 10. 20 November 1880.
  3. ^ "Football". Norwood News: 6. 2 November 1878.
  4. ^ "report". Surrey Advertiser: 6. 22 November 1880.
  5. ^ "report". Field: 958. 25 December 1880.
  6. ^ "Esher Leopold 0-5 Old Carthusians". Athletic News: 5. 9 November 1881.
  7. ^ "report". Field: 709. 12 November 1881.
  8. ^ "Reigate Priory 5-0 Esher Leopold". West Surrey Times: 4. 17 March 1883.
  9. ^ "Esher Leopold v Kingston". Sporting Life. 4. 7 December 1883.
  10. ^ "Weybridge v Walton". Surrey Advertiser: 5. 15 October 1892.
  11. ^ Alcock, Charles (1880). Football Annual. p. 152.