Derby Junction F.C.

Derby Junction Football Club were an amateur football club in Derby, England. They were active in the 1880s and 1890s, notably being founder members of the Midland League in 1890 and FA Cup semi-finalists in 1888. They played at Derby Arboretum.

History
Derby Junction first developed as an old boys' team for Junction Street School, and were renamed Derby Junction Street in 1885, at some point dropping 'Street'. Reports suggest the team began playing at some point in the early 1880s, although the club claimed a foundation date of 1870.

Their run to the F.A. Cup semi-finals came in the 1887–88 season. They won all of their ties in the early rounds by one goal margins, received a bye in the fourth round, then beat Welsh side Chirk to secure their place in the last eight. They were drawn at home to the holders, Blackburn Rovers. The team spent a week at Matlock Bath to prepare for the tie, which was paid for by public subscription. In front of a crowd estimated at nearly 7,000, and with a bumpy and icy pitch acting as a leveller, the Juncs - given odds of 100/30 against to win the match - pulled off an unexpected 2–1 win, coming from behind with goals from S. Smith and W. Hopkins, to reach the last four. Their run came to an end in the semi-finals when they lost to eventual winners West Bromwich Albion.

The club folded in 1895 as professionalism began to spread into the game. The club's final match was on Christmas Day 1895 - an 8–1 defeat to the Derby County reserves.

Colours
In 1882, the club's colours were red and navy blue thin stripes on the shirt with white shorts and navy socks; at some time before 1887 they had switched to a green shirt with a gold sash, white shorts, and green socks. In 1887 the club changed its colours to amber and black, arranged in stripes, with white shorts and black socks. The club changed again in December 1891, to red and white jerseys, presented to the club by a Mrs Ragg, the wife of a club benefactor.

Ground
The club played on the Arboretum Field, originally using the Rose Hill Tavern for facilities.

Full F.A. Cup Results
1884 - 1885:

1885 - 1886:

Note: The results archive on the official F.A. website shows Darwen as the home team for both the original tie and the replay.

1886 - 1887:

1887 - 1888:

1888 - 1889:

1889 - 1890: 1890 - 1891:

Source: