November Pick-Ups

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Just received this albumen photo from England. I assume it is soccer, but no cleats on shoes and the hats don't make much sense.

The hats were part of the uniform, though not used during play. The knit stocking cap was common as was the cricket style cap.

As for the boots - from a site on the history of football boots:

Players would wear their hard, leather work boots, which were long laced and steel toe-capped as the first football boots. These football boots would also have metal studs or tacks hammered into them to increase ground grip and stability.

As laws become integrated into the game in the late 1800’s, so saw the first shift in football boots to a slipper (or soccus) style shoe, with players of the same team starting to wear the same boots for the first time. Laws also allowed for studs, which had to be rounded. These leather studs, also known as cleats, were hammered into the early football boots, which for the first time moved away from the earlier favoured work boots.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Michael B

The hats were part of the uniform, though not used during play. The knit stocking cap was common as was the cricket style cap.

As for the boots - from a site on the history of football boots:

Players would wear their hard, leather work boots, which were long laced and steel toe-capped as the first football boots. These football boots would also have metal studs or tacks hammered into them to increase ground grip and stability.

As laws become integrated into the game in the late 1800’s, so saw the first shift in football boots to a slipper (or soccus) style shoe, with players of the same team starting to wear the same boots for the first time. Laws also allowed for studs, which had to be rounded. These leather studs, also known as cleats, were hammered into the early football boots, which for the first time moved away from the earlier favoured work boots.

Thanks. I have seen a lot of 1800's soccer team albumens, but never the stocking cap. Also could not find any examples googling 1800's British soccer team photos.

[Huysmans]

Hey John,

Love the Brewers newsprint photos... great find!!

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Thanks. I have seen a lot of 1800's soccer team albumens, but never the stocking cap. Also could not find any examples googling 1800's British soccer team photos.

Look for the image of the Royal Engineers AFC from 1872. Try history of British Football on wiki.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Michael B

Look for the image of the Royal Engineers AFC from 1872. Try history of British Football on wiki.

Those stocking caps don't look at all like the ones in my photo.

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Those stocking caps don't look at all like the ones in my photo.

I think the image is a rugby team.
If you compare your photo with this British late-19th century Keens Mustard tin with Rugby scene... the uniforms look very similar, including the toques.

I hope this helps.



Brent

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by Huysmans

I think the image is a rugby team.
If you compare your photo with this British late-19th century Keens Mustard tin with Rugby scene... the uniforms look very similar, including the toques.

I hope this helps.



Brent

That was my first impression on this also except for the fact that the ball is on the floor and it looks like a football (soccer ball) and not a rugby football. The first ones to use a rubber bladder, made by Richard Lindon in the 1840's, were slightly oblong (buttonball).

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Michael B

That was my first impression on this also except for the fact that the ball is on the floor and it looks like a football (soccer ball) and not a rugby football. The first ones to use a rubber bladder, made by Richard Lindon in the 1840's, were slightly oblong (buttonball).

Same thoughts here. I will post a close-up of the ball later - it appears to be round, but I will be interested to hear your opinions.

Thanks Brent and Michael. This is out of my sports wheelhouse, as I generally only collect baseball (anything old) or football action.