Tag Archives: William Beastow

Manchester City: The Earliest Known Game

Today (13 November) is the anniversary of the earliest known game of association football played by St Mark’s Church in West Gorton, though I doubt it was actually the first game ever played by the boys of the parish. Detailed research has shown that the match took place on this day in 1880 at Farmer’s Field, off present day Wenlock Way, in West Gorton and was played against the Baptist Church from Macclesfield. It ended in a 2-1 defeat for the club who, rightly, is recognised as the roots of Manchester City. Both sides fielded 12 players.

Can I stress that this is the earliest reported game found so far and at no time is it described as the first game.

I’ve written and talked extensively on this game and the formation of the club (and sadly myths still appear and get repeated!) and you can find out much more elsewhere on this site or in my books (most importantly The Emergence of Footballing Cultures: Manchester 1840-1919 and Manchester The City Years). As I hinted earlier, there are lots of myths about the birth of St Mark’s (many of which will be spread today no doubt!) and the club that went through various changes that led to the creation of Manchester City in 1894. I would urge everyone to read the facts, rather than the fiction, Take a look at the following articles and talks:

History Talk Video: The Origins of MCFC
The Origins of Manchester City: Facts Not Fiction

You can also find out about the people involved:

True Blues: William Sumner, the Earliest Captain
True Blues – William Beastow and James Moores
True Blues – St Mark’s Community Leaders
True Blues – Walter Chew

True Blues – William Beastow and James Moores

Concluding the weekly series of ‘True Blue’ figures associated with the early years of Manchester City, here’s an article on William Beastow and James Moores, two men influential during the development of footballing activities in the 1870s-1890s. Most people don’t tend to talk about these guys but they are possibly the two most important church figures directly involved with the development of the football club. You can find out more below:

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That was the tenth consecutive weekly ‘True Blues’ feature. Use the tag ‘True Blues’ to find the other profiles in this series. If there’s interest I’ll write some other True Blue profiles later in the year. You can nominate the names that you’d like featured by emailing me at Gary@GJFootballArchive.com or by adding a comment in the comments area below. Thanks.

The full series of True Blue profiles featured:

Lawrence Furniss, John Allison, Joshua Parlby, Walter Chew, William Sumner, Tom Maley, St Mark’s community leaders, Billy Meredith, John Chapman, William Beastow and James Moores.

History Talk Video: The Origins of MCFC

Here’s my presentation on the origins of Manchester City FC, focusing on St Mark’s & the club’s development prior to its re-birth as Ardwick AFC for you to enjoy. It lasts about 1 hour and was recorded on 1 February 2023. There are lots of myths out there, but I focused on the facts and my latest research. 

Discover the role William Chew (that’s right William!) played in the birth of the club and the story of Belle Vue Rangers, an often overlooked part of Manchester City history.

The presentation is all about the origins prior to 1887. This talk is now available to subscribers (see below for details of how to subscribe).

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Annual subscribers get access to everything posted since December 2020 (interviews, history talks, articles, PDFs of books etc.) and everything to be posted during your subscription. It costs £20 a year (about 5p a day).

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Monthly subscribers get access to everything posted since 1 October 2022 and everything to be posted during your subscription. It costs £3 a month (cancel any time).

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The next free history talk will take place on 1 March at 6pm. Subscribers can now book tickets to that via this link:

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Book your place on the talk and read more of this website when you subscribe today.

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Book your place on the talk and read more of this website when you subscribe today.

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History Talk Video: The Origins of MCFC

Here’s my presentation on the origins of Manchester City FC, focusing on St Mark’s & the club’s development prior to its re-birth as Ardwick AFC for you to enjoy. It lasts about 1 hour and was recorded on 1 February 2023. There are lots of myths out there, but I focused on the facts and my latest research. 

The presentation is all about the origins prior to 1887. This talk was free to download until 9 February. Since that date it is only available to subscribers (see below for details of how to subscribe).

Subscribe to get access – Annual

Annual subscribers get access to everything posted since December 2020 (interviews, history talks, articles, PDFs of books etc.) and everything to be posted during your subscription. It costs £20 a year (about 5p a day).

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Subscribe to get access – Monthly

Monthly subscribers get access to everything posted since 1 October 2022 and everything to be posted during your subscription. It costs £3 a month (cancel any time).

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Free Online Presentation on the Origins of MCFC – Today at 6pm

A reminder to all those who have signed up that today (Wednesday 1 February) at 6pm (UK time) I’ll be doing my presentation on the origins of Manchester City FC, focusing on St Mark’s & the club’s development prior to its re-birth as Ardwick AFC. This is a free event where I will explain how the club was born and developed. There are lots of myths out there, but I will be focusing on the facts and the latest research. 

A link will be sent to all those who have registered for the event beforehand. I added a final few places and so you may be able to join for this Zoom talk if you register asap via this link:

Register on Eventbrite

I will be presenting the facts and history of the birth of the club and its development in the West Gorton and Gorton areas of Manchester prior to 1887. Dispelling myths and revealing the latest research and evidence of what actually happened.

The link will be sent out shortly before the event is live to all those registered. Only those registered will be admitted into the video chat site. You must register here if you want to get involved.

The talk will last about 1 hour and will be online on zoom, so you should be able to access it anywhere.

Free Online Presentation on the Origins of MCFC – Tomorrow

I’ve increased the number of tickets for tomorrow’s free online talk to the absolute maximum possible. The talk focuses on the origins of Manchester City FC, focusing on St Mark’s & the club’s development prior to its re-birth as Ardwick AFC. It takes place at Wednesday 1 February at 6pm (UK time) and these final few tickets can be booked below.

During the hour long presentation I will discuss the origins and will explain how the club was born and developed. There are lots of myths out there, so come and listen to the facts. This hour will include the opportunity to ask questions as I’m keen to hear your thoughts on the birth of the club.

The event will be live on Zoom on 1/2/23 at 6pm and a link will be sent to all those who have registered for the event beforehand (probably about 1 hour before we are due to start). To sign up for this online Zoom talk please register via this link:

Register on Eventbrite

You must register here if you want to get involved. If you’d like an example of what the talk will be like take a look at:

Video of my online talk on history of MCFC Support/Match Day at Maine Road

The talk will last about 1 hour and will be online on zoom, so you should be able to access it anywhere.

This is the third and final time I have increased capacity. Tickets have continued to go quickly so please book today if you want to listen and watch the presentation.

You can see posts about other History Talks here:

https://gjfootballarchive.com/tag/history-talks/

Free Online Presentation on the Origins of MCFC – Extra Places Added

I’ve really been pleased (and a little surprised) with the popularity of my planned history talk on the origins of Manchester City FC, focusing on St Mark’s & the club’s development prior to its re-birth as Ardwick AFC. I’ve had to increase the number of places available for this free event, taking place on Wednesday 1 February at 6pm (UK time). Details below of how you can get your ticket and join me for one hour of discussion about the origins. I will explain how the club was born and developed. There are lots of myths out there, so come and listen to the facts. This hour will include the opportunity to ask questions as I’m keen to hear your thoughts on the birth of the club.

The event will be live on Zoom on 1/2/23 at 6pm and a link will be sent to all those who have registered for the event beforehand (probably earlier that day). To sign up for this online Zoom talk please register via this link:

Register on Eventbrite

Register now to join this online zoom discussion. The plan is to present the facts and history of the birth of the club and its development in the West Gorton and Gorton areas of Manchester prior to 1887. Dispelling myths and revealing the latest research and evidence of what actually happened.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions about this critical period for football development in Manchester.

The link will be sent out shortly before the event is live to all those registered. Only those registered will be admitted into the video chat site. You must register here if you want to get involved. If you’d like an example of what the talk will be like take a look at:

Video of my online talk on history of MCFC Support/Match Day at Maine Road

The talk will last about 1 hour and will be online on zoom, so you should be able to access it anywhere. This is a free event but there are a limited number of tickets. These must be ordered in advance.

I’ve increased capacity by 50% but tickets have continued to go quickly and there is still a limited number of places available so please book early if you want to listen and watch the presentation.

You can see posts about other History Talks here:

https://gjfootballarchive.com/tag/history-talks/

Free Online Presentation on the Origins of MCFC – Register Now

On Wednesday 1 February at 6pm (UK time) come and join me for one hour of discussion about the origins of Manchester City FC, focusing on St Mark’s & the club’s development prior to its re-birth as Ardwick AFC. Sign up to listen to this free event where I will explain how the club was born and developed. There are lots of myths out there, so come and listen to the facts. This hour will include the opportunity to ask questions as I’m keen to hear your thoughts on the birth of the club.

The event will be live on Zoom on 1/2/23 at 6pm and a link will be sent to all those who have registered for the event beforehand (probably earlier that day). To sign up for this online Zoom talk please register via this link:

Register on Eventbrite

Register now to join this online zoom discussion. The plan is to present the facts and history of the birth of the club and its development in the West Gorton and Gorton areas of Manchester prior to 1887. Dispelling myths and revealing the latest research and evidence of what actually happened.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions about this critical period for football development in Manchester.

The link will be sent out shortly before the event is live to all those registered. Only those registered will be admitted into the video chat site. You must register here if you want to get involved.

The talk will last about 1 hour and will be online on zoom, so you should be able to access it anywhere. This is a free event but there are a limited number of tickets. These must be ordered in advance.

There is a limited capacity so please book early if you want to listen and watch the presentation.

The Birth of the Blues

On this day (13 November) in 1880 the first reported game played by St. Mark’s Church side took place in Gorton and ended in a 2-1 defeat by the Baptist Church from Macclesfield.  Both sides fielded 12 players. Please note this is the first reported game and at no time is it described as the first game. There may have been earlier matches. There are lots of myths about the birth of St Mark’s (many of which will be spread today no doubt!), the club that went through various changes that led to the creation of Manchester City in 1894. I would urge everyone to read the facts, rather than the fiction, and take a look at this:

The Origins of Manchester City: Facts Not Fiction

Black shirts, White Cross

Identity is important to any aspiring football team and the fledgling Gorton Association Football Club chose to wear a distinctive kit consisting of black shirts with a white cross pattée emblazoned across the left breast. The smart new kit set the tone for what the players hoped would be a successful period in the club’s development and from the moment it was first worn in 1884 the club progressed and grew, becoming Ardwick in 1887, before re-launching as Manchester City in 1894. 

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