19th century match cards

Organised amateur football started to take hold in the Brighton area towards the end of the 19th century and one of the leading clubs in the area were Brighton Athletic. It is believed they played a series of friendly matches at the enclosure in Preston Park, along with other clubs such as Brighton Hornets and North End Rangers.   Match cards are known to exist for 1895 and the example shown here, is for a game against Middlesex Hospital dated 30th November 1895.  It is priced at a rather expensive one penny and was printed by Crowhurst of 52 Market Street.  The single card measures 190mm x 125mm and conveyed only the most basic of information, the date and ‘position of the teams’ on one side and five local adverts on the other.  The main advert is from W. Avenell & Co., artists & photographers, who a few years later produced many postcards involving Brighton & Hove Albion.   This card was typical of match cards throughout the country at this period.   Stan Freeman (Left Back), Arthur Collins (Forward) and Charlie Halman (Outside Left) later went on to appear for Brighton United.

Brighton united

Unfortunately no home match cards are known to exist for this short lived club, who were the first professional club in Sussex and the forerunner of Brighton & Hove Albion. Brighton United played the 1898/98 season in the Southern League division one, but after failing to complete the 1899/1900 season, their record was wiped out.  

On 18th November 1899, they played along the coast against a strong Southampton team.   Southampton were the reigning Southern League champions and later in the season, were to become F.A. Cup runners up.   An attractive match card was produced, proudly showing on the front cover a picture of trophies held.  

Again it was a single card, but this was folded in half to give four sides. When folded the card measures 125mm x 75mm.   The team lineups were printed across the two centre pages.   Adverts appeared on the back page.