Bad Vibes at the Match

The Gloucester Journal, on Saturday, November 8, 1890, reported:

“Gloucester played Penarth on Saturday last on the Spa, this being the first time the teams have met.

The game, which resulted in favour of Gloucester by a goal and two minors to nil, was a good one from some points of view, but there were several drawbacks in it. The chief of these was the fact that there seemed to be scarcely the cordiality and good feeling which should always be maintained in a football match.’

Some disagreement also occurred with respect to the selection of a referee, and when at half time, Mr. W. H. Fream had had quite enough of a task that was by no means pleasant under the best of circumstances. and requested a fresh referee should be found, considerable haggling and a delay were caused. Ultimately a stranger to the crowd officiated in the all-important capacity, and though there was some dissatisfaction at some of the decisions (one or two of them seemed somewhat strange) he exercised a firmer hand over the game than did his predecessor.”