North Eastern Daily Gazette February 28 1905,

MIDDLESBROUGH F.C.

LEAGUE TEAM ENTERTAINED BY COL. T. G. POOLE.

    After a lapse of two years the Middlesbrough Football League team on Saturday last had the honour of earning a couple of valued League points on foreign soil. And in celebration of such an auspicious event, Col. T. Gibson Poole on Monday night, entertained the members of the winning team, and also his colleagues on the Board of Directors, to an excellent supper provided by Councillor Alf Mattison, at the Zetland Hotel. The whole of the winning team were present, with the exception of Common, who is still residing at Sunderland, and as a means of promoting good fellowship amongst the directors and players the event must be described as a distinct success, a most enjoyable evening being spent. There were a few after-dinner speeches, but in this respect the speakers were all brief, and they afforded but little interruption to the excellent talent which had assembled to amuse the company. Col. Poole, who occupied the chair, proposed the health of the successful team of last Saturday – a duty which he said was a most pleasurable one. He had had the honour of going away with the team, and it was one of the most enjoyable day’s outings he had ever had. The first three quarters of an hour of the game was the quickest he could remember, and the second was the longest. (Laughter.) He must say that although he was not an expert director, he thought every man in the team did his best. (Applause.) Every man played well, and was well pleased when the match was over and they came back with two points. They say that

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF,

And it did in this instance. He hoped the team would stick together, and do as well during the next few weeks as they had done during the last few weeks, and he did not think there was any danger of the Second Division. It would be a scandalous shame if a team like that which played last Saturday had to drop into the Second Division. He thought, however, that the club’s position had been a splendid advertisement. The team had been talked about, and it had inspired them to do better. They had had new blood drafted into the team, and he thought the changes augured well for its future success. In conclusion, he hoped they would have many similar outings. – The health of the team was drunk with enthusiasm, and Mr Cassidy, the captain, in response, remarked that the players were delighted with the kind way they had been treated. He was sure they would always try to do their best. (Hear, hear.) They had had a little bit of luck at last, and time they had it, too. (Laughter and applause.) He thought they would now steer clear of the Second Division. At the call of their captain, the team rose and, with musical honours, drank the Chairman’s health. – Dr. Steel, rising to propose Colonel Poole’s health, remarked that Mr Cassidy had already half completed the task. Colonel Poole was one of the latest acquisitions to the Board of Directors, but he was not there long before he

MADE HIS PRESENCE FELT.

And to-night he had consummated those distinguishing features. He called the winning team together and right royally modestly replied and hoped that they might entertain the team on many future occasions. – This proved all the speech-making, with the exception of a vote of thanks proposed by Mr R.W.Williams  to the accompanist, Mr Telah Harding, and the artistes who provided such an excellent programme. Mr Michael Keegan was one of the star turns, and his football yarns were richly enjoyed. Mr Alderson proved a really fine tenor, and Mr P. Rees also did well. Bobbie Atherton blossomed forth as a singer, and his song, “Three women to every man,” was one which proved decidedly popular. Joe Frail sang about “The red, white, and blue.” There was no lack of singers, and when closing time was reached the toast of “The King” was honoured, everyone parting in the utmost good humour.

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FEBRUARY 1905 - ALF COMMON TO MIDDLESBROUGH - FIRST 4-FIGURE TRANSFER FEE