Lancaster sports nostalgia
Thanks to my friend Frank Parkinson of Chequers Avenue, Lancaster, I can unravel a mystery photograph of Freehold United that was first published in the Lancaster Guardian and Observer on Friday November 11 1949.
The club started in the Junior Division II of the North Lancashire & District League and were winners of the E.G. Smith Cup. In season 1947-48 the team won the Junior Division I Championship and went on to retain the trophy in the following two seasons.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThey won the Junior Challenge Cup, were joint winners of the J. Gregory Benevolent Cup and losing finalists in the R. L. Dilworth Cup.
The team also represented the North Lancashire League in three friendly games.
They beat Blackburn St Joseph, Blackburn League champions, 1-0, before travelling to Carlisle and beating their League Champions 3-2. Finally, they hosted Cliftonville Boys Club from Northern Ireland and drew 2-2, a truly outstanding team.
I well remember playing for Lansil in the 1960s when Ken “Topsy” Irvine was the manager.
Recognise any faces?