Halliwell Rovers F.C. was an English association football club based in Halliwell, in north-west Bolton.
| Full name | Halliwell Rovers Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1887 | |
| Dissolved | 1899 | |
| Ground | Bennetts | |
| Secretary | J. T. Howarth[1] | |
|
| ||
History
editThe earliest record of the club is of a victory in a friendly against the Swiss Rangers in October 1887.[2] The club was originally restricted to minor football, as the leading club in the district, Halliwell F.C., had a prominence on the national stage. The Rovers however was one of the strongest sides at that level, only losing 3 matches between 1890 and 1893.[3]
In 1895 it joined the Lancashire League,[4] and entered the FA Cup for the first time, although, after being drawn to visit Workington in the first qualifying round, the Rovers withdrew.[5]
Rovers' best League season was its first, as it came 2nd of 16 clubs, albeit 9 points behind champions Nelson. The two clubs were level at the start of March, when Nelson entertained the Rovers (albeit Rovers had played more games), but Nelson's 5–1 win was decisive in the title race.[6]
In the Cup the club only won one tie, 2–0 at Freetown of Bury in the 1898–99 first qualifying round.[7] In the second qualifying round, Rovers scratched after drawing with South Shore, unable to get a team together for the replay.[8]
The club planned to move for the 1899–1900 season, claiming to have found a better site with space for a cycle track,[9] but instead the club was forced to disband in May 1899.[10]
Colours
editThe club wore navy blue and white striped shirts.[11]
Ground
editThe club played at the Bennetts, the old Halliwell F.C. ground.[12][13]
External links
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Clinch coming to town". Morning Leader: 11. 6 January 1898.
- ^ "Minor results". Cricket & Football Field: 5. 22 October 1887.
- ^ "Saturday next at Pike's Lane". Bolton Evening News: 3. 30 November 1893.
- ^ "Annual meeting of the Lancashire League at Fairfield". Stalybridge Reporter: 7. 25 May 1895.
- ^ "Football notes". Manchester Courier: 7. 14 October 1895.
- ^ "Nelson at the top". Athletic News: 6. 2 March 1895.
- ^ "Halliwell Rovers v Freetown". Sporting Life: 3. 3 October 1898.
- ^ "With the Lancashire League clubs". Lancashire Evening Post: 5. 22 October 1898.
- ^ "Football notes". Manchester Evening News: 4. 29 April 1899.
- ^ "Notes on sport". Burnley Express: 6. 20 May 1899.
- ^ "Answers to correspondents". Athletic News: 4. 8 May 1899.
- ^ "Halliwell Rovers v Little Lever Union". Cricket & Football Field: 5. 11 November 1893.
- ^ "The field of sport". Bolton Journal: 7. 11 March 1899.