As part of our Tales from the Rails event, Connor Emerson, Curator of Social History at the museum, talks about this week’s theme of Cup Finals.
Although there is a long history of Amateur Football in the North East of England, the 1950s really represented the height of popularity and success in the region for the Amateur game. Teams from the region contested seven out of the 10 Amateur FA Cup Finals in the decade, with Bishop Auckland regularly competing for the cup throughout. There were also appearances from Willington in the 1950 final, which was an all North East affair against Bishop Auckland, and Crook in 1954 and 1959, with the 1954 final against Bishop Auckland being one of the most remarkable finals in the history of the cup.
Prior to 1949, the ground on which the Amateur FA Cup Final was played varied. However, from the 1949 final and throughout the 1950s, Wembley played host venue to the final, although any replays in the case of a draw were played in a different stadium. This meant that in 1954, many supporters from Bishop Auckland and Crook made the long journey by train to London in support of their team, with the attendance of 100,000 people filling the stadium and totalling gate receipts of £29,500.
One of the objects in the museum’s collection that relates to this game is this souvenir programme for the final that was played on Saturday 10th April 1954. The programme is a single folded sheet, showing the team lineups and a small writeup about the final, which provides little insight into the game.
GS 12-07-1991.5
GS 12-07-1991.5 (3)
Actually, this was an ‘unofficial’ programme that was sold outside the ground before the match. The official programme was much longer than this edition, with a different front and much more information about the teams and the game. Although we don’t have one from the 1954 cup final, there is an example from the 1951 Bishop Auckland versus Pegasus final for comparison.
[GS 33-2019.1] Bishop Auckland vs Pegusus
The game was fiercely fought, with injuries sustained by players on both teams, forcing Bishop Auckland to play most of the game with 10 men. Despite this setback, the Bishops fought bravely, with both teams playing a high standard of football. The game ended two goals apiece after extra time, leading to a replay being played on Easter Monday at the 60,000 capacity St James’ Park in Newcastle. Once again, the game ended in a two each draw and going to a third replay, this time to be held at Ayresome Park in Middlesborough. Finally a decisive result was had as Crook held on to win one nil and take the cup home.
In total, over the three legs, approximately 200,000 people viewed the final, generating gate receipts for both clubs that meant they could donate funds to local concerns in their towns.
NEG 86682 – Train leaving Etherley Station, Witton Park, with passengers bound for Wembley for the 1954 Amateur Cup Final.
This summer we’re marking Rail 200 by exploring the importance of the railway throughout different time periods during Tales from the Rails. Each week we will be focusing on a different theme.
Visit this week (25th August – 1st September) and head to The 1950s Town and find out about the success of football teams from the region who played in Cup Finals at Wembley, both amateur and professional. Play spot the ball, try and make it on to our ‘keepie uppies’ leaderboard, and help design a badge for a new football club.
Use your Beamish Unlimited Pass or Friends of Beamish membership to enjoy Tales from the Rails. Pay once and visit free for a year!