Earliest known picture of Fulham FCThis photo is of historical importance because it is the earliest known picture of Fulham FC, taken in 1887 when the club was still known as Fulham St Andrew's. I believe that it came from a scrapbook belonging to the late Henry Shrimpton, who lent it out in the 1940s and never got it back.
Only this faded cutting seems to survive but there are 13 people in this picture apart from Tom Shrimpton, Henry's brother. Most of them of them would have bought the team photo and perhaps someone reading this has a copy in the family collection, unaware of its significance.
(http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/Images/Earliest-FulhamFC-photo_432_tcm21-179461.jpg)
Patrick Murdoch MB CM, Lillie Road (Club President), age 39 b. Kirkpatrick-Fleming
(Churchwarden at St Andrew's, GP and local politician), d. 1912
William Bolster ex-soldier (?)
(I have few facts about him except that he spent some time in the USA)
Tom Shrimpton, clerk, Haldane Road, age 16 b. Kensington
(One of four brothers who played for Fulham), d. 1951
Jack Howland, accountant, Lillie Road, age 21, b. Liverpool
(Team Captain), d. 30 November 1909
Fred Carter, plumber, Munster Road, age 18 b. Fulham
(Always known as Tubby though it is hard to see why)
Charles McKay, clerk, Jervis Road, age 21, b. Central London
(The club's umpire, as assistant referees were then known)
Fred Keefe, accountant, Pownall Road, age 18, b. Kensington
(A Roman Catholic in a CofE team), d. 1897
James Howard, innkeeper, Eight Bells Fulham (Club Vice-President), age 42
(Provided a changing room and refreshments), d. 1892
Front rows (from left)
Joseph Morrison, boiler-maker, Ancill Street, age 20
(Married at St Andrew's Church 24/1/1886), d. 1921
Will Hobson, insurance agent, Kilmaine Road, age 20, b. Kings Norton
(Known as 'Brum' to distinguish him from his brother Wilf)
Arthur Aram, carpenter, Burnthwaite Road, age 27, b. Paddington
(His brother Robert also played for Fulham), d. 1921
John May, plumber, Hannell Road, age 19, b. Fulham
(The club's outstanding keeper for over a decade), d. 1904
Tom Norman, carpenter, Pownall Road, age 23, b. Ipswich
(The club's first secretary)
Jack King, plasterer, Pownall Road, age 23, b. Westminster or Lambeth
(The first treasurer, played for the club from its earliest days till 1895)
I have written blogs about James Howard (2/8/12) and Will Hobson (30/10/12). I hope to write extensively about all the others.
If you have an original print of this photo or any other information about the participants, please add to this blog or contact me at
[email protected].
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulhamhttp://www.lbhf.gov.uk/Directory/News/Blogs/Earliest_known_picture_of_Fulham_FC.asp (http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/Directory/News/Blogs/Earliest_known_picture_of_Fulham_FC.asp)