Pride of Anglia - Ipswich Town Football Club
since 1878
Evening Star & Daily Herald, Saturday May 13, 1911
FOOTBALL IN BOHEMIA
IPSWICH TOWN v. SLAVIA
THE MATCHES DESCRIBED
Ipswich Town’s two matches in Prague, which was the full number it was possible to play, were of an interesting character, although it was somewhat disappointing the Town were unable to make a better display. In the first place, Ipswich had anything but a representative team. This was mainly due to the Captain (Mr. Garnham) being given no opportunity until ten days before the commencement of the tour of getting together the requisite number of player. Then, in the second place, the two wearisome days of travel operated against anything like good form. These are matters that cannot be lost sight of when the inability [of the] Town to win either of their two matches is discussed. The Ipswich players, amongst whom it is true there were four from neighbouring clubs, may flatter themselves that their visit greatly pleased the Prague people who have seldom assembled in such large numbers on the Slavia football ground when English teams have been playing there. Altogether, judging not only from accounts in the Prague papers, but from the comments of the principal supporters of the Slave Club the two exhibitions by Ipswich were generally appreciated, and another visit will be eagerly looked forward to.
The Slavia Club, which was founded in 1892, is a general sports organisation for its 600 members take part in not only football, but athletics, lawn tennis, fencing and hockey; cricket has yet to be tackled. Since 1899, when they received their first visit from an English team – Oxford University beat them in that year by 3-0 – no less than 68 matches have been played with English teams. Last year six English clubs sent teams to Prague to play Slavia, the latter winning the majority of the matches as under: v. Hampstead, won 4-1 and 3-2; v. Civil Service, won 1-0 and 2-0; v. Crouch End Vampires, won 3-2 and 8-0; v. New Crusaders, drew 1-1 and won 5-2; v. Old Grammarians, won 3-0 and 5-0; v. England (A.F.A.), lost 1-3 and won 3-2. Vesely, who was one of the backs opposed to Ipswich, has played in that department for Slavia for 10 years, and altogether he has represented the first team of the club in over 310 matches. Krumr, the other back, and Benda, one of the halves, who, like Vesely was at Ipswich two years ago, have each appeared in no less than 250 matches for Slavia. Jan Kosek, the captain, who is most powerful and certain shot, has established an almost unique record in that he has scored 650 goals in 250 matches. All the eleven players opposed to Ipswich have represented their country in international contests, and six of their number – Krumr, Vesely, Benda, Rosmaisl, Kosek, and Kovarovic – were in Ipswich with the international team two years ago.
At the first of the two games there was an attendance approaching three thousand, while for the second there was a gate of about four thousand five hundred. The prices of admission being considerably in advance of what they are at even the majority of professional and other leading matches in England, the attendance was considered extremely satisfactory. The price paid by the spectators averaged eightpence for each match. The onlookers at both matches gave the visitors a very generous greeting. Among those who joined in this welcome were a few from the small British colony in Prague. Besides the Consul (Capt. Frobes) and his secretary (Mr. Schwarz) there were also present the British chaplain and his wife, a lady from Dovercourt, who has been resident in Prague some four years, and one or two others. In the first game Ipswich Town was represented by W. Randall; C. Tilbrook and H. Rowsell; E. Ashton, W.F. Garnham (capt.), and T. Freeman; A. Beveridge and E. Bugg; C. Potter; C. Cullingford and O.L. Owen.
Slavia had the assistance of the following players: Pimmer; Vesely and Krumr; Benda, Rosmaisl, and Kovarovic; Siroky and Medek; Bohata; Kosek (capt.) and Holy.
In the first game, as in the second, the methodical and scientific work of the Bohemians was an outstanding feature of the two days play, and having regard to the all round excellence of their attack, it is surprising how Ipswich escaped as they did; especially was this the case in the second match which was drawn one all. Although Randall disappointed some in not stopping one or perhaps two of the Bohemians’ successful shots on the first day, he atoned for these mistakes on the following day when he gave an exhibition of goalkeeping which could not very wel have been excelled. So delighted too were the spectators with his brilliant performance that he was literally mobbed on returning to the dressing-rooms. No player, however, rendered more useful service than Tilbrook, whose defensive tactics must have surprised even his own comrades. From first to last he was only responsible for one mis-kick, and to him the Town owe much, particularly as in the first match he was compelled to do more than his own share of work. The Ipswich players were somewhat at a disadvantage on the first day owing to a lively ball, the ground, although well turfed, being decidedly hard notwithstanding that on the previous evening there was a considerable fall of rain.
The play of the Bohemians savoured more of the style of the professional than of the amateur player. This result was probably due to the fact that Slavia for years have had the services of an old Scotch “pro” as trainer. Certainly there was a nice finish about their play, but there was a decided absence of that dash and spirited work which is generally associated with amateur football. Notwihstanding some play by the Ipswich defence on the first day, notably by Tilbrook, at back, and Garnham, at half the tactics of the Bohemian forwards proved most trying. However, although these two players persevered and struggled hard to check the frequent and almost overpowering tactics of their opponents, they were only indifferently supported, Ashton being the greatest defender in this respect. For a considerable time the Ipswichians kept Slavia from scoring, but when their outside right Siroky, ultimately scored with a shot which came from close vicinity of the corner flag, the visiting players were as much surprised as the home team, and their followers were jubilant at this initial success. It was doubtless a difficult shot to judge, and with the other opposing forwards struggling to get at the ball it was most disconcerting for the goalkeeper. Periodical attempts to equalise by the Ipswich side were not often productive of very encouraging results, although Potter endeavoured to organise numerous attacks. These, however, generally failed, owing to the lack of supported he was accorded by the rest of the forwards. Beveridge, however, was an excellent trier and although not the equal of the Slavia team’s outside right, he put across numbers of fine centres and also at times proved a dangerous forward in other respects. Potter, who gave a very promising exhibition in the initial half of the first match, delighted the spectators with his tricky exhibitions which, however, were less frequent during the second period. He was certainly deserving of one goal, and had he received his due reward a goal would have fallen to his lot. Before the first half closed the second goal was registered by Bohata, who dashed between the Ipswich backs and got possession of the ball, which was apparently left to the goalkeeper to deal with. Once Bohata, who has the great merit of being a hard and accurate shot, got the ball, it was in the net immediately. In the second half, Ipswich kept their opponents at bay for a longer time than seemed possible, and it was no discredit to the defence that two more goals each from good shots by Kosek and Medek came before the close of the match. These were both well worked for, and the last, which went right across the goal, could not have been stopped by the best of goalkeepers. Although retiring without having scored, the Ipswich side made numerous plucky efforts to avert such a result, but the half and back divisions of the Slavia were two reliable to allow of such an eventuality taking place. The Slavia backs were sound tacklers, and they often indulged in the professional habit of sending to the goalkeeper, to extricate themselves from any possible dilemma. Above all, they did excellently in volleying. The half-back line did much to spoil the Ipswich attacks, which it was to be regretted were not directed in force as invariably happened with the other side. The first game ended much to the disappointment of the few English people in the grandstand in the defeat of Ipswich Town by 4 goals to nil.
In the second day’s match Freeman’s place was taken by H.C. Sore the other member of the Bury United contingent, whose services in the absence of a sufficiency of players from the Town ranks were gladly welcomed. On this occasion, Ipswich gave a decidedly improved display, and the whole defence, save, perhaps, Ashton, were in better trim. The united onslaughts of the Slavia’s active line of forwards were thus more effectively checked. Although Ipswich were the first to score on the second day – almost immediately after the interval their forward line in comparison with the homesters was certainly at a discount and nothing but the sturdy defence of the Ipswich backs and halves saved the Town from yet another defeat. Tilbrook again thwarted the opposing forwards times out of number, while Garnham, whose conduct of the arrangements of the tour gave much satisfaction, did much to minimise the severity of the repeated attacks which were levelled against Ipswich during the last twenty-five minutes of the match. When at last a goal came to Slavia it created no surprise, for shots had for a long time been volleyed into goal in every direction. How Randall kept the ball out as long as he did amazed not a few. Occasionally Ipswich responded with some dashing forward movements, in which Beveridge and Potter figured prominently. Shooting, however, was not a strong feature of the Ipswichian’s play, even when within fairly easy range of the goal. Potter once nearly put his side ahead and it was the merest chance the ball did not enter the net, when he drove it on to the inside of the upright. Luckily for the goalkeeper it bounded towards him, and before Potter could reach him he had cleared. In their play the Slavia were fully the equal of their opponents, and if through this shot of Potter’s Ipswich had won, it could not have been said that a victory was a right to which they were entitled. A draw of one all was, therefore, a most satisfactory termination to a very good sporting game, which was enjoyed by no one more than the President. Once quite early in the second half, when Ipswich led by a goal, a penalty was given against Ipswich, evidently to the astonishment of all, for the ball struck Tilbrook on the chin. The Slavia captain despite the advantage this concession afforded him promptly sent the ball in the direction of the corner flag; it was an action which demonstrated the sporting spirit in which the Bohemians played the game. When the opportunity occurred the Ipswich captain rightly paid a high tribute to this pleasing fact. The second being drawn one all, Ipswich returned to England with five goals against them, and only one for.
In the first match the refereeing was not altogether satisfactory in regard to the interpretation of the off-side rule. However, a decided improvement in this respect was noticeable in the second match, although the official on that occasion might with advantage have been somewhat more alert concerning the enforcement of the off-side rule, seeing that the Slavia forwards had a decided tendency to get too far forward. On the whole, however, no serious complaint could be made of the refereeing.
The tour practically closed with a banquet, to which the English players and their friends were entertained on the night before their departure. In the regretted absence of the President of the Slavia Club, who was kept away through indisposition, Mr. Egon Raym proved a very acceptable substitute, and the proceedings were not allowed to flag under his chairmanship. Beside the Ipswich contingent every member of the Slavia team, in addition to several of the more prominent officials and members, assembled at the dinner, which came as a pleasant surprise, seeing that it was he nearest approach to English fare that the visitors had so far had.
Mr. Raym, who toasted the Ipswich players, remarked that the Bohemian were grateful pupils of the English, the frequency of whose visits to Prague had done much to improve their play. They were greatly indebted, he added, to Mr. Garnham for having brought such an excellent team.
The Ipswich captain, in making his acknowledgements, readily admitted that his side had met a team of fine footballers, and he was sure, bearing in mind their style of play and all-round excellence, that they would give an professional team a good game. The ground was a far better one than he had been led to believe, and his comrades were quite delighted with it. He was only sorry that the Ipswich team had not put up a better fight against Slavia. The next time, however, he visited Bohemia, he should endeavour to bring a stronger side. He was especially pleased to find that Slavia could count upon the support of so many and such enthusiastic spectators. He could not help saying that the Ipswich team had met a thorough lot of sportsmen, who had a captain who played the game in the right spirit. Mr. Garnham concluded his remarks by inviting his comrades to drink the health of their Bohemian friends, and he specially mentioned Mr. Schwarz (secretary to the English consulate), Mr. Raym, and Mr. Laufer, who had been ever in attendance upon them.
Mr. Schwarz, who responded, apologised for the absence of Capt. Forbes, the English Consul. He added that as the visitors had shown so much interest in the walks about the city, they were delighted to have done what they had.
Dr. Hrubant, who also spoke, claimed that England had shown real friendship for Bohemia, whose people, he went on to say, regarded the Germans as the common foe of both countries. They wanted to see more countries joining the A.F.A., and he fervently hoped that nothing would be done which would be at all likely to retard the success of the A.F.A. movement. Finally, Dr. Hrubant, amidst applause, and in all sincerity, asserted that Bohemians always said this “Rule Britannia, Britons never shall be slaves.”
During the social proceedings the visitors could not but have been charmed with the Bohemian national songs, which, beautiful as they were, certainly betrayed a note of sadness, which perhaps is not unnatural with a people who have suffered oppression. The last hour or so on the following morning was not wasted, for an inspection of the Bohemian National Bank, built almost entirely of marble, was enjoyed. The party finally left Prague with a very hearty send-off.