Post by Jon on Dec 17, 2022 20:49:04 GMT
Readers of this forum's history room will know full well that the South Devon League was formed in 1903, even if the league itself continues to claim 1902.
Whilst the Torquay Times regularly included league tables from 1905-06 onwards, it did not once include a league table during the first two seasons of the league's existence.
It is fortunate that the local Dartmouth paper, now uploaded on the BNA, can do the honours for the league's second season 1904-05.
The report below contains the full drama of the league's dramatic last day decider.
The mighty Ellacombe, defending the title won in the league's inaugural season, were two points behind Bovey with a game in hand and a better goal average. Unfortunately, goal average did not count so a win over the local Boys' Brigade would only force a title-deciding playoff with Bovey.
But Ellacombe failed the show of strength with your Boys' Brigade and came home as league runners-up.
Missing from the party travelling to Dartmouth - and not even waiting in Ellacombe for the boys' heroic return - was the club's spiritual leader Rev Percy Baker - the man who was to save Plainmoor from the builders.
You may find it hard to believe this, but he and Mrs Baker had buggared off on a cruise to the Holy Lands. They came back just after the Dartmouth game - in time for the playoff that never took place.
If you tried telling that to the Plainmoor faithful 99 years' later, they probably would not believe you.
Whilst the Torquay Times regularly included league tables from 1905-06 onwards, it did not once include a league table during the first two seasons of the league's existence.
It is fortunate that the local Dartmouth paper, now uploaded on the BNA, can do the honours for the league's second season 1904-05.
The report below contains the full drama of the league's dramatic last day decider.
The mighty Ellacombe, defending the title won in the league's inaugural season, were two points behind Bovey with a game in hand and a better goal average. Unfortunately, goal average did not count so a win over the local Boys' Brigade would only force a title-deciding playoff with Bovey.
But Ellacombe failed the show of strength with your Boys' Brigade and came home as league runners-up.
Missing from the party travelling to Dartmouth - and not even waiting in Ellacombe for the boys' heroic return - was the club's spiritual leader Rev Percy Baker - the man who was to save Plainmoor from the builders.
You may find it hard to believe this, but he and Mrs Baker had buggared off on a cruise to the Holy Lands. They came back just after the Dartmouth game - in time for the playoff that never took place.
If you tried telling that to the Plainmoor faithful 99 years' later, they probably would not believe you.