1908-09: EVENWOOD CRUSADERS won the Auckland & District League II having played 18, won 17, lost 1 and drawn 0, goals for 49, goals against 17. 

Above: Back Row left to right: E. Wardle; F.W. Neasham, J.R. Bouch (Ho. Sec.) Rev. G.J. Collis, Dr R.A. Milne, R. Howe.

Third Row: R. Parkin (Trainer), H. Robinson, J. Bussey, J. Glasper, K. Bussey, W. Hodgson, J. Lowson (Linesman).

Second Row: H. Coates, J. Dunn, J. Walker (Vice Captain), M. Clennell, H. Walker, R. Welsh,.

Front: A. Blenkinsopp (Captain), A. Gill, W. Blenkinsopp, W. Welsh, H. Robinson.

The May edition of the Evenwood Parish Magazine congratulated Evenwood Crusaders and Evenwood Juniors for their successful seasons.  

Below: Extract from the Evenwood Parish Magazine May 1909

1909-10: EVENWOOD CRUSADERS won the Auckland and District League for the second season in succession as the following article confirms.

Below: Extract from the Evenwood Parish Magazine June 1910

Below: 1909-10: Auckland and District League Div. 11: Gold medal: A. Priestley

Does anybody have a photo of this team?

1910-11: EVENWOOD CRUSADERS won the Shildon Nursing Cup. The Evenwood Parish Magazine reported that the Crusaders also won the Auckland and District League and the Reserves had won their league described as, “an equally distinguished position in the Gaunless Valley League” (see Evenwood Parish Magazine below). 

Below: Evenwood Crusaders with the Shildon Nursing Cup

Above: Back Row left to right: J. Rutter, Dr R.A. Milne, J.R. Bouch (Hon. Sec.), Rev G.J. Collis, T. Stokoe, A. Shipp.

Third Row: J. Bussey, J. Dunn, J. Bussey (Capt.), C. Simpson, F.W. Neasham, R. Bussey, G. Proud, W. Stringer (Trainer).

Second Row: W. Blenkinsopp, W. Clennel, J. Coates, E. Bayles, A. Blenkinsopp.

Front: J. Lowson (Linesman), H. Walker, J. Walker, G. Atkinson, A. Bowman.

The November edition of the Evenwood Parish Magazine reported the victory of last Spring.  Apparently, there were 4 games before the team triumphed.  A social event was held in the school and Mr. Bouch was presented with a silver mounted walking stick.  Mr. Bouch was one of the National School masters. 

Below: Evenwood Parish Magazine November 1910

1910-11: EVENWOOD CRUSADERS RESERVES

The vicar Rev J.G. Collis also referred to the National School team which he described as, “a fine little nursery of coming players who will doubtless insure the good quality of Evenwood football for some time to come”.

Below: Evenwood Parish Magazine November 1911

The February 1912 edition of the Parish Magazine announced that Mr. Bouch had been, “appointed to the headmastership of Eaglescliffe National School”.  Rev. Collis explained:

“The football club will also lose in him a very excellent secretary, who knew the game and how to play it, both on and off the field”.

Below: Evenwood Parish Magazine February 1912.

1913-14: EVENWOOD CRUSADERS won the CROOK NURSING CUP COMPETITION

Below: The handsome gold medals presented to players.  Here is seen that presented to J. BLACKETT. 

Does anybody have a photo of this team?

Not surprisingly, the 1914-18 period did not see much football in civilian life with so many young men on active service during the First World War. 

Pre war, football was also played at a competitive level at Ramshaw and it was reported that in 1910, Ramshaw fielded a team which played in the Gaunless Valley League.  There is a photo of a team outside the Railey Fell Colliery Institute which includes Robert and Jack Brunskill, Herbert Maughan and Albert “Fatty” Proud.  The Chronicle reported that in November 1914, Ramshaw Institute played Evenwood Harriers. 

It is also reported that some football took place during the war years. An example is that in October 1917, Evenwood Rovers were defeated 2-1 by Chilton.