TUDOR TALK

[marc]

Received an interesting email (well... if you like this sort of thing) from a fella named Tony who has been invaluable in assisting my research in to local football of old and all things HHTFC/Apsley.

Below are pictures of old Apsley Charity Cup winners medals from 1896, although it's just a West Herts Leagye competition these days it used to be one of the more popular local competitions 100 years ago. The winners this year were Hemel Hempstead FC, who my regular devotees will know are not actually part of our current clubs history, they were Apsely FC's main rivals. Tony's email was as follows: (FYI, Cup finals at Apsley's Salmon Meadow ground used to attract 3000 spectators!)

"Marc. Thought I would share a couple of photos with you (see attached). I Picked up a 1896 Apsley Charity Cup winner's medal on eBay last week. The medal reverse has the name "A. Brinklow and HHFC" engraved on it.

I recall that there were three Brinklow (brothers ?) playing in local football from the late 1880s onwards. I have "A Brinklow" recorded in my notes as a member of the original Hemel Hempsted FC in around 1890. There was also a W.Brinklow who played for Apsley FC in 1892.

This 1896 Charity Cup medal would have been for a game played on the old Salmon Meadow ground.

Tony"

[marc]

a couple more, which Tony describes as follows:

"1899 Apsley Charity Cup medal - rather plain, but it is solid gold and the Herts Senior Cup medal from 1908/09"





The Herts Senior Cup was won by the Tudors (as Apsley FC) that year, so you're looking at possibly the oldest known medal relating to the club...

The gold medal was found by Tony in the window of a jewellers in Hemel Old Town, 15 years ago. That was won by a Berkhamsted Town player against the old Hemel Hempsted club (as mentioned, the old Hemel are no relation to us)

[tapper]

nice pictures Marc, as a history freak i find all this fascinating. I cant wait for the book. HURRY UP!

[marc]

well i thought i had enough research, however the seller of a rare book featuring the history of the Herts Senior County League has come to light which may assist in tracing the full history of Hemel United/Adeyfield Athletic, hopefully it's in the post as I type. Now if only i could get the details of the post war West Herts League and the history of the South Midlands lower leagues.....