A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE Nash Mills, the Rev. J. Kennedy and J. Bar- nard of Aldenham School, H. Chance of Oxford University, F. W. Hotham, W. N. Roe and C. P. Wilson of Elstree School, and F. J. Sparks, a very brilliant centre forward, were among the chief players. Of these, F. J. Sparks and C. P. Wilson both obtained Inter- national honours. One of the most important matches the Rangers played in its later days was an English Cup tie, which took place in 1 88 1 at Kennington Oval against the Old Etonians, who eventually won the cup. The Rangers turned up with ten men and were not very badly beaten. It was in the last years of the club that Mr. F. A. Sargent, afterwards the best centre forward in the county, came out as a prominent player. In 1874 a local club called 'Clarendon' was formed and lasted until 1888, when it was converted into ' Langley United.' The Association game in the meantime had been extending in Watford and St. Albans. The cathedral town had got to- gether a good team by the aid of Messrs. Fred. A. and W. A. Sargent of Watford and other county men. A club was founded by Mr. H. W. Grover in 1881 called Watford Rovers, which soon became the representative club of West Herts. It took part in the competition for the Football Association Cup in 1887, 1888 and 1889, but its best record was in the County Cup competition. They were the runners up for the County Cup to the winners Hoddesdon F.C. in 1887, 1888 and 1890, and winners in 1889, 1891, 1892, as well for the fourth and fifth time as West Herts in 1894 and 1897. Many well known players were members from time to time: W. N. Roe (Elstree School), P. H. Morton (Elstree and Cambridge), J. A. Brown (Notts County), J. R. Paull (Alden- ham and Cambridge), A. M. Low (Alden- ham and Cambridge), A. T. B. Dunn (Old Etonians), Rev. J. Kennedy (late head- master Aldenham School), and E. H. Mari- etta (Aldenham School). Other promi- nent players were Messrs. F. A. Sargent, W. Alec Sargent, Chas. H. Peacock, Geo. Waterman, E. E. Villiers, G. D. Morrison, Walter S. Coles, P. Coles and J. Woods. The club was merged into the West Herts Club and Ground in 1892. It is now under the title of Watford F.C., the only professional club in the county. It won the second division of the Southern League in 1 8991900, and was also successful in heading both divisions of the Bucks and Contiguous Coun- ties League. Last year it joined the first division of the Southern League, and although occupying a low position in the League table at the end of the season, managed to beat Tottenham Hotspur, who eventually won the Association Cup. They also defeated Reading, and lost both games with South- ampton by the small margin of one goal. The Nascot F.C. was started in 1 880, and only lasted three seasons. The principal matches won were against Herts Rangers, Watford Rovers and St. Albans. A Watford club called St. Mary's was very successful for some years, bringing out a number of excellent young players, who after- wards joined the West Herts Club. Another club called Watford St. Mary's was afterwards formed, and after beating the West Herts club in the County Cup Compe- tition was defeated by Hitchin in the final tie in 1895. The club afterwards amalga- mated with the West Herts Club. Other Watford clubs prominent for a time were the Grove and Watford Wanderers. Both of these came to an end, owing to their best players joining the West Herts Club. The Old Hitchin Club played their first game in 1865, and joined the Football Associ- ation in 1867 with about sixteen other clubs. They used to play in the ' Dog Kennel Field.' Mr. F. Shillitoe was captain, and led teams against the Old Etonians, Old Harro- vians and Wanderers, for which latter club the following among others played : C. W. Alcock, Cecil Reid, C. I. Thornton, the Hon. A. F. Kinnaird (now Lord Kinnaird, President of the F.A.) and Lord E. Fitz- maurice. Some of the Old Hitchin players still to the fore in athletics are Messrs. W. Tindall Lucas, L. Thompson, W. Hill, W. O. Atkinson, F. Farmer. Mr. Wm. Lucas played in the first club match, and still takes a keen interest in the game. The Hitchin Club has been very successful in late years in the County Cup Competition, having won the cup four times since 1894. The Hoddesdon Club was formed in 1879 on the same lines as the Herts Rangers, of old public school boys and University men. It turned out several blues, including H. C. Newbery, who played in 1887 and 1888, L. L. Cox, who played in 1889. They both represented Cambridge, and were also members of the Corinthian Club. F. B. Debenham played for Oxford several times, but never against Cambridge. Other prominent players were G. R. Newbery, captain from 1885 to 1890, and H. Salway. The club played a very fine team for many years. From 1887 to 1890 the club were in the final for the Hertfordshire Cup, winning it in 1887, 1888 and 1890, and losing to the Watford Rovers in 1889. During these four years 382
