View source for 1897–98 Small Heath F.C. season

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox football club season
| club               = Small Heath F.C.
| season             = 1897–98
| manager            = [[Alfred Jones (football manager)|Alfred Jones]]
| mgrtitle           = Secretary
| chairman           = Walter W. Hart
| stdtitle           = Ground
| stadium            = [[Muntz Street|Coventry Road]]
| league             = [[Football&nbsp;League Second&nbsp;Division]]
| league result      = [[1897–98 Football League|6th (of 16)]]
| cup1               = [[FA Cup]]
| cup1 result        = [[1897–98 FA Cup|Third qualifying round]] {{nowrap|(eliminated by [[Burslem Port Vale]])}}
| cup2               = [[Birmingham Senior Cup]]
| cup2 result        = Second round {{nowrap|(eliminated by [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]])}}
| cup3               = [[Birmingham Charity Cup]]
| cup3 result        = First round {{nowrap|(eliminated by [[West Bromwich Albion]])}}
| cup4               = [[Staffordshire Senior Cup]]
| cup4 result        = Semi-final {{nowrap|(eliminated by West Bromwich Albion)}}
| league topscorer   = {{nowrap|[[Walter Abbott (footballer, born 1877)|Walter Abbott]] (19)}}
| season topscorer   = Walter Abbott (19)
| highest attendance = {{nowrap|12,000 vs [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] (8 January 1898)}}
| lowest attendance  = 3,000 (three matches)
| average attendance = 
| prevseason         = [[1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season|1896–97]]
| nextseason         = [[1898–99 Small Heath F.C. season|1898–99]]
| pattern_la1=_navyborder |pattern_b1=_smallheath1893 |pattern_ra1=_navyborder |pattern_name1=Team
| leftarm1=ADD8E6|body1= |rightarm1=ADD8E6|shorts1=FFFFFF|socks1=000080
}}

The [[1897–98 Football League]] season was the 17th season of competitive [[association football]] and 6th season in [[the Football League]] played by [[Small Heath Football Club]], an English football club based in [[Birmingham]]. They finished in sixth place in the 16-team division. Having failed to gain exemption from the qualifying rounds of the [[1897–98 FA Cup]], they entered the competition in the third qualifying round and lost that opening match to [[Burslem Port Vale]]. In local cup competitions, they lost to [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] in the second round of the [[Birmingham Senior Cup|Birmingham Cup]], were eliminated by [[West Bromwich Albion]] in the first round of the [[Birmingham Charity Cup|Mayor of Birmingham's Charity Cup]], and reached the semi-final of the [[Staffordshire Senior Cup]] where they again lost to West Bromwich Albion.

Nineteen different players represented the club in nationally organised competitive matches during the season and there were thirteen different goalscorers. [[Walter Abbott (footballer, born 1877)|Walter Abbott]] was the top scorer with 19 goals, and he and [[wing half]] [[Thomas Dunlop (footballer)|Thomas Dunlop]] played in every match. The match against [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] attracted a crowd of 12,000, an improvement on the highest attendance in the previous two seasons.

==Background==
Looking back at the [[1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season|1896–97 season]], the ''Sports Argus''' editorial expressed disappointment with the team's performance and dissatisfaction with the running of the club. At the start of the season, they had "confidently looked forward" to Small Heath reaching the test match positions, even if they proved unsuccessful therein. But the team's fine finish to the season on top of such a poor start made it "terribly aggravating to think that the least bit of extra effort earlier on in the season would in all probability have seen them a good second to [Notts] County." The club's failure to gain exemption from the qualifying competition of the FA Cup strengthened the writer's belief that "the club wants a thorough wakening-up".<ref>'Argus Junior' (24 April 1897). "Gossip". ''The Sports Argus'' (Birmingham): p.1.</ref> The club made a loss of £369 on the year, which the ''Dart'' suggested was due less to the effects of bad weather, as claimed in the annual report, than to a "penny wise and pound foolish" approach to the signing of players which they hoped would not be repeated in the season to come.<ref>"No title". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.9. 23 June 1897.</ref>

[[File:TWMuntzStreet.jpg|thumb|left|Aston Villa's old grandstand in place as a terrace cover at the Muntz Street end of the Coventry Road ground]]Few players left during the close season. The ambitious and well-funded [[Bristol City]], newly elected to the [[Southern Football League|Southern League]], signed both [[Tom Farnall]] and the promising [[Jack Jones (association footballer born 1874)|Jack Jones]] on attractive terms, reported as £5 to sign, then [[£sd|50s.]] during the playing season and 30s. in the summer. Had swift action not been taken by club officials, [[Walter Abbott (footballer, born 1877)|Walter Abbott]] would have made the same move.<ref name=Argus0828>'Argus Junior' (28 August 1897). "Football Notes". ''The Sports Argus'' (Birmingham): p.1.</ref> [[Charlie Izon]] left for [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]], and [[Denny Hodgetts]], who had been reinstated as an amateur, offered his services, but "as he could not promise to play for them regularly", his offer was declined.<ref>'Retlaw' (3 September 1897). "Football Arrows". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.6.</ref>

The ''Dart'''s initial opinion was that the standard of replacement for Hodgetts, Jones and Farnall&nbsp;– "two or three players who have done well with local clubs have been signed up, and a smart left-wing forward in Kirton, of Lincoln City, has also been secured"&nbsp;– but as the directors preferred to spend their money on ground improvements, in the shape of the purchase of [[Aston Villa]]'s old stands from the Perry Barr ground, rather than on "stars", these would be inadequate to return the club to the First Division.<ref>"Sports Gossip". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.6. 6 August 1897.</ref> Having seen the new additions, they changed their mind. Although Hodgetts would be missed, [[Jack Kirton]] "appears to be a smart player, while the other new men secured are far from being 'duffers'", [[Billy Walton]] had recovered from the broken shoulderblade sustained the previous March, and apart from Jones and Farnall, "the whole of the other first team players from last season have signed again, and there is no reason why the Heathens should not render a good account of themselves" this season.<ref name=Dart2008>"Sports Gossip". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.6. 20 August 1897.</ref> Furthermore, "the Small Heath ground presents quite an imposing appearance now that it is adorned with the old Perry Barr grand stand, and as there is now plenty of covered accommodation for spectators the 'gates' should materially increase",<ref name=Dart2008/> and, as was pointed out later in the season, facilities for representatives of the press had also been improved.<ref>"What we Hear". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.12. 14 January 1898.</ref>

There were no changes to the team's [[kit (association football)|kit]] of light blue shirts with navy collar trim, cuffs and pocket, white [[knickerbockers (clothing)|knickerbockers]] and navy socks.<ref>[http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Birmingham_City/Birmingham_City.htm Birmingham City]. Historical Football Kits. Retrieved 12 February 2012</ref>

==Review==

===September–October===

Small Heath prepared for the new season with a [[friendly match]] at [[Muntz Street|Coventry Road]] against a [[Burton Wanderers]] team made up largely of local youngsters. In front of only a couple of hundred spectators in "pelting" rain, [[Walter Abbott (footballer, born 1877)|Walter Abbott]], [[Charlie Hare]], and [[Wilson Lewis]] scored in a 3–1 win.<ref name=BurtonWFriendly/> The first League game took place a few days later at Wanderers' neighbours [[Burton Swifts]]. Fielding three debutants, Small Heath took a one-goal lead in the first half, then took advantage of the wind at their backs after the interval to extend their lead to three goals before Swifts scored a late consolation.<ref>"Second Division". ''Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper'' (London): p.24. 5 September 1897.</ref> The ''Standard'' thought the team "unfortunate in scoring only two goals" in the first half, and two from Abbott in the second gave them a 4–0 victory in a friendly against [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]]<ref name=LincolnFriendly/> At home to [[Leicester Fosse]], in "delightful" weather in front of an 8,000 crowd, Hare scored the second-half winner after Fosse's [[Harry Smith (1890s footballer)|Harry Smith]] had a goal disallowed for offside.<ref>"Smallheath v. Leicester Fosse". ''Liverpool Mercury'': p.9. 13 September 1897.</ref> The ''Leicester Chronicle'' felt that the Heathens' first goal "ought never to have been allowed in consequence of unfair charging", that there was nothing wrong with Smith's disallowed header, and that "Small Heath got the better of each decision".<ref>"Football Notes". ''Leicester Chronicle'': p.6. 18 September 1897.</ref>

The visit to [[West Bromwich Albion]] in the first round of the [[Birmingham Charity Cup|Mayor of Birmingham's Charity Cup]] gave the 2,000 spectators more goals than they might have expected. Small Heath led 3–1 at the interval, but the home side brought the scores level after 90 minutes, and scored three times more during extra time to win the tie 7–4.<ref name=MBCC1/> Back in the League, Small Heath secured a "deserved" victory at [[Loughborough F.C.|Loughborough]] by two [[Billy Walton]] goals to nil. The highlight of the first ten minutes was the goalkeeping of Loughborough's [[Godfrey Beardsley]], who "repulsed shot after shot", yet Walton's two scoring shots were "weak, and the second was disputed".<ref>"Loughborough v. Smallheath". ''Liverpool Mercury'': p.10. 20 September 1897.</ref> The home side lost [[Arthur Shaw (footballer born 1869)|Arthur Shaw]] through injury after only a few minutes.<ref>"Loughborough v. Small Heath". ''The Standard'' (London): p.7. 20 September 1897.</ref> The win completed a sequence of nine away wins in the league, begun in January, which ({{as of|2015|5|lc=y}}) remains a club record.<ref name=Records>[http://www.fl125.co.uk/records/league-wins Wins] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907213421/http://www.fl125.co.uk/records/league-wins |date=7 September 2017 }}. ''FL125.co.uk''. The Football League. Retrieved 6 September 2017.</ref> Small Heath finished September with a fourth consecutive League win. Hare scored twice in the first half, either side of [[Tommy Leigh (footballer, born 1875)|Tom Leigh]]'s goal for Burton Swifts, but despite "press[ing] incessantly" in the second half, were unable to increase their lead.<ref>"Smallheath v. Burton Swifts". ''Liverpool Mercury'': p.10. 27 September 1897.</ref> The ''Owl'' commented favourably on a positive start to the season, the form of Charlie Hare and the ability of [[full back (association football)|full-back]] [[Arthur Archer]], but warned they needed to beat the likes of [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] and [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] before starting to think about promotion.<ref>"Fitful Football". ''The Owl'' (Birmingham): p.12. 1 October 1897.</ref>

Walton's second-half equaliser from a corner earned Small Heath a draw at [[Darwen F.C. (1870)|Darwen]], where the ''Owl'' suggested they needed "a little more dash and go in front of goal".<ref>"Darwen v. Smallheath". ''Liverpool Mercury'': p.9. 4 October 1897.<br>'Captain Forward' (8 October 1897). "League Tit-Bits". ''The Owl'' (Birmingham): p.4.</ref> At home to [[Gainsborough Trinity]] on the Tuesday, they led 4–3 at the interval, despite losing [[Jimmy Inglis (footballer, born 1872)|Jimmy Inglis]] to injury, and that was the final score.<ref>"Smallheath v. Gainsborough Trinity". ''Liverpool Mercury'': p.11. 11 October 1897.</ref> The ''Dart'' reported that "the attendances at Coventry Road this season have been most satisfactory, and the directors of the club are on the very best of terms with themselves as a consequence."<ref>'Retlaw' (15 October 1897). "Football Arrows". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.6.</ref> The visit to [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], who before the game had won only once this season, produced a first defeat,<ref>'Observer' (23 September 1897). "Notes and Comments". ''The Northern Echo'' (Darlington): p.3.</ref> and an unexpectedly heavy one, for Small Heath, who showed "neither dash nor combination" as Hare scored their only goal in reply to the home side's four.<ref>"Blackpool v. Small Heath". ''The Standard'' (London): p.8. 18 September 1897.</ref> Without both Hare and Inglis for the opening round of the [[Staffordshire Senior Cup]], Small Heath nevertheless beat a full [[Wolverhampton Wanderers]] first team by three goals to two, Wilson Lewis scoring twice. The ''Owl'''s 'Captain Forward' reiterated his praise of Archer, as "one of the best defenders the Club has ever had, [who] on this occasion was on splendid form."<ref name=SSCR1/><ref>'Captain Forward' (22 October 1897). "League Tit-Bits". ''The Owl'' (Birmingham): p.7.</ref>

Despite still being unable to field a full-strength team, and with players in unaccustomed positions, Small Heath's winning ways continued at home to [[Manchester United F.C.|Newton Heath]]. A crowd of 6,000 saw Lewis open the scoring with a tap-in after an earlier goal had been disallowed for offside, then [[William Bryant (footballer born 1874)|William Bryant]] tied the scores just before half-time. Soon after the interval, Lewis "whizzed" a second goal into the net, and Abbott hit the post, before [[Bob Donaldson]]'s apparent equaliser was disallowed, again for offside.<ref>"Small Heath v. Newton Heath". ''Manchester Guardian'': p.7. 25 October 1897.<br>'Retlaw' (22 October 1897). "Football Arrows". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.6.</ref> The Small Heath club had complained bitterly about their failure to be awarded exemption from the qualification process for the [[1897–98 FA Cup]], particularly as their less successful neighbours [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] were exempted. Drawn to visit [[Burslem Port Vale]] in the third qualifying round, the club's directors made a "tempting" but unsuccessful offer to the host club to switch the venue to [[Muntz Street|Coventry Road]].<ref>'Captain Forward' (5 November 1897). "League Tit-Bits". ''The Owl'' (Birmingham): p.4.</ref> In a result that "could scarcely be credited in Birmingham until the evening papers confirmed it", Port Vale won by two goals to one.<ref>'Retlaw' (5 November 1897). "Football Arrows". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.6.</ref> Off the field, the club announced that the local schools league were to be allowed to play matches at the Coventry Road ground before their own fixtures.<ref>'Captain Forward' (29 October 1897). "League Tit-Bits". ''The Owl'' (Birmingham): p.4.</ref>

===November–December===

As expected, Small Heath beat [[Loughborough F.C.|Loughborough]], but "a much more decisive defeat was anticipated" by the ''Leicester Chronicle'' than Abbott's single first-half goal. Loughborough's goalkeeper, [[Albert Mumford]], produced a "grand exhibition",<ref>"Football Notes". ''Leicester Chronicle'': p.7. 13 November 1897.</ref> In the second half, Small Heath "did the bulk of the pressing", but their shooting was "of indifferent character".<ref>"Small Heath v. Loughborough". ''Manchester Guardian'': p.7. 8 November 1897.</ref> Away to [[Grimsby Town]], Small Heath's passing style was hindered by the greasy surface, and the home team took a three-goal lead before losing a player to injury. Wallace scored a late consolation.<ref>"Grimsby Town v. Small Heath". ''Manchester Guardian'': p.4. 15 November 1897.</ref>

On the day scheduled for the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup, Small Heath beat [[Notts County]] 3–2 in a friendly.<ref name=NottsCoFriendly/> They finished November with a visit to [[Newcastle United]] watched by around 14,000 spectators. After a fast-paced first half, Newcastle led 4–0. The pace slowed in the second half, but there was no more scoring.<ref>"Newcastle United v. Small Heath". ''The Standard'' (London): p.2. 29 November 1897.</ref>

Home and away meetings with [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] followed. On an unpleasantly cold dull day, the game at Coventry Road was one-sided. Despite the presence of former Small Heath captain [[Caesar Jenkyns]] in the visitors' defence, Walsall conceded three in each half.<ref>"Small Heath v. Walsall". ''Glasgow Herald'': p.13. 6 December 1897.<br>'Retlaw' (10 December 1897). "Football Arrows". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.6.</ref> The reverse fixture was a much closer affair. Lewis scored twice for Small Heath in the first half, and Johnson replied with a header. After the interval, Walsall pressed persistently, but "the fine display of [[Henry Clutterbuck (footballer)|[Henry] Clutterbuck]] was the saving of the visitors".<ref>"Walsall v. Small Heath". ''The Standard'' (London): p.2. 20 December 1897.</ref> A 6&ndash;1 friendly defeat of [[Wellingborough F.C.|Wellingborough]]<ref name=WellingboroFriendly/> preceded a Christmas Day defeat of [[Darwen F.C. (1870)|Darwen]] by five goals to one on an icy pitch, Walter Abbott contributing a [[hat-trick]].<ref>"Second Division". ''Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper'' (London): p.8. 26 December 1897.</ref> The victory took Small Heath into fourth place in the table, just one point behind their opponents in the last match of the year, second-placed [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]].<ref name=Table/> The ''Manchester Guardian'' suggested that in the second half of a game "brimful of excitement", Small Heath "played in a manner richly deserving success", but lost by a single goal.<ref>"Small Heath v. Manchester City". ''Manchester Guardian'': p.7. 28 December 1897.</ref> The ''Dart'' described the encounter as "one of the best seen on the ground for many seasons".<ref>'Retlaw' (31 December 1897). "Football Arrows". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.6.</ref>

===January–February===

A friendly away at [[Aston Villa]] on New Year's Day was abandoned because of fog, with Villa 4–0 ahead. The ''Dart'' was unimpressed with the play, which "served to prove&nbsp;... that Small Heath are a long way off First Division form".<ref name=VillaFriendly/> The first visitors of the new year were division leaders [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]], who attracted an attendance of some 12,000, a figure reportedly boosted by the railway companies' failure to put on a special train for Aston Villa's top-of-the-table visit to [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] in the First Division.<ref>'Retlaw' (14 January 1898). "Football Arrows". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.6.</ref> Although Small Heath led twice, first through [[Alec Leake]] and early in the second half via a Walter Abbott goal,<ref>"Small Heath v. Burnley". ''Glasgow Herald'': p.8. 10 January 1898.</ref> the ''Owl'' thought them fortunate to secure a draw against a "smart, but rather rough" Burnley side "altogether superior in both attack and defence" who "fairly revelled in the mud".<ref>'Captain Forward' (14 January 1898). "League Tit-Bits". ''The Owl'' (Birmingham): p.4.</ref> Away to [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]], Abbott gave Small Heath a two-goal lead in the first half. The home team pulled a goal back, but the Heathens held on for their expected victory.<ref>"Lincoln City v. Small Heath". ''The Standard'' (London): p.2. 17 January 1898.</ref>

After only two appearances, [[Alec Wallace]] was transferred to [[West Midlands (Regional) League|Birmingham & District League]] club [[Hereford Town F.C.|Hereford Town]].<ref>"What we Hear". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.12. 21 January 1898.</ref> The ''Dart'' thought Small Heath were unlucky to lose to [[West Bromwich Albion]] in the semi-final of the Staffordshire Cup, as "they had much more of the actual play than their opponents", and that if they played as well at home to [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], they could expect to win.<ref name=SSCSF/> At half time, this expectation looked justified, as they led 2–1 with goals from Lewis and [[William Robertson (footballer, born 1874)|Bill Robertson]], but in the second half Blackpool pulled themselves together and scored twice without reply (as well as having three more "goals" disallowed for offside) to secure their first away victory of the season. The game was attended by [[Jesse Collings]], the local [[Member of Parliament]].<ref>"Small Heath v. Blackpool". ''Glasgow Herald'': p.12. 31 January 1898.<br>"Football. Notes and Notions". ''Manchester Times'': p.8. 4 February 1898.<br>'Retlaw' (4 February 1898). "Football Arrows". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.6.</ref>

Abbott scored Small Heath's only goal as they were knocked out of the Birmingham Cup in the second round by cup-holders [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]].<ref name=BSCR2/> At [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]], the home team had much the better of the first half, taking a three-goal lead. The second half was even, and the game finished 4–1.<ref>"Burnley v. Small Heath". ''The Standard'' (London): p.6. 7 February 1898.</ref> At home to [[Luton Town]], Small Heath took the lead three times in the first half, through [[Thomas Oakes (footballer)|Tom Oakes]] and two goals from Abbott, the second of which was a [[penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]]; in the second half, [[James McEwen (footballer)|James McEwen]] scored an [[own goal]] to make the final score 4&ndash;2.<ref>"Small Heath v. Luton Town". ''Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper'' (London): p.24. 13 February 1898.</ref> In "boisterous" weather at [[Gainsborough Trinity]], Small Heath could only manage a goalless draw,<ref>"Gainsborough Trinity v. Small Heath". ''The Standard'' (London): p.2. 21 February 1898.</ref> and they finished the month with a 2–2 draw in a friendly at [[Southern Football League|Southern League]] club [[Watford F.C.|West Herts]].<ref name=WHertsFriendly/>

===March–April===
Charlie Hare opened the scoring after six minutes at [[Arsenal F.C.|Woolwich Arsenal]], but the home side had the better of the first half, and changed ends 3–1 ahead. Jack Kirton pulled one back halfway through the second period, but Hare went off injured with ten minutes left, and the final score was 4–2.<ref>"Woolwich Arsenal v. Small Heath". ''The Standard'' (London): p.10. 7 March 1898.</ref> A large crowd "seemed well pleased with the display, which at times was spirited almost to roughness."<ref>"Football". ''[[The Penny Illustrated Paper and Illustrated Times]]'' (London): p.170. 12 March 1898.</ref> For the home fixture with [[Grimsby Town]], the directors' decision to replace Alec Leake with [[Billy Walton]] met with support from the ''Dart'',<ref>'Retlaw' (11 March 1898). "Football Arrows". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.6.</ref> but in a poor game, Grimsby won 2–0.<ref>"Small Heath v. Grimsby Town". ''The Standard'' (London): p.6. 14 March 1898.</ref> "Not much interest was manifest" in a 3–0 friendly defeat at home to [[Aston Villa]],<ref name=VillaFriendly2/> and the ''Owl'' suggested that both clubs having nothing left to play for, their respective committees "would, doubtless, be glad to put the shutters up at once, for&nbsp;... their supporters are more likely to seek excitement at a fishing match than on the football field."<ref>"No title". ''The Owl'' (Birmingham): p.11. 25 March 1898.</ref> League competition continued with a poorly attended two-goal defeat in windy conditions away at [[Leicester Fosse]].<ref>"Leicester Fosse v. Small Heath". ''The Standard'' (London): p.2. 28 March 1898.</ref>

On a fine April day, [[Ike Webb]] made his debut in goal away to [[Luton Town]], where [[Jimmy Inglis (footballer, born 1872)|Jimmy Inglis]] scored the decisive goal for Small Heath in the second half.<ref>"Luton v. Small Heath". ''The Standard'' (London): p.8. 4 April 1898.</ref> Visiting [[Manchester United F.C.|Newton Heath]], Small Heath won the toss, and elected to play with the benefit of the wind behind them. They soon opened the scoring, [[James Higgins (footballer)|James Higgins]] reacting to a shot parried by the goalkeeper, but by half time the home team had regained the lead. On change of ends, Newton Heath had much of the play, and eventually increased their lead through a [[Matthew Gillespie]] tap-in. The Manchester club's goalkeeper had no shot to save in the second half.<ref>"Newton Heath v. Small Heath". ''Manchester Guardian'': p.3. 11 April 1898.</ref> On a wet pitch at [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]'s [[Hyde Road Football Stadium|Hyde Road]] ground, the scoring alternated. Clutterbuck, back in goal after two games out, got a hand to [[Billy Meredith]]'s shot but failed to stop it, Abbott equalised, then [[Stockport Smith]] converted a penalty awarded for handball. Leake scored from distance, then Clutterbuck parried a Meredith shot to Smith's feet. In the second half, the surface became increasingly slippery, the play correspondingly scrappy, and [[Michael Good (footballer)|Michael Good]] tied the scores from a free kick.<ref>"Manchester City v. Small Heath". ''Manchester Guardian'': p.7. 12 April 1898.</ref> Higgins' goal settled the meeting at home to [[Newcastle United]], who had already made sure of their position in the promotion test matches.<ref>"Small Heath v. Newcastle United". ''The Morning Post'' (London): p.3. 13 April 1898.</ref> In "weather of almost summer warmth and brightness" at home to [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]],<ref>"League. Division II". ''The Bristol Mercury'': p.3. 18 April 1898.</ref> four different scorers gave the Heathens a 4–0 win.<ref>"Small Heath v. Lincoln City". ''The Standard'' (London): p.3. 18 April 1898.</ref> The competitive season ended with a home win, Abbott scoring twice to [[Arsenal F.C.|Woolwich Arsenal]]'s single reply.<ref>"Small Heath v. Woolwich Arsenal". ''The Standard'' (London): p.3. 25 April 1898.</ref>

==Summary and aftermath==

Small Heath finished in sixth position in the 16-team league, nine points behind the promotion test match positions.<ref name=Table/> Nineteen different players represented the club in nationally organised competitive matches during the season and there were thirteen different goalscorers. [[Walter Abbott (footballer, born 1877)|Walter Abbott]] was the top scorer with 19 goals, and he and [[wing half]] [[Thomas Dunlop (footballer)|Thomas Dunlop]] played in every match. The match against [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] attracted a crowd of 12,000, an improvement on the highest attendance in the previous two seasons.<ref>Matthews (2010), ''Complete Record'', pp.234–39.</ref> The win at [[Loughborough F.C.|Loughborough]] completed a sequence of nine away league wins which remains, {{as of|2015|5|lc=y}}, a club record.<ref name=Records/>

After the promotion test match series left two teams needing to play out a goalless draw in their final match for both to be promoted, which unsurprisingly is what happened, the Football League's Annual General Meeting agreed that the First Division be extended from 16 to 18 clubs and that the top two teams in the Second Division at the end of each season should automatically replace the bottom two teams in the First. A vote was taken on the teams to take the two additional places in the First Division; Small Heath came fourth in the vote, so remained in the Second Division for the 1898–99 season.<ref>[https://www.footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/Seasons/1897-98/Div21897-98.htm Division 2 1897/98]. Footballsite.co.uk. Retrieved 3 March 2020.<br>"The Football League". ''The Standard'' (London): p.2. 21 May 1898.</ref> They were again awarded exemption only for the first two rounds of the qualifying competition for the FA Cup.<ref>"English Cup. Exempted Clubs". ''Leicester Chronicle'': p.6. 6 August 1898.</ref>

A Football League committee ruled on irregularities in the transfer of [[Jimmy Inglis (footballer, born 1872)|Jimmy Inglis]] to [[Southern Football League|Southern League]] club [[Swindon Town]]. The transfer took place on a Sunday, contrary to league rules, and the forms were falsified. The player was suspended for the first month of the coming season, two Swindon Town directors were suspended for three months, each club was fined £10, and each secretary was warned as to his future conduct.<ref>"Football". ''The Dundee Courier & Argus'': p.6. 13 July 1898.</ref> Apart from [[Jack Kirton]], who also joined Swindon,<ref>"Athletics". ''The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post'': p.3. 29 August 1898.</ref> and Charlie Hare, who left the club for [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] of the Southern League, having "secured a business engagement" in that town,<ref>'Spider' (26 August 1898). "Football Arrows". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.11.</ref> the remaining players signed on again for the new season. Great things were expected of [[Bob McRoberts (footballer)|Bob McRoberts]], the pacy and skilful [[Gainsborough Trinity]] centre forward for whom Small Heath paid a £150 transfer fee.<ref>"Prospects of the Football Season". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.5. 19 August 1898.<br>Matthews (1995), ''Complete Record'', p.109.</ref>

==Match details==

===Football League Second Division===
{{main|1897–98 Football League#Second Division}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope=col|Date
!scope=col data-sort-type=number|League<br>position<ref name=Table/>
!scope=col|Opponents
!scope=col|Venue
!scope=col|Result
!scope=col|Score<br>F–A
!scope=col class="unsortable"|Scorers
!scope=col|Attendance
|-
!scope=row|4 September 1897
|5th||style=text-align:left|[[Burton Swifts]]||A
|style=background:#cfc|W||3–1||style=text-align:left|[[Jimmy Inglis (footballer, born 1872)|Inglis]] 2, [[Walter Abbott (footballer, born 1877)|Abbott]]
|1,500
|-
!scope=row|11 September 1897
|4th||style=text-align:left|[[Leicester Fosse]]||H
|style=background:#cfc|W||2–1||style=text-align:left|Abbott, [[Walter Gadsby (footballer, born 1872)|Gadsby]]
|3,000
|-
!scope=row|18 September 1897
|3rd||style=text-align:left|[[Loughborough F.C.|Loughborough]]||A
|style=background:#cfc|W||2–0||style=text-align:left|[[Billy Walton|Walton]] 2
|2,000
|-
!scope=row|25 September 1897
|3rd||style=text-align:left|[[Burton Swifts]]||H
|style=background:#cfc|W||2–1||style=text-align:left|[[Charlie Hare|Hare]] 2
|7,500
|-
!scope=row|2 October 1897
|3rd||style=text-align:left|[[Darwen F.C. (1870)|Darwen]]||A
|style=background:#ffc|D||1–1||style=text-align:left|Walton
|3,000
|-
!scope=row|9 October 1897
|3rd||style=text-align:left|[[Gainsborough Trinity]]||H
|style=background:#cfc|W||4–3||style=text-align:left|Abbott 2, [[William Robertson (footballer, born 1874)|Robertson]], Hare
|4,500
|-
!scope=row|16 October 1897
|4th||style=text-align:left|[[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]||A
|style=background:#fcc|L||1–4||style=text-align:left|Hare
|1,500
|-
!scope=row|23 October 1897
|4th||style=text-align:left|[[Manchester United F.C.|Newton Heath]]||H
|style=background:#cfc|W||2–1||style=text-align:left|[[Wilson Lewis|Lewis]] 2
|3,000
|-
!scope=row|6 November 1897
|3rd||style=text-align:left|[[Loughborough F.C.|Loughborough]]||H
|style=background:#cfc|W||1–0||style=text-align:left|Abbott
|5,000
|-
!scope=row|13 November 1897
|4th||style=text-align:left|[[Grimsby Town]]||A
|style=background:#fcc|L||1–3||style=text-align:left|[[Alec Wallace|Wallace]]
|2,000
|-
!scope=row|27 November 1897
|4th||style=text-align:left|[[Newcastle United]]||A
|style=background:#fcc|L||0–4||
|11,000
|-
!scope=row|4 December 1897
|4th||style=text-align:left|[[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]]||H
|style=background:#cfc|W||6–0||style=text-align:left|Hare, [[Thomas Oakes (footballer)|Oakes]] 2, Abbott 2 (1 [[Penalty kick (association football)|pen]]), [[Jack Kirton|Kirton]]
|3,000
|-
!scope=row|18 December 1897
|4th||style=text-align:left|[[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]]||A
|style=background:#cfc|W||2–1||style=text-align:left|Lewis 2
|3,000
|-
!scope=row|25 December 1897
|4th||style=text-align:left|[[Darwen F.C. (1870)|Darwen]]||H
|style=background:#cfc|W||5–1||style=text-align:left|Lewis, Abbott 3, Kirton
|6,500
|-
!scope=row|27 December 1897
|4th||style=text-align:left|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]||H
|style=background:#fcc|L||0–1||
|10,000
|-
!scope=row|8 January 1898
|4th||style=text-align:left|[[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]]||H
|style=background:#ffc|D||2–2||style=text-align:left|Abbott, [[Alex Leake|Leake]]
|12,000
|-
!scope=row|15 January 1898
|4th||style=text-align:left|[[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]]||A
|style=background:#cfc|W||2–1||style=text-align:left|Abbott, Lewis
|2,500
|-
!scope=row|29 January 1898
|4th||style=text-align:left|[[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]||H
|style=background:#fcc|L||2–3||style=text-align:left|Lewis, Robertson
|6,000
|-
!scope=row|5 February 1898
|5th||style=text-align:left|[[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]]||A
|style=background:#fcc|L||1–4||style=text-align:left|Oakes
|4,000
|-
!scope=row|12 February 1898
|5th||style=text-align:left|[[Luton Town]]||H
|style=background:#cfc|W||4–2||style=text-align:left|Oakes, Abbott 2 (1 [[Penalty kick (association football)|pen]]), [[James McEwen (footballer)|McEwen]] [[Own goal|og]]
|4,000
|-
!scope=row|19 February 1898
|4th||style=text-align:left|[[Gainsborough Trinity]]||A
|style=background:#ffc|D||0–0||
|2,000
|-
!scope=row|5 March 1898
|5th||style=text-align:left|[[Arsenal F.C.|Woolwich Arsenal]]||A
|style=background:#fcc|L||2–4||style=text-align:left|Hare, Oakes
|8,000
|-
!scope=row|12 March 1898
|5th||style=text-align:left|[[Grimsby Town]]||H
|style=background:#fcc|L||0–2||
|6,500
|-
!scope=row|26 March 1898
|8th||style=text-align:left|[[Leicester Fosse]]||A
|style=background:#fcc|L||0–2||
|2,000
|-
!scope=row|2 April 1898
|6th||style=text-align:left|[[Luton Town]]||A
|style=background:#cfc|W||2–1||style=text-align:left|[[Thomas Dunlop (footballer)|Dunlop]], Inglis
|3,000
|-
!scope=row|9 April 1898
|7th||style=text-align:left|[[Manchester United F.C.|Newton Heath]]||A
|style=background:#fcc|L||1–3||style=text-align:left|[[James Higgins (footballer)|Higgins]]
|3,000
|-
!scope=row|11 April 1898
|8th||style=text-align:left|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]||A
|style=background:#ffc|D||3–3||style=text-align:left|Abbott, Leake, [[Michael Good (footballer)|Good]]
|2,000
|-
!scope=row|12 April 1898
|6th||style=text-align:left|[[Newcastle United]]||H
|style=background:#cfc|W||1–0||style=text-align:left|Higgins
|5,000
|-
!scope=row|16 April 1898
|6th||style=text-align:left|[[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]]||H
|style=background:#cfc|W||4–0||style=text-align:left|Oakes, Abbott 2, Higgins
|4,000
|-
!scope=row|23 April 1898
|6th||style=text-align:left|[[Arsenal F.C.|Woolwich Arsenal]]||H
|style=background:#cfc|W||2–1||style=text-align:left|Abbott 2
|4,500
|}
{{:1897–98 Football League|transcludesection=Second Division|only_totals=y|showteam=SMH}}

===FA Cup===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope=col|Round
!scope=col|Date
!scope=col|Opponents
!scope=col|Venue
!scope=col|Result
!scope=col|Score<br>F–A
!scope=col|Scorers
!scope=col|Attendance
|-
!scope=row|3rd qualifying
|style=text-align:left|3 October 1897
|style=text-align:left|[[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]]||A
|style=background:#fcc|L||1–2||style=text-align:left|[[Billy Walton|Walton]]
|2,000
|}

===Mayor of Birmingham's Charity Cup===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope=col|Round
!scope=col|Date
!scope=col|Opponents
!scope=col|Venue
!scope=col|Result
!scope=col|Score<br>F–A
!scope=col|Scorers
!scope=col|Attendance
!scope=col|Ref
|-
!scope=row|First round
|style=text-align:left|13 September 1897
|style=text-align:left|[[West Bromwich Albion]]||A
|style=background:#fcc|L||4–7<br>[[extra time|aet]]||style=text-align:left|
|Not known
|<ref name=MBCC1>"West Bromwich Albion v. Small Heath". ''Liverpool Mercury'': p.10. 14 September 1897.</ref>
|}

===Birmingham Senior Cup===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope=col|Round
!scope=col|Date
!scope=col|Opponents
!scope=col|Venue
!scope=col|Result
!scope=col|Score<br>F–A
!scope=col|Scorers
!scope=col|Attendance
!scope=col|Ref
|-
!scope=row|Second round
|style=text-align:left|31 January 1898
|style=text-align:left|[[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]]||A
|style=background:#fcc|L||2–1||style=text-align:left|[[Walter Abbott (footballer, born 1877)|Abbott]]
|4,000
|<ref name=BSCR2>"Birmingham Cup. Second Round". ''The Standard'' (London): p.7. 1 February 1898.</ref>
|}

===Staffordshire Senior Cup===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope=col|Round
!scope=col|Date
!scope=col|Opponents
!scope=col|Venue
!scope=col|Result
!scope=col|Score<br>F–A
!scope=col|Scorers
!scope=col|Attendance
!scope=col|Ref
|-
!scope=row|First round
|style=text-align:left|18 October 1897
|style=text-align:left|[[Wolverhampton Wanderers]]||A
|style=background:#cfc|W||3–2||style=text-align:left|
|Not known
|<ref name=SSCR1>"Small Heath v. Wolverhampton Wanderers". ''Liverpool Mercury'': p.11. 19 October 1897.</ref>
|-
!scope=row|Semi-final
|style=text-align:left|27 January 1898
|style=text-align:left|[[West Bromwich Albion]]||A
|style=background:#fcc|L||0–1||
|Not known
|<ref name=SSCSF>'Retlaw' (28 January 1898). "Football Arrows". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.6.</ref>
|}

===Other matches===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope=col|Date
!scope=col|Opponents
!scope=col|Venue
!scope=col|Result
!scope=col|Score<br>F–A
!scope=col|Scorers
!scope=col|Attendance 
!scope=col|Notes
|-
!scope=row|1 September 1897
|style=text-align:left|[[Burton Wanderers]]||H
|style=background:#cfc|W||3–1||style=text-align:left|[[Walter Abbott (footballer, born 1877)|Abbott]], [[Charlie Hare|Hare]], [[Wilson Lewis|Lewis]]
|~200
|style=text-align:left|[[Friendly match]]<ref name=BurtonWFriendly>"Smallheath v. Burton Wanderers". ''Liverpool Mercury'': p.9. 2 September 1897.<br>"Other Matches". ''The Standard'' (London): p.6. 2 September 1897.</ref>
|-
!scope=row|6 September 1897
|style=text-align:left|[[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]]||H
|style=background:#cfc|W||4–0||style=text-align:left|Not known (2), Abbott (2)
|Not known
|style=text-align:left|Friendly<ref name=LincolnFriendly>"Other Association Matches". ''The Standard'' (London): p.8. 7 September 1897.</ref>
|-
!scope=row|21 November 1897
|style=text-align:left|[[Notts County]]||H
|style=background:#cfc|W||3–2||style=text-align:left|Abbott, Not known (2)
|~3,000
|style=text-align:left|Friendly<ref name=NottsCoFriendly>"Other Association Matches". ''The Standard'' (London): p.2. 22 November 1897.</ref>
|-
!scope=row|16 December 1897
|style=text-align:left|[[Wellingborough Town]]||H
|style=background:#cfc|W||6–1||style=text-align:left|Not known (6)
|Not known
|style=text-align:left|Friendly<ref name=WellingboroFriendly>'Retlaw' (17 December 1897). "Football Arrows". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.6.</ref>
|-
!scope=row|1 January 1898
|style=text-align:left|[[Aston Villa]]||A
|style=background:#fcc|L||0–4||
|6,000
|style=text-align:left|Friendly abandoned because of fog<ref name=VillaFriendly>'Retlaw' (7 January 1898). "Football Arrows". ''The Birmingham Pictorial and Dart'': p.6.</ref> 
|-
!scope=row|27 February 1898
|style=text-align:left|[[Watford F.C.|West Hertfordshire]]||A
|style=background:#ffc|D||2–2||style=text-align:left|Not known
|Not known
|style=text-align:left|Friendly<ref name=WHertsFriendly>"Other Matches". ''The Morning Post'' (London): p.2. 28 February 1898.</ref>
|-
!scope=row|19 March 1898
|style=text-align:left|[[Aston Villa]]||H
|style=background:#fcc|L||0–3||
|Not known
|style=text-align:left|Friendly<ref name=VillaFriendly2>"Aston Villa v. Small Heath". ''The Standard'' (London): p.10. 21 March 1898.</ref> 
|-
!scope=row|18 April 1898
|style=text-align:left|[[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]]||A
|style=background:#cfc|W||2–0||style=text-align:left|Not known (2)
|Not known
|style=text-align:left|Friendly<ref name=WalsallFriendly>"Association Matches". ''The Morning Post'' (London): p.5. 19 April 1898.</ref>
|}

==Appearances and goals==

: This table includes appearances and goals in nationally organised competitive matches{{snd}}the Football League and FA Cup{{snd}}only.
: For a description of the playing positions, see [[Formation (association football)#2–3–5 (Pyramid)]].
<!-- : Players marked {{dagger}} left the club during the playing season.
 -->
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style=text-align:center
|+ Players' appearances and goals by competition
|- class="unsortable"
!scope=col rowspan=2|Name
!scope=col rowspan=2|Position
!scope=col colspan=2|[[1897–98 Football League Second Division|League]]
!scope=col colspan=2|[[1897–98 FA Cup|FA Cup]]
!scope=col colspan=2|Total
|-
!width=40 scope=col|{{abbr|Apps|Appearances}}!!width=40 scope=col|Goals
!width=40 scope=col|{{abbr|Apps|Appearances}}!!width=40 scope=col|Goals
!width=40 scope=col|{{abbr|Apps|Appearances}}!!width=40 scope=col|Goals
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Henry|Clutterbuck|dab=footballer}}
|data-sort-value="1"|[[Goalkeeper (association football)|Goalkeeper]]||26||0||1||0||27||0
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Ike|Webb}}
|data-sort-value="1"|[[Goalkeeper (association football)|Goalkeeper]]||4||0||0||0||4||0
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Arthur|Archer}}
|data-sort-value="2"|[[Full back (association football)|Full back]]||29||0||1||0||30||0
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Frank|Lester|dab=footballer}}
|data-sort-value="2"|[[Full back (association football)|Full back]]||10||0||1||0||11||0
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Billy|Pratt|dab=footballer born 1874}}
|data-sort-value="2"|[[Full back (association football)|Full back]]||20||0||0||0||20||0
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Thomas|Dunlop|dab=footballer}}
|data-sort-value="3"|[[Formation (association football)#2–3–5 (Pyramid)|Half back]]||30||0||0||0||30||0
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Alex|Leake}}
|data-sort-value="3"|[[Formation (association football)#2–3–5 (Pyramid)|Half back]]||28||2||1||0||29||2
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|William|Robertson|dab=footballer, born 1874}}
|data-sort-value="3"|[[Formation (association football)#2–3–5 (Pyramid)|Half back]]||28||2||1||0||29||2
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Billy|Walton}}
|data-sort-value="3"|[[Formation (association football)#2–3–5 (Pyramid)|Half back]]||8||3||1||1||9||4
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Walter|Abbott|dab=footballer, born 1877}}
|data-sort-value="4"|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||30||19||1||0||31||19
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Walter|Gadsby|dab=footballer, born 1872}}
|data-sort-value="4"|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||1||1||0||0||1||1
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Michael|Good|dab=footballer}}
|data-sort-value="4"|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||8||1||1||0||9||1
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|James|Higgins|dab=footballer}}
|data-sort-value="4"|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||6||3||0||0||6||3
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Charlie|Hare}}
|data-sort-value="4"|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||23||6||1||0||24||6
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Jimmy|Inglis|dab=footballer, born 1872}}
|data-sort-value="4"|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||10||3||0||0||10||3
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Jack|Kirton}}
|data-sort-value="4"|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||18||2||0||0||18||2
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Wilson|Lewis}}
|data-sort-value="4"|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||20||7||1||0||21||7
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Thomas|Oakes|dab=footballer}}
|data-sort-value="4"|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||22||6||1||0||23||6
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Alec|Wallace}}
|data-sort-value="4"|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||2||1||0||0||2||1
|-
!scope=row| {{sortname|Sid|Wharton}}
|data-sort-value="4"|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||7||0||0||0||7||0
|}

==References==
'''General'''
* Matthews, Tony (1995). ''Birmingham City: A Complete Record''. Breedon Books (Derby). {{ISBN|978-1-85983-010-9}}.
* Matthews, Tony (2010). ''Birmingham City: The Complete Record''. DB Publishing (Derby). {{ISBN|978-1-85983-853-2}}.
* For match dates, lineups, appearances, goalscorers and attendances, except where individually cited: Matthews (2010), ''Complete Record'', pp.&nbsp;240–41. Note that attendance figures are estimated.

'''Specific'''
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=Table>[https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-two/1898/ League Division Two table at close of 1897–98 season]. ''11v11.com''. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 6 September 2017. Select date if required via dropdown menus.</ref>}}

{{Birmingham City F.C. seasons}}
{{1897–98 in English football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1897-98 Small Heath F.C. season}}
[[Category:Birmingham City F.C. seasons]]
[[Category:English football clubs 1897–98 season|Small Heath]]