Highbury Union F.C.

Football club

Highbury UnionFull name| Highbury Union Football Club

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Nickname(s)| Union
Founded| 1873
Dissolved| 1884?
Ground| Christ Church Field, Highbury
Secretary| Henry Scruton

Home colours

Highbury Union F.C., more usually simply known as Union, was an English association football club from Islington.

## History

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The club was founded on 14 July 1873[1] as a club playing both rugby football and association codes. The club continued playing both codes until at least 1877, but by 1881 was solely an association club.[2]

Although claiming a foundation date of 1873, the club's first external association rules match seems to have taken place in October 1875, against Hornsey Rovers.[3] The club competed in the FA Cup in 1876–77, losing 5–0 at Rochester, and scratched its entry in 1877 when drawn to face the Royal Engineers.[4] The club also took part in 1881–82 and 1882–83, but lost in the first round both times; the first time 1–0 to Hotspur after having a goal disallowed for offside,[5] the second time 4–1 at the powerful Swifts side, the Union's goal being a consolation near the end from Poulton.[6]

The club seems to have ceased to exist before the 1884–85 season, with many of its players (including captain Frank Webster) joining Romford.[7]

## Colours

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The club's colours were originally dark blue jerseys with a red Maltese cross on a white ground, red cap, and blue stockings.[8] In 1877, these changed to chocolate and light blue,[9] with white knickers and brown socks.[10]

In 1882 the club changed again to scarlet and black.[11]

## Ground

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The club's first ground was Christ Church Field, near Highbury Station, and the club used the Alwyn Castle as a changing room.[12] By 1877 it was playing out of Victoria Park, using the Cassland Hotel for facilities.[13]

## References

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1. ^ Sportsman's Year-Book. London: Cassell. 1881. p. 189.
2. ^ Alcock, Charles (1881). Football Annual.
3. ^ "Hornsey Rovers v Union". North Middlesex Chronicle: 6. 16 October 1875.
4. ^ "Football Club History Database - Highbury Union".
5. ^ "report". Referee: 6. 6 November 1881.
6. ^ "report". Football A Weekly Record of the Game: 86. 8 November 1882.
7. ^ "Romford 3-2 Clapton". Chelmsford Chronicle: 7. 7 November 1884.
8. ^ Alcock, Charles (1876). Football Annual. p. 141.
9. ^ Alcock, Charles (1877). Football Annual. p. 146.
10. ^ Sportsman's Year-Book. London: Cassell. 1881. p. 189.
11. ^ Alcock, Charles (1882). Football Annual. p. 199.
12. ^ Alcock, Charles (1874). Football Annual. p. 96.
13. ^ Alcock, Charles (1877). Football Annual. p. 146.

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