Trawden Forest F.C.

Trawden Forest Football Club was an English association football club based in the village of Trawden, Lancashire.

History

The team entered the FA Cup, the major English cup competition, for the first time in the 1897–98 and reached the First Qualifying Round before being knocked out by Stalybridge Rovers. The following season, Trawden Forest enjoyed their best run in the FA Cup, reaching the Second Qualifying Round before losing away at Southport Central. In 1899–1900, they were knocked out in the Preliminary Round by Nelson.[1] Trawden Forest never won another match in the FA Cup, and their heaviest defeat in the competition came on 21 September 1901, when they were beaten 0–7 away at Oswaldtwistle Rovers. Despite this, the team were never defeated at their home ground while playing in the competition.[2]

For the 1902–03 campaign, the team joined the Lancashire Combination, which was the highest level of non-league football in the area. In their sole season in the division, Trawden Forest finished 14th of 18 teams. A record of 9 wins, 8 draws and 17 defeats gave the team a total of 26 points from 34 matches.[3] In the same season, the team entered the FA Cup for the final time, and held Bacup to a 3–3 draw in the Preliminary Round before losing the replay three days later.[2]

Several footballers began their careers at Trawden Forest before moving into professional football; Arthur Dixon went on to play professionally with Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Bradford Park Avenue, while William Nunnick represented Burnley in the Football League.[4] Others ended their career at the club having retired from the professional game; James Savage, William Watkins and Alfred Sawley all played for Trawden Forest after leaving Burnley.[4]

FA Cup results

Season Date Round Opponents H/A Result
1897–98 18 September 1897 Preliminary Round South Shore Home 4–3
25 September 1897 First Qualifying Round Stalybridge Rovers Away 0–3
1898–99 24 September 1898 Preliminary Round Carlisle City Away 3–2
1 October 1898 First Qualifying Round Black Diamonds Away 3–1
15 October 1898 Second Qualifying Round Southport Central Away 2–3
1899–1900 23 September 1899 Preliminary Round Nelson Away 1–2
1900–01 6 October 1900 First Qualifying Round Blackburn Park Road Away 1–5
1901–02 21 September 1901 Preliminary Round Oswaldtwistle Rovers Away 0–7
1902–03 20 September 1902 Preliminary Round Bacup Home 3–3
23 September 1902 Preliminary Round (replay) Bacup Away 3–4

References

  1. Dykes, Garth (2009). Nelson FC in the Football League. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 85. ISBN 978-1-905891-29-0.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "The FA Cup results archive". The Football Association. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  3. "Trawden Forest history". Football Club History Database. Richard Rundle. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Simpson, Ray (2007). The Clarets Chronicles. Burnley FC. pp. 487–488. ISBN 978-0-9557468-0-2.