SOME OF THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER 2009. I HAVE NOW WITH UPDATED IT WITH SOME MORE INFORMATION AND PICTURES OF PROGRAMMES FROM PAST MATCHES
WHEN THE E'S TOOK ON THE E'S IN A VERY LOCAL DERBY
Edmonton FC existed from 1960 when 'Tufnell Park Edmonton' dropped the Tufnell Park from their name to reflect where the club played it's football in N9. The club was formed when Isthmian League side 'Tufnell Park' and 'Edmonton Borough' of the London League merged in 1950.
Tufnell Park had been a giant of the Amatuer game prior to and just after the First World War. They had reached the FA Amatuer Cup Final in 1920 losing to Dulwich Hamlet as well as reaching the semi-final twice in 1912 and 1914. In their last two seasons as Tufnell Park they had finished bottom of the Isthmian League.
In 1973 Edmonton FC moved the short distance to Coles Park, White Hart Lane and became "Edmonton & Haringey" later becoming the club we all know as Haringey Borough in 1976.
Edmonton FC known as the E'S played in the Delphian League and later the Athenian League at the Henry Barrass Stadium, Houndsfield Road, N9 just off the Hertford Road where the Cock Tavern Public House used to be. They were known to play in a white shirt with two green hoops and also a orange shirt and black shorts.
1959 - TUFNELL PARK EDMONTON 0 ENFIELD 2
London Senior Cup First Round
"UP THE PARK"
Before they became Edmonton FC it was Tufnell Park Edmonton who welcomed their neighbours from across the border for a London Senior Cup First Round game on Saturday 28th November 1959. The game was played the week before Enfield hosted football league side Bournemouth to Southbury Road for an FA Cup game. It was Enfield's third visit to the Henry Barrass as in 1953/54 season over consecutive weekends Tufnell Park Edmonton won 2-0 in an FA Cup tie and then lost 1-2 an an FA Amateur Cup tie.
The programme states that all four of Tufnell Park Edmonton's sides have won in the previous week. The first XI team had won 0-3 at Hemel Hempstead with goals from Reg Chatt and Dave Jones. The reserves have beaten Woodford Town 4-1 thanks to Max Bryson (2), Collin Tippett and Johnny Muir goals. The 'A' XI had won 4-1 against St Martins and the youth XI won their Southgate Challenge Cup replay 6-2 against Barnet Exiles.
The clubs youth XI had also played in the last 32 of the FA Youth Cup on the previous Monday under the floodlights at Headington United (now Oxford United) and lost 5-0. To get to the final 32 of this competition was an amazing achievement.
The game was won 0-2 by Enfield FC with R.Thomas scoring both goals. The teams are pictured below with the home side in Green and White and the visitors in White Shirts and Blue Shorts.
The programme also listed a 'Personality Parade' on their Honorary Treasurer Mr. Francis Ryan who was born in Tottenham but a resident of Edmonton for many years. He had had an good playing career with Hertford Town, Walthamstow Avenue and Clacton Town before the Second World War. He had served during the war in the The Royal Scots Fusiliers and was wounded in the hip at Arnhem in 1944. Due to this injury he had had to give up his job as a Transport Foreman at the Docks and Smithfields Market. He then spent much of his time supporting Tufnell Park Edmonton.
Pictures from the programme for the game are below which cost two pence on the day. (Clicking on the pictures makes them easier to view if your looking at this on a mobile device)
EDMONTON LINE UP IN THE PROGRAMME
Bob Wallace, Norman Sawyer, Jimmy Hinds, Ian Rankin, Arthur Fowler, Brian Ashton, Billy Howard, Alan Ames, George Jaggs, Reg Chatt, Dave Jones.
1969 - EDMONTON 1 ENFIELD 4
FA Cup Third Qualifying Round
It was this season that by winning games versus Hemel Hempstead and Ilford the E's earnt a home tie versus their close and more illustrious neighbour's Enfield FC.
Enfield had beaten Southall, Kingstonian and Grays Athletic (7-0) to reach the game in the Third Qualifying Round.
Enfield who were riding high in the Isthmian League and were too strong for Edmonton running out 4-1 winners.
The programme listed the game as David V Goliath as Enfield had thrashed Edmonton 8-1 in their previous encounter seven years previous. Enfield went on to beat Wealdstone before losing to Brighton & HA 2-1 at the Goldstone Ground in the First Round Proper.
Tony Rocco seems to be the man as he's listed in the programme in 1969 and still played at Coles Park in 1974. Midweek home games at the Barrass were played in the afternoon due to the ground having no floodlights.
Edmonton's best season came in 1969/70 in the Athenian Division Two when a second place was achieved gaining promotion to the top division.
Edmonton moved to Cole's Park in 1973 and became the aforementioned "Edmonton & Haringey". The Barrass Stadium was continues to be used by the Edmonton Sunday League and was used by Amateur Football Combination side Old Edmontonians who sadly folded a few seasons ago.
THE MAIN STAND AS IT STOOD IN OCTOBER 2009. THE STAND IS STILL THERE TODAY.
Many people have commented on the original article (Link - Link Here) since it was published in 2009 which are all copied in below. It's great to see lots of interest and stories about the history of football in Edmonton.
Paul Harris
5th April 2010
"I remember being at this FA Cup tie and Enfield, mighty then, took a slender 1-0 win to the interval.
The reported 1400 crowd, surely Edmonton's record at the Barrass Stadium, was shocked to see an equlaiser in the first minute of the second half.
Enfield were too strong and finished 4-1 winners.
I do not remember the green and white quarters, but do remember Edmonton playing in orange shirts and black shorts. The Barrass Stadium is still much as pictured.
It was next to the Jubilee Park and a lovely open air lido which is sadly no more.
I have relocated to Dunstable and now follow the fortunes of Dunstable Town FC.
It's a pity that a town the size of Edmonton does not have a senior team..after all neighbour's Tottenham have one!"
Keith Gardner
28th May 2010
"As a youth team player at Edmonton FC I was at the game against Enfield, I don't remember much about the game but I think Edmonton made a good show of themselves in the first half, my main memory was the amount of people in the ground.
When you start talking about Edmonton FC you must give a big mention to Jim Gates who with his sidekick Eddie ran all the youth teams so successfully, and also to Joe Starkey the reserve team coach who should have been given a chance with the first team.
I was in the youth team that won the Middlesex Junior cup and then the reserve team for several seasons and then had a handful of games for the first team. Les Williamson was the first team coach at the time, he came to Edmonton with a good reputation, but he missed a great chance by bringing in players with him instead of using players from the youth and reserve teams, many of whom left to play in higher division teams and cared about Edmonton FC.
I visited the ground last year and agree with Paul that it is a shame that a lower league side does not play there now."
Lawrence J Taylor
16th January 2018 (in reply to Keith's comment above)
"Hi Keith,
Just seen your comment on here and your mention of Jim Gates. Reason for replying is that I am certain you are referring to my Uncle who lived in Tottenham and worked in grass roots football for very many years I know he worked with an "Eddie" although his surname escapes me. He passed away some years ago but I know he would be pleased to have known his work in the game was noted & appreciated. Thanks for your comment."
Peter Coath
26th January 2014
"Ah memories! Time plays tricks with the memory of course. I never saw the E's v E's game but was having a kick-around with some mates in Jubilee Park at the time. I remember cheers and distinctly heard 'Well done Enfield' as the final whistle sounded.
I followed Edmonton for a couple of seasons after that, seeing them defeat the likes of Aylesbury United 2-1 and Harlow Town 4-3 (big crowd for that one!) and bunked off school early to see them draw 0-0 with Aveley in a midweek 4pm kick-off. It was quite gloomy by the end and goal-line clearances were prevalent. That game still stands as the most exciting 0-0 that I have ever seen.
Now for the memory playing tricks bit; I recall that Edmonton played in an all amber kit, although I saw them play a pre-season friendly against Byng (Bing?) Road Old Boys and they played in white shirts with two green hoops and black shorts - away kit perhaps?
I wasn't a happy boy when they relocated to Coles Park and had to go and watch the snobs at Enfield instead. I still do, having just completed 12 years as Press Officer and then Secretary of Enfield Town FC. I still miss my Edmonton team though."
Peter Gilkes
From South Adelaide, Autralia
3rd October 2017
"Stumbled on this article, I played for Edmonton Youth team from 1962/64 We wore White shirts with 2 green hoops and Green shorts white socks with 2 green hoops .As mentioned above Jim Gates and assistant Eddie ran the Youth teams at that time. We played in the Forest and District League which included teams like West Ham and Leyton Orient. I remember the first team having an overseas tour to Italy, needing fare paying members, my mate Martyn Dowd and I made up the travelling party. (Although too young to take part) Also remember our Youth team playing a German side prior to first team playing the Show Biz XI which included Tommy Steele and Kenny Lynch etc.
Big crowd there that day which was exciting for everyone present. Show Biz XI spent time in the bar afterwards raising funds for the Club. Two sets of brothers I remember from those days include
Eason's and Aylett's - Les Eason being a star player from memory. Happy Days!"
Lawrence J Taylor
16th January 2018 (in reply to Peter Gilkes)
"Just seen your comment on here about Jim Gates. As I have said above, I am certain you are referring to my Uncle who lived in Tottenham and worked in grass roots football for very many years and know he worked with an Eddie. Although he passed away some years ago I know he would be pleased that his hard work over many years was appreciated. Thanks for your comment"
Dave Justice
8th May 2018 (in reply to Peter Gilkes)
"I was at Edmonton FC as a youth and was playing there when we moved to White hart lane in the 70s. Jim Gates was our manager and his assistant who scouted me was Eddie Lionel I remember them taking us on a Football tour to Holland and Germany - great times! I think either Jim Gates or Eddie Lionel used to work at a company called Acme signs in Ponders End.
I hope this helps"
Lawrence J Taylor
14th November 2018 (in reply to Peter Gilkes)
"Only just seen your comment on here. I'm certain it is the same, how many other Jim Gates would there be with an assistant called Eddie. And I remember him telling me stories about his football trips into Europe. He was a big man, a cigar smoker. Thanks for your comment."
SOME MORE EDMONTON LINE UPS FROM OTHER GAMES PLAYED
SATURDAY 26th SEPTEMBER 1964 v LEYTON
FA AMATEUR CUP (LOST 5-1)
D.Bussy, D.Rainbird, R.Cooke, T.Taylor, J.Warman, I.Rankin, R.Cude, D.Gigg, W.Moye, A.Ames, R.Cross.
SATURDAY 6th APRIL 1963 v WINGATE
DELPHIAN LEAGUE
D. Bussey, D.Rainbird, J.Hinds, D.Gigg, A.Archer, T.Read, R.King, F.Scales, V.Lucas, L.Eason, A.Ames.
The goalscorer is listed as V.Lucas.
SATURDAY 10th APRIL v WARE
ATHENIAN LEAGUE
A.Dakin, D.Rainbird, R.Cooke. R.Farrow. T.Smith. I.Rankin, T.Orciel. D.Gigg, M.Love, J.Allen, A.Aylett.
*Ware's number four is Derek Hoddle - The father of Glenn Hoddle. Glenn would of been seven years old at this time and their are stories of him watching his Dad play whilst kicking a ball around on the sidelines. Maybe he learnt some of his skill from watching the famous Edmonton play that day!
SATURDAY 3rd APRIL 1948
EDMONTON BOROUGH at CHELMSFORD CITY
LONDON LEAGUE
Edmonton played in Blue Shirts and Black Shorts
R.Beebe, B.Simmons, J.Jones, L.Downes, F.Jones. C.Wade (Capt), D.Edmead, R.Morgan, D.Downes, E.Downes, D.Bygrave.
