© Paul Holland, 2006

MASSEY, James ‘Jimmy’ (Goalkeeper)

Born: 26 January 1869, Wolverhampton *
Died: 2 December 1960, Mexborough
1896: Height: 5ft, 10ins. Weight: 10st 9lbs.

* Other sources suggest he was born in Denaby.

Playing Career: Apps: Goals:

1888 Mexborough
1888-1893 Doncaster Rovers
1893-1902 Sheffield Wednesday 173 0
1902 Denaby United
South Kirkby Colliery
Hickleton Main
1910 Coinsborough St. Peters
Total: 173 0

James Massey started his football career at Denaby

United, its unclear has to how he went their as the
Wolverhampton born goalkeeper found himself miles
from home.

Massey moved to Sheffield Wednesday via Doncaster

Rovers after being spotted by a club official who, in turn
recommended him to the Sheffield club, the official had
been refereeing a game at Loughborough at the time.

He persuaded Wednesday to take the 24 year old on

their books; he of course went straight into the reserve
side, which played in the Yorkshire League. He was a
regular in the second string until January 1896 when his
first team break arrived.

It was fortunate in some respect as first choice shot

stopper Bill Allen arrived before a game complaining he
was unable to walk – however Massey happily took his James Massey – Sheffield
place despite having to play with a broken finger! Wednesday goalkeeper

Massey had previously already made his first team debut, this coming against Aston Villa on
3 November 1894 at Olive Grove – The Wednesday won 1-0 with Alec Brady netting the
winner in the Division One game.

After impressing in the 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa on 18 January Massey found himself first
choice keeper for the next four and a half seasons; he was such a master in the box had he
often found himself frequently injured – this in a time when keepers could easily find himself
bundled into the net by an opponent without the protection which is often received by referees
today.

However he would also on a regular basis rise to the occasion as one of the most formidable
keepers in the Country – this was demonstrated when reporters said that Massey was on the
receiving end of a mass onslaught from the Wolves strikers as they attempted to find an
equaliser in the 1896 Cup Final.

The keeper would have be heavily rewarded, sources claim that during the mid 1890’s
Sheffield Wednesday players would receive a bonus which grew by 20 shillings (£1) for each
round of the FA Cup they won.

In 1893 a writer in the ‘Athletic News Football Annual’ claimed that on average the then
modern day footballer earned 60 shillings (£3) per week during the winter months and 40
shillings (£2) in the summer.

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It is also reported that Tom Brandon, who applied his trade at Blackburn Rovers and an
England international took home a staggering £4 per week in 1896 – this probably made the
former Owls full-back the highest paid player in England.

Massey played in the final game at Olive Grove and then the first 29 games at the new
Owlerton Stadium, whilst most importantly helping Sheffield Wednesday to the second
Division title in 1900 whilst maintaining a record of no losses at home.

Eventually he was on the wrong end of too many knocks and gradually lost his place to
initially Frank Stubbs and then the invincible Jack Lyall. The Wolverhampton born keeper
missed the whole of the 1901-1902 campaign due to injury.

It was believed that the main stint of his injuries came in the ferrous battles with Sheffield
United in the FA Cup. The Owls were drawn against the Blades in February 1900, on the 10th
they drew 0-0, the game was however abandoned after 50 minutes due to snow, and seven
days later they drew 1-1 and the Owls lost the second replay 2-0 without Massey in goal.

The 1898-99 Division One season is a campaign in which the Owls would soon rather forget;
they finished eighteenth with 24 points to their name. They didn’t win one single game away
from home, and to add further embarrassment they were hammered 9-0 at Derby County.

One game that was worth mentioning that season was the encounter against the league
Champions that season; Aston Villa. Wednesday took to the field on 26 November where the
game was stopped after 79 ½ minutes of play owing to falling light with the score locked at 1-
1 – the FA’s committee didn’t feel it was necessary to replay the game again in full.

The last 10 ½ minutes were completed on 13 March and Wednesday road out 4-1 victors; in
all 29 players were used by both sides in this unique fixture; and as substitutes weren’t
allowed in them days with each team changing line-ups in effect you could say this was the
first game in which substitutions were made.

They did however bounce straight back, winning promotion at the first attempt. They did it
with style, winning the league and not losing one home league fixture; there only home defeat
came in the infamous battle with Sheffield United (FA Cup) at Owlerton which United won 2-0
– backup keeper Mallinson deputised for the injured Massey.

His final game with the Owls (then nicknamed the Blades) came in an FA Cup game on 9
February 1901 against Bury, the Owls lost 1-0 in front of their home crowed – ironically his
last game in the Football League was also against Bury 28 days earlier, again at home they
were defeated by two goals to one.

Unofficial rumours suggest that Massey left the Hillsborough club under a cloud after being
accused by someone of taking bribes to let in opposition goals – which were flatly denied. He
re-formed he career after leaving Wednesday, re-joining his original club Denaby United as
an amateur whilst working at the local pit.

And, it was whilst he was approaching his 40th birthday that he was still playing for South
Kirby Colliery, the Doncaster side from South Yorkshire. Unfortunately for Massey later in life
he lost an eye in an accident at Barnburgh Colliery.

He died in December 1960 in Mexborough, Rotherham at the grand old age of 91 years old –
in fact he was the last serving member of that glorious 1896 side to pass away. He was
considered inconsistent when he first joined Sheffield Wednesday but on his day he was
more than a fine goalkeeper.

Sheffield Wednesday Appearances:

Football League Division One

1 3 Nov 1894 Aston Villa H W 1-0

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2 10 Nov 1894 Burnley A L 0-3

3 17 Nov 1894 Wolves H W 3-1

Football League Division One

4 12 Oct 1895 Wolves H W 3-1
5 19 Oct 1895 Sunderland H W 3-1
6 26 Oct 1895 West Bromwich A W 3-0
7 2 Nov 1895 Bolton W H W 3-2
8 9 Nov 1895 Bury A L 1-6
9 18 Jan 1896 Aston Villa H L 1-3
10 8 Feb 1896 Small Heath A D 1-1
11 18 Feb 1896 Everton H W 3-1
12 22 Feb 1896 Bury H L 1-3
13 7 Mar 1896 Sunderland A L 1-2
14 14 Mar 1896 Aston Villa A L 1-2
15 4 Apr 1896 Small Heath H W 3-0
16 6 Apr 1896 Preston A W 1-0
17 7 Apr 1896 Nottingham F A L 0-1
18 25 Apr 1896 Bolton W A L 0-2

Football League Division One

19 1 Sep 1896 Liverpool H L 1-2
20 5 Sep 1896 Everton A L 1-2
21 12 Sep 1896 West Bromwich H W 3-1
22 19 Sep 1896 Blackburn A L 0-4
23 26 Sep 1896 Stoke H W 4-3
24 3 Oct 1896 West Bromwich A W 2-0
25 10 Oct 1896 Sunderland H D 0-0
26 17 Oct 1896 Bury A D 1-1
27 24 Oct 1896 Everton H W 4-1
28 31 Oct 1896 Nottingham F A D 2-2
29 14 Nov 1896 Aston Villa H L 1-3
30 21 Nov 1896 Aston Villa A L 0-4
31 28 Nov 1896 Derby County H W 2-0
32 5 Dec 1896 Sunderland A D 0-0
33 12 Dec 1896 Wolves H D 0-0
34 19 Dec 1896 Burnley A D 1-1
35 26 Dec 1896 Sheffield United A L 0-2
36 28 Dec 1896 Blackburn H W 6-0
37 2 Jan 1897 Preston H W 1-0
38 9 Jan 1897 Derby Co A L1-2
39 23 Jan 1897 Stoke A D 0-0
40 20 Feb 1897 Preston A D 2-2
41 27 Feb 1897 Bolton W H D 0-0
42 2 Mar 1897 Sheffield United H D 1-1
43 6 Mar 1897 Burnley H W 1-0
44 13 Mar 1897 Wolves A L 0-2
45 3 Apr 1897 Liverpool A D 2-2
46 5 Apr 1897 Nottingham F H W 3-0
47 10 Apr 1897 Bolton W A L 1-2
48 17 Apr 1897 Bury H W 2-0

Football League Division One

49 1 Sep 1897 Aston Villa A L 2-5
50 4 Sep 1897 Sunderland H L 0-1
51 11 Sep 1897 Bury A L 0-3
52 18 Sep 1897 Liverpool H W 4-2
53 25 Sep 1897 Sunderland A L 0-1
54 27 Sep 1897 Aston Villa H W 3-0
55 2 Oct 1897 Nott’s Co H W 3-1

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56 9 Oct 1897 Bolton W A W 3-0

57 16 Oct 1897 Sheffield United H L 0-1
58 23 Oct 1897 Blackburn A D 1-1
59 13 Nov 1897 Blackburn H W 4-1
60 20 Nov 1897 Bury H W 3-0
61 27 Nov 1897 Bolton W H W 3-0
62 4 Dec 1897 Nott’s Co A D 0-0
63 11 Dec 1897 Preston H W 2-1
64 18 Dec 1898 Preston A L 0-2
65 25 Dec 1897 Stoke H W 4-0
66 27 Dec 1897 Sheffield United A D 1-1
67 1 Jan 1898 Nottingham F H L 3-6
68 8 Jan 1898 Everton A L 0-1
69 15 Jan 1898 Derby Co H W 3-1
70 22 Jan 1898 Nottingham F A L 0-1
71 19 Feb 1898 Derby Co A W 2-1
72 5 Mar 1898 Wolves H W 2-0
73 12 Mar 1898 West Bromwich A W 2-0
74 26 Mar 1898 Stoke A L 1-2
75 9 Apr 1898 West Bromwich H W 3-0
76 11 Apr 1898 Liverpool A L 0-4
77 16 Apr 1898 Wolves A L 0-5

Football League Division One

78 3 Sep 1898 Liverpool A L 0-4
79 10 Sep 1898 Nottingham F H W 2-1
80 17 Sep 1898 Bolton W A D 0-0
81 19 Sep 1898 Preston H W 2-1
82 24 Sep 1898 Derby Co A W 3-1
83 1 Oct 1898 West Bromwich A L 0-2
84 3 Oct 1898 Sheffield United H D 1-1
85 8 Oct 1898 Blackburn H L 1-2
86 15 Oct 1898 Bury A W 3-2
87 22 Oct 1898 Sunderland H L 0-2
88 29 Oct 1898 Wolves A W 3-0
89 5 Nov 1898 Everton A L 0-2
90 12 Nov 1898 Nott’s County H D 1-1
91 19 Nov 1898 Stoke A L 0-1
92 26 Nov 1898 Aston Villa H *
93 3 Dec 1898 Burnley A L 0-5
94 17 Dec 1898 Newcastle A D 2-2
95 26 Dec 1898 Sheffield United A L 1-2
96 31 Dec 1898 Liverpool H L 0-3
97 7 Jan 1899 Nottingham F A D 1-1
98 14 Jan 1899 Bolton W H W 1-0
99 21 Jan 1899 Derby Co A L 0-9
100 4 Feb 1899 Blackburn A L 0-2
101 14 Feb 1899 West Bromwich H L 1-2
102 18 Feb 1899 Sunderland H L 0-1
103 25 Feb 1899 Wolves A D 0-0
104 4 Mar 1899 Everton H L 1-2
105 11 Mar 1899 Nott’s Co A L 0-1
106 13 Mar 1899 Aston Villa H W 4-1 *
107 25 Mar 1899 Aston Villa A L 1-3
108 27 Mar 1899 Stoke H L 1-3
109 1 Apr 1899 Burnley H W 1-0
110 15 Apr 1899 Newcastle H L 1-3
111 22 Apr 1899 Preston A D 1-1

Football League Division Two

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112 2 Sep 1899 Chesterfield H W 5-1

113 9 Sep 1899 Gainsborough T A W 2-0
114 16 Sep 1899 Bolton W H W 2-1
115 23 Sep 1899 Loughborough A D 0-0
116 30 Sep 1899 Newton Heath H W 2-1
117 7 Oct 1899 Burton S A W 5-0
118 14 Oct 1899 Lincoln City A W 2-1
119 21 Oct 1899 Small Heath H W 4-0
120 11 Nov 1899 Woolwich A A W 2-1
121 25 Nov 1899 Leicester Fosse A D 0-0
122 2 Dec 1899 Luton Town H W 6-0
123 16 Dec 1899 Walsall H W 2-0
124 23 Dec 1899 Middlesbrough A W 2-1
125 25 Dec 1899 New Brighton T A D 2-2
126 31 Dec 1899 Chesterfield A L 0-1
127 1 Jan 1900 Grimsby Town H W 2-1
128 6 Jan 1900 Gainsborough T H W 5-1
129 13 Jan 1900 Bolton W A L 0-1
130 20 Jan 1900 Loughborough H W 5-0
131 3 Feb 1900 Newton Heath A L 0-1
132 12 Feb 1900 Port Vale A W 3-0
133 24 Mar 1900 Barnsley A L 0-1
134 31 Mar 1900 Leicester Fosse H W 3-0
135 7 Apr 1900 Luton Town A W 1-0
136 13 Apr 1900 Grimsby Town A W 2-1
137 14 Apr 1900 Port Vale H W 4-0
138 17 Apr 1900 Lincoln City H W 1-0
139 21 Apr 1900 Walsall A D 1-1
140 28 Apr 1900 Middlesbrough H W 3-0

Football League Division One

141 1 Sep 1900 Manchester C A D 2-2
142 8 Sep 1900 Bolton W H W 1-0
143 15 Sep 1900 Bury A L 0-2
144 22 Sep 1900 Nott’s Co H W 4-1
145 29 Sep 1900 Nottingham F A L 0-1
146 6 Oct 1900 Preston H L 0-1
147 27 Oct 1900 Stoke A L 1-2
148 3 Nov 1900 Aston Villa H W 3-2
149 10 Nov 1900 West Bromwich A D 1-1
150 17 Nov 1900 Liverpool H W 3-2
151 24 Nov 1900 Everton A D 1-1
152 1 Dec 1900 Newcastle H D 2-2
153 8 Dec 1900 Sunderland A L 0-1
154 15 Dec 1900 Sheffield United A L 0-1
155 22 Dec 1900 Derby Co H W 2-1
156 26 Dec 1900 Wolves A D 1-1
157 29 Dec 1900 Manchester C H W 4-1
158 1 Jan 1901 Wolves H W 2-0
159 5 Jan 1901 Bolton W A D 1-1
160 12 Jan 1901 Bury H L 1-2

* Abandoned at score 1-1 after 79 ½ minutes, match completed on 13 March 1899

Football Association Cup

1 1 Feb 1896 Southampton A – rd1 W 3-2
2 15 Feb 1896 Sunderland H – rd2 W 2-1
3 29 Feb 1896 Everton H – rd3 W 4-0
4 21 Mar 1896 Bolton W N – SF D 1-1 *
5 26 Mar 1896 Bolton W N – SF replay W 2-1 **

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6 18 Apr 1896 Wolves N - FINAL W 2-1

7 30 Jan 1897 Nottingham F H – rd1 L 0-1
8 29 Jan 1898 Sunderland A – rd1 W 1-0
9 12 Feb 1898 West Bromwich A – rd2 L 0-1
10 28 Jan 1899 Stoke H – rd 1 D 2-2
11 2 Feb 1899 Stoke A – rd1 replay L 0-1
12 27 Jan 1900 Bolton W H – rd1 W 1-0
13 10 Feb 1900 Sheffield United A – rd2 D 0-0 ***
14 17 Feb 1900 Sheffield United A – rd2 replay D 1-1
15 9 Feb 1901 Bury H – rd1 L 0-1

* Played at Goodison Park, Everton

** Played at City Ground, Nottingham
*** Abandoned after 50 minutes owing to snow.

Match Reports:

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 1-0 ASTON VILLA

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
3 NOVEMBER 1894

Before a crowed of just 6,000 Sheffield Wednesday beat Birmingham outfit Aston Villa by one
goal to nil in this Football League Division One game; it wax a chance for either side to gain
points with the Villa lying in sixth place and the Owls seventh.

Though no one could blame the Olive Grove faithful to be somewhat optimistic, they had in
the previous week lost out in a ferocious battle 3-2 to Sheffield United and were just about to
hand a first team debut to Massey; a keeper who was considered unreliable and had never
before played at a professional level.

Villa fielded the same side that hammered Liverpool 5-0 at Wilson Road whilst Wednesday’s
only change was in goal with Massey replacing Allen. The home side lost the toss of the coin
and were forced to play against the wind in the first-half.

The visitors started the game off brightly, attacking instantly, though Jamieson was on hand to
intervene and another dash from Dorrell saw him smash over the bar. After being rewarded
with a free-kick Chatt drove down the middle only to release Dorrell who found an offside flag
waved in his direction as he shot towards goal.

Wednesday handed themselves a great opportunity to get into the game; Crawshaw did some
excellent work, and via a beautiful pass and let Brady through who shot wide at the angle. At
the other end Davis worked hard whilst Weltford was able to head away.

Wiles were forced make a fantastic save in the top corner of his goal after Brandon got on the
end of a header whilst Athersmith fired wide for the visitors.

Dennis Hodgetts made a real mess of a glorious chance close in on goal and Dorrell made an
hash of his chance, firing wide. At this point it was the Birmingham team that were doing all
the attacking with Massey as fire practice.

Athersmith then took the game into his own hands and fired a shot in which the Sheffield
Telegraph and Star could only describe as ‘for a Rugby one’ and shot at least 12 yards over
the bar from in front of goal.

The home crowed were becoming restless and could sense a Villa goal coming soon,
however in one quick swoop the Wednesdayites were cheering them on when Spiksley got
hold of the ball, only to see his shot narrowly miss the goal.

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Villa were awarded a free-kick just outside the box when Crawshaw hacked down the
opposition, Russell flew the kick over the bar. The ball was pumped up front but the ever
dependable Earp was on hand to clear.

But, back came the opposition front line with the determination to score; a appeal for a
penalty against the Wednesday defence was waved away by referee Mr. Ormerod, though
the Manchester official ruled a free-kick to be given. The Owls drove the Villans back again
after that poorly taken free-kick.

Brandon and Langley combined only both miss kicked the ball with the wind proving costly for
the home side. A Villa corner was cleared and in a rare moment Fred Spiksley slipped
through the defence – showboating through three all at once. He ploughed in a clever centre
to Weltford who cleared away from danger.

Chatt was then penalised for tripping where Wednesday gained some relief but back came
the Villa, Athersmith got forward and found the goal at his own mercy - and with no one
around him except the worried Massey. Thankfully Athersmith scuffed his shot; which was
met with a great cheer from the crowed.

Massey then cleared twice with the Villa swarmed around him though was forced to give
away a corner on the second clearance when Dorrell shot over the bar from the resulting
corner.

The Villa then should have fallen, Wilkes rushed out of goal, he made a bad mistake with
Brash swinging the ball into the box – and with Spiksley free he somehow skied it over the bar.
At the other end Dorrell was only a yard away from scoring with the play coming quick and
fast.

Right up to half-time it was the visitors who were enjoying the play, though would have been
very disappointed not to see them in front after missing a hat full of chances.

Sheffield Wednesday…….1
Aston Villa…………………0

Sheffield Wednesday: Massey, Jack Earp, Ambrose Langley, Harry Brandon, Percy
Crawshaw, Jamieson, Brash, Bob Farrier, Davis, Brady, Fred Spiksley.

Aston Villa: Wilkes, Spencer, Welford, Reynolds, Cowan, Russell, Smith, Athersmith, Chatt,
Dennis Hodgetts, Dorrell.

Referee: Mr. S. Omerod (Manchester)

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 2-1 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CUP FINAL
18 APRIL 1896

Sheffield Wednesday had suffered FA Cup defeat six years prior to the demolition of Wolves;
they had lost a devastating 6-1 to Blackburn Rovers in the final whilst Wolverhampton
Wanderers had been there a year earlier, losing 3-0 to Preston North End in 1889.

The eventual winners had been knocked out at the semi-final stages in 1894 and 1895 but
made sure at the third hurdle. Regulars in the Owls line-up; Allen, Jamieson and Farrier all
missed the final but Lawrence, Bell and Jim Massey all saw delight in their first season at
Owlerton, though Abrose Langley fought off a late scare to cement in place in defence.

The game went off to a flyer – that’s if you supported he team in blue of course. With barely
30 seconds gone on the clock the Owls were in front. England international Fred Spiksley
collected the ball from an Archie Brash throwing, a shot in a fantastic goal.

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However with ten minutes gone of the 90 the Midlands club were level, David Black had
seized on a poor clearance by Crawshaw and levelled the score line with a beauty of a shot
which caught keeper Massey by surprise, 1-1.

And, on 18 minutes Wednesday then went back in front, Davis set up Spiksley once again
and rifled in a shot so hard it was said that it bounced back into play off the net, in fact the
keeper; Billy Tennant was so mesmerised by the goal that he took him a while to realise that
the Sheffield side where in front.

Defender Percy Crawshaw smashed the post in the second half whilst Davis saw his shot
saved by Tennant – the
Wolves shot stopper.

The Wednesday
defenders were then
made to show the
crowed why they earned
there money when they
withheld a blitz from the
Wolves ferocious
forward line – until the
Final whistle had blown
and the Owls could
celebrate.

Club captain Jack Earp

received the brand new
FA Cup from Lord
Kinnaird, and it was
taken back to Sheffield
– the home of football.
The trophy – which was
even then the most
prized competition in
football – was won by a
Sheffield club for the very first time, three years ahead of their rivals United.

The team was given a wonderful reception by the home crowed when they returned home to
South Yorkshire. They showed off there magnificent trophy at the Empire Theatre, whilst the
fans forgot about the entertainers that they had originally came to see.

The 1896 FA Cup Final has been remembered as the Spiksley final – though in accordance
to spectators the day belong to their man of the match; little Archie Brash.

Sheffield Wednesday: James Massey, Jack Earp, Ambrose Langley, Harry Brandon, Percy
Crawshaw, Bob Petrie, Archie Brash, Alec Brady, Laurie Bell, Harry Davis, Fred Spiksley (2).

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Billy Tennant, Dick Baugh, Tommy Dunn, Ikje Griffiths, Ted
Malpas, Billy Owen, Jack Tonks, Charlie Henderson, Billy Beats, Harry Wood, David Black (1).

Attendance: 48,836 (at Crystal Palace)

Referee: Lt. W. Simpson (Army)

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 0-1 BURY

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CUP ROUND ONE
9 FEBRUARY 1901

THE CUP HOLDERS IN LUCK’S WAY

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Sheffield Wednesday crashed out the FA Cup at the first round whilst there rivals from across
the City reached the final before losing to non-leaguers Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 in a replay.

The Lancastrians threw the Sheffield minnows out of the Cup by what was considers ‘a simply
goal’ by the ‘Sheffield Daily Telegraph,’ despite displaying a poor performance. And the
manor in which the game was contested wasn’t that of which you would usually find in a Cup
competition.

However the first half generated by Wednesday was of high order, only lacklustre finishing
prevented the Yorkshire men from talking the lead, though can be proud of there fine defence
in what was a bad whether game accompanied with wing and strong sun light.

The second half went sour – for Massey in particular, allowing a shot from Wood to slip under
his legs as the Shakers scored the only goal of the game. Bury didn’t rest on their lead and
attempted to double it whilst the Owls struggled to get past the powerful Bury defence as the
Cup holders ran out triumphant winners.

The crowed watching the game in anticipation in what said to have been the largest crowed
seen at Owlerton Stadium as the full capacity was packed to the rafters – with the 27,000 or
so comfortable housed with Wednesday taking in gate receipts of £850.

With the evaporation of snow the pitch was quite understandably soft in the winter month but
for the players’ was still in excellent condition.

The visitors were able to field a full casual team line-up which included Jasper McLuckie
whilst Wednesday was forced to play the experienced Fred Spiksley in place of absent Harry
Davis (ill).

The home side were made to start the game playing against the wind but Jack Pryce played
against the conditions with a superb run down the flank, quickly passing to Spiksley whose
shot just dipped over the crossbar.

Jocky Wright then made a mazy run on the opposite wing and in the process found himself
tripped on the edge of the area. Thompson shot from the lay off which didn’t pay off, Sagar
and Plant broke free for Bury and went on the attack and after McLuckie got back onside
James Massey rushed out to prevent a Shakers goal by beating Plant to the ball.

Charles Sagar fired the ball towards goal before Massey could track back; fortunately Layton
charged down the ball and went back into Wednesday possession – a lucky escape for
Massey. The Owls looked like they had a goal in them with neat flicks from Pryce and good
play from Wright and Spiksley.

Pryce shot wide of the mark, and when the ball flashed back across the goal mouth from
Malloch the official blew offside. At this point the Wednesday was on top of Bury but the
visitors found gaps in their defence. Jack Plant provided a timed cross into the centre, and
during the confusion to follow Massey was allowed to pick up the ball and clear.

Wednesday found them in the Bury box, Wright did well to get up field, supported by
Crawshaw he ended up applying a sweet volley from close range which Thompson managed
to save. An onslaught on the goal followed; twice the goal looked gapping but Price got out
numbered and Crawshaw ended up shooting wide at the angle.

The conditions were sweltering for the players and it showed as each side displayed frequent
mistakes which wouldn’t usually occur. Little had been seen of Spiksley- who was considered
as the owls’ main attack; nether the less they still found opportunity’s when Thompson
charged down Wright’s attempt whilst supplied a second save from Pryce.

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A free-kick was awarded after Bury committed a minor foul; but after a good pass to Spiksley,
he corkscrewed into the middle, and when he looked odds on favourite to see the net bulge
he was tackled – just six yards from goal.

With three minutes left of the first half the Owls stepped up a gear through the centre but
McEwan cleared and worked an attack, Sagar was allowed to run past the defence from an
offside position; Massey miss kicked the ball over the goal line – luckily it didn’t count and
Wednesday were allowed to continue before the whistle blew for half-time.

Once play resumed it wasn’t long before the ball found its way into the Bury half; and try as
they may the cup holders couldn’t find a way past the expected underdogs but they were
putting a brave performance.

Wilson and Pryce combined to force them down the middle were Thompson was called upon
again to rescue Bury. Whilst at the other end another dashing run, Wright got the best
opening of then game so far but his shot was too eager and curled outside.

Sagar then broke away; Wood ran on and fired hard and low, the ball went tamely under
keeper Massey, passing through his legs and into the net – Bury were finally in front, even if it
wasn’t deserved with eight minutes gone in the second half.

This surged on Bury as they attempted to retain their trophy – before they were eventually
knocked out against winners Tottenham Hotspur in the Quarter-Finals. The shakers gave
Massey three shots to deal with; which he managed to prevent them from doubling their lead.

Wednesday tried but failed to brake down the defence which had been troubling them all
afternoon, especially the in form Thompson. Pryce shot which just missed the top corner with
Thompson obviously beaten; but opportunity’s were far and few between for the Owls.

Determined not to be beaten Crawshaw who had featured heavily in the game set the
forwards going again but they finessed a lot too much, and on three occasions were swept off
there feet. The determination was obvious to all but fatigue was low.

The only clear cut chance came to Wright, he burst through but lost his footing and Leeming
once more booted out for a corner kick. Shots came from long range which Thompson
handled despite dropping a few but none really troubled him much.

Bury then went on the attack but were soon beaten off the ball, Wright stood firm when he
smashed in a 20 yard shot which only just fired over the bar with the aid of Thompson’s
trusted hand. Thompson was again unbeatable when he kept out another two attempts.

The score could have gone to 2-0 when Wood ran in and shot a first time which Massey was
fortunate to guide over his bar, at this point Langley was playing alongside the strikers whilst
Langley was doing the donkey work at the back.

That appeared to be the final chance in a game which was duly controlled by the home side
but were left to rule on missed chances.

Sheffield Wednesday: Massey, Layton, Langley, Ferrier, Crawshaw, Ruddlesdin, Spiksley,

Pryce, Wilson, Wright, Malloch.

Bury: Thompson, Darroch, McEwan, Pray, Leeming, Rose, Richards, Wood (1), McLuckie,
Sagar, Plant.

Attendance: 27,000
Referee: Mr. A G Kingscott (Derby)

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Resources:

Books:
- The Wednesday Boys – A definitive Who’s Who of Sheffield Wednesday Football
Club 1880-2005 (By: Jason Dickinson and John Brodie)
- Sheffield Wednesday – A complete record 1867-1987 (By: Keith Farnsworth)
- Ancestors Magazine (July 2006 – Issue 47)
- Sheffield Telegraph and Star

Internet:
- www.swfc.co.uk
- http://allfootballers.com
- http://www.adrianbullock.com/swfc/stats/swfcarch.htm
- http://www.fchd.btinternet.co.uk/S-KIRCOL.HTM

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