History of Sutton in St.Helens, Lancashire
Sutton Beauty's History & Heritage Pages
Part 12) Sport in Sutton (St.Helens):
Written and researched by S.R.Wainwright for Sutton Beauty & Heritage © MMVIII Sport, Leisure & Entertainment Photo-Album Heritage Home Main Site Home
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Towards the end of the 19th century as Sutton and St.Helens' large-scale industrialisation developed, so concern was increasingly being expressed for the welfare of Sutton's denizens. Just like today, exercise was seen as a cure or preventative medicine for many of life's ills and organised sporting pursuits were very much encouraged.
In fact chief Sutton landowner Michael Hughes (III) was a great supporter and benefactor of sport in Sutton and was president or chairman of more than thirty sporting clubs in the region. He also bred racehorses who were often seen in Sherdley Park during the close season.
Incidentally, the sound of leather on willow ceased in Sutton during the First World War. The ground was instead used for growing produce, although the 22 yards of pitch was thankfully spared the spade! During WW11 members of the services on leave played at the New Street ground and they sometimes included county players who were stationed in the area.
Sutton Harriers Athletics Club photographed c.1910
Sutton Harriers were formed in 1899 and is the fourth oldest athletics club in Merseyside (although now known as St Helens-Sutton Athletic Club after a merger in 1990) and from the outset they were remarkably successful. Within seven years of their formation they'd won the National Cross Country Championship, winning 13 sets of medals in their first 14 competitive championships. Inevitably Colonel Michael Hughes was their patron and was said to be extremely proud of their achievements.
Sutton was, of course, built on coal and the pitmen were a tough breed who worked hard and played pretty hard too. They also fought hard and naked clog-fighting or purring, as it was known, was a popular 'sport' for a while. The colliers wore clogs in the mines and used them above ground to kick each other in the head in organised fights. It was also a popular way to settle disputes and much money could be waged on the outcome.
A less violent sport played by Sutton miners was Knurr and Spell. The Knurr was a hard ball which was propelled vertically into the air by a Spell, a mechanical device that was tripped when a foot or club pressed a lever.
Other sporting activities included playing "piggy", attending Newton races, bowling, whippet racing, rabbit coursing, pigeon-flying and starling shooting. Pitch-and-toss of penny coins was endemic and pounds were staked on every toss. The practice was illegal and the police were regularly on the look out for offenders.
Sutton Manor colliery 16-18s with E.K.Lawrenson memorial rose bowl
During the 20th century football became widespread in the pits with each colliery having a number of teams who played competitively. The St.Helens Combination football league was originally formed in Sutton on August 4th 1917 when Ernest Worrall distributed notices to locals calling a meeting in the old LMS Club in Penlake Lane (now known as The British Rail Club). St.Helens Town Association Football Club were formed in 1946 and played at Hoghton Road until 2002 (now at Knowsley Road and will relocate to the new Saints stadium).
Sutton-born soccer stars include Bill Foulkes of Manchester United, John Connelly of Burnley, Harry Parry of Bolton Wanderers, Bill Luckett of Southampton, John Quinn of Sheffield Wednesday and Ken Finney who played for Stockport County. Winger John Connelly had a lot in common with John Quinn. They were the same age, both their fathers were miners and they attended St.Theresa's school together in Sutton Manor.
John Connelly was in England's 1966 World Cup winning squad but only played in the opening game against Uruguay. He had 20 England caps in total and as well as playing for Burnley, he also played two seasons for Manchester United.
Research Sources, References & Bibliography for History Pages
Sutton Beauty & Heritage's History Pages:
1) Township of Sutton & St.Helens; | 2) Sutton's Lords & Masters;3) Michael Hughes of Sherdley; | 4) Religion and Education
5) Rev. Henry Vallancey (1st vicar of Sutton); | 6) Mineworking;
7) Industry in Sutton Township; | 8) Sutton Transport
9) Transport Timeline; | 10) Health & Sanitary Conditions;
11) Sport in Sutton; | 12) Leisure & Entertainment in Sutton;
13) Origins of Sutton Street & Placenames; | 14) Pudding Bag;
15) Crime & Tragedy; | 16) 'Picturesque' Sutton - How it's Changed
17) Sutton True Facts! | 18) Research Sources and Bibliography;
Plus 5 Photo-Albums: Sutton's Lords & Masters; Religion & Education
Transport in Sutton; Sport, Leisure & Entertainment; Sutton Streets
Also See Our Pages on: Sutton Manor Colliery; Clock Face Colliery;