gluepot
Striker
This is a story told to me by my grandmother, whose mother worked in domestic service for the Marquess of Londonderry.
The Marquess of Londonderry (Charles) was a leading politician, aristocrat, local colliery owner, and the owner of Seaham Hall. It was he who officially opened Roker Park on the 10th September 1898.
He associated with royalty, being a contemporary and close friend of the Prince of Wales (Albert).
In the 1890s, football was becoming our national game. Being very proud of Sunderland's new ground, Charles invited his friend Albert (who he knew had recently attended a match at Kennington Oval) to attend a match. Albert agreed to attend the match between Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion to be played on 8th October 1898, but on the clear understanding that it would be a strictly unofficial and private visit.
In late September, the Prince of Wales went to Balmoral to enjoy some hunting and fishing and whilst there, he discovered that the brother of the "gillie" (whose name was Jimmy Wilson) was a Sunderland player (Hughie Wilson). Jimmy had never seen Hughie playing in any football match, so Albert insisted that Jimmy accompanied him to Roker Park. Jimmy was a firm favourite of Queen Victoria who was also holidaying at Balmoral. Apparently, Queen Victoria showed some interest in attending the match, partly because she had never seen how this increasingly popular game was played, but mainly because Jimmy had enthusiastically advocated it, supported by Albert.
The Royal train arrived in Edinburgh on the 5th October, where my great-grandmother's co-worker, a valet whose name I dont recall, had been sent to join the travelling party.
On 7th October, a train arrived at Ryhope Station, met by Charles, his family, and a team of servants. The visit was completely unannounced and kept secret from public knowledge. Staff in service were sworn to secrecy.
Jimmy Wilson stayed in the servant quarters and actually chatted to my great-grandmother, gossiping about all the details of the background to the visit, confirming that Queen Victoria was in the travelling group.
The following day, my great-grandmother witnessed five carriages setting off from Seaham Hall. Amongst the travellers were some of the royal entourage, definitely including Charles, Albert, and Jimmy Wilson.
The carriages returned at about 7pm, although Jimmy was now making his way back to Scotland so did not return to tell further tales. Unfortunately, the two senior domestic staff who travelled were very tight-lipped, so no details of the day's events were ever revealed.
Nevertheless, I have my grandmother's word that Queen Victoria was almost certainly in the party that attended the match with her son the Prince of Wales. It was the only football match she ever attended.
Believe it or not, Sunderland won 2-0.
The Marquess of Londonderry (Charles) was a leading politician, aristocrat, local colliery owner, and the owner of Seaham Hall. It was he who officially opened Roker Park on the 10th September 1898.
He associated with royalty, being a contemporary and close friend of the Prince of Wales (Albert).
In the 1890s, football was becoming our national game. Being very proud of Sunderland's new ground, Charles invited his friend Albert (who he knew had recently attended a match at Kennington Oval) to attend a match. Albert agreed to attend the match between Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion to be played on 8th October 1898, but on the clear understanding that it would be a strictly unofficial and private visit.
In late September, the Prince of Wales went to Balmoral to enjoy some hunting and fishing and whilst there, he discovered that the brother of the "gillie" (whose name was Jimmy Wilson) was a Sunderland player (Hughie Wilson). Jimmy had never seen Hughie playing in any football match, so Albert insisted that Jimmy accompanied him to Roker Park. Jimmy was a firm favourite of Queen Victoria who was also holidaying at Balmoral. Apparently, Queen Victoria showed some interest in attending the match, partly because she had never seen how this increasingly popular game was played, but mainly because Jimmy had enthusiastically advocated it, supported by Albert.
The Royal train arrived in Edinburgh on the 5th October, where my great-grandmother's co-worker, a valet whose name I dont recall, had been sent to join the travelling party.
On 7th October, a train arrived at Ryhope Station, met by Charles, his family, and a team of servants. The visit was completely unannounced and kept secret from public knowledge. Staff in service were sworn to secrecy.
Jimmy Wilson stayed in the servant quarters and actually chatted to my great-grandmother, gossiping about all the details of the background to the visit, confirming that Queen Victoria was in the travelling group.
The following day, my great-grandmother witnessed five carriages setting off from Seaham Hall. Amongst the travellers were some of the royal entourage, definitely including Charles, Albert, and Jimmy Wilson.
The carriages returned at about 7pm, although Jimmy was now making his way back to Scotland so did not return to tell further tales. Unfortunately, the two senior domestic staff who travelled were very tight-lipped, so no details of the day's events were ever revealed.
Nevertheless, I have my grandmother's word that Queen Victoria was almost certainly in the party that attended the match with her son the Prince of Wales. It was the only football match she ever attended.
Believe it or not, Sunderland won 2-0.
(with rattle in hand obviously)
