Trying to shed light on Pools photo mystery!

The photograph accompanying this article, reproduced courtesy of my friend Ian Lightfoot, shows one of the many forerunners of Hartlepool United FC. The photo is fascinating enough, but I am also interested in the text surrounding the picture:

“1905 team. 1881 – The West Hartlepool Amateur Football Club was formed. In 1904/5 they won the FA Amateur Cup beating Clapton in Shepherds Bush, London. Their ground (featured here), now built upon, between Park and Grange Rds.”  

As well as being a nice little keepsake, this image raises some questions. I am, for example, wondering when exactly this photo was taken. It shows the 1905 team, but there is no silverware on display, even though this was a cup-winning squad. The website of still-functioning Clapton FC, states: “The 1904–05 season saw Clapton reach the final of the FA Amateur Cup for the first time, losing 3–2 to West Hartlepool.” 

Then there’s the biggest question of them all: do any Hartlepool Life readers know anything about the characters featured? Are any present-day Poolies connected to any of these players and officials? Personally, I can’t help thinking the gentleman standing third left, back row, might be an ancestor of our current supremo, Landon Smith, given that his clothing looks distinctly American. (Wouldn’t that be a coincidence!)

Please let the Editor know if you can shed any light on this snippet of United’s history. I have at least been able to discover that the kit in those days was coloured either black and amber or chocolate and amber, depending on how that week’s wash had gone.

I’d be interested in knowing more, but I’ll conclude with my thanks to Ian Lightfoot and this excerpt from the internet:

“The club’s greatest achievement occurred on 8, April 1905 when the club won the FA Amateur Cup beating Clapton, 3–2 at Shepherd’s Bush, London; West Hartlepool took a two goal lead into the break, with goals from Trechmann and D. Hegarty (the latter from a quick free-kick while the London side was not ready), and Trechmann added a third after Clapton goalkeeper Wilding lost sight of a long shot. Two late Clapton goals made the score look more respectable but the game finished with the northern club on the attack. The club folded in June 1910. All the club’s assets and liabilities were taken over by Hartlepools United.”