Amateur Football Alliance

Southern Amateur League

Chapter Three - 'The 1940s'
In common with most Clubs, the war caused many changes in the personnel among officials and members, not the least being the evacuation of Mr. Fred Huson (Honorary Secretary). This office was taken over by Mr. O.C. Dupont during 1940. He had a fatherly interest in Cricket and Tennis, and continued until the Annual General Meeting of March 1947. The Chairmanship of the Club was undertaken by Mr. James North who retained this office until the Annual General Meeting of March 1946. To both these gentlemen the Club owes a deep debt of gratitude for their indefatigable efforts throughout the War and almost continuous presence on the Ground. Mention should also be made of the very able general administrative assistance given by Mr. J. Jupp, Mr. E.O. Welsford, Mr. F.G. Bowles and the financial adviser and auditor throughout the war years, Mr. H.R. Taylor.

A special word of thanks is due to Mr. George Deacock, who, a pre-war Life Member with close associations both in playing and administration of the Cricket and football Sections since 1922, continued to provide the Club with Printing and Stationery.

Within a year of the outbreak of hostilities, no less than 70 members from all Sections were serving in H.M. Forces. By 1942 it was 122 with 38 serving overseas and by 1944 the total had reached 190 which did not include those evacuated for official or business reasons. It is fitting to mention those who made the supreme sacrifice, whether on the battlefield or through any other cause is immaterial, because it was all in the one great cause.

Throughout the war, many Service and evacuated Members visited the Club and were not only welcomed with great pleasure, but were offered games in matches during their leave. The Ground and Pavilion became a meeting place for serving members to use as opportunity arose.

As to the Ground itself, improvements to it and the equipment were impossible to effect. In the Autumn of 1940, the Ground like many other in North London did not escape damage, for no less than four large craters stopped all play for a period. Not one of these was on either of the cricket tables or tennis courts fortunately, but the debris caused considerable trouble in addition to the filling up of the craters. Some damage was sustained to the scorebox, Pavilion and fencing. The Groundsman, Mr. H. Cooper, became ill during the Winter of 1944/45 and was unable to continue, but not before, with little assistance, he had done yeoman service under the direction of Mr. F.H. Bowles. The best possible use was made of the existing equipment and the results achieved were most creditable. Temporary repairs to fencing were effected to prevent the Ground becoming a public park. In the end the work was eased by the acquisition in 1945 of a three-gang mower with a box tractor.

The Football Section succeeded in keeping their flag flying and there were many members who were 'Flannelled Fools' and 'Muddied Oafs'.

At a meeting in September 1939 to consider how best to combat the emergency into which they had been thrown it was resolved 'to endeavour to carry on as far as is humanly possible'. A quote from 'The Chat' of December 1939 reporting the meeting is significant. It was decided:

The implementation of the first resolution was made possible by the co-operation of old friends, Southgate Wanderers, whose ground in Ladysmith Road, Enfield, had been commandeered and whose members joined in a body. As a result the Club was able to run two sides fairly comfortable for the duration. In Season 1941/42 some 57 matches were played and results were such that they would wish for nothing better in normal times. By the next Season only the young and old were available, but in fact 61 games were played.

Season 1944/45 however, saw an increase in membership and the running of a third eleven. For the second season running, the 1st XI won the Wood Green and Southgate Hospital Cup.

In common with the Cricket Club, the footballers arranged Charity matches. These included successive games with Broomfield in aid of the crew of H.M.S. Ferndale and the Southgate P.O.W. Relatives Association Barclays Bank, Royal Netherlands Navy and a British Empire XI provided the opposition in aid of the above Association and the British Red Cross.

With the coming of V.E. Day the 'Chat' appropriately reported in May 1945 that the first three of their tasks set in 1939 had been accomplished. Six Seasons of war-time football had been played at Ford's Grove. There remained their final task to guide the Club through the transitional period and take their place among the leaders in A.F.A. Football. The resumption of the Southern Amateur League next Season was anticipated, and it was hoped that many old players would rejoin and a steady stream of newcomers would continue.

To conclude this report on the war-time activities of the Club it must be said that it is impossible to mention everyone, but to all officers and Members of all Sections who gave their time and help in these difficult days, the Club is indeed grateful.

Season 1940-41
(Friendlies)

Season 1941-42
(Friendlies)

Season 1942-43
(Friendlies)

Season 1943-44
(Friendlies)
The First XI won the Wood Green and Southgate Hospitals Cup.

The Wood Green & Southgate Hospital Cup Final was reported in the Football Chat. "Our last game of the season was staged at Hazelwood Lane Sports Ground when we met Mayfield on the Broomfield pitch in the final of the Wood Green Cup. Jim Keenan was not available and so Geoffrey Birch moved into the centre forward berth and Frank Thompson was brought in at inside left. Our opponents were unfortunate in finding us right on top of our form and we eventually ran out easy winners, 9-0, Birch getting a hat-trick. Each member of our side played a strong constructive game and no one falls to be singled out for special mention except perhaps Noel Barber who netted the all important first goal be collecting a ball from a goalmouth melee and confidently slipping it into the corner of the net, well wide of a helpless goalkeeper, and who shortly after scored a really excellent goal with a hard left foot drive which again gave the keeper no chance. As may well be imagined, there were high jinks back at the Club that evening, at which we were very happy to have the Mayfield players, during which a modicum of gin was supped from the Cup and much beer from glasses.

We have thus had a most successful season on the field, but what is more, the eleven has been composed of a grand set of chaps who have not only blended thoroughly in the dressing room, which factor has to no small extent contributed to the playing success, but also (and this is most important!) in the bar." 

Season 1944-45
(Friendlies)
For the second consecutive year, the First XI won the Wood Green and Southgate Hospitals Cup.

Season 1945-46
(Southern Amateur League)
A factor which retained the atmosphere of war-time football, was the protracted period of Demobilisation after the world technically became at peace in August 1945. Several old members returned, but by and large many members were still absent, and the great re-union anticipated seemed still far off. An effort was made to return to peace time conditions in re-starting the Southern Amateur League for the 1945-46 Season. Unfortunately only 14 Clubs were able to take part, making the Competition only a shadow of its former self, with two Sections of eight and six Clubs respectively. Winchmore Hill found themselves in the First Division for the first time. The football was not quite up to standard but good enough to give the Hill a fair showing with three full sides every week. The First XI finished in 6th place and were relegated. There are no records available for the Reserves and 3rd XIs 

Season 1946-47
(Southern Amateur League)
There never was such a Season as 1946/47. Despite deplorable weather with continuous rain in the months of November and December to be followed by snow and ice, the Season was, in achievement, the Club's best on record. Before the activities of the weather began, the 1st XI pitch was moved from the original top pitch to the position it roughly occupies today across the centre of the ground. The top pitch to remain in use for the lower sides. The Hill's 1st and Reserve sides resumed their pre-war membership of Division II of their respective Leagues in the SAL while the 3rd XI competed in Division III of the Nemean League. A 4th XI played a programme of friendly matches. Having set the scene therefore, it is pleasing to record that both 1st and 2nd XIs won their leagues, securing promotion to Division I SAL Senior and Reserve Sections for the first time in 27 years membership of the SAL. The 3rd XI finished fourth out of 10 clubs in their Division of the Nemean League and the 4th XI achieved moderate success in a programme of 17 friendly matches. Out of a possible 36 points the 1st XI obtained 32 and the 2nd XI 26 out of 32.

Season 1947-48
(Southern Amateur League)
At the end of the 1947/48 Season, the 1st XI created a record by winning the League Championship at the first attempt. The Reserves also enjoyed a good season, finishing runners up to Alexandra Park, finishing just two points behind them. The Third XI were now playing in the Nemean League Minor Division One and the Fourth Team in Minor Division Two

Season 1948-49
(Southern Amateur League)
The Club successfully defended their Champions Title and the Reserves again finished runners up, this time to Catford Wanderers, being four points behind the winners.

The Third Team entered the SAL for the first time and played in the newly formed Third Team Section, finishing 5th in Division One. The SAL also introduced a Fourth Team Section, comprising of one division and with Winchmore Hill finishing in 8th place

Season 1949-50
(Southern Amateur League)
Runners up to Catford Wanderers, ending the season five points behind the Champions. The Reserves finished 4th in a tight battle with only 7 points dividing the top seven places. The 3rd XI finished 3rd and the 4th XI 4th.

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[page updated 1 March 2003]