Black Sheep

[rjp]

A friend of mine has been researching my family tree.  It turns out that my great, great grandfather was one George Short who amidst a colourful life made 31 appearances for Small Heath between 1887 and 1895.

He had a brother Charlie Short who made 19 appearances for Small Heath between 1889 and 1892.

A hint of a possible family redemption was found when we discovered that Charlie played for them in two spells.  The first spell was one appearance, no goals, in 1889-90 before moving on to play for Unity Gas.  The second spell was 18 appearances, 11 goals, in 1890-92.  He appeared twice in the 1890-91 F.A. Cup where they beat Wednesbury Old Athletic 2-0 but were then disqualified for fielding an unregistered player.  It turned out they'd forgotten to reregister him when he started his second spell.  Same old Blues.

Then things got really interesting with the discovery of this in the Northern Telegraph on the 3rd of February 1892:

THE ARMY AS A FOOTBALL RECRUITING GROUND

G.F. Short, a brother of Charlie Short, of Aston Villa F.C., is to be bought out of the army by Small Heath.  He will probably figure as centre forward for the Heathens.

However I can't find any other mention of Charlie playing for us.  Does anyone have any ideas of things I could do or sources I could check in my quest to save the family name?

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

The most extensive player database I know is this.

https://www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com/

Afraid no mention here. Looks like you will have to keep nosing.

[Rory]

I think that's really cool anyway, mate.

[MorrisNielson]

Charlie played in 2 first team friendlies during the 1891-92 season. One against the Albion and one against the then second best team in Birmingham; St Georges.

[rjp]

Charlie played in 2 first team friendlies during the 1891-92 season. One against the Albion and one against the then second best team in Birmingham; St Georges.

I've stupidly only just remembered to check this thread.  Thanks so much for that Morris.  Whether it was a friendly or a cup final doesn't really matter to me.  I'll consider the family name to be redeemed!

[Lucky Eddie]

Charlie played in 2 first team friendlies during the 1891-92 season. One against the Albion and one against the then second best team in Birmingham; St Georges.

I had never heard the story of St. Georges before. There's still a St. Georges FC playing in the Birmingham Senior League, Kingstanding if my memory serves me correctly.

Great story by the way.

[Exeter 77]

Had to check as Birmingham St. Georges dredged up a memory of us accquiring one our 1887 cup winners from them - Dennis Hodgetts.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Hodgetts?wprov=sfla1

[DennisHodgetts]

Distant relative of mine, hence I use the handle

[Lucky Eddie]

I had a very close friend named Hodgetts in Kingstanding in the 90's, William.

That wiki page lists us as having played Everton at Dudley Road. Does anyone know anything of this ground?

[dave.woodhall]

I had a very close friend named Hodgetts in Kingstanding in the 90's, William.

That wiki page lists us as having played Everton at Dudley Road. Does anyone know anything of this ground?

If it was Wolves ground you can guarantee that it was full every week with thousands locked out.