BRIGG TOWN AND BRITANNIA IN THE FA CUP

Bob Taylor who takes a keen interest in the history of Brigg Town FC and also pens match reports about the current team.

BY BOB TAYLOR - BRIGG TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB'S HISTORIAN

Brigg's first involvement in the competition was in 1879/80 season when they played away at Turton (Blackburn area) and lost by 7-0.  Turton were then beaten in the next round by Nottingham Forest (0-6).  Forest then beat Blackburn Rovers 6-0 in the third round and drew 2-2 with Sheffield in the fourth round before going through on a disqualification to be awarded a bye in the fifth round. They then lost in the Semi-Final to Oxford University by a single goal and the University team lost in the Final by the same score to Clapham Rovers.
In the 1880/81 season, Brigg lost by 8-0 in the first round against Darwen on November 13th, following a defeat by Brigg Britannia a month earlier by 5-0 away at Turton. 
The next season, 1881/82 saw the Brigg team beaten 6-0 again in the first round, this time against Grantham away, whilst Brigg Britannia lost 8-0 at Sheffield.
In 1882/83 season, Nottingham Forest had a walk-over win against Brigg Britannia in the first round.
Looking through details of even earlier F.A.Cup games, Sheffield seem to have been the only Northern Club in the competition in 1883/4 season, -  when they got through the first round against Shropshire Wanderers on the toss of a coin after a 0-0 draw. They then beat Pilgrims in the second round but lost by 2-1 against Clapham Rovers in the third. Other Northern teams in the competition in 1877/78 season included Grantham, Manchester, Darwen  and Notts County so the two teams representing the town of Brigg a couple of years later were among the early entrants to the famous competition.

NF ADDS: Founded in 1864, Brigg Town FC is the oldest Lincolnshire football club in existence. Celebrations will be coming up for the Zebras' 150th anniversary - a wonderful achievement and something in which the club, and the town, should take great pride.