Another mystery which the Archive would welcome assistance with: the photograph above came to the Archive from Bryan Stubbs who asked for help identifying the members of this ladies football team, a possible date and location. the information Bryan can supply is: “I came across this photograph when clearing out my mother’s things recently after her death. The lady in the centre with the ball is my mother’s mother, my grandma. She was born in 1901 and was called Leah Margaret Edwards, becoming Stimpson when she married in 1922. I know she worked at one time for Smith’s Dock, painting ships and lived in South Bank but I can’t find out whether this is Smith’s Dock Ladies football team. She may have played for other teams in the area as well. Also what is the event. There seems to be quite a crowd in the background!”
After discussions with fellow Editors it has been suggested that the location might be the old Middlesbrough ground at Ayresome Road; also the team strip might be that of Bolckow Vaughan. Please can anybody assist in solving this mystery both for the Archive and Bryan Stubbs?
Image courtesy of Bryan Stubbs.
My great-grandmother is the first player seated in kit on the left, Mary Mackin. She married in Jan 1919 and became Mary Hart. Good to put another name to a face!
Thanks Alex.
Do you know any more about the whether it is Smith’s Dock ladies team or the venue?
Bryan Stubbs
Hi Brian
Can you get in touch with me, please?
I’m researching WW1 women’s football and would like to talk to you.
Visit http://www.worbella.co.uk (“Calling All The Heroes” section)
Cheers.
Ed Waugh
Playwright
Hi Bryan,
It is Smith’s Dock Ladies FC taken in 1918. The ground was South Bank FC’s ground in Normanby Road I believe.
Thanks Alex. Sorry I’ve only just seen your comment. Did your great-grandmother work at Smith’s Dock? I’m interested in what work women did in the shipyards. I always thought my grandma was involved in painting ships but she never spoke much about it.