Way back in 1923 the No. 23 pit of the Redding Colliery flooded due to the insuffient safety planning by the Colliery management, the concerns of the actual miners seemingly not being conveyed to those in control. After rescue attempts the bodies of forty men were recovered from the pit, who are commemorated at Redding Cross.
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The disaster obviously cast a shadow upon Falkirk District [then the local economy was based around heavy industry], that this affected almost everyone in the area almost goes without saying, and without adequate social security it fell upon the community [never the employers] to come to the aid of the afflicted.
Polemic over!
Back in the 1920s 'football' was a far greater part of the community than it is now [not a criticism, just an observation], so the local clubs played their part in the fundraising, and while I am not saying that they were at the forefront of the benefit fund, they were certainly there. The main thrust of the local clubs' efforts came in the form of a one off tournament under the auspices of the Stirlingshire FA, it was in effect an extra Stirlingshire Cup, but with proceeds going to the benefit fund.
Like the previous extra Stirlingshire Competition in 1902 it was treated in a sort of "take it or leave it" fashion, so with teams scratching not all of the fixtures were fulfilled. This time it was the Semi-Finals which suffered from lack of matches.
In addition to the competition Falkirk FC also played a match against a Scottish League XI at Brockville Park
Falkirk 0 Scottish League XI 1 at Brockville Park, 23rd October 1923
Falkirk
T.Ferguson; T.Scott & James Hunter; T.Glancy, T.Townsley & R.Dougal; R.Bryce & John Hunter, S.Puddefoot, J.Gourlay & W.Moore.
Scottish League XI
White [Hearts]; McNair [Celtic] & McQueen [Airdrie]; Steele [Hamilton Ac], Gillespie [QP] & McMullan [Partick Th]; Archibald [Rangers] & Rankin [Motherwell], Gallacher [Airdrieonians], Gallacher [Celtic] & Lawson [Rangers].
Scorer - Gallacher [Airdrieonians]
Note- I just made up the name of the competition [I always go descriptive] I have never found a proper title for it.
The disaster obviously cast a shadow upon Falkirk District [then the local economy was based around heavy industry], that this affected almost everyone in the area almost goes without saying, and without adequate social security it fell upon the community [never the employers] to come to the aid of the afflicted.
Polemic over!
Back in the 1920s 'football' was a far greater part of the community than it is now [not a criticism, just an observation], so the local clubs played their part in the fundraising, and while I am not saying that they were at the forefront of the benefit fund, they were certainly there. The main thrust of the local clubs' efforts came in the form of a one off tournament under the auspices of the Stirlingshire FA, it was in effect an extra Stirlingshire Cup, but with proceeds going to the benefit fund.
Like the previous extra Stirlingshire Competition in 1902 it was treated in a sort of "take it or leave it" fashion, so with teams scratching not all of the fixtures were fulfilled. This time it was the Semi-Finals which suffered from lack of matches.
First Round
Oct 10th King's Park 0 Falkirk 1
Oct 17th Alloa Athletic 1 Clackmannan 1 *
Oct 24th East Stirlingshire 4 Stenhousemuir 1
* I have looked but not found a replay for this match, so ...
Semi-Finals
- Alloa Athletic scr Falkirk WO
- Falkirk Amateurs scr East Stirlingshire WO
Final
Nov 7th Falkirk 1 East Stirlingshire 0
In addition to the competition Falkirk FC also played a match against a Scottish League XI at Brockville Park
Falkirk 0 Scottish League XI 1 at Brockville Park, 23rd October 1923
Falkirk
T.Ferguson; T.Scott & James Hunter; T.Glancy, T.Townsley & R.Dougal; R.Bryce & John Hunter, S.Puddefoot, J.Gourlay & W.Moore.
Scottish League XI
White [Hearts]; McNair [Celtic] & McQueen [Airdrie]; Steele [Hamilton Ac], Gillespie [QP] & McMullan [Partick Th]; Archibald [Rangers] & Rankin [Motherwell], Gallacher [Airdrieonians], Gallacher [Celtic] & Lawson [Rangers].
Scorer - Gallacher [Airdrieonians]
Note- I just made up the name of the competition [I always go descriptive] I have never found a proper title for it.