125th Hillsborough anniversary celebration kicks off campaign for new headstone for Ambrose Langley, the first captain of Hillsborough.

 125th Hillsborough anniversary celebration kicks off campaign for new headstone for Ambrose Langley, the first captain of Hillsborough.

One hundred Sheffield Wednesday fans enjoyed a special evening on Saturday to mark the 125th anniversary of the opening of Hillsborough on September 2nd 1889 when Wednesday beat Chesterfield Town 5-1 in the first game at the famous old ground.


© Mark Harvey 
    


                                                                                                            © Mark Harvey 

                                                                                                                © Mark Harvey



                                                                                                                        © Mark Harvey

The evening also started the fundraising campaign to pay for a new headstone for the first captain of Hillsborough, Ambrose Langley, an FA Cup winner in 1896 and League winner in 1902-03 and 1903-04 with Wednesday. Langley then went on to enjoy a successful management career with Hull City and Huddersfield Town.


                                                                                                                         © Mark Harvey                                               All those who attended were delighted to be presented with a special print of Ambrose and a unique book of his tales. (Available on Amazon)



                                                                                                                        © Mark Harvey

Langley’s grave is currently unmarked at Burngreave Cemetery. Members of the Langley family attended the event.

A special 10-minute film celebrating the opening of Hillsborough and Ambrose Langley was released on the night. It can be viewed at https://youtu.be/teNniA9UmzA

Three other films were also shown.

The Hillsborough Roar features John Longstaff speaking about a famous painting of the game between Sheffield Wednesday and Arsenal in the sixth round of the FA Cup in 1935. See:- https://youtu.be/sgqlok6FtuY

Favourite games, players and memories of the first game features Albert Fishwick recalling events dating back to 1948. 2 minutes long. https://youtu.be/CMBVxOjFyxI

And, finally, John Stacey, recalls how football was played in the 30s and 40s. https://youtu.be/fojUuXcdD2Y

These films were made possible thanks to Dave Hackney of the Digital Cortex who produced them at cost.

Speakers at the event were SWFC club historian Jason Dickinson, Michael Knighton, whose great grandfather Willie Layton was a team mate of Langley’s, Tom Crawshaw, whose great grandfather Tommy played for England and is the only Owl to have won the top flight title and FA Cup on two occasions, Clive Nicholson, whose great great uncle is Fred Spiksley and Mark Metcalf.

    
                            
                                                                               Jason Dickinson 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  © Mark Harvey


                                  Clive Nicholson                                                           © Mark Harvey


    Michael Knighton speaking proudly about his great grandfather Willie Layton      © Mark Harvey


There was a magnificent display of Tommy Crawshaw’s caps, medals and shirts plus a Spiksley international shirt.

    © Mark Harvey


    Tom Crawshaw speaks proudly about his great grandfather Tommy, a Wednesday legend.     © Mark Harvey

A stall of books and prints was well received with many fans buying up early Christmas presents.


                                                                            
                                                                                                                            © Mark Harvey

Mark Harvey of ID 8 photography from Sheffield donated his time to take photographs of the occasion.



                      Mark Metcalf spoke about Andrew Wilson towards the end of the evening.                                                                                 © Mark Harvey                                                          

Pleasingly, at the end of the evening many fans came up to tell the organisers how much they had enjoyed it and also learnt a lot about ‘forgotten’ heroes such as Crawshaw, Andrew Wilson, Spiksley, Layton and Langley plus Sheffield photographer Jasper Redfern who Metcalf contends should have plaque erected on what was his studio opposite Sheffield Town Hall.

£450 was raised on the night and a day later £440 was donated towards the headstone costs.

If you’d like to donate please go to:- https://gofund.me/63f7bbb6

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