CLUBS (19) Continuation.
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here before 1886, but neither game had been placed on an organised basis. A few individuals, temporarily bubbling over with enthusiasm had arranged games, but the spirit soon got them down. Mr. J. H. Stewart-Lockhart appears to have been an exception to this rule. As Secretary of the Victoria Recreation Club, he took a keen interest in all sports and was responsible for convening the meeting held on February 12, 1886.
Those who attended this meeting were Messrs. Stewart-Lockhart, H. F. Hayllar, W. Watson Pike, H.N. Thompson, H. C. Metcalfe, J. Gow, T. Glass, J. D. Anderson, E. T. Young, A. H. Jackson, C. A. Cornish, W. B. Robertson, D. Kennedy, R. W. Breeks, C. W. Dickson, C. S. Barff, G. A. Caldwell, and C. E. Holworthy.
In opening the meeting Mr. Stewart-Lockhart remarked that a few games had been organised during 1885, but he felt it would be more satisfactory if a Club were formed "to consist of members proposed and seconded in the way usual with other clubs, and with a subscription sufficient to cover the cost of balls, tea, for the ladies who liked to see this form of sport, etc..."
Mr. Stewart-Lockhart urged that the Club should not be purely a Rugby Club, but that games should also be played under Association rules.
On the suggestion of Mr. A. H. Jackson, it was decided to call the Club the Hongkong Football Club, leaving members free to play whichever code they preferred. Mr. H. Foss, a keen supporter of the game, was elected first President, Mr. W. Watson Pike became first Secretary, and Mr. W. B. Robertson first Hon. Treasurer.
A ballot for a committee of five resulted in the following gentlemen being elected: Messrs. J. H. Stewart-Lockhart, H. C. Metcalfe, H. F. Hayllar, E. T. Young, and R. W. Breeks.
A few scratch matches were arranged immediately, but the first big game was between a Garrison XV and All Comers XV. A Newspaper report of the match concludes: "The Match ended in a draw in favour of the Garrison, each side having scored a goal, but All Comers, having touched down twice in self-defence."
An earlier passage in the report reads: "The game was very evenly contested throughout and most interesting, the only fault being a tendency to dispute by the players and to usurp the functions of the umpires." It seems that the game has changed very little in fifty years!
The first annual meeting of the Hongkong Football Club was held in the V. R. C. Gymnasium. In his report, the Hon. Treasurer disclosed that the club had a credit balance of $56. It was stated that seven Rugby and Association games had been played during the short season.
In due course of discussion regarding the provision of a suitable ground for football, it was thought that a piece of land on the racecourse could be drained and raised about four feet at an outlay of $1,450. It was also thought that Soccer might be played on a piece of land known as Sharp's Corner.
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