Blackburn Olympic F.C.
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Blackburn Olympic were a football team which existed for about a decade in the 19th Century. They were based in Blackburn, Lancashire.
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[edit] Introduction
Blackburn Olympic were founded in August 1877 from the merger of two smaller clubs, Black Star and James Street. The name was thought of by James Edmondson, the club's first treasurer. It is unlikely that their great success would have happened without financial backing from local iron foundry owner, Sid Yates. The professions of the players in the FA Cup final are given below. (Source: Blackburn Times April 7th, 1883)
[edit] Success
Their greatest success came when they overcame the dominance of local rivals, Blackburn Rovers, and the amateur teams of southern England to win the FA Cup in 1883. Well organised and trained, their ability to switch play from wing to wing, stretched an Old Etonians team reduced to ten men due to injury. A long pass to the left gave Jimmy Costley the opportunity to score the winner in extra time.
[edit] FA Cup winners, 1883
[edit] Olympic's results in the FA Cup, 1883
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 4, 1882 | Blackburn Olympic | 6-3 | Accrington | |
| December 9, 1882 | Blackburn Olympic | 8-1 | Lower Darwen | |
| December 16, 1882 | Blackburn Olympic | 8-0 | Darwen Ramblers | |
| February 3, 1883 | Church | 0-2 | Blackburn Olympic | |
| February 24, 1883 | Blackburn Olympic | 4-1 | Druids | |
| March 17, 1883 | Blackburn Olympic | 4-0 | Old Carthusians | Played at Whalley Range, Manchester |
| March 31, 1883 | Blackburn Olympic | 2-1 | Old Etonians | After Extra time. Played at Kennington Oval |
[edit] FA Cup winning team
T. Hacking
Dental assistant
J. Ward
Cotton machine operator
S.A. Warburton (C)
Master plumber
T. Gibson
Iron foundry worker
W. Astley
Weaver
J. Hunter
Pub licensee
T. Dewhurst
Weaver
A. Matthews
Picture framer/gilder
G. Wilson
Clerk
J. Costley
Spinner
J. Yates
Weaver
(Source for professions: Blackburn Times April 6th 1883)
[edit] Downfall
After winning the FA Cup, Olympic were soon replaced as the number one team in Blackburn by their rivals, Blackburn Rovers. The professionalism which helped foster their success ultimately also helped their downfall, as Rovers, backed by John Lewis and aided by their FA Cup win in 1884, were able to tempt Olympic's best players away. Eventually they also slipped behind other local clubs like Witton and Blackburn Park Road. In August 1889 they sold their ground to the Blackburn Railway Clerks Club. The location of their ground is now mostly covered by St Mary's Sixth Form College
