Birdwell F.C.

Birdwell Football Club

Full name	Birdwell Football Club
Nickname	the Birds [1]
Dissolved	1928
Ground	New Recreation Ground
Home colours

Birdwell F.C. was an English association football club based in Birdwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

History

The club was formed in the 19th century, ^[2] and entered the FA Cup on 11 occasions between 1907 and 1928. The club had been due to play in the Barnsley Association League and various local cups in the 1928–29 season, but forgot to enter the FA Cup. ^[3] After being fined 10s for not playing in the Beckett Hospital Cup (due to a clash of fixtures), ^[4] the club appears to have disbanded.

Colours

The club wore red shirts. ^[5]

Ground

The club played at the New Recreation Ground. ^[6]

Honours

• Sheffield & Hallamshire Minor Cup League
  • Champions - 1895–96

Records

• Best FA Cup performance: 2nd Qualifying Round, 1921–22 taking Wombwell to a replay before losing 1–0.

Notable players

• Harry Ruddlesdin, who started his career with the club in the 1890s, going on to play for England. ^[7]

References

1. "Penistone football notes". Penistone, Stocksbridge and Hoyland Express -: 2. 28 February 1902.
2. Barnsley Chronicle, 23 May 1896, page 3
3. "A Birdwell oversight". Penistone, Stocksbridge and Hoyland Express: 9. 11 August 1928.
4. "Birdwell protest". Barnsley Independent: 2. 6 October 1928.
5. "Penistone football notes". Penistone, Stocksbridge and Hoyland Express -: 2. 28 February 1902.
6. "Birdwell Football Club sports". Eckington, Woodhouse and Staveley Express: 7. 17 August 1900.
7. "Harry Ruddlesdin Herold Ruddlesdin (Player)". National Football Teams. Retrieved 5 November 2025.