| Full name | Highbury Union Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Union | |
| Founded | 1873 | |
| Dissolved | 1884? | |
| Ground | Christ Church Field, Highbury | |
| Secretary | Henry Scruton | |
Highbury Union F.C., more usually simply known as Union, was an English association football club from Islington.
The club was founded on 14 July 1873 [1] as a club playing both rugby football and association codes. The club continued playing both codes until at least 1877, but by 1881 was solely an association club. [2]
Although claiming a foundation date of 1873, the club's first external association rules match seems to have taken place in October 1875, against Hornsey Rovers. [3] The club competed in the FA Cup in 1876–77, losing 5–0 at Rochester, and scratched its entry in 1877 when drawn to face the Royal Engineers. [4] The club also took part in 1881–82 and 1882–83, but lost in the first round both times; the first time 1–0 to Hotspur after having a goal disallowed for offside, [5] the second time 4–1 at the powerful Swifts side, the Union's goal being a consolation near the end from Poulton. [6]
The club seems to have ceased to exist before the 1884–85 season, with many of its players (including captain Frank Webster) joining Romford. [7]
The club's colours were originally dark blue jerseys with a red Maltese cross on a white ground, red cap, and blue stockings. [8] In 1877, these changed to chocolate and light blue, [9] with white knickers and brown socks. [10]
In 1882 the club changed again to scarlet and black. [11]
The club's first ground was Christ Church Field, near Highbury Station, and the club used the Alwyn Castle as a changing room. [12] By 1877 it was playing out of Victoria Park, using the Cassland Hotel for facilities. [13]
The following are events in the 1850s decade which are relevant to the development of association football. Included are events in closely related codes, such as the Sheffield Rules. All events happened in English football unless specified otherwise.
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