August 31, 1891
The season now opening will mark the establishment of a first-class amateur club – the Liverpool Caledonians. It is a heroic departure to attempt to compete with powerful professional organisations, and one which deserves to succeed.
There is certainly room for both in a populous locality like Liverpool; and especially should the new club be welcome to people living more immediately at the south end, where large crowds always to be found at the leading cricket matches.
It will, of course, take him to build up a reputation of the high quality of League and Alliance clubs, but with patience and sagacious management this aim will be attained. A clever amateur team would soon touch the public chord of appreciation, and become immensely popular, for the shady tricks continually obtruding of some of the professionals is working a reaction in the direction of amateurism.
The controllers of the Caledonians have been working hard all through the summer, and have got their house almost in order, only a few final touches being required for the opening ceremony.
The date of commencement has not yet been fixed. Negotiations are pending with Queen’s Park and Corinthians, and if these are successful these premier amateur teams of Scotland and England will perform a very high inaugural function; ad that such a high-class match has even been thought of proves that it is intended to make the Liverpool Caledonians Club a stern and imposing reality.
The ground secured is adjacent to Wavertree Station, and is handy of approach from Lime Street either by tram or train. It is all enclosed, and a grand stand has been erected, capable of seating from 600 to 700 people. The pitch has been thoroughly drained and levelled, and in a few days everything will be in “apple-pie” order.
As to players, a few of the names are: Willie Hasting, Jamieson, William Wilson (late Stanley), Orr, E. Griffiths, the brothers Deighton, McIlwraith, Seggie, McKinnell, Finlay, Muir, Campbell, Whitehead, and Graham, and a first-class man will arrive from over the border to-day, and three or four or four others in the course of the week, but being well-known men it might not be wise to disclose their names at present.
As to fixtures, they include Higher Walton, Wrexham, Chester St. Oswalds, Derby County, Notts County, Southport Central, Queen of the South Wanderers (Dumfries), Tranmere Rovers, Stanley, Saltney, and other teams of such calibre; and negotiations are almost closed, though not actually, with Cowlairs, Battlefield, 5th K.R.V., and Airdrieonians.
The Caledonians have entered for the English Cup. Should the negotiations with Queen’s Park and Corinthians fall through, a start will probably be made on September 12, when a Scotch team will play the Liverpool Caledonians.
(Source: Liverpool Mercury: August 31, 1891)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 