1895 - FROM STRATFORD TO SEAFORTH
The break up of the three time defending C.L.A. Senior champs from
Stratford led many of their players up the road to Seaforth.
Consequently the Beavers easily won the '95 crown. A 9-1 record with
only a sixth games loss to Fergus.
As usual the C.L.A. had its problems. Toronto won only one game but
had it taken away after a protest by Tecumsehs. On July 1st Fergus
travelled to St.Catharines for a regrettable affair. The Thistles
started well and scored the first goal. Unluckily the referee
overruled the umpire from Fergus. The enraged Thistles marched off the
field and headed for the train station, with the Athletic team chasing
after them, attempting to convince them to return. By the time they
had reached the station, St.Catharines had agreed to allow the goal to
stand. Still Fergus would not be swayed and were soon on their way
home. The Double Blues won the game, by default, but had to give the
holiday crowd their money back.
It was another grand year for the irish of Montreal. Shamrock A.A.
opened their new grounds on July 6th. A full house, 7,000 seated and
1,000 standing, cheered the home side to a 4-3 victory over Ottawa.
Joe O'Meara potted all four, while John Powers was involved in all the
losers scoring. From there the Montreal squad rolled to another title.
With three different players scoring in double figures(O'Meara a
league leading 15 goals, followed by Bob Wall, 12 in 5 games, and Dave
Danaher with 10) the irish only lost once. Cornwall defeated them on
Dominion Day 4-2. Rookie John Broderick's two goals were the
difference. Danaher counted a brace for the shorthanded Shamrocks.
Wall missed the contest. Broderick was the league's newest sensation
as he led the Colts to a 5-3 record.
Capitals had another strong club and stayed with the leaders until
September. Their second loss to the irish, by a 6-2 score, ended their
pennant hopes. They completed their schedule a week later with a 7-0
rout of Cornwall. It was their second big score against the Colts.
Earlier they had won an unfinished match 8-0. Their final tally had
come in the third quarter. Deciding they had done enough, the Capital
players huddled, gave themselves a cheer, then left the field. The
Colts were more than happy to make an early start for home.
On the downside was the performances of Toronto and M.A.A.A.. The
Queen City club went winless and defaulted a game to the Winged Wheels.
Toronto had some talent with a youthful Tack Hendry and Brampton's Ed
Peaker but they weren't nearly enough. The Triple A's only 2 wins came
against the bottom side. They also had a promising new star, Albert
Dade. Unfortunately he would not begin to peak until switching to
Shamrocks, two years later.
