Bob Kiddle
Encyclopedia
Robert Sherren Kiddle was an English amateur footballer who played as an inside-forward for Southampton St. Mary's in the 1890s.
and had achieved distinction as a track athlete in his youth. He played football for Southampton Harriers before being recruited to the newly-formed Southampton St. Mary's club in 1889. In his first few seasons at the Antelope Ground
, he was restricted to friendly matches and local cup tournaments, including winning the Hampshire Junior Cup in 1890 and the Hampshire Senior Cup
in each of the following two seasons.
In 1891, "the Saints" made their first appearance in the FA Cup
, with Kiddle making "good use of his athletic skills to outpace his opponents" as Southampton defeated Warmley
4–1 in the First Qualifying Round, before meeting Reading
. The match ended 7–0 in favour of Southampton, but after the match Reading protested about the ineligibility of two players, Jock Fleming
and Sandy McMillan, and consequently Southampton were expelled from the competition.
In 1892–93, Kiddle scored a hat-trick as the Saints defeated Newbury
4–1 in the First Qualifying Round played at the Antelope Ground. In the Second Qualifying Round they played Maidenhead United
at the Antelope Ground on 29 October 1892 and suffered a 4–0 defeat — apart from the Hampshire County Cricket Club Charity Cup the previous April, this was the Saints first defeat in a cup match. Kiddle's final FA Cup appearance came in November 1894, when they lost 2–1 at Reading
.
Although Southampton were one of the founding members of the Southern League
in 1894, it was not until 19 October 1895 that Kiddle made his solitary league appearance, taking the place of Willie Naughton
as the Saints crashed 7–3 at Clapton
. Kiddle was now past his prime and retired shortly afterwards.
Football career
Kiddle was born in SouthamptonSouthampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
and had achieved distinction as a track athlete in his youth. He played football for Southampton Harriers before being recruited to the newly-formed Southampton St. Mary's club in 1889. In his first few seasons at the Antelope Ground
Antelope Ground
The Antelope Ground, Southampton was a sports ground that was the first home of both Hampshire County Cricket Club, who played there prior to 1884, and of Southampton Football Club, who played there from 1887 to 1896 as "Southampton St...
, he was restricted to friendly matches and local cup tournaments, including winning the Hampshire Junior Cup in 1890 and the Hampshire Senior Cup
Hampshire Senior Cup
The Hampshire Senior Cup is a cup competition open to football teams affiliated with the Hampshire Football Association. The competition was founded in 1888 and has been contested every year since, with the exception of 1914 to 1919 when it was postponed due to World War I.Despite the...
in each of the following two seasons.
In 1891, "the Saints" made their first appearance in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, with Kiddle making "good use of his athletic skills to outpace his opponents" as Southampton defeated Warmley
Warmley F.C.
Warmley F.C. was a football club based in Warmley, near Kingswood, England. They were formed in 1882. They are widely regarded as playing the first organised football match in the Bristol region against St George....
4–1 in the First Qualifying Round, before meeting Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
. The match ended 7–0 in favour of Southampton, but after the match Reading protested about the ineligibility of two players, Jock Fleming
Jock Fleming
James John "Jock" Fleming was a Scottish footballer who played at centre-forward for Southampton St. Mary's, Aston Villa and Lincoln City in the 1890s.-Football career:...
and Sandy McMillan, and consequently Southampton were expelled from the competition.
In 1892–93, Kiddle scored a hat-trick as the Saints defeated Newbury
Newbury Town F.C.
Newbury Town F.C. is a now-defunct football club based in Newbury, England. They won the Hellenic League title two times in their history. They also won the Isthmian League Division Two in 1994, but ceased to exist just before the start of the 1995–96 season...
4–1 in the First Qualifying Round played at the Antelope Ground. In the Second Qualifying Round they played Maidenhead United
Maidenhead United F.C.
Maidenhead United Football Club is an English football club in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The club was founded in 1870 and moved to their current ground at York Road the following year...
at the Antelope Ground on 29 October 1892 and suffered a 4–0 defeat — apart from the Hampshire County Cricket Club Charity Cup the previous April, this was the Saints first defeat in a cup match. Kiddle's final FA Cup appearance came in November 1894, when they lost 2–1 at Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
.
Although Southampton were one of the founding members of the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
in 1894, it was not until 19 October 1895 that Kiddle made his solitary league appearance, taking the place of Willie Naughton
Willie Naughton
William A. "Willie" Naughton was a Scottish professional footballer, who played as an outside-forward for various clubs in Scotland and England in the 1880s and 1890s, including Celtic, Stoke and Southampton...
as the Saints crashed 7–3 at Clapton
Clapton F.C.
Clapton F.C. is an English association football club, who play in Forest Gate, in the London Borough of Newham, England.Founded by W.R. Davis at a meeting in his father's house at 11 Queensdown Road, Clapton in August 0f 1877. Downs F.C. started playing on Hackney Downs. They changed their name a...
. Kiddle was now past his prime and retired shortly afterwards.