SINGERS IN COVENTRY

This is a repeat item but with some highly valuable additions!!

In 1892, Burton Swifts were double booked on October 1st, when they were due to play Crewe Alexander in a local derby, Second Division match. On the same day they also had to play Singers' Factory of Coventry in a Preliminary Round FA Cup tie (only 7 ties were drawn for this round).

Singers were a fore runner of Coventry City FC. They moved the Cup tie to the previous Wednesday, at 8am (YES in the morning) kick off and they won 3-0. 

What about the workers? Perhaps they had "late shifts"... I can understand the Singers getting time off but the Swifts?

In the next round (Qual Rd 1) the Swifts beat Burslem Port Vale- away 0-2.
then (QR2) away at Leek 0-3,
next QR3 away Walsall Town Swifts 1-3
QR4 Burton Swifts v Burton Wanderers 3-2...surely the best beery local derby?
Rd 1 Preston NE 9 (yes nine) -2 Burton Swifts oops-hang over?
Preston lost in the semi-final to Everton after a draw and Wolves won the Cup 1-0 at Fallowfield, Manchester.

In 1883, the Singers' Factory Gent's Club was formed by Willie Stanley, who set up the football team in the local cycle factory. This eventually became Coventry City in 1898 and joined the Football League after the First World War, 1919. 

Jimmy Hill, the well known Fulham player and TV football pundit was manager of Coventry in 1961 and he named the team "The Sky Blues" and led them to promotion to the First Division (top div) in 1967. Let's forget the FA Cup Final win v Spurs in 1987!!

In 1992 they were founder members of the Premier League.

The following Old Boys' sides were also involved in the Preliminary Round: Old Etonians v Norwich CEYMS (6-1), Old Westminsters v Norwich Thorpe (11-3), Old Wykehamists (Winchester College) v Old Harrovians (Harrow School) 3-0. Just for info!!

CEYMS is an acromyn for Church of England Young Men's Society. Sited at Swardeston, near Norwich, the club was founded in 1888. It now plays in the Premier Division of the Anglian Combination, previously in the Eastern Counties' League. Their furthest tie in the FA Cup was in 1906-7, when they reached the 4th Qualifying Rd. The club lays claim to having the oldest football song, adopted by Norwich City; "On the ball, City!!".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPVn9eLOkF0  I know the lads at Carrow Road don't sing this in full anymore! This is the latest Canaries' version below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MVXaE_AHR8