(Translation and adaptation of articles published in La Provincia)
On the 8th instant, twenty-two members of our Club set out for Seville to take part in a football match against the Seville side. The match commenced at five o’clock in the afternoon on the grounds of the Tablada racecourse, despite inclement weather which persisted throughout the day, with a steady rain falling without pause.
It proved a closely contested encounter, with both teams displaying commendable vigour and determination until six o’clock. Some ten minutes before the final whistle, the Seville team succeeded in scoring two goals, thereby securing victory. Among the noteworthy players were Messrs Ritson, Maccoll, Stroulger, and Welton for Seville, and Messrs Allcock, Duclós, Yates, and Coto for Huelva, each gentleman contributing greatly to the spirit and quality of the game.
At eight o’clock in the evening, the visiting party were honoured with a most splendid banquet held at the Café Suizo, over which Mr Johnson, British Vice-Consul in Seville, graciously presided.
When the time for toasts arrived, high spirits abounded. Mr Johnson proposed the health of the British and Spanish Royal Families, to which the assembled company responded with great enthusiasm—cheers echoing from every corner of the room, mingled with the popping of champagne corks and the joyful clinking of glasses.
Mr Maccoll, captain of the Seville side, offered a gracious toast to the Huelva Club, which was warmly acknowledged by our own captain, Mr Allcock.
Thereafter, Mr White proposed the health of the umpires of both Clubs, to which Mr Palin replied with a toast in honour of the Club President.
Following the toasts, a number of pieces from the operatic and zarzuela repertoires were rendered by Messrs Macpherson, Logan, Stroulger, Adam, Allcock, Yates, and others, whose performances delighted all present and caused the hours to pass as though they were minutes.
It was not until the stroke of one that the banquet drew to a close. The members of the Huelva Club then took their leave, expressing heartfelt thanks to the Seville gentlemen for their warm hospitality and generous reception.
Seville Football Club players: Messrs. Maccoll (Captain), Logan, Strougler, Ritson, Annandale, Mandy, White, Welton, Greig, a substitute.
Huelva Recreation Club players: Messrs. Allcock (Captain), Yates, Wakelin, Duclós, Coto, Kirk, Daniels, Curtis, Gibbon, Bradley.
Umpires: Dr. Langdon for Seville and Mr. Palin for Huelva.
President Mr. Johnson.
