Tag Archives: Figges Marsh

Mitcham Argyle Football Club

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From a postcard dated 1907

News Articles

MITCHAM ARGYLE v. CLAPHAM R.

The Mitcham Argyle club opened their Balham and District League programme on Saturday, with a match against the Clapham United at Gorringe Park, and after a a very exciting time, the game ended in a draw of 5-5.

The Argyle, who were again. unfortunately, unable to have the services of their goalkeeper, won the toss, and play kicked off for the Rovers at 3.30, who immediately made tracks for goal, but were sent back by Prentice. Clapham kept up a persistent attack, and it was not very long before their efforts were rewarded by a mistake by the Argyles’ left back letting in Clay, who with a clear goal made no mistake with his shot. Shortly after the same player nearly added another goal with a fast shot at short range. which Mullins, who was playing goal in place of Hillier. just managed to put over the bar. After this the Argyle had a turn, and the United’s goal had some very narrow escapes, but eventually Ayling managed to obtain near goal and made the score even with a nice shot. From the kickoff the ball was sent well up towards the Argyles’ goal, and a race for the hall between Mullins and Clay ended in the latter securing and scoring in easy fashion. The Argyle were not long in drawing level, a line pass by Carey being neatly converted by Craib, and almost immediately after the whistle went for halftime.

On resuming the United attacked strongly and scored twice, both goals being by Waddam, the first was a good effort, but the second was an absolute present. Mullins letting the ball through his hands in a most unaccountable manner. Clapham’s large lead seemed to increase the efforts of the Argyle players. A nice run by Carey was finished with a lovely shot, which had the goalkeeper beaten all the way. Following this Ayling got clear away and sent to Craib who slammed the ball into the net and made the score level again. The game was now getting somewhat exciting, and the referee had to caution Clay, the United’s centre for ward for unfair tactics. The next goal fell to the Argyle, and was the best effort of the match. Craib obtained from the kickoff and travelled right through the United’s defence and ended with a shot which gave the goalkeeper no earthly chance. The Argyle made great efforts to keep their lead, but towards the end Noble obtained and shot from 20 yards and beat Mullins, who was handicapped by the centre-half getting in his line of sight. The score was again level, and both teams made determined efforts to obtain the lead, but nothing further was scored, and the game ended as above.

The Argyle showed improved form, and on Saturday, when they play their first home match on Figgs marsh, hope to have their best side out, and register their first win of this season.

Source: Croydon Guardian and Surrey County Gazette – Saturday 09 October 1909 from the British Newspaper Archive (subscription required)

MITCHAM ARGYLE v. WATERFALL

The Mitcham Argyle Football Club opened their fifth season on Saturday last, with a match against the Waterfall F.C. on the latter’s ground, and after a very good and even game, the Argyle were beaten by one goal to nil. This result can be reckoned satisfactory by the supporters of the Argyle, considering that several new men were included in the team, which naturally did not allow of smooth working and complete understanding at the first time of asking, but on the whole, the form displayed was distinctly encouraging. and after a week or two the Mitcham Argyle F.C. should develop into a very decent combination.

The match on Saturday was fought out in a very friendly spirit and the first half should have seen the Waterfall leading, several good attempts by their inside forward, being cleverly frustrated by the Argyle goalie, W. Hillier, and towards the finish of the first half, J. Relf, the Argyle capt., in attempting to clear from the Waterfall centre, headed through his own goal, but the referee’s whistle had just previously gone owing to an injury to Hillier. Half time arrived with neither side claiming any advantage.

The second half was fairly even, although both sides missed easy chances, and twenty minutes from the finish a penalty was given against the Argyle for an obviously unintentional infringement by the right back. The penalty was taken by the Waterfall centre, who shot hard and true, but Hillier was there and cleared well. Two minutes from the time the Argyle was subjected to a strong attack, and after a scrimmage in front of goal, Roots obtained and sent in a fine shot which cannoned off the goal post into the net. One minute later the final whistle went, and the Argyle retired beaten by a goal to nil, after a very fine game.

For the losers, Hillier gave a display in goal, and Prentice at left back was great. Relf also played well, and the same must be said of Kemp and Roots for the winners. On Saturday next the Argyle will be entertained by the Caithness Rangers.

Source: Croydon Guardian and Surrey County Gazette – Saturday 25 September 1909 from the British Newspaper Archive (subscription required)

Figges Marsh Toll Gate

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1952 Clip from Merton Memories photo 51729 Copyright London Borough of Merton

1952 Clip from Merton Memories photo 51729 Copyright London Borough of Merton

On the western side of London Road, opposite Figges Marsh and just north of Victoria Road, is a milestone which marked where the toll gate was. Eric Montague said in his Mitcham Histories: 2 North Mitcham, page 31, that “this was erected in compliance with the Turnpike Acts of George II by the Trustees of the Surrey and Sussex Roads who, from 1766 until the middle of the next century were responsible for the construction and maintenance of the highway from Kennington Common through Tooting and Mitcham to Sutton.”

Leamington Spa Courier – Saturday 04 July 1846

WANDSWORTH POLICE.
The Judge and the Toll-taker.—

John Fawcett, late toll-taker at Figs Marsh-gate, in the parish of Mitcham, surrendered to his bail, to answer charge of having, on the 27th of May last, exacted from George Cox, groom to Mr. Sergeant Adams, the sum of 11d.

Mr. Sergeant Adams appeared, and made the following statement: ” I went to Epsom Races on the Derby day in a phaeton, drawn by two ponies. We went over Vauxhall-bridge, paying toll there, as also at Vauxhall-gate, the toll demanded was 11d. When we got to Figs Marsh-gate, toll was again demanded. I said we have come through Vauxhall-gate, and the defendant, who was acting as collector, said, that gate does not clear here ; and I then ordered my servant pay him, which he did, and received a ticket. On our way hack, my servant said, “There must be some mistake, sir, for this ticket (showing the Vauxhall-gate one) clears Figs Marshgate.” When we arrived at Figs Marsh, I said to the defendant, ” The ticket that I had from Vauxhall-gate clears this gate ; give me back my 11d.” Defendant made me no answer. I said you had better give it back,” and he still made no answer, I then looked for the name over the tollhouse door and said, “Is your name John Fawcett? ” And he replied, “It always was and I suppose it is now.” He also said, “You shall not stop here ; if you do I will back your horses heads.” I then said, ” You shall take the consequences,” and drove off.—George Cox, groom to Mr. Sergeant Adams, confirmed his master’s evidence.

Mr. Everett said the lessee of these tolls, a Mr. Whatton, of Hercules buildings, Lambeth, had died since the summons was taken out, and he now attended by the widow’s desire. He did not for one moment attempt to justify the defendant’s conduct, but he would still submit the provisions of the act had not been complied with. By reference to the 35th section of the General Turnpike Act, it would be found that it was necessary to have produced and shown the Collector the ticket which had been received at Vauxhall gate, and this, it appeared, had not been done.— Mr. Sergeant Adams said he had expected a defence of this kind to be set up; he was aware that the ticket was not produced, but his answer was that he had dispensed with the production of the ticket because be had said that Vauxhall gate did not clear that gate. He was more offended with the conduct of the man than the mere exaction of the illegal toll. There was a sauciness about the defendant that was peculiarly disagreeable to a gentleman, and I am sure (said the learned Sergeant,) nobody could mistake me for otherwise than a gentleman. (Laughter.) Had I told him who I was he would have been down on his knees in a moment; but that would not do. (Renewed laughter.)

Mr. Sergeant Adams, after a few words had passed in a low tone between him and Mr. Everett, that person apparently endeavouring to beg the defendant off, said raised voice, ” I shall expect you to pay a sovereign to the poor-box.” —Mr. Clive observed that if a penalty was to inflicted, it must to the Crown. But the question is, do you intend me to decide the case, or you withdraw it? —Mr. Sergeant Adams who appeared to have forgotten the locality of the Court he was then in, and imagined himself the real locum tenens, said, “I must have my expenses paid. My servant has expended more than a pound in coming here. He must have 10s. And you must pay a sovereign to the poor box.” —

Barnes, the summoning officer, here observed that there were 5s. incurred in serving the summons and warrant:. — Mr. Sergeant Adams said that must be paid also. Mr. Clive, who had sat a mute spectator of this extraordinary scene, now said, then I understand the charge withdrawn. —The Learned Sergeant, who was occupied at the moment receiving the money, from Mr. Everett, did not appear to notice the magistrate’s observations, but turned round to the defendant and said, ” Young man, before you go, let me give you little advice. Don’t you play such tricks again, or you will, perhaps, be sent to prison,” And then addressing the usher, and handing a sovereign to him, said, “Now, sir, you will give that to the poor box” — The learned Sergeant then took his departure, and so this somewhat novel scene terminated.