1948 Parents vs Boys Challenge Football Match Houghton Regis Voluntary Primary School (Bottom School) Press Cutting

Press Cutting describing the challenge football match between Parents and Boys at the Houghton Regis Voluntary Primary School in 1948.

The cutting reads:

"SAT AT THE FEET OF THEIR SONS

Houghton Fathers Asked For It

Boys of Houghton Regis Voluntary Primary School beat their fathers 8 goals to 4 in a match played on Houghton Green on Saturday morning.

The monotonic blare of bugles and clatter of bells heralded the arrival of the Fathers, beautifully attired on a hay-cart having driven in style through a somewhat perturbed village.

"Nellie Wallace", supported by a rejuvenated Mr V. A. Holmes, feebly kicked off, and the battle commenced.

The Boys quickly took a two-goal lead, despite a hopeful "No Entry" sign tacked onto their opponents cross-bar. Play stagnated for a while, and the Fathers' backs and goalkeeper hastily erected a smaller goal in front of the real one, drew up some chairs and dealt the cards.

This quiet poker school was soon scattered by an attack in which the Boys again scored. The ball entered the net by some miraculous agency. Whether deflected by a friendly foot or an adjacent skull and crossbones, who shall say. Piqued at the onlookers' display of bias, the Fathers hit back, and the advent of the oranges came with the score at 3-1.

The second half began as did the first, with two swift goals, both to the Boys. Then Mr A. S. Wallis received attention when brought down in a tackle. A carboy of "Pheno-Barbitone Embrocation", plus a bath-chair were rushed on the field, and the fallen removed in state.

Now the Fathers began their effort and pulled up to 4-6. The referee (I thought I recognised Mr L. Brewer under the pseudonym of "Mr Hugh Cares"), was largely instrumental in the Boys weathering the storm. A judicious punt here and there saved the day time and again, though he did it at risk of life and limb."

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