1908 – Follansbee Football Team Is State Champs

Ms. Emma Cross Stoneking did research and found information about the Thistle Athletic Club football team of 1908.  A picture of the team appeared in the Pittsburg Dispatch newspaper. The Dispatch description reads as follows: “Follansbee football team, which claims the lightweight title of West Virginia for the season of 1908, won seven and tied one in eight played.”  The team was reorganized in September 1908. William Holland was elected manager and Thomas Hodge was appointed captain. Other players were H. Jones, the star left tackle, Foy, Hickman and Chiesman. According to information that appeared in the Herald Star, the team purchased new outfits at a cost of about $50.00 and was the most thoroughly equipped squad to ever represent Follansbee.  Some of the opponents were Holy Name of Steubenville, Empire, Martin’s Ferry, Toronto, and Lazearvile.  Some of these teams were played more than once. It is likely that other opponents existed but no schedule has been found.

  • Emma Cross Stoneking, “Thistle A.C. Football Team of Follansbee 1908,” (This Timeline received Stoneking’s notes from the Brooke County Library, July 2011)
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Follansbee football team, 1908 season. Photo courtesy of Brooke County Genealogy Society.

 

 

 

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The Thistle A.C. appears to have been sponsored by Carl Schweatfeger’s Barber Shop. 

 

 

 

*1908 Thistle A.C. Photo, Follansbee Brooke Co. Division Library.