The oldest photo of a Kettering Mens team prompted much discussion on the 1st XI WhatsApp particularly in relation to the age of the players and the proximity of the First World War combined with the recent 100 year anniversary of the Armistice.
First team Captain Grant took to Facebook to see if anyone could help us out with any information. There was a terrific response and many thanks in particular to local genealogist Julie Hill who was a mine of information.

So, we have

Charles Sydney Mobbs b1885. in 1911 lived Sunnyside, London Road, Kettering. Was a clerk to a boot and shoe manufacturer. Son of Charles Farey Mobbs b1857 also a boot and shoe manufacturer.

Vincent Paris Mobbs b1890 a last maker, son of Harry William Mobbs, shoemaker b1859 who was the brother of Charles Farey Mobbs. So Vincent was Charles cousin. Became a boss at Mobbs and Lewis and was a 'top bloke'.

Charles Newman Loake b1884, son of William F Loake, boot manufacturer. In 1901 they lived at Lansdowne, Rockingham Road. He was a director of Loakes Shoes. He was the great grandfather of the current managing director Andrew Cory.

Thomas Bird is most likely Thomas H Bird b 1887 (there's 2 Thomas Birds) given he is a son of a JP and Boot and Shoe manufacturer Thomas Bird b 1841 in Kettering. Tom was a friend of the Loake family.

Frank A Wright b1889 a boot manufacturer ans son of Frank Wright also a boot manufacturer. In 1911 they lived at Petherton House, Rockingham Rd. The house was demolished but was where Petherton Court now is.

Harold Evelyn Hales b 1890 boot manufacturer, son of Tom Hales also a boot manufacturer. In 1911 lived at 32 Rockingham Road

Ernest Wright (choices again) but probably b1890, son of boot manufacturer Henry Wright. In 1911 they lived at Ruthven, Park ViewKettering

Henry Wright b 1889 brother of Ernest

H Spence? There are some 7 H Spences in Kettering in 1911, some in the shoe industry. Given only one is the son of a boot and shoe manufacturer (like the others) this one is most likely Harry

F Downing and D Pain have been more difficult as they don't appear on the 1911 Census.

No info on vice captain W Stanley either.

Given the dates and the impending Great War a quick check of the Kettering War Memorial thankfully does not seem to list any of our ex players although sadly a H ( Henry) Spence died on the Somme on 21 June 1916. He lived in Granville Street.

It would appear that the Kettering HC of the 1909/10 season was a team of Edwardian gentlemen. Hopefully we continue to play with their spirit.

If anyone fancies doing any more research on this team please let us know if you have any joy, especially with messrs Downing, Pain and Stanley.