Moss Street v St Philips Football (1907)

Schoolboy footballers fight it out at Ewood Park.

Mitchell & Kenyon's camera captures the fierce physical rivalry between the young players in this Edwardian football match between two Blackburn schoolboy teams. Moss Street were the favourites in this Harry Boyle charity football cup final at Blackburn Rovers' Ewood Park, but the match ended in a 3-3 draw. Two replays followed before Moss Street won 4-0 on their third attempt.

Many of the thousands of spectators who turned out for the match would have worked at the nearby Ewood Park Cotton Mill. The Harry Boyle cup, established in Blackburn in 1897, is one of the oldest school football trophies in the UK. The three finals raised £279, which went to local charities.