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Players Index Page Last Updated
25 January 2023
 
 

Tot Rostron

Darwen FC

2 appearances, 0 goals

P 2 W 0 D 0 L 2 F 1: A 7
0% successful

1881

captain: none
minutes played:
180

Timeline

  Thurston Rostron
Birth Tuesday, 21 April 1863 in Over Darwen, Lancashire
registered in Blackburn April-June 1863
Baptism date unknown, but he was baptised in the Lower Chapel in Darwen
 

According to the 1871 census, Thurston is the only child of Christopher and Maria (née Pierce), living at 5 Orchard Street in Over Darwen. His father is an overlooker of cotton eavers.

 

According to the 1881 census, Thurston is still the only child, and with his parents, they live at 9 Edward Street in Over Darwen. Thurston is now a cotton weaver, while his father is till an overlooker.
A newspaper report in March 1888 regarding Thurston's bankruptcy stated that he is living as a coal-agent at 25 Vernon Street in Darwen. Previous to this, he was landlord at George & Dragon Inn, Bolton.

Marriage to Eleanor Garstang, in summer 1882 in Blackburn, Lancashire
registered in Blackburn July-September 1882
Children Tot and Eleanor Rostron had two children together. Sarah Jane (b.12 March 1883) and Christopher (b.10 February 1885).
 

(His mother died at the beginning of 1884)
According to the 1891 census, Thurston is married to Eleanor and they have two children, Sarah and Christopher. They live at 75 Steeley Lane in Chorley. Thurston is a finisher at the bleach works.

Death Saturday, 4 July 1891, at 75 Steeley Lane in Chorley, Lancashire.
aged 28 years 74 days registered in Chorley July-September 1891

Obituary

"DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN DARWEN FOOTBALLER.
"The death took place on Saturday of the well-known Association footballer, 'Tot' Rostron, after an illness of about a fortnight's duration. He had represented Lancashire many times, and also won his International cap. He was for several years a member of the Darwen F.C., and he and Marshall constituted at that time the finest right-wing couple in the county. During the last two or three years he has roamed very much, first playing with one club and then another. Rostron seemed to go downhill after leaving Great Lever, and spent his latter days at Chorley. He had filled every position in the field except that of goalkeeper, and could always be relied on as a 'trier.' He played for England v. Scotland and Wales in 1881, and represented Lancashire on several occasions."
-
Saturday, 11 July 1891,
Blackburn Standard.

Probate "ROSTRON Thurston. 17 July 1891.      The Will of Thurston Rostron late of 75
       Steeley-lane Chorley in the County of
Lancaster Mill-hand who died 4 July 1891
       at Chorley was proved at
Lancaster by Eleanor Rostron of 75 Steeley-lane Widow
       the Relict one of the Executors.

Personal Estate £58 7s. 9d." [2019 equivalent: £7,425].
  Eleanor Rostron died in November 1940

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] &

Playing Career

Club(s) Began his playing career with Helmshore FC, before joining Darwen Old Wanderers FC. Started his first spell with Darwen FC, before joining Great Lever FC in 1883 as a professional. Rostron rejoined Darwen FC in 1884. He played as a guest for Blackburn Rovers FC in an FA Cup game, in 1885; He was later attached to Chorley FC.
Club honours FA Cup winners 1884-85 (one appearance);
Individual honours Lancashire FA
Height/Weight 5' 5" [1884].

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990].

England Career

Player number One of seven who became the 81st players (84) to appear for England.
Position(s) Inside-right
First match No. 12, 26 February 1881, England 0 Wales 1, a friendly match at East Lancashire Cricket Ground, Alexandra Meadows, Blackburn, aged 17 years 311 days.
Last match No. 13, 12 March 1881, England 1 Scotland 6, a friendly match at The Surrey Cricket Ground, The Oval, Kennington, London, aged 17 years 325 days.
Individual honours The North (two appearances, 1881-83)
The Players (one appearance, January 1886)
Distinctions Third member of the 1881 team to die, six years after Claud Wilson, and five years after George Tait.
Died twelve days after Albert Aldridge.

Beyond England

A cotton weaver by trade, afterwards, he became a beer seller and a coal merchant. He was declared bankrupt between 1886 and 1888. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.212./Blackburn Standard (1888).



The Numbers
parties Appearances minutes captain
2 2 180 0 none
The minutes here given can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an approximation.
P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
2 0 0 2 1 7 -6 1 0 0.5 3.5 0 -2
Both of his matches were friendly matches and played at a home venue

Match History

 Club: Darwen F.C. - two full appearances (180 min) F.A. Committee - two full appearances (180 min)x

Age 17 trial  
one appearance - The North vs. The South, 19 February 1881.

apps match match details comp res rundown pos

1 12 26 February 1881 - England 0 Wales 1
East Lancashire Cricket Ground, Blackburn
Fr HL   ir

one of seven who became the 81st (84) players to appear for England
the third player from Darwen to represent England
becomes the second youngest player to represent England - until 2003

2 13 12 March 1881 - England 1 Scotland 6
The Surrey Cricket Ground, Kennington
Fr HL   ir
   

Age 19 trial  
one appearance - The North vs. The South, January 1883.
Age 22    
one appearance - The Players vs. The Gentlemen, January 1886.

   

 
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