History of the A's

 
 

Recalling The Old Corner Lot

 
 

Years after the golden days of Athletics field lacrosse had past, a benefit oldtimers game was played in St. Catharines to raise money for the family of the late Billy Fitzgerald Sr. (one of the greatest of his day). The memories rekindled by seeing these old greats take to the field once again led to this poetic outburst.

 

by "An Old Fan"

THE ST. CATHARINES STANDARD

SEPTEMBER 1926

 

THE OLD CORNER LOT

 

To the sports field I wandered last Saturday

For I saw by the papers the Old Boys were to play

A benefit lacrosse game for Billy Fitzgerald

A player whose fame has spread round the world

A boy who was known for his sportsmanship fair

To honor his memory a large crowd gathered there

Oh, how it took one back to the long, long ago

To see the Old Timers (who were not a bit slow)

When St. Kitts had a real team and enthusiasm was hot

Oh bring back the games of the old corner lot

-

There was Geo. Kalls, Pete Barnett and old Freddy Stagg

Over whose playing the whole town used to brag

Tony Dixon, Bill Hope and old Tod Downey

The way they handled the ball was a treat for to see

Jimmy Sullivan, as usual, was out there to win

So he kept feeding the ball to "young" Harry Flynn

Corby Richards was just the same old speedy boy

And George Parke's rushes brought forth howls of joy

How to handle the stick they have never forgot

Oh bring back the games of the old corner lot

-

Charlie Querrie was playing a whale of a game

Though the bald spot on top he don't look quite the same

Neil Felker, Lawson Whitehead and Fred Rowntree

Were just as lively and active as they used to be

Art Warwick, Eddie Longfellow and Silver Spellon

Can run just as fast though their stomachs are swelling

Teddy Brown stopped everything in front of the net

Though Longfellow tried hard a goal for to get

To help out the benefit they were right on the dot

Oh bring back the games of the old corner lot

-

Time brings many changes as the years roll by

As I wandered back homeward I thought with a sigh

How the old game flourished in the days that have fled

But for the Old Timers one thing can be said

It was a great thing to come and play the old game

In memory of one who would have gladly done the same

To help out a comrade that has passed on before

Who was a square shooter and had a clean score

So here's to the Old Timers, our goodwill they've got

For the thrills that they gave us on the old corner lot.

 

See Related Story: William Fitzgerald

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