When we travelled to Reading for our F.A. Cup tie in 1988, the programme referred to the tie being the third meeting in the cup between Reading and Hendon. "The current Hendon FC was founded in 1908 but we twice entertained and beat sides from that area previously - by 1-0 in 1878 and three years later."

Those facts are correct, but the Hendon they refer to in the 1800's is not today's club, but the original Hendon FC. The original club's one connection with the present club is in name only, and they were early F.A. Cup giantkillers.

One such act of giantkilling came in 1883 when they were drawn at home in the First Round to Old Etonians who had played in the previous three finals, they were runners-up in 81, winners in 82 and then runners-up again in 83. Hendon's big day took place at the Cricket Field in Brampton Grove, off Brent Street NW4, just two miles north of Claremont Road. Hendon won the tie 3-2 in front of 400 spectators to record a sensational result, but not all of the crowd were well behaved...

Taken from the Hendon and Finchley Times, 17/11/1883

"The most eventful game that has ever been played in this neighbourhood took place last Saturday (Nov. 10) in the Hendon cricket field, when the Old Etonians, generally considered the first club in the country, were defeated by Hendon in the first round of the Association Cup Competition. The former had twice had the honour of holding the cup and has always held a foremost position in the Competition. On each occasion that it has been thrown out of the ties, the club defeating it has won the trophy in the same season, while the old boys have competed in the final tie oftener than any other eleven.

"Hendon commenced with a rush and at once attacked the Eton goals with such vigour that the old boys seemed powerless to defend themselves and it was not long before two goals were credited to Hendon. The Etonians pressed their opponents and on two occasions achieved the downfall of the Hendon fortress.

"Some even play then ensued till the Hendonians for a third time sent the ball between the Eton posts. During the remaining quarter of an hour the excitement was intense, and the game waxed fast and furious, but no further point was scored, and victory remained for Hendon by three goals to two.

"The weather was fine but cold and the game was witnessed by about 400 spectators. Had it been played in the North of England, there would have been as many thousands present. We regret extremely that though on the whole, the conduct of the spectators was most orderly, yet during one part of the game in a certain part of the ground some insulting expressions were made use of with reference to the umpires, and that complaints have appeared in one of the London papers on the subject. The post of umpire is by no means plesant, and onlookers have no right to demonstrate with decisions."

... so we know that the original club had a good cup record, but how do we know that the original club is not the same one as todays? Well, if we accept that the present Hendon evolved via Hampstead etc. (see The foundation of Hendon FC), we have discovered two meetings between the old club and the new one. We also know that the original club was still going in 1937, by which time todays club had been in existence for almost 30 years.

The first meeting between the two was on 1st April 1932, and we believe it was played at Claremont Road. The game was a benefit match for Hampstead trainer W.Wilson. Hendon (the original club) beat Hampstead (the present club) 3-2 with goals from Abrey, Alis and Choppin, whilst Bramley scored both of Hampstead's goals. The next meeting was only a few weeks later, on the 29th April. This time Hampstead won 1-0, with Rees scoring in front of 600 people at the Welsh Harp in a game arranged to raise money for Hendon FC.