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Leek F.C.
Leek F.C. was an English football club from the town of Leek, Staffordshire. HistoryThe club claimed a foundation date in 1872, and by the 1876–77 season was established enough to have had a season of 20 matches, winning 14.[2] Leek's first competitive match for the club was in the first Staffordshire Senior Cup in 1877–78, beating Cobridge in the first round, and losing to eventual winners Stoke in the second.[3] Leek played in the FA Cup from 1884 to 1893, reaching the Fifth Round in 1886–87.[4][5] At that stage the club lost 2–0 at home to the Old Carthusians in front of a crowd of 4,000; Leek twice had the ball between the posts, but both times the score was disallowed.[6] The club joined the Midland Football League for its inaugural season in 1889, but after one season left for The Combination.[7] Leek lasted five Combination seasons, generally finishing near the bottom,[8] and the club left the league after the 1895–96 season, having lost £120 over the season, despite retaining amateur status.[9] A desperate scheme to pay the club's debts by sending out "collecting cards" was unsuccessful, the exercise not even raising £11,[10] and the club took a berth in the North Staffordshire League. The club continued at this low level until 1902, when it merged with other clubs to form Leek United.[11] ColoursThe club wore amber and black until at least 1891.[12] By 1893 the club was wearing white jerseys.[13] GroundThe club originally played at Abney Road, a mile from Leek railway station.[14] By 1879 it was playing at Westwood Lane and used the George Hotel for facilities.[15] References
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