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Goalie Punched Ball Out Of Bramall Lane

June 1938

Sheffield Independent – Wednesday 01 June 1938

Goalie Punched Ball Out Of Bramall Lane

I had a chat with “Touch ’Em All” yesterday. Arthur Hall now lives at 12, Canklow road, Rotherham, and will be 75 years of age on 22 August but he still carries with him battle scars received as a footballer.

As a miner at Kilnhurst Colliery he played with the colliery team for some years, and then, in 1886, suddenly sprang into prominence with a feat which has remained unequalled in the annals of football.

Kilnhurst were opposed to Stavelev in the Sheffield and Hallamshire Cup Final at Bramall Lane, and Hall occupied his usual position in goal.

“During the match the ball came sailing over towards the Kilnhurst goal. It was so high that it looked like a toy balloon, and when it came down I punched it – hard,” he told me.

Through Pub Window

The result of the punch was that the ball left the Bramall Lane ground, smashed through a public house window, and did damage to the extent of between £30 and £4O. The distance from the goal to the ball was measured, and was found to be 98 yards.

Thereafter Arthur Hall was known as “Touch ’em all.” And he did. He was then 5 feet 10 ½ inches, weight 13 stones and was 23 years age.

After one game with Sheffield United he joined Rotherham Town.

It was while playing in goal for the Town in Cocker’s Field, against Gainsborough Trinity, that he knocked the ball out of the field into Wellgate. The ball was lost until the following Monday when it was found wedged between some chimney pots. That day Gainsborough Trinity lost 9-0

While playing in goal against Bolton Wanderers on the Clifton Jane ground, dear “Touch ’em’* touched another ball out of the ground. It crashed through the window of a general dealer’s shop kept by George Wright, and knocked the scales of the counter.

Hit on Neck

But “Touch ’em’* was not always ‘successful. There was one occasion when he was in goal for KHnhurst Colliery against Doncaster, and the Colliery won 9-1.

“The goal they scored against went straight between legs, and no sooner had it done so than woman supporter of our team cracked me on the back of the neck with a stick. ‘They’ve caught thee nappin’ ageon!’ she said. The blow knocked me out for some minutes.

Mr. Hall retired from football when had his leg broken while playing for Rotherham Town against Derby St. Luke’s, at Clifton lane. Although has never played since he has been lame ever since—football is still his mastering passion.

“If only I could get a ball at my feet again” he said as I left him. At 74 years of age, too!