Leicester Fosse endeavoured to induce goalkeeper Godfrey Beardsley and other players for that matter to play for them. Beardsley, having either a real grievance or an imaginary one with the Loughborough AFC committee was persuaded to leave and join the Fossils in 1898. In doing so he changed from being an amateur to a professional player and had to interrupt his law studies. Clandestine discussions took place in a number of public houses in Loughborough between Beardsley and Fosse Committee members. Not surprisingly Loughborough felt somewhat aggrieved and when the Fosse asked for Beardsley’s transfer it was refused, and a price was put upon the head of the amateur. Later Beardsley formally requested to leave, but again it was turned down. The Luffs made a formal complaint of “poaching” against the Fosse to the Football League. The hearing was due to be held on 14 October 1898, but the Football League received a wire withdrawing the charge. It was therefore deemed that Beardsley should be eligible forthwith to play for the Fosse, and that Loughborough were required to provide an explanation why the charge was withdrawn. Mr Henry T. Dunn, Loughborough Club secretary was prepared to produce evidence in support of the poaching charge. However, when he received the wire notifying of the date of the Management Committee hearing he was on the Isle of Wight, having been recommended by his medical advisor to take a holiday for the benefit of his health. Mr Dunn immediately wired in reply stating that he would return home. He arrived the day before the meeting, but found that Mr Clarke, the Fosse secretary had been to Loughborough with the view of arranging an amicable settlement and getting the charge withdrawn. An appointment was made at Leicester and just twenty-four hours before the hearing was due to commence. Messrs Vickers and Dormer, chairman and ex-chairman of the Loughborough Committee had a conference with the Fosse Committee. The matter was discussed, and it was agreed that the issue could be settled by Fosse giving Loughborough a cheque for £50 and a guarantee match of £25 on 27 December [Football League game] and half the gate over £50. The Fosse also had to pay Loughborough’s expenses. Mr Dunn stated that it was intention to produce evidence to substantiate the charge of poaching and that he had no hand in the settlement of the matter with the Fosse, and was not therefore, personally answerable to the League for the course adopted. The arrangement was intended by the Fosse to be of a private and confidential matter. After much discussion and deliberation, the Football League Management Committee were thoroughly satisfied that the case of “poaching” had been established, and the Fosse were told that if it had been proved that the directors were aware of what had been done by their secretary, Mr William Clarke, then the club would have been suspended. Mr Clarke did not put in an appearance and was suspended from all connection with League football with immediate effect. The decision of the committee in no way affected the transfer of Beardsley, and Fosse were compelled to abide by the arrangement already entered into. Having had his authority challenged Mr Dunn, felt he had no objection but to resign as the Luffs secretary.
The Beardsley affair cost the Fosse a pretty penny – £50 transfer, £50 fine, another fine of £10 in respect of William Rowley, who was engaged as a substitute for Beardsley, and the various costs and expenses incurred. To give an indication of the severity of the fine, Fosse were still applying for more time to pay in November. If Fosse had approached Loughborough in a business-like manner, it seems likely that they would have acquired the services of Beardsley for a much smaller sum, indeed it would have paid them to of given the Luffs £100 for his services. Loughborough came out of the affair with almost a clean sheet, a small sum of £5 5 shillings and displaying a much “better spirit towards the Fosse than the Fosse shown towards Loughborough. However, the affair in the longer term had a huge detrimental impact on the club.
Beardsley served Fosse with distinction and once saved a twice taken penalty at Small Heath in March 1899. He was occasionally prone to injury and missed odd Fosse games because of ‘buffetings’ he had received playing for Banks as an inside forward in the Thursday League. On resuming his law practice he was allowed to revert to amateur status and assisted Loughborough Corinthians, a club founded by his brother William. Sadly he died from tuberculosis in his early thirties.