The summer of 1900 offered Leicester residents an array of exciting and affordable railway excursions, a testament to the burgeoning competition among railway companies at the turn of the century. While the L.N.W.R. and the Midland had established their presence, the Great Central, a relative newcomer among English main line railways, was actively seeking to carve out its own niche. A collection of unearthed handbills reveals their aggressive strategy of advertising “bargain” travel, making popular destinations accessible to Leicesterians.
This competitive spirit echoed the pioneering efforts of Thomas Cook, who, back in 1841, ran his historic (though unambitious) day trip from Leicester to Loughborough. That modest venture inaugurated a popular form of railway service, setting the stage for the elaborate excursions that would follow.
One of the standout offerings from the Great Central in the summer of 1900 was a trip to Manchester, costing a mere 3 shillings. This fare generously included free admission to the renowned Belle Vue Gardens. Visitors could immerse themselves in a variety of attractions: exploring the Zoological Collection, boating on the lake, and enjoying musical performances by a band in the Chinese Tea Rooms. As dusk settled, the gardens offered a spectacular reconstruction of the Battle of Omdurman, that “crushing and far-reaching victory” which led to the capture of Khartoum and the downfall of the Mahdist tyranny.
For the sporting enthusiast, the Great Central provided equally attractive deals. Travelers could journey to Doncaster or York for the Autumn Race Meetings for just 1 shilling and 9 pence. Football fans were not left out, with excursions to see Leicester Fosse play local teams. A trip to Gainsborough to watch Leicester Fosse take on Trinity cost 1 shilling and 3 pence.
An even more remarkable bargain was the excursion to Woolwich on 7 September1901, where Leicester Fosse were scheduled to play Arsenal. For a fare of 8 shillings, passengers departed Leicester at 6:45 AM and returned from Marylebone after midnight. This lengthy evening was no doubt utilised for “drowning of sorrows,” as the Fosse ultimately lost the match 0-2.
A vivid example of these promotional efforts is a poster advertising train services for an English Cup Tie in Nottingham on January 26th, 1901, pitting Leicester Fosse against Notts Forest. One train originated in Rugby, making stops at Lutterworth, Leicester Central, Belgrave & Birstall, Loughborough, and Ruddington. An additional train also departed from Leicester Central. The poster prominently highlighted the close proximity of Arkwright Street station to the Nottingham ground, a key selling point for fans.
Given Forest’s position at the top of the First Division and Fosse’s seventh place in the Second Division, Leicester’s 1-5 defeat came as no surprise. Before a crowd of approximately 8,000, including at least 1,500 visiting Leicester supporters, Forest quickly demonstrated their superiority. Calvey netted the first goal within five minutes, with Morris adding a second shortly after. Calvey then secured two more goals, before Kyle managed to score for Fosse. Forman completed the rout, scoring Forest’s fifth and final goal seventeen minutes later. The Leicester Fosse team lined up as follows (2-3-5): Chas Daw, Michael Cochrane, and George Swift; James Foster, John Hamilton and Richard Jones; William Langham, Thomas, Albert Dunkley, Thomas Brown, Walter ‘Harry’ Hammond, and Peter Kyle.
It’s worth noting a common abbreviation error found on this printed handbill: “Notts Forest” was incorrectly used. This persistent mistake reportedly irritated Brian Clough immensely in later years. The correct abbreviation is “Nott’m Forest,” whose ground was situated on the county side of the River Trent at West Bridgford, distinct from Notts County’s ground at Meadow Lane, which was within the city limits.
Note: 1 shilling in 1900 is equivalent to approx £7.80 in 2025 (using a Bank of England inflation calculator)