Sponsored team sheet (early match programme) from 1896. Alfred Shelton, and J. Brailsford, combined with devastating effect in perhaps the most famous fixture ever witnessed in Loughborough – the 8-0 demolition of Arsenal on 12 December 1896 – which still stands as the Londoners record defeat in the Football League. The score could have been higher since Loughborough had two “good goals” disallowed for offside and several near misses. The Football Association had insisted that Woolwich Arsenal play Leyton in the English Challenge Cup on the same day, winning 5-0. But the first team were at Loughborough. The team had three changes from their previous League game on the 5 December. Two of these were regular first team players, but Carver made his debut at left back. The Luffs won the next match, also at home, to Small Heath.
Woolwich Arsenal got their revenge, four years later, inflicting Loughborough’s worst defeat in the Football League, a 12-0 hammering on 12 March 1900 at the Manor Ground, Plumstead, London.
Leicester Daily Mercury – Saturday 12 December 1896