Previous Seasons
1953
Champions: London Limeys
First Title
Supergrid 1953
London Limeys
2
Yootha Feldman {4, 69}
ASD
West Yorkshire Terriers
1
Audrey Denbigh {22}
After romping to their first regular season title with just one defeat in their sixteen games, Middlesex appeared to be set to complete a hat-trick of Supergrid titles. Especially when they went into the last five minutes of their semi final with West Yorkshire, looking comfortable at 2-0 up. Emily Taylor's goal for the Terriers five minutes from time set the nerves jangling and when she then equalised two minutes from time it was game on before Mary Broomfield completed the most sensational of comebacks to stun the Champions.
That sensational victory set up a repeat of last years third place match against London Limeys, who won through thanks to Joan Wallis' goal against Essex. Limey's duo Pamela Van Earps and Frances Ann Davis were honoured two days before the game with places on the Team of the Year along with four of the vanquished Saxons, which included the new Gridballer of the Year, Geraldine Gaunt. However, those Saxons were finishing the season empty handed, losing the Bronze medal match to Essex with goalie of the Year Soe Soe Stephens keeping out Silver Bat winner Gaunt and her Golden Bat winning team mate, Ellen McKeown.
The Bronze Bat was up for grabs on Supergrid day as Limey Joan Wallis and Terrier Emily Taylor were tied with Glasgow's Susan McCrossan. A goal for either on the big day would win them that award but if neither found the net, McCrossan would be honoured for having scored her goals in the fewest games.
The match got off to a quick start when Limey's Yootha Feldman fired the Southerners in front. West Yorkshire battled back with Audrey Denbigh levelling in the second quarter.
Emily Taylor was denied by the frame of the goal twice after the interval while Joan Wallis missed a golden chance to win it for the Limeys as the game headed for Sudden Death for the first time in a Supergrid. The Limeys were crowned Gridball Champions for the first time in the 69th minute when Yootha Feldman fired in the winner.
London Limeys
1: Hazel New
2: Pamela Van Earps
3: Ann-Margaret Winch
4: Marianne Shelton
5: Frances-Ann Davies
6: Yootha Feldman
7: Joan Wallis
Coach: Lili Daixel
West Yorkshire Terriers
1: Valerie Cutts
2: Vivian Ireland
3: Janet White
4: Audrey Denbigh
5: Patricia Dowie
6: Mary Broomfield
7: Emily Taylor
Coach: Hermione
Hickson-Carroll
Supergrid Champions:
Runners Up:
Third Place:
London
West Yorkshire
Essex
Season highlights
*Nita Leighton of Essex became the first player to be sin binned for a second time. Having been ordered off against Middlesex in 1952, she was again given her marching orders against Stafford in April. In total, six other players were dismissed during the season.
* Kent Netminder, Betty Page set the unwanted record of being the first player ever to score two own goals in one game as her maids side went down 1-8 to Middlesex. In total, nine own goals were scored during the season.
* Middlesex equalled the record score for a game, defeating Durham 10-0 with Ellen McKeown equalling Janet Camara's record seven goal haul in one match. McKeown also missed a penalty!
* There were three goals scored inside the first minute of a game with Eira Cordell setting the fastest record, scoring against Middlesex for Essex in just sixteen seconds. However the Blades went on to lose 2-6.
* A New Regular Season record attendance of 1,282 was set when Middlesex hosted Glasgow in October.
* That match came during a record six consecutive wins for the Saxons from August to October.
* Middlesex also clocked up a ten game unbeaten run twice during the season.
* Durham departed Senior Gridball on a five game record losing fun.
* When Jacqueline Courtenay scored for London against Stafford in July, she became, at 36, the oldest player to score in a Senior game
World Gridballer of the Year: Geraldine Gaunt - Middlesex
Golden Bat: Ellen McKeown - Middlesex {second time}
Silver Bat: Geraldine Gaunt - Middlesex
Bronze Bat: Susan McCrossan* - Glasgow {second consecutive year}
*Although tied with London's Joan Wallis and West Yorkshire's Emily Taylor, she achieved the total in fewest games/
3rd Placed Match Essex 1-0 Middlesex
Demoted: Stafford {after one season}
Durham {after two seasons}
Promoted
Leeds, Thames, Nottingham, Sheffield, Sussex & Hull
1952
Champions: Middlesex Saxons
Record Second Title
Supergrid 1952
Middlesex Saxons
3
Birmingham Vipers
0
Geraldine Gaunt {5, 9, 60}
Just as last year, Birmingham won the regular season and this time navigated a semi final against London to get to Supergrid.
Middlesex could only finish third in regular season, but put paid to West Yorkshire to set up a repeat of last year's Supergrid and the chance to successfully defend their crown.
Yet again both sides were littered with teenagers in this early era of the sport, where many of the players had been recruited from schools. The Saxons were without their Golden Bat winner from last year, Ellen McKeown while her replacement, Mary Lonsdale had yet to score since taking over.
The Vipers instead boasted both a slightly surprising player of the year in Zena Hall, making up for taking ill and missing out on playing in the showpiece last year, and Golden bat winner Sylvia Felgate, who went into Syupergrid tied with West Yorkshire's youngster, Mary Broomfield, but was awarded the top spot by virtue of having played a game less.
The Saxons came out and dominated the first half, Geraldine Gaunt giving them an early lead before Sylvia Felgate's attempts to come back and help a beleaguered defence only saw her get in the way and gift Gaunt a second.
In a much tighter second half, both goalies did well to prevent any further scoring, but with Birmingham pressing at the death, Gaunt completed her Hat-trick, emulating McKeown from last year.
Middlesex Saxons
1: Pamela Flindt
2: Heather Wallace
3: Janice Lothian
4: Norma Blower
5: Audrey Pertwee
6: Geraldine Gaunt
7: Mary Lonsdale
Coach: Vesta Perry
Birmingham Vipers
1: Mona Bertolino
2: Helen Annis
3: Mary Hilton
4: Rhoda Shipton
5: Zena Hall
6: Mary Derbyshire
7: Sylvia Felgate
Coach: Pat Kempson
Supergrid Champions:
Runners Up:
Third Place:
Middlesex
Birmingham
West Yorkshire
Season highlights
* Birmingham became the first team to earn two bonus points during a season, retained their regular season shield, won a record ten games and set a new points record
* Leeds became the first to lose two penalty points as they were demoted
* The game between Birmingham and Essex had to be abandoned due to a power failure with the score 3-0. The teams returned to an empty arena the following day and played out the final quarter with no further scoring.
* Eira Cordell set a new fastest goal record, scoring for Essex against Leeds after just 34 seconds
* Twice during the season, a team fought back from three goals down, and both times the game involved Durham. in the first they led Glasgow 3-0 before the Scots battled back to level. Durham regained a two goal lead before that two was clawed back for a 5-5 final score. In the second game they trailed Birmingham 0-3 before taking advantage of a sin bin to force the tie.
* On July 26th, a four figure crowd was recorded at a regular season game for the first time when exactly 1,000 fans watched Middlesex take on Essex.
* Leeds were demoted while on a run of eleven games without a win, a new record.
World Gridballer of the Year: Zena Hall - Birmingham
Golden Bat: Sylvia Felgate - Birmingham
Silver Bat: Mary Broomfield - West Yorkshire*
Bronze Bat: Susan McCrossan - Glasgow
*Although tied, Felgate's goals came from fewer games
3rd Placed Match West Yorkshire 2-0 London
Demoted: Leeds {Won promotion at the first attempt in 1953}
Promoted
Kent, Liverpool, Stafford, Tamar, Lancashire
1951
Champions: Middlesex Saxons
First Title
Supergrid 1951
Middlesex Saxons
4
Birmingham Vipers
3
Audrey Handy {13}
Sylvia Felgate {31, 41}
Ellen McKeown {36, 46, 60}
Asa Martin {47}
The first ever Supergrid was a game still regarded as one of the best ever finals as regular season Champions Birmingham tried to complete the double against pre season favourites Middlesex.
Birmingham needed to make a last minute change as Zena Hall took ill on the morning of the game, meaning Helen Annis was forced to play out of her normal defensive position at centre.
The Saxons had Ellen McKeown leading the line after recovering from the trauma of a miscarriage earlier in the season.
Both sides squandered early chances with McKeown hitting the frame at one end before Annis missed a golden chance at the other.
The first goal came from Audrey Handy as her shot deflected off Tany Pitt past her goalie. Mileno was then called on to make a good save to preserve the lead to the break.
Birmingham deservedly levelled right at the start of the third period and looked like going on from there only to be caught with an Ellen McKeown sucker punch, which guaranteed her the first Golden Bat.
Birmingham again piled on the pressure with Sylvia Felgate again deservedly levelling before going into the final quarter
Yet again the Vipers were caught against the run of play as the Saxons took the lead for the third time, only for Asa Martin to pounce on a Janice Lothian error to become the youngest scorer. The game was heading for overtime with Birmingham still looking the more likely when Gaunt set up McKeown to complete her Hat-trick with less than thirty seconds remaining.
Middlesex Saxons
1: Ann Mileno
2: Heather Wallace
3: Janice Lothian
4: Honor Whitfield
5: Audrey Handy
6: Geraldine Gaunt
7: Ellen McKeown
Coach: Vesta Perry
Birmingham Vipers
1: Mona Bertolino
2: Tanya Pitt
3: Peggy Heath
4: Rhoda Shipton
5: Helen Annis
6: Asa Martin
7: Sylvia Felgate
Coach: Pat Kempson
Supergrid Champions:
Runners Up:
Third Place:
Middlesex
Birmingham
Glasgow
Season highlights
* Birmingham won their opening three games without conceding a goal. The only team to achieve a three win sdequence.
* Conversely Glasgow were the only side to lose three consecutive games.
* Liverpool recorded the biggest victory of the season 10-0 at Glasgow. Janet Camara set the individual scoring record for a game with seven goals.
World Gridballer of the Year: Ellen McKeown - Middlesex
Golden Bat: Ellen McKeown
Silver Bat: Janet Camara - Liverpool
Bronze Bat: Asa Martin - Birmingham
3rd Placed Match Glasgow 1-0 Liverpool
Liverpool Demoted {won Promotion again in 1952}
Promoted
Durham, Essex, Leeds, London, West Yorkshire