Archie Hunter died in Novenber 1894 at the age of 35.
In a League match against Everton at Anfield on 4th January 1890. Torrential rain and a quagmire of a pitch, the game reduced to 35 minutes each way. Hunter had collapsed at half time (with Villa 4-0 down, reduced to 10 men they eventually succumbed 7-0). Press reports were that he had 'fainted' or 'had a fit'.Heart trouble appears to have been the reason for this collapse.
Hunter never played again.
Birmingham Daily Post - 16.01.90
The match advertised, 'for the benefit of his widow', was played on September 23rd 1895.
The teams lined up as follows:
Aston Villa | West Bromwich Albion | |
Wilkes | G | Reader |
Welford | B | C. Perry |
Crabtree | B | Williams |
Reynolds | HB | Higgins |
Jimmy Cowan | HB | Banks |
Burton | HB | T.Perry |
Athersmith | F | Bassett |
Devey | F | McLeod |
Campbell | F | Hutchinson |
Hodgetts | F | Saunders |
John Cowan | F | Edwards |
Jack Burton, Jimmy Cowan, Harry Devey and Denny Hodgetts had been in the Villa side the day that Hunter was taken ill. The Baggies took the lead through Saunders but Villa came back with 2 goals by Johnny Campbell.
It was a busy week for Albion , having played this match on the Monday, they faced Walsall away on Tuesday and Aberystwyth Town away on Wednesday.
