La Gomera, Late May 1895The football ‘pitch’ had been newly trampled and the coarse grass flattened. Escobar had arranged for a rope to be erected around it, which now measured some fifty metres long by twenty metres wide. Unfortunately, it was very uneven and in many places and Vincent suspected some of the bulkier pieces of grass hid more potent dangers. He looked sardonically at the two stout posts at each end with a rope strung between them and the large leather ball that Escobar had proudly presented. Vincent looked around his team resplendent in white shirts. They had a good understanding as a group and he felt sure that they would acquit themselves well. Aside from himself, the team comprised of Reggie Pline in goal, Darkson as captain, a tough taciturn Scot called Mackay in defence
