Wormall, Israel – Died through football accident

Israel Wormall (1881-1902)

ISRAEL Wormall was only 21 when he died in Grantham Hospital.

He was there following a football match, in which his left leg had been broken just below the knee at the London Road ground, playing for Grantham Avenue against  Grantham Amateurs, in a Minor Cup match.

He had slipped with his legs crossed and the crack was said to be heard around the ground.

Witnesses said he was not carried off on a board, but by his arms and legs.

Two days later, in Grantham Hospital, blood-poison symptoms showed themselves.

These became aggravated, and he died  on the Wednesday morning about five o’clock.

The inquest jury found that death was caused blood-poisoning, brought about a fractured leg, accidentally sustained. No one was blame for the injury, it was accidental.

He had joined the former Amateurs’ Club (later the Avenue) when about 14.

As a 15 year-old he had been caught with fellow youths, playing cards for money under the Brick Kiln Lane (Springfield Road) railway arch. He had been fined 2/3d (11p) plus 3d (1p) costs.

Two years later he was in court for a similar offence, this time being fined 10/- (50p) with 5/3 (27p) expenses – more than a week’s wages then.. He faced 14 days with hard labour had he failed to pay it.

He was a said to be somewhat reserved disposition, and his play was invariably without vindictiveness.

He was employed as a labourer in the moulding department of Richard Hornsby and Sons.

His gravestone is close to the entrance of Grantham cemetery,  the sixth on the right.