and other players were recruited by the business-backed West Bromwich Albion and Mitchell St George's. The club's last entry into the FA Cup was in 1887–88. In the first round, the club beat Warwick County 4-1 at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, but had to replay the tie after a protest about the registration of one of the club's players; in the replay, the club won by a bigger margin (5-0). The club got a bye in the second round, meaning the club reached the third round for the only time in its history, where it lost to Great Bridge Unity in front of a "small" attendance. The club's last entry into the Birmingham Senior Cup in 1888-89 (when it was described as a "ghost" of a club) saw it lose 7-0 at Oldbury Town in a qualifying round; the club also lost 6-0 in the first round of the Junior Cup to Coleshill. The club was even having difficulty in putting a side together (a 7-0 defeat at Leek F.C. in November saw the club only field ten men). The last report for a club match was a 15-1 defeat in a friendly at Darwen in December 1888, although one final match was scheduled against Loughborough in the following February at Fentham Road; it does not appear to have taken place. Colours Excelsior played in yellow and maroon, originally in hoops but by the mid-1880s in stripes, with white shorts. Grounds Originally the club played at the Aston Lower Grounds and moved to the former St George's ground in Fentham Road in Aston in 1885. After Excelsior's winding-up, the ground was used as a football and rugby ground until 1895, and by 1900 was under housing. Notable players George Tait, England international Harry Devey and his nephew Jack, future League players for Aston Villa Alf Farman, future Aston Villa and Newton Heath player Wilbert Harrison, leading scorer for Birmingham St George's in the Football Alliance Honours Wednesbury Charity Cup Winners: 1884-85 References Association football clubs established in 1874 Defunct football clubs in England 1874 establishments in England Sport in Birmingham, West Midlands Defunct football clubs in the West Midlands (county) Football clubs in Birmingham, West Midlands