FOOTBALL fans and readers were united in mourning after official news was received at the Daily Echo offices 100 years ago this week that Frederick Costello – for two seasons the inside-left for Southampton Football Club – had been killed in action at the age of 32.

Costello, a reservist, was called up on the outbreak of war to rejoin his regiment, the 2nd Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

Shortly after rejoining the colours his wife gave birth to their second child. Costello was granted leave to visit, but then had to leave again for the front. He was believed to have survived at the scene of the hostilities for about ten weeks before being killed.

The news of his death – on December 19 – was conveyed to Mrs Costello, who at the time was living in the family home in Cecil Avenue, Shirley, by the War Office, together with messages of sympathy from the King and Queen and Lord Kitchener.

The sympathy of all local footballers also went out to the widow and her young children.

Costello, who was a native of Halesowen, near Birmingham, joined the Saints in the 1907-8 season from Halesowen Town FC and made his professional debut for the Saints on September 14, 1907, scoring in a 2–0 victory at Luton Town.

Despite being described as “a trifle slow” he was clever on the ball and soon went on to cement a regular place in the first team, and was one of the team that won their way into the semi-final round of the FA Cup, only to be beaten by Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge.

In the quarter-final replay tie prior to the semi-final meeting with Wolves that season, Costello played arguably his best ever game for the Saints, scoring two goals – with one of them being described as one of the most remarkable goals ever witnessed at The Dell.

Costello had already turned out a notable performance in the first half by converting John Johnson’s cross past Everton goalkeeper Billy Scott to help give the Saints a 2-1 lead at the interval, but when the teams returned to the pitch for the second half, it was then that Costello delivered his finest performance in a red and white shirt and scored his famous goal.

With Costello being the fulcrum of Saints’ attacking play that day, the ball was punted towards the Everton goal by John Bainbridge.

As it was dropping, a little way beyond the far post and almost out of play, Costello leapt into the air and, with what the Daily Echo described as “wonderful judgement and application”, headed it into the far corner of the net.

As well as Costello’s impressive display, the match on March 11, 1908, was also notable for drawing a huge attendance that remained a record at the ground for many years afterwards.

Costello leftthe Saints atthe end of a disappointing 1908-09 season that was blighted by injury at the start of the season and an unsuccessful change of position to centre-forward following the injury of Arthur Hughes.

In March 1909 he was transferred to West Ham United, making 12 Southern League appearances for the Hammers before moving on for spells at Bolton Wanderers, Nelson and Merthyr Town.

When his career as a footballer ended he settled down in Southampton, which was the home of his wife, and turned out on occasions for Salisbury City.