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Éireann

 
 
53 vs. Ireland
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55 vs. Scotland
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next match (9 days)
57 vs. Wales

58 vs. Scotland

59 vs. Ireland



Reserved, 1/-;
Unreserved, 9d;
Grand Stand, 3d extra.
Saturday, 7 March 1896
Home International Championship 1895-96 (13th) Match


Ireland 0 England 2
[0-1]
 
 


Cliftonville Gardens, Cliftonville, Belfast, County Antrim
Kick-off (GMT): '3.30';
Attendance: 'estimated at from 10,000 to 12,000'; 'nearly 11,000'; 'over 12,000'; (a new Ireland record).
Reciepts: £370










Football League Record
England's third visit to Cliftonville, eighth visit to Belfast, and Ireland; seventh victory
James Fitzpatrick won toss Gilbert Smith kicked-off
  [0-1] Gilbert Smith 40'
'a shot from the right wing was converted into a score by Smith'; 'Bloomer managed to get in the centre almost off the goal-line, with which Smith scored'; 'Bassett passed to Bloomer in front, who rushed the whole length of the field, and ultimately passed to Smith'
  [0-1] Tom Crashaw long shot grazes the bar
[0-2] Steve Bloomer 75
'Bloomer obtaining the ball from a miskick by Torrans, sent strongly in, the shot leaving Scott little chance of saving goal'.
 

six players lost since last match
Harry Goodhart (21 April 1895) 36 Leonard Howell (7 September) 47 James Prinsep (22 November) 34
Fred Dewhurst (22 April) 31 Robert Kingsford (14 October) 45 John Brockbank (4 February 1896) 47

"GOOD PLAY ON HEAVY GROUND" - Sporting Life

Officials       

Ireland Team Records England
Referee
James H. Robertson
Dundee, Scotland Football Association
 
Linesmen
John James Bentley
35 (June 1860), Chapeltown
Bolton Wanderers FC
J. Lytle

Ireland Team

 
Rank No official ranking system established;
ELO rating 6th
Colours "The Irish team were pretty clad in blue shirts and black pants, with the exception of Scott, who wore white pants."
Captain James Fitzpatrick Selection Ireland Selection Committee
only, W 0 - D 0 - L 1 - F 0 - A 2. team chosen on Tuesday, 3 March 1896;
Ireland Lineup
  Scott, Thomas McComb 22
211 days
9 August 1873 G Cliftonville FAC 6 17ᵍᵃ
  Ponsonby, John 21
119 days
9 November 1874
in Old Kilpatrick, Scotland
RB Distillery FC 4 0
  Torrans, Samuel 27
32 days
4 February 1869 LB Linfield FAC 16 0
125   Fitzpatrick, James nk not known RH Bohemians FC 1 0
  Milne, Robert George 25
158 days
1 October 1870
in Inverarity, Scotland
CH Linfield FAC 7 0
  Gordon, Hugh 22
295 days
17 May 1873 LH Linfield FAC 2 0
  Baird, Gideon 18
280 days
1 June 1877 OR Distillery FC 2 0
  Turner, Edward nk not known IR Cliftonville FAC 2 1
final app 1896
  Stanfield, Olphert Martin 27
10 days
26 February 1869 CF Distillery FC 26 10
mst apps mst gls
  Peden, John 32
239 days
12 July 1863 IL Distillery FC 17 5
126   Miskelly, James 25
97 days
1 December 1870 OL Glentoran FC 1 0
also known as Jim Kelly only app 1896
reserves: not known
team notes: The original date of birth of James Fitzpatrick (19 December 1875) is a mistake, and his actual birthdate remains a mystery. He is, however, the first Bohemian to represent Ireland.
records: Ireland have now gone eight matches without victory.
 
2-3-5 Scott -
Ponsoby, Torrans -
Fitzpatrick, Milne, Gordon -
Baird, Turner, Stanfield, Peden, Miskelly.
Averages: Age 24 years 281 days9 Appearances/Goals 7.6 1.4

 

England Team

 
Rank No official ranking system established;
ELO rating 1st
Colours 'looked a very muscular lot in cream shirts'; 'most of the Englishmen wore white shirts and black knickers, one or two were entirely dressed in white.'
Captain not known Selection
In charge: Richard Gregson & Charles Hughes
The five-man FA International Selection Committee
P 25th of 195, W 20 - D 4 - L 1 - F 101 - A 23.
team chosen in Manchester on Thursday, 20 February 1896
The captaincy was probably given to George Raikes, at least according to Irish Saturday Night and The Irish Times. The London Times gives a first captaincy to Gilbert Smith, yet, Vaughan Lodge is also a possibility. Most sources do not specify any captain.
England Lineup
  six changes to the previous match (Crabtree, Lodge, Bassett, Bloomer & Smith remain) league position (20th February) ave lge pos: 4th
  Raikes, George B. 22
359 days
14 March 1873 G Oxford University AFC & Corinthians FC 2 1ᵍᵃ
  Lodge, L. Vaughan 23
77 days
21 December 1872 RB Cambridge University AFC & Corinthians FC 4 0
  Oakley, William J. 22
315 days
27 April 1873 LB Oxford University AFC & Corinthians FC 2 0
  Crabtree, James W. 24
75 days
23 December 1871 RH Aston Villa FC (FL1 TOP) 4 0
the tenth Villain to represent England
  Crawshaw, Thomas H. 23
70 days
28 December 1872 CH Wednesday FC (FL1 6th) 2 0
  Kinsey, George 29
261 days
20 June 1866 LH Derby County FC (FL1 3rd) 3 0
the fifth County player to represent England
  Bassett, William I. 27
40 days
27 January 1869 OR West Bromwich Albion FC (FL1 BOTTOM) 14 3 or 4
Bloomer, Stephen 22
47 days
20 January 1874 IR Derby County FC (FL1 3rd) 3 4
Smith, Gilbert O. 23
103 days
25 November 1872 CF Oxford University AFC, Old Carthusians AFC & Corinthians FC 5 2
  Chadwick, Edgar W. 26
267 days
14 June 1869 IL Everton FC (FL1 2nd) 6 3
  Spiksley, Frederick 26
42 days
25 January 1870 OL Wednesday FC (FL1 6th) 5 7
reserves: not known
appearance notes: Billy Bassett is the third player to have made fourteen England appearances, whereas Edgar Chadwick is the 27th player to have made six England appearances and Gilbert Smith and Fred Spiksley are the 36th/37th players to have now made five.
46 players have now made four England appearances and 74 have made three appearances and 128 players have played for England more than once.
Bassett is the first player to make fourteen appearances under the guidance of the ISC.
records: England's unbeaten run has now reached a record nineteen matches, lasting six years.
'The northern members traveled north to Stranraer. The passage from Stranraer by boat to Larne was very rough and most of the members were seasick. On arrival at the Olderfleet Hotel, and after a good bath and breakfast later on, they speedily became themselves again, and forward to Belfast, giving the players a full day's rest before the match. The Southern members crossed over at Dublin, via Holyhead and Kingstown, and put up at the Grand Central Hotel.'
 
2-3-5 Raikes -
Lodge, Oakley -
Crabtree, Crawshaw, Kinsey -
Bassett, Bloomer, Smith, Chadwick, Spiksley.
Averages: Age 24 years 250 days Appearances/Goals 4.6 1.6-1.7
 
       Match Report Sporting Life, Monday, 9 March 1896

Cliftonville Grounds, Solitude, Belfast, was on Saturday the scene of the Fifteenth Association International between England and Ireland. The day opened very fine, and as a consequence an immense crowd, variously estimated at from 10,000 to 12,000 spectators, attended. The wet weather of the previous fortnight had left the ground in a very sticky state, and this, undoubtedly, had much to do with the wide shooting of the English forwards, which took place during the game. Both teams played as selected. Long before the hour for commencement the grounds were packed in every part, and it was a mystery how the crowds continuing to make their way up Solitude would be accommodated. Spectators even lined the cycle track, but these were kept well in check by a number of soldiers placed round the ground. The first team to appear was Ireland, headed by their captain, Fitzgerald, and received lusty cheers. The English team made their appearance three minutes before the time. They were enthusiastically cheers, and looked a very muscular lot in cream shirts.
Ireland won the toss and decided to play with the wind, which was playing from the Pavilion goal, Smith kicked off punctually for England against the rain, and Fitzgerald, obtaining position, gave to his forwards. Baird rushed the ball down the field, a corner being conceded. Baird took the kick and sent well into goal, Kinsey cleared, the ball going into touch off England. On the throw-in the ball was sent behind. On the kick-out the ball was returned, and Ireland again rushed down. The ball went into touch off England, and on the throw-in the English halves passed up the field, but Fitzsimmons returned, and the ball went into touch. Gordon sent behind in the throw-in. England then tried to get away through Smith and Bloomer, but Milne intervened, and some exciting play occurred over the posts. Gordon had twice chances and sent to his forwards, but the splendid defence of the visitors prevented scoring. A shot of Milne's just missed the posts, going behind. The English forwards then had a fine rush down the field, the ball going into touch. The ball travelled to the other side of the field, but was quickly sent back. The English forwards got away but were spoiled by Torrans, and the ball went off Lodge. On the throw in the ball was sent well in front of the visitors' goal. Kelly sent in weakly and Raikes easily cleared. Stanfield missed a gran opportunity by kicking over the horizontal. On the kick out the English made their way past centre, and as the result of a fine throw-out Bloomer got away, and though hard pressed by Milne, sent well in. The ball went behind and on the throw-in a foul was given against Ireland, Kelly being the offender. The kick was well-centred, and some fine heading took place in front of the posts, which ended in Ireland getting well down the field. Stanfield was tumbled in front of the posts by the back, as Baird went for Raikes, but nothing resulted from this. Fitzgerald returned a nice pass of the halves, but the defence again returned and the Englishmen gradually made their way up the field, but were repulsed by Gordon, who sent well down the field, Peden got possession and had the goal at his mercy, but offside was given against him. By a splendid combination by Bloomer and Bassett England got away and had a couple of chances which failed, however, Bassett sending behind. On the kick out England continued to press, and a long shot by Chadwick went behind. England now had the best of the play,, although the wind and the rain was against them. Spikesley, although hardly fed, was playing splendidly, and sent in three shots, but good defence prevented scoring. Gordon sent weakly out, and Smith got possession and sent strongly in, the ball just going wide. England got away again on the left, and Spikesley obtained the ball from a miss-kick by Ponsonby. He sent behind, and in the kick out Peden tried to get away. He was badly fouled by Crabtree, and a free was given against the visitors. The ball was returned, and England commenced to press. Bassett sent behind. On the kick out the ball went into touch, and Ireland threw out. Gordon spoiled the attempt of the forwards to get away. Peden made off on the line, and ultimately sent strongly in. Raikes easily cleared, and the English had a splendid rush up the field, the defence failing to stop them. The ball was sent out, and Ireland got away. On the resumption of the game, Turner was stopped, but Baird took up the running and brought well down the field  The ball was centred and Stanfield sent to goal, while Peden rushed the goalkeeper. Raikes fisted behind, however, and on the corner being taken, a long shot by Milne just went over the posts. On the re-start Ireland continued to press. Stanfield played splendidly, fooling three men and placing Gordon, who almost scored. England then got slowly away, and Spikesley had a fine chance of scoring. He was spoiled by Fitzpatrick, who sent the ball down the field. The backs returned and Turner made a bad miss, the ball going into touch. On the throw in a long shot by Milne missed by inches. Raikes kicked out and Gordon placed splendidly to Peden, who centred. Milne again got on the ball, and a second time just missed the posts. England then got away, but a splendid shot by Ponsonby sent them back, Peden got away and passed to Kelly, but the player was off side and a free kick was given against Ireland. This advantage let the visitors away, but they were soon repulsed, and England sent into touch. Peden threw out, and the halves of the visitors obtained possession and passed forward, with the result that Spikelsey got away. He was spoiled by Fitzpatrick, and the ball was sent by Stanfield to Peden, who was off-side. A free-kick was given, although he did not touch the ball, and England got away. The ball went into touch, and on the throw out Bassett missed a good chance by kicking wide. On the kick out a long shot from Spikesley was returned by Torrans. Baird got away by himself, but was badly followed, and the result was that when robbed by the kick the ball was sent well down the field, and the visitors' forwards got away again. A centre by Bloomer, which Spikesley failed to reach, went behind, and on the throw in Ireland got away. Lodge obtained possession, but being hard pressed by Peden and Stanfield, conceded a corner. On being centred the ball was cleared, and Bassett broke away. He passed to Bloomer in front, who rushed the whole length of the field, and ultimately passed to Smith, who obtained the first goal. On the restart Bassett got away on the right wing, and showed a rare turn of speed. He was pressed by Gordon and sent behind. On the throw in England continued to press and a long shot by Smith went over the posts. On the restart Peden got away, but was spoiled by Bassett, who sent into touch. The visitors' forwards got away, and Spikesley had a nice run up when, he passed to Chadwick, who sent behind. Ireland was again hard pressed, and they conceded a corner which was taken by Bassett. Baird got away, but was spoiled, and England were passing when half-time was announced.
The second half was started by Stanfield against the breeze. Smith robbed. England got away, but Gordon placed and sent to Stanfield; he failed to reach in time, and Chadwick sent down the field. Spikelsey got away, but was spoiled by Ponsonby. England, however, pressed, and a shot by Chadwick was just saved by Ponsonby. England continued to press, and twice long shots were put in, one by Bloomer calling forth all the exertions of Scott to save. The ball went into touch, and England again pressed, but the ball went behind. On the throw in Baird got away, and centred to Stanfield, who gave to Peden. A good chance was muffled by wild shooting. England got away from the kick, and an exciting scrimmage took place at the Irish goal, Gordon at last relieving in the presence of five opponents. This relief was only temporary, and England, who admittedly had the best of the game, pressed hard again. The Irish halves at length repulsed them, but a free given the visitors let them away. Lodge returned, and Baird got away. He passed to the other side of the field, and Peden took up the running, ultimately sending across to Gordon, who let Baird away again. He was spoiled by Bloomer, but Gordon robbed this player, and the ball went into touch. The ball was then got away by Oakley and Bassett, and Bloomer, by nice combination, got down to the Irish goal, where Gordon skied the ball, and Bloomer put behind. On the kick out the Irish forwards made praiseworthy efforts to get away, but Crayshaw, with a long shot, almost beat Scott, the ball just grazing the crossbar. England still retained the advantage, but wild shooting spoiled many opportunities of scoring. Ireland at length got away fro the kick-off, and only when half-length up the field a foul was given against Crayshaw. Torrans placed well into goal, but Stanfield lost, and England again got away by Chadwick and Spikelsey. Gordon spoiled and passed to Peden, who brought well up the field, but lost at the corner. Crayshaw returning, England then got on, and Scott saved a splendid shot. England continued to press, and in a scrummage Gordon again saved. The ball ultimately went behind, and on the throw-in Ireland got away by Stanfield. He passed to Baird, who was robbed by Lodge. Turner came to the rescue, and Ireland got into the English forwards, to be sent back by a kick from Lodge. The ball at length went behind. Torrans kicked out, and a nice run by Milne brought play past the centre. He was spoiled by one of his own men, but Baird got possession, and getting away beautifully, passed in front of goal, and England had good luck in clearing. The visitors again came away with a rush, and made strenuous efforts to score. Scott and his confreres having a hard time of it. England now had the best of the game, and were unlucky at goal more than once. Ireland got away from a throw in, and a shot by Gordon compelled Lodge to kick Raikes, who easily cleared. England came away again, and Spikesley missed a grand chance when a score appeared imminent. Milne temporarily stopped a rush of the forwards, but Bassett got away, and in a fine sprint brought up the line, where he was stopped by Gordon. Ireland got away by Stanfield, who passed to Peden. That player was again offside, and England got away with the free-kick. Scott saved splendidly, and Stanfield again got away; he sent to Baird, who was robbed. England then got off, but Ponsonby saved neatly. Stanfield and Gordon then got away, and passed to Peden, but the ball went outside. On the throw-in Ponsonby sent up, and Baird sent behind. Ireland continued to have the best of the play for a time, but a long shot from the defence sent the leather behind. Play was stopped for a time owing to Bloomer being accidentally kicked by Torrans. On the restart Bloomer got away, but Ponsonby saved. The English forwards again pressed, and Bloomer obtaining the ball from a miskick by Torrans, sent strongly in, the shot leaving Scott little chance of saving goal. On the restart the English forwards got away again, and Spikesley sent to Smith. Smith spoiled, and the Irish got away from a pass of Fitzpatrick. Gordon was robbed, and England pressed, but were unable to score. Milne got away from a throw in, but the defence prevented scoring. A minute later Stanfield got away and passed to Baird. This player, although twice tackled, centred, and Stanfield got possession in front of the posts. A goal seemed certain, but Stanfield was charged, and the ball went behind. England then got away, but were repulsed, and a fine run of the Irish forwards brought the ball up the field. Peden again got unfortunately off-side, and Ireland lost the advantage she had gained by the free kick. The Irish forwards were pressing when 'Time!' was called.
There was really very little scientific football to be seen during the match. This was no doubt attributable to the condition of the ground. Ireland should certainly have scored twice in the first half, but for the flukey play of some of the forwards and Torrans, the left full-back. All the Englishmen played well, especially Smith, Bloomer, Chadwick, and Bassett. That the best team won., however,, there can be no doubt. The fact is the spectators were surprised that the score was not a runaway one on the part of the visitors.

   

       Match Report The Times, Monday, 9 March 1896
The success of England by two goals to none was not the decisive thing that most football people had expected from the material of the brilliant side that was chosen to represent the Football Association against Ireland at Belfast on Saturday. But the weather and the ground had most to do with the rather ordinary nature of the match. The English, although here and there brilliant, never got thoroughly into their game, and their football near goal often lacked precision. Ireland played far better than they had done against Wales, who had beaten them by six goals to one in the previous week, and the changes in their half-back line seemed to be very beneficial. Association football in Ireland makes slow progress, and the executive have only a small field for selection as compared with the widespread excellence existing among English clubs... In the closing minutes of the first half the English right wings--Bassett and Bloomer--got the ball up the ground, and Smith was able to place the lead with England... Eventually Bloomer obtained a second goal, and England, beating off a sharp home attack, were left with the victory by two goals to none. Of the 15 matches now played England have won 14, while the game in 1894 was drawn. The goal aggregate is--England, 91 goals ; Ireland, nine.
 
       In Other News....
It was on 7 March 1896 that two people were killed when a train carriage was derailed as it approached Little Bytham Station in Lincolnshire. The subsequent inquiry was presided over by Major Francis Marandin, who had played in the first FA Cup Final, then refereed eight finals whilst President of the Football Association and was now the Senior Inspector of Railways. His report into the tragedy recommended the introduction of a number of safety features, such as delaying the re-opening of the track to express trains following its relaying, until it had been fully ballasted, or to open it under restrictive conditions using flagmen until the completion of the work.
 
Domestic Football Results (7 March 1896)                                          Teams in a silver box denotes a player representing England
  
The Football
League Division One:      
Bolton Wanderers 2 Aston Villa 2
   Burnden Park, Bolton (14,364)
Wright, Cassidy ~ Devey (2)
Wanderers started with John Sutcliffe
Villa were without Jimmy Crabtree, but did have Jack Reynolds, Charlie Athersmith & Jack Devey starting
 
Everton 3 Preston North End 2
 
  Goodison Park, Liverpool (12,000)
Boyle, Milward, Hartley ~ Stevenson, Blyth
Everton were without Edgar Chadwick, but did start with Johnny Holt and Alf Milward
North had Bob Holmes starting
 
Nottingham Forest 2 Burnley 1
   Town Ground, Nottingham (5,000)
Richards, Carnelly ~ Nicol
 
Sheffield United 1 Blackburn Rovers 1
   Bramall Lane, Sheffield (5,000)
Hammond ~ Turnbull
United started with Mick Whitham, Rabi Howell and Ernest Needham
 
Small Heath 1 Bury 0
  
Coventry Road, Birmingham (5,000)
Haddon
 
Sunderland 2 Wednesday 1
  
Newcastle Road, Sunderland (6,000)
Cowan, Hannah ~ Langley
Wednesday were without Tom Crawshaw & Fred Spiksley
 
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 West Bromwich Albion 2
   Molineux, Wolverhampton (8,114)

Malpass ~ W.Richards, Flewitt
Wanderers started with Dick Baugh and Harry Wood
Albion were without Billy Bassett, however, they did start with Joe Reader
 


Division One Table
Team P
Aston Villa 26 39
Derby County 24 36
Everton 26 35
Sunderland 26 31
Bolton Wanderers 24 28
Wednesday 25 25
Stoke 23 24
Blackburn Rovers 23 24
Preston North End 25 24
Nottingham Forest 24 21
Sheffield United 25 21
Burnley 25 20
Bury 22 18
Small Heath 24 16
Wolverhampton Wanderers 25 15
West Bromwich Albion 25 15

Aston Villa fought back from a two-goal deficit at Bolton to maintain their slender lead at the top of the Championship, but the dropped point gave Derby renewed hope that they could catch them.
   
   
  
The Football
League Division Two:      
Burslem Port Vale 1 Leicester Fosse 1
   Athletic Ground, Stoke (1,500)
Beckett ~ Morse OG
  
Burton Wanderers 2 Liverpool 1
   Derby Turn, Burton (2,000)
Devey, Capes ~ Allan
Liverpool started with Frank Becton
 
Crewe Alexandra 0 Grimsby Town 1
   Alexandra Recreation Ground, Crewe (4,000)
Higgins
 
Lincoln City 1 Darwen 0
   Sincil Bank, Lincoln (2,000)
Burke
Darwen started with Bill Townley
 
Loughborough 1 Newcastle United 0
   Athletic Ground, Loughborough (2,000)
Rose
 
Manchester City 1 Burton Swifts 1
   Hyde Road, Manchester (9,000)
Robertson ~ Dewey
 
Rotherham Town 2 Newton Heath 3
   Clifton Grove, Rotherham (3,000)
Daughtrey, Cutts ~ Smith, Donaldson, Kennedy
 
Woolwich Arsenal 2 Notts County 0
   Manor Ground, London (5,000)
Jenkyns, Haywood
County started with George Toone and Alf Shelton
 


Division Two Table
Team P
Liverpool 27 41
Manchester City 25 39
Burton Wanderers 25 36
Grimsby Town 24 31
Newton Heath 23 27
Newcastle United 23 26
Woolwich Arsenal 25 26
Leicester Fosse 23 24
Darwen 24 23
Burton Swifts 25 22
Notts County 24 20
Lincoln City 23 17
Rotherham Town 25 14
Burslem Port Vale 20 13
Loughborough 22 12
Crewe Alexandra 24 11

Manchester City failed to take full advantage of Liverpool's slip-up, but they still closed the gap at the top to two points, with two games in hand.
     
       Source Notes
TheFA
England Football Factbook
Northern Ireland's Footballing Greats
Ancestry.com
Rothman's Yearbooks
The Football Association Yearbooks
Original Newspaper Reports
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