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62 vs. Ireland
Saturday, 20 February 1897
Home International Championship 1896-97 (14th) Match


England 6 Ireland 0
[3-0]
 

Trentbridge Cricket Ground, Brook Lane, West Bridgford, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Kick-off (GMT): 'at five minutes past three'
Attendance: 'between 10,000 and 12,000 people'; about 12,000'; '13,491'; 'not far short of 14,000'; '15,000 spectators';
Receipts: 'about 500l.'; '£446 5s 8d.'



Player lost since last match
Joe Marsden (17 January 1897) 28


Football League Record
England's only visit to the Trent Bridge, first visit to Nottingham, and to Nottinghamshire
Gilbert Smith won the toss Ollie Stanfield kicked-off.

[1-0] Steve Bloomer 17
 'the result of a smart run by Athersmith firstly, and then alert and accurate play by Bloomer and Smith. The i was a capital shot, which went very rapidly.'

[2-0] Fred Wheldon
27
 'came through a free-kick for 'hands' 'a freekick was taken by Smith, who transferred to Wheldon and he sent in from close quarters'.

[3-0] Fred Wheldon
30

 'Athersmith beat his half-back for speed, and slung the ball across to Wheldon, who popped it into the net, though Scott ought to have been able to stop the shot.'
  



<Some reports state that Needham scored




[3-0] James Barron goal disallowed: offside
"After an adjournment of eight minutes, the teams reappeared...."
[3-0] Charlie Athermith shot skidded along the crossbar
[4-0] Fred Wheldon 55 HAT-TRICK

 
'Wheldon popped into a scrimmage before Scott's goal and put the ball cleverly into the net.';  
'Barron put the ball through his own goal'
[5-0] Charlie Athersmith 75
 
'ball passed to Bloomer, who would have been offside if he touched it. Scott came out of his goal to meet the ball before Bloomer got to it, but, seeing him stop, he hesitated, and Athersmith came up and put it in the net'
 

[6-0] Steve Bloomer 85

 'from a pass by Athersmith'

<Some reports give this as a James Barron og, yet others, state a Bloomer goal





[5-0]Bob Milne missed pen
80 'made a complete mess of it'

(Williams fouled Darling)
 
 

"IRELAND BADLY BEATEN" Sheffield Independent

Officials        

England Team Records Ireland
Referee
Thomas Robertson
33 (1 December 1863), Baldernock, Stirlingshire, Scotland FA
P 2nd of 20 - W 1 - D 0 - L 1 - F 10 - A 3. played against England in 1890
 
Linesmen
T.W. Gibson
Ireland FA
Arthur George Hines
39 (22 January 1858), Radford, Nottinghamshire FA

England Team

 
Rank No official ranking system established;
ELO rating 1st
Colours "...followed by the Englishmen in white"; "English were clad in white knickers and shirts."

Captain
Gilbert Smith Selection The five-man FA International Selection Committee
P 2 of 13, W 1 - D 0 - L 1 - F 7 - A 2.  Pa Jackson, Richard Gregson, Charlie Hughes, George Sherrington & John Bentley P 28th of 195, W 22 - D 4 - L 2 - F 117 - A 26.
second, third or fourth captaincy team chosen at 61 Chancery Lane, London, on Wednesday, 3 February 1897.
England Lineup
  eight changes to the previous match (Oakley, Crawshaw & Smith remain) league position (3rd February) ave lge pos: 4th
27   Robinson, John W. 26
304 days
22 April 1870 G Derby County FC (FL1 3rd) 1 0ᵍᵃ
229 2nd goalkeeper to face a penalty kick oldest to face a kick so far the sixth County player to represent England
  Oakley, William J. 23
299 days
27 April 1873 RB Corinthians FC 5 0
230   Williams, William 21
31 days
20 January 1876 LB West Bromwich Albion FC (FL1 7th) 1 0
the ninth Albionite to represent England
231   Middleditch, Bernard 25
51 days
31 December 1871 RH Corinthians FC 1 0
the 58th Corinthian to represent England only app 1897
Crawshaw, Thomas H. 24
54 days
28 December 1872 CH Wednesday FC (FL1 9th) 5 0
  Needham, Ernest 24
30 days
21 January 1873 LH Sheffield United FC (FL1 5th) 3 0
Athersmith Harper, W. Charles 24
286 days
10 May 1872 OR Aston Villa FC (FL1 TOP) 2 1
Bloomer, Stephen 23
31 days
20 January 1874 IR Derby County FC (FL1 3rd) 5 11
the fortieth brace scored
  Smith, Gilbert O. 24
87 days
25 November 1872 CF Old Carthusians AFC & Corinthians FC 8 4
232 Wheldon, G. Frederick 27
110 days
2 November 1869 IL Aston Villa FC (FL1 TOP) 1 3
the 39th brace, seventeenth hattrick the eleventh Villain to represent England
       
233   Bradshaw, T. Henry 23
180 days
24 August 1873 OL Liverpool FC (FL1 2nd) 1 0
the first Liverpool player to represent England only app 1897
reserves: Joseph Gettins (Millwall Athletic FC)
team changes: Billy Bassett (West Bromwich Albion FC (FL1 7th)) had not recovered from his poorly leg and was replaced with Charlie Athersmith.
appearance notes: Fred Wheldon is the 41st England player to score on his England debut, 25th competitively.
Gilbert Smith is the fourteenth player to have made eight England appearances and Bill Oakley, Tom Crawshaw and Steve Bloomer are the thirtieth players to have made five.
Ernest Needham is 79th player to have made three appearances
and 129 players have played for England more than once.
Smith is the fourth player to make eight appearances under the guidance of the ISC.
records: England's unbeaten 'Home' run is now extended to a record ten matches.
 
2-3-5 Robinson -
Oakley, Williams -
Middleditch, Crawshaw, Needham -
Athersmith, Bloomer, Smith, Wheldon, Bradshaw
Averages: Age 24 years 133 days Appearances/Goals 3.0 1.2

 

Ireland Team

 
Rank No official ranking system established;
ELO rating 6th
Colours "the Irish team first made an appearance wearing Royal blue....";  "The Irishmen wore white and blue."
Captain James Barron Selection
trainer: Billy Crone
Ireland Selection Committee.
"Accompanying the players were Mr. J. Reid (secretary I.F.A.) and the selecting fiveMessrs. D. W. Foy, T. Gibson, J. S. Brolly, J. Clugston, and A. Thompson."
only, W 0 - D 0 - L 1 - F 0 - A 6.
Ireland Lineup
  Scott, Thomas McComb 23
195 days
9 August 1873 G Cliftonville FAC 8 26ᵍᵃ
  Ponsonby, John 22
103 days
9 November 1874
in Old Kilpatrick, Scotland
RB Distillery FC 6 0
  Torrans, Samuel 28
16 days
4 February 1869 LB Linfield FAC 18 0
128   Pyper, John Stanley 19
42 days
9 January 1878 RH Cliftonville FAC 1 0
  Milne, Robert George 26
142 days
1 October 1870
in Inverarity, Scotland
CH Linfield FAC 9 1
2nd (& missed) penalty kick against England
     
129   McMaster, George 23/24 1873 LH Glentoran FC 1 0
130   Campbell, James Caughley 21
168 days
5 September 1875 OR Cliftonville FAC 1 0
131   Hall, George nk not known IR Distillery FC 1 0
only app 1897
  Stanfield, Olphert Martin 28
360 days
26 February 1869 CF Distillery FC 28 10
mst apps mst gls
132   Darling, John 19
113 days
30 October 1877 IL Linfield FAC 1 0
  Barron, James Humphrey 22
143 days
30 September 1874 OL Cliftonville FAC 6 2
reserves: not known
team changes: John Peden (Distillery FC) was replaced by Darling at inside-left.
team notes: Jack Pyper's brother, Jim, also plays for Ireland.
records: Ireland have now gone ten matches without a victory.
"The Irish team left Belfast on Thursday evening, travelling via Liverpool in the Belfast Steamship Company's steamer Caloric, and had a very rough passage. As, moreover, the journey lasted seventeen hours, the players were not in the best condition on their arrival. At the Miland lace town they made the Lion Hotel their headquarters." - The Standard/Belfast News-letter, Monday, 22 February 1897
 
2-3-5 Scott -
Ponsonby, Torrans -
Pyper, Milne, McMaster -
Campbell, Hall, Stanfield, Darling, Barron.
Averages: Age 23 years 134-170 days10 Appearances/Goals 7.3 1.2
       Match Report The Sheffield and Rotherham Independent, Monday, 22 February 1897

In most delightful weather the sixteenth annual contest, under Association rules. between representative teams of England and Ireland, was played on Saturday at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. Some rain had fallen during the night, but the turf, if a little soft, was by no means in bad condition, and despite the fact, much commented upon in Nottingham, of there being no Notts man in the English team, a company of between 10,000 and 12,000 people assembled to witness the game. If anything the afternoon was too bright and warm for football, but the players kept to their work manfully, and the game, although one-sided, was fought out with great keenness on both sides, and it may be added, in the best possible spirit. With England placing in the field not, as was the practice a few years ago, a purely amateur or purely professional team, but what may fairly be regarded as the full strength of the country, it was scarcely expected that the representatives of the sister Isle would have much chance of reducing the big balance of defeats standing against them, and this anticipation was duly verified, the Englishmen showing the better football throughout, and winning handsomely by six goals to none. Ireland, as had been previously announced, made one change from the side originally selected, Darling playing inside right instead of Peden, while in the English eleven, the disablement of Bassett, of West Bromwich Albion, made room for Athersmith, of Aston Villa. Although outplayed in nearly every respect the Irishmen showed plenty of pace forward, but there was n finish in their work, and even on the few occasions that they got in front of the English goal, they always blundered. Milne struggled manfully at centre-half, but neither M'Master or Pyper were able to cope with the formidable wing he had to face. Torrans and Ponsonby kicked and tackled well at times, and Scott saved several fine shots, but the defence of the Irishmen looked very poor against the brilliant work of the English forwards. Smith led his men with great coolness and judgment, passing out skilfully, and both Bloomer and Athersmith, who worked together admirable, were in great form. Wheldon kicked most successfully at times, and took his passes well, but he gave Bradshaw very few chances of distinction. At half-back Needham was splendid, Crawshaw cool and skilful, and Middleditch tackled his men ably and untiringly. Oakley carried off the honours at back, and Robinson, if not much was required of him, did all for which he was called upon.
  Stanfield kicked off for Ireland, and within the first minute a slip by Needham, who afterwards played admirably, nearly let in the Irishmen. However, a moment afterwards Bloomer broke away and shot, but Ponsonby stopped the ball, and kicked up to Williams. Next came a free kick to England, and though Athersmith made a good attempt, Scott cleared. During the next few minutes Scott was twice called upon to save shots from Wheldon, but the Irish goalkeeper proved equal to the demand made upon his resources. The Irish forwards broke away, and Williams blundering, Stanfield had a fine opening, but he failed to make use of it, and directly afterwards the ball was back at the other end, where Athersmith centring, Wheldon kicked over the bar. Darling next sent in a shot at Robinson, the Englishman duly clearing, but just afterwards Ireland forced a corner off Oakley. The ball, however, was at once kicked up field, Bloomer racing away, and passing to Smith, who returned to Bloomer, and the Derby man scored the first goal for England within a quarter of an hour of the start. Encouraged by this success England pressed hard. Wheldon and Bloomer in turn each having a shot at goal, and from a free kick Williams sent the ball over the line. As a change Ireland had a free kick and then a corner, but for the most part play was at the Irish end, where on two occasions Wheldon shot when he would have done much better to pass out to Bradshaw. The second goal for England came from a run and centre by Athersmith. Scott got on the ball, and dropped up field, but 'hands' presumably had been given against one of the backs, and following the free kick (taken by Needham), Wheldon, to whom the ball was passed, was enabled to put the ball into the net. Very shortly afterwards, England obtained their third success, Bloomer and Athersmith taking the ball down together, and kicking across to Wheldon, who, with a clever side shot, scored another goal. Directly after the kick-off the Irishmen raced away, and Campbell put the ball into the net, but the referee had blown his whistle for off-side. Later on came some more severe pressure on the Irish lines. First of all came some work between Athersmith, Wheldon, and Bloomer, Scott saving; then a corner to England, when Needham put the ball just outside the post, and afterwards a fine pass by Smith to Bloomer, who missed his chance. A foul, given against Williams, afforded the Irishmen a good opening, which was not taken advantage of. At the other end the home team looked dangerous, when 'hands' were given against Smith, and a run and kick by Athersmith resulted in the Villa forward dropping the ball on to the net. Just before half-time, Milne got through, and passing to Hall, the latter should have scored, but he kicked over, ends being changed with the score:—England 3 goals Ireland 0 goal.
  The players were away rather a long time, but on resuming Ireland had speedily to act on the defensive. A long dropping shot by Athersmith touched the bar, and Scott had to concede a corner. Another corner quickly followed, and then Smith, having the ball put up to him by Needham, kicked only just over, while Wheldon failed to make proper use of a centre by Athersmith. However, not long afterwards, there was a scrimmage in front of the Irish goal, and Wheldon put the ball into the Irish net. Following this fourth score came some of the prettiest combination of the whole match, Athersmith and Bloomer taking the ball three-parts of the field in masterly fashion, but Wheldon shot outside. At length the Irishmen relieved the pressure, and Robinson had to keep out shots from Milne and Campbell, but he was never really hard pressed, and soon again the home team were displaying their superiority. Bloomer getting away, Scott had to put forth and especially fine effort to clear. Despite this good piece of defensive work Scott had no relief, and Smith, coming away down the centre, passed out to Athersmith, who scored an easy goal. Then came an unpleasant incident. Williams, in failing, put up his feet, accidentally or otherwise, and the referee gave a penalty kick against England. Milne was entrusted with what should, of course, have been an easy goal, but failed badly. Later on a goal, by Bloomer was disallowed for off-side, but after a corner to Ireland, the English right wing came away once more, and Bloomer scored. This was the last notable occurrence, and the game ending in favour of England.
   

       Match Report The Times, Monday, 22 February 1897
The English and Irish international is looked upon as something of a trial for the greater match with Scotland rather than with any expectation of a close game. Such is the patent superiority of English Association football over that of Ireland. And the match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Saturday was only in keeping with many others in the record of England v. Ireland. The Irish eleven were simply outclassed by the brilliant skill of the combination of English amateurs and professionals, led by G. O. Smith, the old Oxford football and cricket Blue, and, playing with a well measured excellence, England won by six goals to none, three of the points coming in each half of the game. There is no necessity to dwell in detail upon such a match...
Splendid weather prevailed, and there were over 10,000 people at the match.
 
       In Other News....
It was on 20 February 1897 that 46-year-old, Michael Melican, his wife, Bridget, and their 16-year-old son, Michael junior, were all drowned whilst attempting to get back home to Scattery Island in the Shannon estuary on the west coast of Ireland. They had bought seed potatoes on the mainland and, even though it was only a twenty-minute journey, it was a heavy sea and they were only in a rowing boat.
 
Teams in a silver box denotes a player representing England
Domestic Football Results (20 February 1897)
The Football League Division One:      
 
Blackburn Rovers 1 Bury 2
   Ewood Park, Blackburn (7,000)
Proudfoot ~ Settle, Henderson
 
Preston North End 2 Wednesday 2
   Deepdale, Preston (5,000)
nk, Brash ~ Brash, Spiksley
North End started with Bob Holmes
Wednesday were without Tom Crawshaw, but did start with Fred Spiksley
 
Sheffield United 0 Nottingham Forest 3
   Bramall Lane, Sheffield (7,000)
Richards, Forman, McPherson (pen)
United were without Ernest Needham, but started with Rab Howell
 
Sunderland 4 Stoke 1
   Newcastle Road, Sunderland (4,000)
Gillespie (2), Morgan, Campbell ~ Schofield
Stoke started with Tommy Clare and Joe Schofield

An emphatic Sunderland victory lifted them off the bottom of the table, where they had been for over a month. It was less than two years since they had won their third title in four years, but their influential manager, Tom Watson was now taking Liverpool to the very top.
  
  
   

Division One Table
Team P
Aston Villa 22 32
Derby County 23 29
Liverpool 25 28
Sheffield United 22 26
Preston North End 21 26
Everton 21 25
Bolton Wanderers 20 24
West Bromwich Albion 24 23
Wednesday 22 22
Nottingham Forest 23 21
Blackburn Rovers 24 19
Bury 20 18
Stoke 23 17
Wolverhampton Wanderers 21 16
Sunderland 24 16
Burnley 21 14
     
   
   
The Football League Division Two:

Grimsby Town 2 Blackpool 2
   Abbey Park, Grimsby (5,000)
Fletcher, Bell ~ Martin, Clarke
  
Lincoln City 0 Gainsborough Trinity 2
   Sincil Bank, Lincoln (1,000)
Wigmore, Spouncer
 
Loughborough 3 Newcastle United 0
   Athletic Ground, Loughborough (2,000)
Roulstone (2), Blackett
Loughborough started with Alf Shelton
 
Newton Heath 2 Leicester Fosse 1
   Bank Street, Manchester (8,000)
Boyd, Donaldson ~ Carnelly
 
Woolwich Arsenal 3 Burton Swifts 0
   Manor Ground, London (7,000)
Haywood (2 (1 pen)), Cale

 
With ten games to go, Lincoln were now eight points adrift at the bottom, following the home defeat by their Lincolnshire rivals. They remained rooted to the foot, despite managing to double their points tally, but they won the re-election vote for the third time in five years and retained their Football League status once again.

Division Two Table
Team P
Notts County 22 36
Grimsby Town 24 30
Newton Heath 22 27
Newcastle United 22 27
Leicester Fosse 20 24
Manchester City 22 23
Darwen 21 22
Gainsborough Trinity 21 21
Woolwich Arsenal 21 21
Small Heath 20 20
Blackpool 19 18
Burton Swifts 21 18
Walsall 21 17
Loughborough 22 14
Burton Wanderers 20 14
Lincoln City 20 6
   
   
       Source Notes
TheFA
England Football Factbook
Northern Ireland's Footballing Greats
Regarding George McMaster's date of birth, NIFG state 1878, Irish Civil Registrations state the only Belfast-born George was born in 1873
Rothman's Yearbooks
The Football Association Yearbooks
Original Newspaper Reports
Ancestry.com
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