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60 vs. Wales
 
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63
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66 vs. Wales
Monday, 28 March 1898
Home International Championship 1897-98 (15th) Match


Wales 0 England 3
[0-1]
  

The Racecourse, Mold Road, Wrexham, Denbighshire
Kick-off (GMT): 3:35pm 'within five minutes of advertised time'

Attendance: '5,000 onlookers'; '5,000 persons';'some 6,000 spectators'; (new record attendance for The Racecourse)
Receipts: '£150 8s.' (new record 'gate')











Football League Record
England's eighth visit to The Racecourse, to Wrexham, to Denbighshire and to Wales
Morgan Morgan-Owen kicked-off Gilbert Smith won the toss



[0-1]
'Several clinking shots were made by Taylor, Owen, Jenkyns, and Jones, but in each case they either struck the wood, or went a few inches wide.'
[0-1] Jones scored from indirect free-kick: disallowed
[0-1] Fred Wheldon 9
'Wheldon put in a nice shot, which Trainer missed'; 'glancing in off Parry'; 'just touched Parry.'
 
[0-1] Billy Meredith scores disallowed: foul
[0-1] Fred Wheldon strike hits crossbar
 
[0-2] Fred Wheldon 75
'saw Smith send along to Wheldon, who put in a low shot, which deceived Trainer.'
[0-3] Gilbert Smith header 88
'headed in an Athersmith cross'
 
 

"ANOTHER WIN FOR ENGLAND" Sporting Life

Officials       

Wal es Team Records England
Referee
Thomas Robertson
34 (9 December 1863), Baldernock, Stirlingshire, Scotland FA
P 5th of 20 - W 4 - D 0 - L 1 - F 20 - A 5. played against England in 1890
"At a meeting of the Welsh Association, on Wednesday night, it was resolved to play the Wales v. England match on Wrexham Racecourse on the 28th inst." - The South Wales Echo, Thursday, 3 March 1898
"A 'curtain raiser' had been arranged in the shape of a match between representatives of the British School 'champions' and a team selected from the rest of the League, the 'champions' winning by 3 goals to 1." - The Liverpool Daily Post. Tuesday, 29 March 1898.
Linesmen
Percy Alexander Timbs
32 (13 June 1865), St. Giles, London
Thomas Edward Edwards
Aberystwyth,
Wales
  

Wales Team

 
Rank No official ranking system established;
ELO rating 5th
Colours "...the green and white jerseys..." with probably black shorts and stockings
Captain Caeser Jenkyns Selection The Welsh Selection Committee.
only, W 0 - D 0 - L 1 - F 0 - A 3. team chosen on Tuesday, 22 March 1898
Wales Lineup
  Trainer, James 35
80 days
7 January 1863 G Wrexham AFC & Preston North End FC, England 18 64ᵍᵃ
  Parry, Charles Frederick 28
93 days
25 December 1869 LB Newtown FC 13 0
final app 1891-98
  Arridge, Smart Atkinson 25
280 days
21 June 1872
in Sunderland, England
RB Bangor FC & New Brighton Tower FC, England 7 0
180   Taylor, John 24
61 days
26 January 1874 RH Wrexham AFC 1 0
only app 1898
  Jenkyns, Caeser Augustus Llewellyn 31
216 days
24 August 1866 CH Walsall FC, England 8 1
final app 1892-98
  Jones, John Leonard 28
299 days
2 June 1869 LH Tottenham Hotspur FC, England 12 0
  Meredith, William Henry 23
241 days
30 July 1874 OR Chirk AAA FC & Manchester City FC, England 9 4
181   Bartley, Thomas 23
222 days
18 August 1874 IR Glossop North End FC, England 1 0
only app 1898
  Morgan-Owen, Morgan Maddox 21
36 days
20 February 1877 CF Rhyl FC & Corinthians FC, England 4 2
  Watkins, Alfred Ernest 19
275 days
26 June 1878 IL Leicester Fosse FC, England 2 0
  James, Edwin 28
5 days
23 March 1869 OL Chirk AAA FC 7 1
reserves: not known
team notes: The advertised team a week before this match had Aberystwyth FC & Swindon Town FC's Grenville Morris at outside-left. At some point through the following week, his place went to Edwin James, as Morris was unable to make the journey.
Several newspaper reports conflict on which side of the field Parry and Arridge played.
records: Wales have now gone eight matches without a victory.
 
2-3-5 Trainer -
Parry, Arridge -
Taylor, Jenkyns, Jones -
Meredith, Bartley, Morgan-Owen, Watkins, Morris
Averages: Age 26 years 164 days Appearances/Goals 7.5 0.7

 

England Team

 
Rank No official ranking system established;
ELO rating 1st
Colours White jerseys and navy blue knickerbockers
Captain Gilbert Smith Selection The six-man FA International Selection Committee
P 6 of 13, W 4 - D 0 - L 2 - F 18 - A 6. P 32nd of 195, W 25 - D 4 - L 3 - F 128 - A 30.
sixth, seventh or eighth captaincy team chosen at The Crystal Palace, on Saturday, 19 March 1898, following the Sheriff of London Charity Shield match.
England Lineup
  five changes to the previous match (Forman, Morren Turner, Richards & Garfield remain) league position (19th March) ave lge pos: 5th
  Robinson, John W. 27
340 days
22 April 1870 G New Brighton Tower FC 4 4ᵍᵃ
  Oakley, William J. 24
335 days
27 April 1873 RB Corinthians FC 9 0
  Williams, William 22
67 days
20 January 1876 LB West Bromwich Albion FC (FL1 5th) 3 0
240   Perry, Thomas H. 26
146 days
2 November 1871 RH West Bromwich Albion FC (FL1 5th) 1 0
the eleventh Albionite to represent England only app 1898
241   Booth, Thomas E. 23
337 days
25 April 1874 CH Blackburn Rovers FC (FL1 12th) 1 0
the fifteenth Rover to represent England
  Needham, Ernest 25
66 days
21 January 1873 LH Sheffield United FC (FL1 TOP) 6 1
  Athersmith Harper, W. Charles 25
322 days
10 May 1872 OR Aston Villa FC (FL1 4th) 6 2
  Goodall, John 34
282 days
19 June 1863 IR Derby County FC (FL1 9th) 14 11 or 12
final app 1888-98
Smith, Gilbert O. 25
123 days
25 November 1872 CF Old Carthusians AFC & Corinthians FC 12 5
Wheldon, G. Frederick 28
146 days
2 November 1869 IL Aston Villa FC (FL1 4th) 3 5
the 42nd brace scored
  Spiksley, Frederick 28
62 days
25 January 1870 OL Wednesday FC (FL1 3rd) 6 7
reserves: not known, but
Tommy Morren (Sheffield United FC (FL1 TOP)) was initially selected to be a reserve, but due to an ankle injury 'in consequence, he could not accept an invitation...to act as reserve against Wales.'
team notes: Tom Perry's brother, Charlie, also played for England in 1890-93. Tom's appearance against Wales makes them the eleventh set of brothers to play for England.
appearance notes: John Goodall is the fourth player to have made fourteen England appearances, whereas Gilbert Smith is the seventh player to have made twelve. Bill Oakley, is the fourteenth to have made nine. 32 players have now made six appearances and Jack Robinson is the 56th player to have made four, whilst 86 have made three.
Goodall is the second player to make fourteen appearances under the guidance of the ISC, and Smith is the third to make twelve.
goal notes: Fred Wheldon's goal appears to be the first ever scored direct from a free-kick by England. He also becomes the fourteenth player to score five England goals.
However - Sporting Life states 'penalised for a foul. With this advantage they worked along, and Wheldon put in a nice shot.'
"...and some of the Englishmen are expected to stay at the Wynstay Hotel, Wrexham, on Sunday evening. After the match both teams will dine at Wynstay Hotel....The majority of the English team had made the journey to Chester on Sunday, and remained at the Royal Hotel." - Sporting Life, Monday, 28 March 1898/Tuesday, 29 March 1898
 
2-3-5 Robinson -
Oakley, Williams -
Perry, Booth, Needham -
Athersmith, Goodall, Smith, Wheldon, Spiksley
Averages: Age 26 years 236 days Appearances/Goals 5.9 2.5-2.6
oldest starting XI so far
       Match Report Sporting Life, Tuesday, 29 March 1898

Representatives of the Association code in England and Wales met yesterday on the Wrexham Racecourse, where the sons of Gwalia had fought out twenty-three previous battles (seven with England, eleven with Scotland, and five with Ireland) for their country's honour. The game completed a round score of matches between the Rose and the Leek, in which the latter had suffered very considerably. The two matches previously played by Wales this season have also ended disastrously, Ireland, by their superior combination defeating the Principality at Llandudno by one goal to nothing, and Scotland sending them under by five goals to two at Motherwell.
   There was a complete change in the weather at Wrexham yesterday from that which prevailed on Saturday. The wind and sleet had cleared, and it may surprise Londoners to learn that a bright Spring day prevailed. The majority of the English team had made the journey to Chester on Sunday, and remained at the Royal Hotel. They ere accompanied by the selection committee of the English Association, including Mr. J. C. Clegg, C. J. Hughes, P. A. Timbs, G. S. Sherrington, R. Redford, and C. Wreford-Brown. The whole of the arrangements were left in the hands of Mr. F. G. Wall, who was present, also Mr. Wickford (Hampshire). The committee were present mainly for the purpose of picking a team to play against Scotland. Contrary to expectations they did not remain in the Welsh town, but returned to Chester, where the meeting took place. The Welsh committee had made every preparation for a big match, and large contingents of spectators were brought in by the numerous excursions which were running.
   A strong wind was blowing directly across the field when the English team led the way to the scene of the contest, and only some 5,000 persons were present when Mr. Robertson called the men together for the game. England won the toss, and Morgan Owen started. A corner was given to the Englishmen thus early, but nothing came of it. Jones sent to Meredith, but the latter kicked too strongly, and the ball went behind. After some passing amongst Smith and Spikesley another charge was made on the Welsh line. Parry replied smartly, and play went to the other end, but Oakley obviated disaster by a fine kick to touch at half-way. From the throw-in the English forwards took a dribble, and the Welshmen were penalised for a foul. With this advantage they worked along, and Wheldon put in a nice shot, which Trainer missed, thus recording the first goal for England. Wales after this had a few chances to score, one of which was spoiled by the half-backs not following up, and Taylor missed the net by a few inches. After a brief invasion of the home ground the attack was renewed with great vigour by the Welshmen, who kept up a sharp bombardment of the English net. Several clinking shots were made by Taylor, Owen, Jenkyns, and Jones, but in each case they either struck the wood, or went a few inches wide. Their was another brief visit of the Englishmen to the Welsh end, but Smart Arridge cleared. Jones following up, beat Booth, and Parry sent the ball to Watkins, who made a fine shot, but missed. Then came a short tussle on the Welsh right wing, but Meredith and Bartley ultimately beat Athersmith and Goodall. Mainly by the fine head work of Athersmith and Goodall another invasion was made of the Welsh territory, but Trainer dodged Smith and sent a well-directed kick to mid-way. Bartley dribbled to Morgan Owen, who failed to score. From the restart Taylor and Jenkyns returned to the attack, and Williams put in a fine defence. The English backs were now kept busy defending their net. From one of the goal-kicks a foul was given against Watkins, and from this advantage the English forwards pressed. Perry eventually made a fine shot, which Trainer fisted out in remarkable manner. Thus, right up to half time play was kept a good pace, but nothing further being added, England were leading at the interval by one goal to nil.
   G. O. Smith re-started, and an invasion was made by the home country, Bartley making a fine shot, which went over the bar. After the kick-out Parry attempted to head the ball through, but Oakley was at home, and sending to the left wing Wheldon and Spikesley got away with a dribble, which baffled Meredith. Booth sent in a fine kick, which Trainer again saved well. The English forwards now kept up a bombardment of the net, and the Welsh custodian with his characteristic coolness saved in a remarkable manner. Some tricky passing amongst the English forwards ensued, but at length the Welshmen got the ball away. A foul was given against Wales near their own goal. A fine run by Athersmith along the touch-line saw Smart Arridge up well, but the Aston Villa player sent wide. The Welshmen were now playing up in grand form, and kept up a warm rally on their opponents' net. A splendid shot by Meredith disappointed the crowd, and after a brief visitation to the Welsh line Meredith and Bentley again followed up from a kick by Jones, the Manchester City forward sending in a clinker which Oakley and Robinson failed to stop until it was in the net. The whistle, however, had gone during the flight of the ball, and Wales was again robbed of a score. After this the Englishmen improved their combination, and Trainer's services were called into requisition. Athersmith's tactics of square kicks to the left wing saw both Wheldon and Spikesley repeatedly shoot too high. Then a few short passes between the Englishmen saw Smith send along to Wheldon, who put in a low shot, which deceived Trainer, and the second goal went to England. The visitors continued to keep up the pace, and for some time play was almost entirely in the Welsh grounds, the combination of the home men having apparently broken down. From one of these onslaughts one of the left-wing men again sent in a beauty, which was got rid of, and a second or so later the final whistle blew.

   

       Match Report The Times, Tuesday, 29 March 1898
Yesterday, at Wrexham, England defeated Wales decisively by three goals to none. The result hardly represents the difference between the teams, and probably on a more suitable ground the Englishmen's superiority would have been much more manifest. At all points of the game they were much the stronger. The Association game does not yet seem to arouse much enthusiasm in Wales, and the crowd of about 5,000 people included a good proportion of visitors from the neighbouring English counties. As far as concerned England the game was primarily of importance as the final trial before their match with Scotland next Saturday, and the performance of the Englishmen gave such satisfaction that only three changes have been deemed necessary, and these in places where yesterday's side obviously needed strengthening... ...Wheldon scoring the only goal when play had been in progress about ten minutes... ...to within 15 minutes of time England had failed to increase their lead, but then Wheldon shot a second goal, and just before the close G. O. Smith headed a third.
 
       In Other News....
It was on 27 March 1898 that the SS Greenland arrived back at St. John's in Newfoundland having lost 48 lives on the annual seal-hunting expedition. 154 men were left stranded on the ice in a storm when the ship became icebound. Six men survived for two nights before they were rescued. The severe frostbite meant that some of the survivors needed amputations, but it took the ship another four days to get home. It almost sank in another storm on its return. Only 25 bodies were recovered.
”””””
Teams in a silver box denotes a player representing England
Domestic Football Results (28 March 1898)
The Football League Division Two:

 
Burnley 9 Loughborough 3
   Turf Moor, Burnley (400)
Ross (5), Morrison, Toman, Taylor, Ferguson ~ not known

 
Burnley swept aside their struggling opponents with a club record scoreline that still stands today. This clinched their place in the test matches, where they were to win promotion in controversial circumstances by engineering a goalless draw at Stoke which also ensured that the home side would escape relegation. As it transpired, however, both divisions were extended at the end of the season and all four teams in the test matches were placed in the First Division. Meanwhile, Loughborough were re-elected after finishing bottom.

Division Two Table
Team P
Burnley 27 45
Newcastle United 26 40
Manchester City 25 33
Woolwich Arsenal 26 32
Luton Town 26 28
Gainsborough Trinity 24 28
Newton Heath 24 27
Small Heath 24 27
Leicester Fosse 25 25
Walsall 27 24
Grimsby Town 26 23
Burton Swifts 25 17
Blackpool 24 16
Lincoln City 27 16
Darwen 26 14
Loughborough 24 11
   
   
       Source Notes
TheFA
England Football Factbook
Welsh Football Data Archive
Rothman's Yearbooks
The Football Association Yearbooks
Original Newspaper Reports
Ancestry.com
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