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Players Index Page Last Updated
18 October 2022
 
"It was a bitter experience.  Clegg scarcely got a kick and became convinced that his mostly old school and varsity team mates were deliberately not passing to him: as he recalled, 'Some members of the England eleven were awful snobs and not much troubled about a 'man fra' Sheffield'" - J. A. H. Catton, Wickets and Goals, 1926
 

Charlie Clegg

Wednesday FC

1 appearance, 0 goals

P 1 W 0 D 1 L 0 F 0: A
0
50% successful
1872-73

captain:
none
minutes played:
90

Timeline

  Sir John Charles Clegg
Birth Saturday, 15 June 1850 at 53 Spring Broom Lane in Ecclesall Bierlow, Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire
  registered as Charles John Clegg in Ecclesall Bierlow, April-June 1850
  According to the 1851 census, John Charles is the only child to William Johnson and Mary (née Sykes). They live at 53 Spring Broom Lane in Ecclesall Brierlow, Sheffield. William is a solicitor's managing clerk.
(His mother died early 1858)
 
  According to the 1861 census, John C. is now the eldest of three children, including Willm E., living with their widowed father at 129 Cemetery Road in Ecclesall Bierlow, with one servant. His father is now a Rate Collector.
  According to the 1871 census, John C. is now the eldest of six children, including brother William E., after his solicitor father remarried to Asenath. Along with two servants, they live at 138 Victoria Road in Ecclesall Bierlow.
Marriage to Mary Sayles, on 2 September 1872, at St. John's Church. Occupation stated as a Law Student
Children Charlie and Mary Clegg had three children together. Charles William (b.1874), Colin (b.1877) and Edith Mary (b.1880)
  According to the 1881 census, Jno C. is a town councillor and solicitor, with his wife, Mary, and the two sons, Charles and Colin and daughter Edith.  Along with two servants, they live at 4 Wharncliffe Road in Ecclesall Bierlow.
"Sheffield has been honoured in the election of Mr. J. C. Clegg as chairman of committees of the Council of the Football Association. His well-known tact, combined with firmness and a thorough knowledge of all the ramifications of clubs' doings, and the game, will go a long way towards the body being made efficiently administrative instead of an elaborate concocter of antediluvian foibles and fancies." - Sheffield Evening Telegraph, Monday, 8 September 1890.
  According to the 1891 census, and living at 1 Collegiate Crescent, Ecclesall Bierlow. John C., still a solicitor, is with his wife and just his daughter, with a single servant.
(His father died on 15 June 1895)
  According to the 1901 census, John, with Mary, and children Charles and Edith, live at 32 Cavendish Road in Ecclesall Bierlow, with one servant.
  According to the 1911 census, John Charles Clegg is still married to Mary and still a solicitor. With only two servants, they still live at 32 Cavendish Road.
  According to the 1921 census, John Charles Clegg is still married, still a solicitor, and they still live at 32 Cavendish Road with one servant.
  "At the conclusion of the ordinary business of the F.A. Council yesterday the members of the Press were invited to the Council chamber, when the question of the election of the new President came up. Mr. Crump (the senior vice-President), in proposing Mr J. C. Clegg for the position, said that it was within the right of the Council to fill any vacancy that might occur during the year, and they had, in virtue of that right, decided to appoint a new President in place of the late Lord Kinnaird, the former holder of that position. The Chairman of the Council had not only the respect, admiration, and affection of the members of the Council, but of the Clubs and members of the Clubs. The name of that gentleman was Mr. John Charles Clegg, who pre-eminently was fitted for the high position.
Mr. Pickford seconded the resolution. Mr. J. McKenna supported, and it was carried unanimously."
- The Devon and Exeter Gazette, Tuesday, 27 February 1923.
"Mr. J. C. Clegg has made such good progress towards recovery from illness that he will be able to travel to London on June 22 to receive his knighthood from his Majesty the King. The president of the Football Association will be known as Sir Charles Clegg." - Athletic News, Monday, 13 June 1927.
  His oldest son, Charles William, died on 28 January 1927, followed by his second son, Colin, on 11 September 1929. His brother, William Edwin Clegg died 22 August 1932, then his wife, Mary Clegg died on 22 August 1933
Death Saturday, 26 June 1937 at Clifton House, 32 Cavendish Road, Brincliffe, Sheffield, West Rising of Yorkshire
aged 87 years 11 days registered in Sheffield April-June 1937

Obituary

The gravestone of Charlie Clegg in Fulwood churchyard"DEATH OF SIR J.C. CLEGG - 87-Years-Old President of F.A.
"Sir John Charles Clegg, president of the Football Association since 1923, died at his home, Clifton House, Sheffield, on Saturday night. He was 87. Sir Charles was born in Sheffield, the eldest son of the late Alderman W. J. Clegg and the elder brother of the late Sir William Clegg, who was an outstanding figure in Sheffield's political and municipal life for many years. He was admitted a solicitor in 1872, and on the death of his father became Official Receiver in Bankruptcy. He held that post until 1919, when he resigned and was succeeded by his brother, Mr L. J. Clegg, who retired a fortnight ago.
His association with football dated from his youth, when he was also known as a phenomenally successful athlete. From 1867 to 1874 he won 124 prizes on the running track.
Sir William was an original member of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, and played in the first match between England and Scotland in 1872. When he ceased to play he frequently acted as a referee, and in that capacity he officiated at the Cup finals of 1882 and 1892.
In 1886, after professionalism had been legalised, he joined the Association as the representative of Sheffield and Hallamshire. He was made vice-president in 1889, and a year later, when the Council was formed, he was selected as chairman. He succeeded to the presidency on the death of Lord Kinnaird, and was knighted in 1927 for his services to the game."
- The Daily Mail, Monday, 28 June 1937.

Funeral on 30 June 1937 in Fulwood churchyard [left], after a service in Sheffield Cathedral, attended by many representatives of the fifty County Associations.
Probate "CLEGG sir John Charles knight of Clifton House Cavendish-road Sheffield died 26 June 1937 Probate London 17 August to Leonard Johnson Clegg and William John Clegg solicitors and Cecil Andrew Swan Hamilton physician.
Effects £24834 10s. 2d." [2019 equivalent: £1,704,420]
source Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] , Alan Alcott (for providing the photograph of Clegg's grave) &

Playing Career

Club(s) Educated in Sheffield and Darlington, but began playing football with Wednesday FC, but had a hand in the formation and existence of most of the Sheffield football clubs of the time, particularly playing for Broomhill FC, Perseverance FC and Sheffield Albion FC.
Club honours None
Individual honours Knighted in 1927 for services to the Board of Trade.
"It is officially recorded of Mr. John Charles Clegg that he receives a Knighthood 'for services to the Board of Trade and Ministry of Labour.'"
- The Derby Daily Telegraph, Friday, 3 June 1927.
Distinctions Clegg represented the Sheffield Association the first inter-association match against the FA at Bramall Lane on 2 December 1871.  Also, when it was decided to experiment with the first floodlit match he and his brother were chosen to captain the two sides involved. On the night of 15 October 1878 a crowd of 20,000 turned up at Bramall Lane to watch the Reds (captained by Charles) beaten by the Blues 2-0. - Wednesday!. Farnsworth, Keith (1983). Sheffield City Libraries.
Height/Weight not known
Source Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] & Andy Mitchell's First Elevens [2012]

England Career

Player number One of eleven who became the first players (7) to appear for England.
Position(s) Forward
Only match No. 1, 30 November 1872, Scotland 0 England 0, a friendly match at The West of Scotland Cricket Ground, Hamilton Crescent, Partick, Glasgow, aged 22 years 168 days.
Individual honours None
Distinctions Also a first-class referee, his engagements included two FA Cup finals, 1882 and 1892.  Also England against Scotland in 1886 and 1893.
Older brother of William Edwin Clegg.
At the time of his death, Clegg became the oldest ex-England player to die, taking five years off the record set by Charles Morice in 1932.

Beyond England

Clegg, a solicitor by profession, became one of the greatest administrators the game has known.  Served on the F.A. International Select Committee from 1885, Elected as the FA's first 'Chairman of the Committees' on 1 September 1890, one of its vice-Presidents from 1889-1923 and President from 1923 until his death.  Also served as President of the Sheffield & Hallamshire F.A. and at different times as director and chairman of both Sheffield United and...Wednesday. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.67.



The Numbers
parties Appearances minutes captain
2 1 90 0 none
The minutes here given can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an approximation.
P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
1 0 1 0 0 0 =0 1 1 0 0 50 =0
His only match was a friendly match and at an away venue

Match History
 
 Club: Wednesday F.C. - one full appearance (90 min) F.A. Committee - one full appearance (90 min)x

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

Age 21
u/o 24 February 1872 - England 1 Scotland 0, The Surrey Cricket Ground, Kennington Fr HW for

Age 22
1 1 30 November 1872 - Scotland 0 England 0
The West of Scotland Cricket Ground, Partick
Fr AD   for

the seventh player to appear on an England teamsheet
the first player from the Wednesday club to represent England

2 8 March 1873 - England 4 Scotland 2, The Surrey Cricket Ground, Kennington Fr HW party member
  

his brother William played for England in this match - becoming the first set of brothers to do so

  International Selection Committeex

Age 33
19 10 March 1883 - England 2 Scotland 3, Bramall Lane, Sheffield Fr Umpire
  

Age 37
29 5 February 1887 - England 7 Ireland 0, Yorkshire Cricket Ground, Sheffield BC Umpire
  

Age 39
37 13 April 1889 - England 2 Scotland 3, The Surrey Cricket Ground, Kennington BC Umpire
  

Age 41
41 7 March 1891 - England 4 Wales 1, Newcastle Road, Sunderland BC Linesman
  

Age 43
49 1 April 1893 - England 5 Scotland 2, Athletic Ground, Richmond BC Referee
  


  

 
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