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Players Index Page Last Updated
19 October 2022
 
 

Harry Cursham

Notts County FC & Corinthians FC

 8 appearances, 5 goals

P 8 W 5 D 0 L 3 F 42: A 16
63% successful
1879-84

captain: none
minutes played: 720

Timeline
  Henry Alfred Cursham
Birth Sunday, 27 November 1859 in Wilford, Nottinghamshire
registered in Basford January-March 1859
Baptism 12 January 1860 at St. Wilfrid's Church, Wilford
 

According to the 1861 census, Henry was the ninth of ten children to William George and Harriette (née Nicholson), living in Wilford, with four servants. His father is a solicitor.
 

According to the 1871 census, Henry A. was one of eight lodgers, seven of them Cursham's, living at Wilford Green in Wilford.
 

According to the 1881 census, Henry A. was one of seven children still living with their parents in Wilford, along with three servants. Father was the Colliery Owner as well as a solicitor. Henry is a law student.
(Arthur Cursham died on 24 December 1884, as did another brother, William.)
Marriage to Francis Annie Elizabeth Rawson, on 20 January 1885 at St. Anthony's Church at Lenton Priory. Wedding was postponed the previous year following Arthur's death.
registered in Nottingham July-September 1885
"CURSHAM―RAWSON.―Jan. 20, at Lenton, Notts. by the Rev. Frank Cursham, brother of the bridegroom, assisted by the Rev. George Browne, Rector of the parish, Henry Alfred Cursham, of Wilford, Notts, to Frances Anne Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Francis George Rawson, of Lenton Grove." - Friday, 23 January 1885, London Evening Standard
Children Harry and Francis had three children together. Francis Irene, Curzon and Francis George.
  "RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.―(From the London Gazette.)
―1st Nottinghamshire (Robin Hood.)―The undermentioned gentle[man] to be Lieutenant:―Henry Alfred Cursham." - Saturday, 18 April 1885, Nottingham Evening Post
 "RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.―(From the London Gazette.)
―1st Notts. (Robin Hoods.)―Lieutenant Henry Alfred Cursham resigns his commission." - Wednesday, 14 October 1885, Nottingham Evening Post
 

According to the 1891 census, Henry A. is now married to Francis A.E., with three children, Francis Irene, Curzon and Francis George, with three servants. Henry is a District Manager of an Union Assurance Society. They live at Grove Avenue in St Mary, Nottingham.
(His mother died in Bakewell in the early part of 1894)
 

(His father died 31 March 1900)
According to the 1901 census, Henry and his wife, and one of his daughters now live at The Firs, Holme Pierrepont. Henry is an Insurance Broker.
 

According to the 1911 census, Henry Alfred, still married, and now with two of his children at The Firs. He is now an Insurance Agent at District level. They have three servants.
According to a 1914 Will & Testament of Reverend Francis Lambert Cursham, Henry's elder brother, Henry is the executor of his will, living at Holme Pierrepont, on 30 November 1914.
 

According to the 1921 census, Harry, an insurance manager, and Frances are visiting their daughter and her husband, Irene and Sydney Challands at their home in Dalton View in Hurworth-on-Tees, near Darlington.
  According to the 1939 register, Henry Alfred is still married to Frances, he is a retired insurance broker and they are still living at The Firs with two servants. They are visited by their son Curzon, a solicitor, and his wife, Sheila.
Death Wednesday, 6 August 1941, at The Firs, Holme Lane in Holme Pierrepont, Nottinghamshire.
aged 81 years 252 days registered in Bingham July-September 1941

Obituary
"PLAYED FOR NOTTS. COUNTY
 "The death took place yesterday of Mr. Henry Alfred Cursham, a prominent sportsman and business man, at The Firs, Holme Pierrepont. He was 81.
"At one time he was a member of the Notts County Football Club and played in the team. He was capped on nine occasions, playing against Scotland, Ireland and Wales. He was also a cricket player, but devoted most of his time to football.
"Mr. Cursham, who was born at Wilford Grange in 1859 was educated at Repton. He entered the insurance business, and for over 50 years was district agent for the Union Assurance Society Ltd., retiring two years ago. He remained a director of the local board. Mr. and Mrs. Cursham celebrated their golden wedding in 1935."
 - Thursday, 7 August 1941, The Nottingham Journal
Funeral Saturday, 9 August 1941, at Holme Pierrepont cemetery
"The funeral of of Mr. Henry Alfred Cursham, who died at his residence, The Firs, Holme Pierrepont, on Wednesday, takes place at noon to-morrow at Holme Pierrepont." - Friday, 8 August 1941, The Nottingham Evening Post
 "Funeral Of Mr. H. A. Cursham
 "In the 13th century church of Holme Pierrepont tribute was paid to the late Mr. Henry Alfred Cursham, of The Firs, Holme Pierrepont, before his burial there on Saturday. Many people representative of the business, social and sporting society with which Mr. Cursham was associated attended the funeral. Included among them were a number whose memory went back to the Eighties, when Mr. Cursham's participation in Notts. first-class cricket and football was active. The service was conducted by Archdeacon J. P. Hales, assisted by the Rector of Holme Pierrepont, Canon A. D. Allen." - Monday, 11 August 1941, The Nottingham Journal
Probate "CURSHAM Henry Alfred of Holme Pierrepont Nottinghamshire died 6 August 1941 Probate Llandudno 3 November to Curzon Cursham solicitor.
 Effects £436 4s. 3d." [2019 equivalent: £22,176].

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] &

Playing Career
Club(s) Attended Repton School and played with Grantham FC in 1877 and Nottingham Thursday Wanderers FC; before he joined Notts County FC circa 1880. Cursham wrote a personal letter to the Notts County FC board stating his intention to retire in January 1889, he did, but returned to play in two games in February 1891;
Corinthians 1882-86;
League appearances
nine appearances, two goals		 Notts County FC 1888-91 nine appearances, two goals.
debut: 6 October 1888 Notts County FC 3 Blackburn Rovers FC 3.
last: 10 February 1891 Notts County FC 4 Burnley FC 0.
Club honours Football League third place 1890-91 (one app);
FA Cup runners-up 1890-91 (1);
Individual honours Cursham is the current FA Cup highest goalscorer.  From 1877 to 1887, he scored 49 FA Cup goals. He got 48 in the Competition Proper and one in a Qualifying tie;
Distinctions Played first class cricket with Nottinghamshire, in 1880 and 1904;
Height/Weight not known.

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990].

England Career
Player number One of six who became the 75th players (78) to appear for England.
Position(s) Outside-left/right, inside-right/left;
First match No. 11, 15 March 1880, Wales 2 England 3, a friendly match at The Racecourse, Mold Road, Wrexham, aged 20 years 109 days;
Last match No. 20, 23 February 1884, Ireland 1 England 8, a British Championship match at The Ulster Cricket Ground, Ballynafeigh Park, Belfast, aged 24 years 88 days; two in the first half and 75th min.
Major tournaments British Championship 1883-84;
Team honours None
Individual honours England's joint-Top Goalscorer (three, 1884) - followed his brother Arthur, who claimed the record in 1878 to become the first brothers to each top the list
The Probables (one appearance 1879)
The North (two appearances, 1ᵍ 1883-84)
Distinctions Younger brother of Arthur Cursham (sixth set of brothers).
Brother-in-law of Harold Morse.
The last member of the 1880 teams to die.
most appearanced Englishman at Notts County FC.

Beyond England

Original Committee member of the Corinthians FC in 1882. He was an insurance broker by profession.  Was a law student according to the 1881 census. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.83./FindMyPast.com


The Numbers
parties Apps withdrew comp.apps minutes Goals ave.min comp.goals captain
12 8 1 1 720 5 144 min 3 none
minutes are approximation, due to the fact that many matches rarely stuck to exactly ninety minutes long, allowing time for injuries and errors.
P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
8 5 0 3 42 16 +26 0 3 5.25 2 62.5 +2

Venue Record

Venue P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Home 3 2 0 1 14 3 +11 0 2 4.667 1.00 66.7 +1
Away 5 3 0 2 28 13 +15 0 1 5.60 2.60 60.0 +1

Competition Record

Competition P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
British Championship 1 1 0 0 8 1 +7 0 0 8.00 1.00 100.0 +1
Friendly 7 4 0 3 34 15 +19 0 3 4.857 2.143 57.1 +1

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1883-84 1 1 0 0 8 1 +7 0 0 8.00 1.00 100.0 +1
BC All 1 1 0 0 8 1 +7 0 0 8.00 1.00 100.0 +1

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1 1 0 0 8 1 +7 0 0 8.00 1.00 100.0 +1
1 1 0 0 8 1 +7 0 0 8 1 100 +1

Match History

 Club: Notts County F.C. - one full appearance (90 min)

F.A. Committee (Charles Alcock) - eight full appearances (720 min)x


Age 19 trial  
postponed - The North vs. The South, 4/25 January 1879;
one appearance - The Probables vs. The Rest, February 1879

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

pp 1 March 1879 - England vs. Scotland, The Surrey Cricket Ground, Kennington Fr postponed - frost res
9 5 April 1879 - England 5 Scotland 4, The Surrey Cricket Ground, Kennington Fr HW reserve
             

Age 20 trial  
withdrew - The South vs. The North, 6 March 1880

1 11 15 March 1880 - Wales 2 England 3
The Racecourse, Wrexham		 Fr AW   ir
   

one of six who became the 75th (78) players to appear for England
the fourth player from Notts County FC to represent England
followed his brother Arthur in playing for England - the first set of brothers to do so

 Clubs: Notts County F.C. & Corinthians F.C. - seven full appearance (630 min)  

Age 21
13 12 March 1881 - England 1 Scotland 6, The Surrey Cricket Ground, Kennington Fr HL reserve

Age 22
2 14 18 February 1882 - Ireland 0 England 13
Knock Ground, Belfast		 Fr AW nk ol

one of three who became the first Corinthian to represent England

3 15 11 March 1882 - Scotland 5 England 1
Hampden Park, Glasgow		 Fr AL or
4 16 13 March 1882 - Wales 5 England 3
The Racecourse, Wrexham		 Fr AL 48 ir

Age 23 trial  
one appearance - The North vs. The South, January 1883

5 17 3 February 1883 - England 5 Wales 0
The Surrey Cricket Ground, Kennington		 Fr HW   il

played with his brother Arthur - the fourth/fifth set of brothers to do so

6 18 24 February 1883 - England 7 Ireland 0
Liverpool Cricket Ground, Liverpool		 Fr HW   or
7 19 10 March 1883 - England 2 Scotland 3
Yorkshire Cricket Ground, Sheffield		 Fr HL   ol

again played with his brother Arthur - the first set of brothers to do so twice

Age 24 trial  
one appearance - The South vs. The Northᶜ, January 1884

8 20 23 February 1884 - Ireland 1 England 8
Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast		 BC AW first half (3rd)
first half (4th)
75 header		 ol

the fifth hat-trick scored by England
the eleventh player (eighth match) to score two or more goals for England in a single match
the youngest player to score a competitive hat-trick for England - until 1886
equals Billy Mosforth's record of seven consecutive England appearances

21 15 March 1884 - Scotland 1 England 0, Cathkin Park, Glasgow
BC		 AL withdrew,  following
an accident
22 17 March 1884 - Wales 0 England 4, The Racecourse, Wrexham AW
   

Had Cursham played in these matches, he would have broken Billy Mosforth's consecutive England appearance record - taking it up to nine
his three goals in 1884 makes him joint-top scorer for the season and year - first brothers

Age 26 trial  
withdrew - The Players vs. The Gentlemen, January 1886.

   

 
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