England's Match Captains
1872-1914
with club affiliations

England's Captains by Match 1872-1914 All Captains Chosen By The FA International Committee
1872-76
1	30 November 1872	0-0 vs. Scotland, The West of Scotland Cricket Ground, Hamilton Crescent, Partick, Glasgow	Fr	HW	Cuthbert Ottaway  Oxford University
2	8 March 1873	4-2 vs. Scotland, Surrey Cricket Ground, The Oval, Kennington, London		HW	GK	Alec Morten  Crystal Palace
3	7 March 1874	1-2 vs. Scotland, The West of Scotland Cricket Ground, Hamilton Crescent, Partick, Glasgow		AL	Cuthbert Ottaway  Oxford University
4	6 March 1875	2-2 vs. Scotland, Surrey Cricket Ground, The Oval, Kennington, London		HD		Charles Alcock Wanderers
5	4 March 1876	0-3 vs. Scotland, The West of Scotland Cricket Ground, Hamilton Crescent, Partick, Glasgow		AL	Hubert Heron  Wanderers

Some less reliable sources give the 4 March 1876 captaincy to Hubert's younger brother, Frank Heron.  But the more reliable sources give the captaincy rightly to Hubert.

1877-79
6	3 March 1877	1-3 vs. Scotland, Surrey Cricket Ground, The Oval, Kennington, London	Fr	HL	William Rawson  Oxford University
7	2 March 1878	2-7 vs. Scotland, Hampden Park, Hampden Terrace, Glasgow		AL		Arthur Cursham  Notts County
8	18 January 1879	2-1 vs. Wales, Surrey Cricket Ground, The Oval, Kennington, London		HW	Disputed

Newspaper reports conflict on who was the actual captain against Wales on 18 January 1879.  Three reports, The Field, The Sportsman and Football Annual give the captaincy to Arthur Cursham, whilst The London Times, Athletic News and Bell's Life, gives it to Henry Wace.  The fact that Charles Alcock's own Football Annual lists Cursham makes us want to favour the Notts County forward, but one can never be sure and we will not commit ourselves with any degree of certainty.

1879-80
9	5 April 1879	5-4 vs. Scotland, Surrey Cricket Ground, The Oval, Kennington, London	Fr	HW	Henry Wace  Wanderers
10	13 March 1880	4-5 vs. Scotland, Hampden Park, Hampden Terrace, Glasgow		AL	Charles Wollaston  Wanderers
11	15 March 1880	3-2 vs. Wales, Racecourse Ground, Mold Road, Wrexham		AW		Francis Sparks  Clapham Rovers
1880-81
12	26 February 1881	0-1 vs. Wales, East Lancashire Cricket Ground, Alexandra Meadows, Blackburn	Fr	HL	Jack Hunter  Sheffield Heeley
13	12 March 1881	1-6 vs. Scotland, Surrey Cricket Ground, The Oval, Kennington, London		HL	Norman Bailey  Clapham Rovers
1881-82
14	18 February 1882	13-0 vs. Ireland, Knock Ground, Bloomfield, Belfast	Fr	AW		Charlie Bambridge  Swifts
15	11 March 1882	1-5 vs. Scotland, Hampden Park, Hampden Terrace, Glasgow		AL	Norman Bailey  Clapham Rovers
16	13 March 1882	3-5 vs. Wales, Racecourse Ground, Mold Road, Wrexham		AL
1882-83
17	3 February 1883	5-0 vs. Wales, Surrey Cricket Ground, The Oval, Kennington, London	Fr	HW	Norman Bailey  Clapham Rovers
18	24 February 1883	7-0 vs. Ireland, Liverpool Cricket Ground, Aigburth Road, Aigburth, Liverpool		HW	Jack Hudson  Sheffield
19	10 March 1883	2-3 vs. Scotland, Bramall Lane, Highfield, Sheffield		HL	Norman Bailey  Clapham Rovers
1883-84
20	23 February 1884	8-1 vs. Ireland, Ulster Ground, Ballynafeigh Park, Belfast	BC	AW		Norman Bailey  Clapham Rovers
21	15 March 1884	0-1 vs. Scotland, Cathkin Park, Cathcart Road, Glasgow		AL
22	17 March 1884	4-0 vs. Wales, Racecourse Ground, Mold Road, Wrexham		AW
1884-85
23	28 February 1885	4-0 vs. Ireland, Manchester Football Ground, Whalley Range, Manchester	BC	HW	Norman Bailey  Clapham Rovers
24	14 March 1885	1-1 vs. Wales, Leamington Street, Blackburn		HD
25	21 March 1885	1-1 vs. Scotland, Surrey Cricket Ground, The Oval, Kennington, London		HD
1885-86
26	13 March 1886	6-1 vs. Ireland, Ulster Ground, Ballynafeigh Park, Belfast	BC	AW	Percy Walters  Old Carthusians & Corinthians

There is a small possibility that Tinsley Lindley, debuting in this match on 13 March 1886, was the captain, making him the youngest ever.  At least three sources name Percy Walters, another names George Shutt.

27	27 March 1886	1-1 vs. Scotland, Hampden Park, Crosshill, Glasgow	BC	AD	Norman Bailey  Clapham Rovers & Corinthians
28	29 March 1886	3-1 vs. Wales, Racecourse Ground, Mold Road, Wrexham		AW
1886-87
29	5 February 1887	7-0 vs. Ireland, Bramall Lane, Sheffield	BC	HW		Charlie Bambridge  Swifts & Corinthians
30	26 February 1887	4-0 vs. Wales, Surrey Cricket Ground, The Oval, Kennington, London		HW	Norman Bailey  Clapham Rovers & Corinthians
31	19 March 1887	2-3 vs. Scotland, Leamington Street, Blackburn		HL
1887-88
32	4 February 1888	5-1 vs. Wales, Nantwich Road, Crewe	BC	HW		Tinsley Lindley Cambridge University, Nottingham Forest & Corinthians

Lindley must be favourite on 4 February 1888, he was captain in both the other two matches in this year, and he was an amateur, as well as the most capped player in the line-up.  But he had never been the England captain before this point, so is therefore not cast-iron.  Moreover, the Manchester Guardian, The London Times, The Field, Wrexham Advertiser, Sporting Life, Athletic News Annual 1891-92, Northern Whig, North Wales Guardian, or The Sportsman specifically mention any captain.

33	17 March 1888	5-0 vs. Scotland, Hampden Park, Crosshill, Glasgow	BC	AW		Tinsley Lindley Cambridge University, Nottingham Forest & Corinthians
34	7 April 1888	5-1 vs. Ireland, Ulster Ground, Ballynafeigh Park, Belfast		AW
1888-89
35	23 February 1889	4-1 vs. Wales, Victoria Ground, Stoke-on-Trent	BC	HW	Percy Walters Old Carthusians & Corinthians

A small minority list the captain on 23 February 1889 as Arthur Walters.

36	2 March 1889	6-1 vs. Ireland, Anfield Road, Liverpool	BC	HW		Jack Brodie  Wolverhampton W.
37	13 April 1889	2-3 vs. Scotland, Surrey Cricket Ground, The Oval, Kennington, London		HL	Percy Walters Old Carthusians & Corinthians
1889-90
38	15 March 1890	3-1 vs. Wales, Racecourse Ground, Mold Road, Wrexham	BC	AW	Percy Walters Old Carthusians & Corinthians

A small minority list the captain on 15 March 1890 as Arthur Walters.

Football historian Cris Freddi, himself the author of a book on the England team, has done extensive research in the English and Irish newspapers of March 1890 and has not found a single contemporaneous record of England's captain for this match.

Almost certain it was Arthur Walters on 5 April 1890, instead of his brother, Percy - but there is doubt.  The London Times, The Sportsman, Sporting Chronicle, Alcock's Annual 1890, Athletic News Annual 1891-92, Preston Herald and Glasgow Herald decline to mention any England captain.  In The Field, Arthur Walters is listed as captain in the line-up, the Athletic News reads as 'PM and AM Walters (Capt)'.  But Arthur Walters is usually no. 2 in the line-up, and this publication could have got the brothers mixed-up.  Besides, The Field notes that it was Percy who gave the post-match dinner speech, not Arthur.

1890-91
41	7 March 1891	4-1 vs. Wales, Newcastle Road, Sunderland	BC	HW		John Goodall  Derby County
		6-1 vs. Ireland, Molineux Ground, Wolverhampton		HW		Tinsley Lindley Nottingham Forest & Corinthians
43	4 April 1891	2-1 vs. Scotland, Ewood Park, Blackburn		HW	GK	Billy Moon  Old Westminsters & Corinthians
1891-92
44	5 March 1892	2-0 vs. Wales, Racecourse Ground, Mold Road, Wrexham	BC	AW	Arthur Dunn  Old Etonians & Corinthians
		2-0 vs. Ireland, Solitude Ground, Cliftonville, Belfast		AW	Unknown

Football historian Cris Freddi, himself the author of a book on the England team, has done extensive research in the English and Irish newspapers of March 1890 and has not found a single contemporaneous record of England's captain for this match.

Various sources cannot decide who was captain for this match on 12 March 1894, probably Charles Wreford-Brown, but possibly Cunliffe Gosling.  Wreford-Brown was by far the oldest in an inexperienced team, but neither Sporting Life, Manchester Guardian, North Wales Guardian, The Times, The Field, The Sportsman, Sporting Chronicle, and Northern Whig make mention of a captain.

52	7 April 1894	2-2 vs. Scotland, Parkhead, Glasgow	BC	AD		John Goodall  Derby County
1894-95
53	9 March 1895	9-0 vs. Ireland, Derbyshire County Cricket Ground, Nottingham Road, Derby	BC	HW	Bob Holmes  Preston North End
54	18 March 1895	1-1 vs. Wales, Queen's Club, Palliser Road, West Kensington, London		HD	Charles Wreford-Brown  Old Carthusians &  Corinthians
55	6 April 1895	3-0 vs. Scotland, Goodison Park, Liverpool		HW	Cunliffe Gosling  Old Etonians & Corinthians
1895-96
56	7 March 1896	2-0 vs. Ireland, Solitude Ground, Cliftonville, Belfast	BC	AW	Disputed

The captaincy on 7 March 1896 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, and Vaughan Lodge is also a possibility.  Many other sources do not specify any captain.

Football historian Cris Freddi, himself the author of a book on the England team, has done extensive research in the English and Welsh newspapers of the time and has not found a single contemporaneous record of England's captain for this match.  Possibly Gilbert Smith.

58	4 April 1896	1-2 vs. Scotland, Parkhead, Glasgow	BC	AL	Gilbert Smith  Oxford University, Old  Carthusians & Corinthians
1896-97
59	20 February 1897	6-0 vs. Ireland, Trent Bridge, Nottingham	BC	HW	Gilbert Smith  Old Carthusians & Corinthians
60	29 March 1897	4-0 vs. Wales, Bramall Lane, Sheffield		HW
61	3 April 1897	1-2 vs. Scotland, The Crystal Palace, Sydenham Hill, London		HL
1897-98
62	5 March 1898	3-2 vs. Ireland, Solitude Ground, Cliftonville, Belfast	BC	AW		Gilbert Smith  Old Carthusians & Corinthians
63	28 March 1898	3-0 vs. Wales, Racecourse Ground, Mold Road, Wrexham		AW
64	2 April 1898	3-1 vs. Scotland, Parkhead, Glasgow		AW	Charles Wreford-Brown  Old Carthusians &  Corinthians

The London Times and Sporting Life say Gilbert Smith was captain on 2 April 1898, but the Northern Whig and the Ulster Football & Cycling News say Wreford-Brown, as does The Sportsman, Glasgow Herald, and Manchester Guardian. The Guardian sums it up: 'Wreford-Brown, the captain, was said to be the weak spot... but he justified his selection.'  The FA's own minutes, also confirm Wreford-Brown as captain.

1898-99
65	18 February 1899	13-2 vs. Ireland, Roker Park, Sunderland	BC	HW		Gilbert Smith  Old Carthusians & Corinthians
66	20 March 1899	4-0 vs. Wales, Ashton Gate, Bristol		HW
67	8 April 1899	2-1 vs. Scotland, Villa Park, Birmingham		HW
1899-1900
68	17 March 1900	2-0 vs. Ireland, Lansdowne Road, Dublin	BC	AW	Gilbert Smith  Old Carthusians & Corinthians
69	26 March 1900	1-1 vs. Wales, Arms Park, Cardiff		AD
70	7 April 1900	1-4 vs. Scotland, Parkhead, Glasgow		AL
1900-01
71	9 March 1901	3-0 vs. Ireland, The Dell, Southampton	BC	HW	William Oakley  Corinthians
72	18 March 1901	6-0 vs. Wales, St. James' Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne		HW		Ernest Needham  Sheffield United
73	30 March 1901	2-2 vs. Scotland, The Crystal Palace, Sydenham Hill, London		HD	Gilbert Smith  Old Carthusians & Corinthians
1901-02
74	3 March 1902	0-0 vs. Ireland, Racecourse Ground, Mold Road, Wrexham	BC	AD	Reginald Erskine Foster  Old Malvernians & Corinthians
75	22 March 1902	1-0 vs. Wales, Balmoral Showgrounds, Balmoral, Belfast		AW	Frank Forman  Nottingham Forest
76	3 May 1902	2-2 vs. Scotland, Villa Park, Birmingham		HD	Steve Bloomer  Derby County
1902-03
77	14 February 1903	4-0 vs. Ireland, Molineux Ground, Wolverhampton	BC	HW	Howard Spencer  Aston Villa
78	2 March 1903	2-1 vs. Wales, Fratton Park, Portsmouth		HW	Bob Crompton  Blackburn Rovers
79	4 April 1903	1-2 vs. Scotland, Bramall Lane, Sheffield		HL
1903-04
80	29 February 1904	2-2 vs. Wales, Racecourse Ground, Mold Road, Wrexham	BC	AD	Bob Crompton  Blackburn Rovers
81	12 March 1904	3-1 vs. Ireland, Solitude Ground, Cliftonville, Belfast		AW
82	9 April 1904	1-0 vs. Scotland, Parkhead, Glasgow		AW
1904-05
83	25 February 1905	1-1 vs. Ireland, Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough	BC	HD	Stanley Harris  Old Westminsters &  Corinthians
84	27 March 1905	3-1 vs. Wales, Anfield Road, Liverpool		HW	Howard Spencer  Aston Villa
85	1 April 1905	1-0 vs. Scotland, The Crystal Palace, Sydenham Hill, London		HW
1905-06
86	17 February 1906	5-0 vs. Ireland, Solitude Ground, Cliftonville, Belfast	BC	HD		Stanley Harris  Old Westminsters &  Corinthians
87	19 March 1906	1-0 vs. Wales, Arms Park, Cardiff		HW
88	7 April 1906	1-0 vs. Scotland, Hampden Park, Mount Florida, Glasgow		HW
1906-07
89	16 February 1907	1-0 vs. Ireland, Goodison Park, Liverpool	BC	HW		Bob Crompton  Blackburn Rovers
90	18 March 1907	1-1 vs. Wales, Craven Cottage, Fulham, London		HD
91	6 April 1907	1-1 vs. Scotland, St. James' Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne		HD	OG
1907-08
92	15 February 1908	3-1 vs. Ireland, Solitude Ground, Cliftonville, Belfast	BC	AW		Viv Woodward  Tottenham Hotspur
93	16 March 1908	7-1 vs. Wales, Racecourse Ground, Mold Road, Wrexham		AW
94	4 April 1908	1-1 vs. Scotland, Hampden Park, Mount Florida, Glasgow		AD
95	6 June 1908	6-1 vs. Austria, Cricketer Platz, Vienna	Fr	AW
96	8 June 1908	11-1 vs. Austria, Hohe Warte Stadion, Wien		AW
97	10 June 1908	7-0 vs. Hungary, Millenáris Sporttelep, Budapest		AW
98	13 June 1908	4-0 vs. Bohemia, Stadión Letná, Letná, Praha		AW
1908-09
99	13 February 1909	4-0 vs. Ireland, Park Avenue, Bradford	BC	HW		Viv Woodward  Tottenham Hotspur
100	15 March 1909	2-0 vs. Wales, City Ground, Nottingham		HW
101	3 April 1909	2-0 vs. Scotland, The Crystal Palace, Sydenham Hill, London		HD	Bob Crompton  Blackburn Rovers
102	29 May 1909	4-2 vs. Hungary, Millenáris Sporttelep, Budapest	Fr	AW		Viv Woodward  Tottenham Hotspur
103	8 June 1909	8-2 vs. Hungary, Millenáris Sporttelep, Budapest		AW
104	10 June 1909	8-1 vs. Austria, Hohe Warte Stadion, Wien		AW
1909-10
105	12 February 1910	1-1 vs. Ireland, Solitude Ground, Cliftonville, Belfast	BC	AD	Viv Woodward  Chelsea
106	14 March 1910	1-0 vs. Wales, Arms Park, Cardiff		AW	Bob Crompton  Blackburn Rovers
107	2 April 1910	0-2 vs. Scotland, Hampden Park, Mount Florida, Glasgow		AL
1910-11
108	11 February 1911	2-1 vs. Ireland, Baseball Ground, Derby	BC	HW	Bob Crompton  Blackburn Rovers
109	13 March 1911	3-0 vs. Wales, The Den, Millwall, London		HW		Viv Woodward  Chelsea

The match on 13 March 1911 was Vivian Woodward's last ever England appearance, yet some sources give his captaincy to Bob Crompton.

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