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Players Index Page Last Updated
31 January 2023
 

Nevill Cobbold

Cambridge University AFC & Old Carthusians AFC
& Corinthians FC

 9 appearances, 6 goals
 2 on debut

P 9 W 5 D 2 L 2 F 31: A 9
67% successful
1883-88

captain: none
minutes played: 810

Timeline
  William Nevill Cobbold MA
Birth Wednesday, 4 February 1863 in Long Melford, Suffolk
  registered in Sudbury January-March 1863
Education Attended Charterhouse School
 

According to the 1871 census, William N. is the youngest of three children (the only son) to Edward A. and Matilda C. (née Smith), living at Cheriton Villa in Folkestone, with three servants. His father is a clergyman, assisting at The Trinity Church in Folkestone.
 

According to the 1881 census, William Nevill is a pupil at Charterhouse in Godalming.
Marriage to Hester Marion Arbuthnot, on Wednesday, 23 July 1890 at West Hoathly Parish Church
  registered in East Grinstead July-September 1890
"23rd inst., at the Parish Church, West Hoathly, by the father of the bridegroom, assisted by the Rev. W. R. Morgan, Vicar of West Hoathly, Mr. William Nevill Cobbold, of West Wratting Park, Cambridgeshire, son of the Rev. C. A. Cobbold of Drylid Park, to Hester Marion, third daughter of Mr. W. R. Arbuthnot, of Plawhatch, Sussex."- Cambridge Independent Press, Saturday, 2 August 1890.
"MARRIAGE OF MISS HESTER ARBUTHNOT .—On Wednesday, amid general rejoicings, the marriage took place at the Parish Church of Miss Hester Marion Arubthnot, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Arubthnot, of Plawhatch, to Mr. William Nevill Cobbold of West Wratting Park, Cambridgeshire, and son of the Rev. C. A. Cobbold, of Dry Hill Park, Tonbridge. Brilliant weather favoured the ceremony, which was witnessed by a large party of guests, as well as by a great number of parishioners anxious to testify to the respect and esteem in which the bride and her family are held. Many persons also gathered in the village street and churchyard to obtain a sight of the party. At the entrance of the churchyard an arch of evergreens and flowers had been erected, and the pathway up the door was laid with green cloth. The interior of the church was tastefully decorated for the happy occasion. A little before one o'clock the bridegroom arrived, accompanied by his best man, Mr. Herbert Cobbold (his brother), and took his place in the chancel. He was shortly followed by the bride, leaning on her father's arm, and the service was at once proceeded with. The bride wore a dress of white Irish poplin trimmed with point de Gaze; tulle veil and wreath of orange blossoms; whilst her ornaments were pearl and diamond stars and crescent. She bore a superb bouquet of choice white flowers.
"The service was choral....After leaving the church the bridal party returned to Plawhatch, where Mrs. Arbuthnot held a reception and garden party. Early in the afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Cobbold left Forest Row, en route for a driving tour in Devonshire." - Mid Sussex Times. Tuesday, 29 July 1890.
Children Nevill and Hester Cobbold had three children together. Geoffrey Wyndham Nevill (b.5 February 1892), Clive Arbutnot Nevill (b.11 June 1893) and Mary Lorna Nevill (b.31 December 1894)
 

According to the 1891 census, Nevill is now married to Hester, and are the only two visitors at The Ship Inn in Doverhay, Porlock in Minehead. Nevill is a tutor.
  "WOOLWICH, SANDHURST, and UNIVERSITIES.
 WEST WRATTING PARK, CAMBS.
 MR. W. N. COBBOLD, M.A.,
 and
 MR. W. L. B. HAYTER, M.A.,
and FIVE RESIDENT TUTORS
 ——
14 SUCCESSES SANDHURST and WOOLWICH, 1905"
"- London Daily Post, Tuesday 3 & Thursday 5 & 12 April 1893.
"BIRTHS

"DEATHS

"BIRTHS  		— COBBOLD.—June 11, at West Wratting Park, Cambs., the wife of W. N. Cobbold, of a son."- London Evening Standard, Wednesday, 14 June 1893.
 — COBBOLD.—July 1, Clive Arbuthnot Nevill Cobbold, infant son of W. N. Cobbold, West Wratting Park, Cambs."- London Evening Standard, Tuesday, 4 July 1893.
 — COBBOLD.—On the 31st. ult., at West Wratting Park, Cambs., the wife of W. N. Cobbold, of a daughter."- London Morning Post, Thursday, 3 January 1895.
 

(His son, Clive, died 1 July 1893, three weeks old. His father died in early 1900)
According to the 1901 census, Wm N, still married, and still a Tutor, is visiting alone, the Escombes at 34 Kidbrooke Park Road in Woolwich, London.
  According to the 1911 census, William Nevill cannot be found. However, his wife is visiting Abbey School in Marlow Hill, High Wycombe. The census shows that she and her husband had have three children, one sadly died. One of them, Laura, is also at Abbey School.
 

Neither William Nevill or his wife, Hester, can be found on the 1921 census.
Death Saturday, 8 April 1922 at 1 Richmond Gardens in Bournemouth, Hampshire.
aged 59 years 63 days registered in Christchurch April-June 1922

Obituary
"W. N. COBBOLD DEAD
"The death is announced of W. N. Cobbold, one of the greatest footballers in the history of the game. Educated at Charterhouse and Cambridge, he played four times for the University against Oxford at Kennington Oval—1883 to 1886 inclusive—and was always on the winning side. He figured very prominently for the Old Carthusians and the Corinthians in the great days of those clubs, and altogether was capped nine times for England." - The Daily Herald, Tuesday, 11 April 1922.
Probate "COBBOLD William Nevill of West Wratting Park Cambridge died 8 April 1922 at 1 Richmond-gardens Bournemouth Probate London 18 August to William Reierson Arbuthnot merchant and Hester Marion Cobbold widow.
 Effects £3750 2s. 2d." [2019 equivalent: £214,692].
Cambridge University Alumni
COBBOLD William Nevill
Adm. pens. at JESUS: 1 October 1882
s. of Edward Augustus [1844], clerk.
b. Melford, Suffolk  4 February 1863
Sch: Charterhouse. Matric 1882, Rustat Scholar BA 1885, MA 1889.		 Football (assoc.) blue' 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886.
Of West Wratting Park, Cambridgeshire.
Army and University Tutor; a very successful 'coach.'
Married and had issue.
D. at I, Richmond Gardens, Bournemouth 8 April 1922, aged 78.
(Charterhouse Sch. Reg. The Times, Apr. 11, 1922.)
  Hester Cobbold died 27 January 1957 in Westminster

Source

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

Playing Career
Club(s) He started playing for the local club in Long Melford, went on to play for and attend Charterhouse School, 1880-1882, and was Rustat Scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge (BA 1885; MA 1889) gaining his first football Blue in 1883, playing for Cambridge against Oxford for the next three years and as captain in 1885 and 1886.  Played as an Old Carthusian also. - Cobbold Family History Trust.
Corinthians 1884-88, 46 appearances, forty goals
Club honours None
Distinctions Also represented Cambridge University at tennis and cricket.  Played a single game for Kent CC in 1887.
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 103rd players (105) to appear for England.
Position(s) Inside/outside-right;
First match No. 18, 24 February 1883, England 7 Ireland 0, a friendly match at the Liverpool Cricket Ground, Aigburth, Liverpool, aged 20 years 20 days;
Last match
4 years 23 days		 No. 31, 19 March 1887, Scotland 3 England 2, a British Championship match at Ibrox Park, Copland Road, Glasgow, aged 24 years 43 days;
Major tournaments British Championship 1884-85, 1885-86, 1886-87;
Team honours British Championship shared 1885-86;
Individual honours The South (five appearances, 4ᵍ, 1883-87, withdrew in 1888)
The Gentlemen (three appearances, 2ᵍ, January-December 1886)

Beyond England
A schoolteacher in later life, working principally as a 'crammer', that is, preparing boys for the British army. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.69.
MY WIFE'S SPECTACLES by W.N. Cobbold.
Her specs are here, her specs are there,
Her spectacles are my despair,
Sometimes they're found upon the stairs,
At times in depths of cosy chairs. 		I seek them here, I seek them there,
At times I feel inclined to swear,
These deemed elusive spectacles,
They're in some sofa's tentacles.		  I search the grounds and grope the floors,
I hunt in vain without a pause,
But all she says is "Lend me thine,
They suit me just as well as mine".


The Numbers
parties Apps withdrew comp. apps minutes Goals ave.min comp. goals captain
12 9 four 7 810 6 135 min 3 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
9 5 2 2 31 9 +22 0 4 3.444 1 66.7 +3

Venue Record

Venue P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Home 7 4 2 1 27 7 +20 0 4 3.857 1.00 71.4 +3
Away 2 1 0 1 4 2 +2 0 0 2.00 1.00 50.0 =0

Opposition Record

Opposition P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Scotland 4 0 2 2 6 8 -2 0 0 1.50 2.00 25.0 -2 1
Ireland 3 3 0 0 17 0 +17 0 3 5.667 0.0 100.0 +3 4
Wales 2 2 0 0 7 1 +6 0 1 3.50 0.50 100.0 +2 1

Competition Record

Competition P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
British Championship 7 4 2 1 22 6 +16 0 3 3.143 0.857 71.4 +3
Friendly 2 1 0 1 9 3 +6 0 1 4.50 1.50 50.0 =0

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1883-84 0 0 0 0 0 0 =0 0 0 0.00 0.00 00.0 =0
BC 1884-85 2 1 1 0 5 1 +4 0 1 2.50 0.50 50.0 =0
BC 1885-86 2 1 1 0 4 2 +2 0 0 2.00 1.00 50.0 =0
BC 1886-87 3 2 0 1 13 3 +10 0 2 4.33 1.00 66.7 +1
BC 1887-88 0 0 0 0 0 0 =0 0 0 0.00 0.00 00.0 =0
BC All 7 4 2 1 22 6 +16 0 3 3.143 0.857 71.4 +3

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 7 4 2 1 22 6 +16 0 3 3.143 0.857 71.4 +3
7 4 2 1 22 6 +16 0 3 3.143 0.857 71.4 +3

Match History

 Club: Cambridge University A.F.C. & Old Carthusians A.F.C. - two full appearances (180 min) 3ᵍ F.A. Committee - nine full appearances (810 min) 6ᵍx

Age 19 trial  
one appearance - The North vs. The South, January 1883.

apps match match details comp res rundown pos

Age 20
1 18 24 February 1883 - England 7 Ireland 0
Liverpool Cricket Ground, Aigburth		 Fr HW 17 neatly
19 shot		 ir

one of six who became the 103rd (108) players to appear for England
one of three who became he tenth player from Cambridge University AFC to represent England
the second Old Carthusian to represent England
the fourteenth player to score on his England debut - the youngest so far
the fifth player to score two or more goals on his England debut - the youngest so far
the scorer of the ninth brace for England - the youngest so far

2 19 10 March 1883 - England 2 Scotland 3
Yorkshire Cricket Ground, Sheffield		 Fr HL 44 shot il

the third player to score a goal each in his first two appearances for England
the fifth England player to score an equalising goal ~ although it is England's sixth

 Club: Cambridge University A.F.C., Old Carthusians A.F.C. & Corinthians F.C. - four full appearances (360 min)  

trial  
one appearance - The South vs. The North, January 1884

Age 21
20 23 February 1884 - Ireland 1 England 8, Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast BC AW withdrawn
  

trial  
one appearance - The North vs. The South, January 1885

Age 22
3 23 28 February 1885 - England 4 Ireland 0
Manchester Football Ground, Whalley Range		 BC HW   il

one of three who became the eleventh Corinthian to represent England

24 14 March 1885 - England 1 Wales 1, Leamington Street, Blackburn BC HD withdrawn
4 25 21 March 1885 - England 1 Scotland 1
The Surrey Cricket Ground, Kennington		 BC HD   il
   

trial  
two appearances - The Players vs. The Gentlemen, 16 January 1886; The South vs. The North, 30 January 1886;

Age 23    
one appearance - The Gentlemen vs. The Players, 20 March 1886;

5 27 27 March 1886 - Scotland 1 England 1
Hampden Park, Glasgow
BC		 AD   il
6 28 29 March 1886 - Wales 1 England 3
The Racecourse, Wrexham		 AW   il

 Club: Old Carthusians A.F.C. & Corinthians F.C. - three full appearances (270 min) 3ᵍ  

trial  
two appearances - The Players vs. The Gentlemen, December 1886; The North vs. The South, 22 January 1887;

Age 24
7 29 5 February 1887 - England 7 Ireland 0
Yorkshire Cricket Ground, Sheffield		 BC HW 24 25 47
crossbar [6-0]		 il

the scorer of the seventeenth brace for England
the second player to score a brace in two separate matches for England
the fifth player to score in three England matches

8 30 26 February 1887 - England 4 Wales 0
The Surrey Cricket Ground, Kennington		 BC HW 14 55
75		 il

the second player to score in four England matches

9 31 19 March 1887 - England 2 Scotland 3
 Leamington Street, Blackburn		 BC HL deflected in Dewhurst's goal [2-2] il

  F.A. International Selection Committee - no full appearancesx

trial  
withdrew - The South vs. The North, 14 January 1888;

Age 25
32 4 February 1888 - Wales 1 England 5, Alexandra Recreation Ground, Crewe BC AW withdrawn
    
34 7 April 1888 - Ireland 1 England 5, Ballynafeigh Park, Belfast BC AW withdrawn
   


   

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