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 57 vs. Wales
 
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63 vs. Wales
Monday, 29 March 1897
Home International Championship 1896-97 (14th) Match

England 4 Wales 0
[2-0]
 

Bramall Lane, Little Sheffield, Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire
Kick-off (GMT): 3.40pm
'ten minutes after the advertised time (half-past three).
Attendance: 'no more than two thousand'; 'three or four thousand was a pretty liberal estimate'; '4700 (or 4900) paying for admission'; 'not more than 5,000';
Receipts: '£152 2s 6d.'
England's third visit to Bramall Lane, to Sheffield and to Yorkshire
Gilbert Smith won the toss Grenville Morris kicked-off

[1-0] Ernest Needham 23
 'following a fine save from Crawshaw, Trainer had to own defeat from a fast low shot through a lot of players.'
ten men - Gilbert Smith injured c.40
[2-0]
Steve Bloomer 44
 'shot in hard, taking advantage of a grand pass by Athersmith.'
Appeals for Bloomer being offside:
dismissed
Smith returned full compliment 55
[3-0] Alf Milward 62
 'Crawshaw sent in a high shot which Trainer only partially saved, and Milward complete the business...'; 'Trainer fumbling the ball and dropping it over the line as Milward charged him.'

 
Football League Record
"The referee hereupon called out for some one to come and mend the net of the Welsh goal, whereupon the burly John Ulyett quickly appeared, and the rent in the network was put right."
[4-0] Alf Milward 64
 'whilst a moment later the same forward added a fourth...with a grand shot.'
ten men - Gilbert Smith retired injured 65
[4-0] Charlie Athersmith goal disallowed: foul on Trainer
 
[4-0] Tom Chapman strike skims bar
 
 

"EASY WIN FOR ENGLAND" Sheffield Independent

Officials       

England Team Records Wa les
Referee
Thomas Robertson
33 (1 December 1863), Baldernock, Stirlingshire, Scotland FA
P 3 of 20 - W 2 - D 0 - L 1 - F 14 - A 3. played for Scotland against England in 1890
 
Linesmen
George Stuart Sherrington
36 (20 August 1861), Islington, Suffolk FA
not known

England Team

 
Rank No official ranking system established;
ELO rating 1st
Colours "The representatives of the Rose were arrayed for the most part in costumes of navy blue knickers and white shirts, though several of the players were all in white."
Captain Gilbert Smith Selection
In Charge: Mr Haigh
following the trial match. the five-man FA International Selection Committee
P 3 of 13, W 2 - D 0 - L 1 - F 11 - A 2. P 29th of 195, W 23 - D 4 - L 2 - F 121 - A 26.
third, fourth or fifth captaincy team chosen at Queen's Club Pavilion, Kensington on Monday, 15 March 1897
England Lineup
  five changes to the previous match (Robinson, Williams, Middleditch, Wheldon & Bradshaw out) league position (15th March) ave lge pos: 3rd
28   Foulke, William H. 22
351 days
12 April 1874 G Sheffield United FC (FL1 4th) 1 0ᵍᵃ
234 the fifth United player to represent England only app 1897
  Oakley, William J. 23
336 days
27 April 1873 RB Corinthians FC 6 0
235   Spencer, Howard 21
218 days
23 August 1875 LB Aston Villa FC (FL1 TOP) 1 0
the twelfth Villain to represent England
  Reynolds, John 28
36 days
21 February 1869 RH Aston Villa FC (FL1 TOP) 7 2
Crawshaw, Thomas H. 24
91 days
28 December 1872 CH Wednesday FC (FL1 7th) 6 0
Needham, Ernest 24
67 days
21 January 1873 LH Sheffield United FC (FL1 4th) 4 1
Athersmith Harper, W. Charles 24
323 days
10 May 1872 OR Aston Villa FC (FL1 TOP) 3 1
Bloomer, Stephen 23
68 days
20 January 1874 IR Derby County FC (FL1 2nd) 6 12
  Smith, Gilbert O. injured off 65th min 24
124 days
25 November 1872 CF Old Carthusians AFC & Corinthians FC 9 4
  Becton, Francis 21
152 days
28 October 1873 IL Liverpool FC (FL1 3rd) 2 2
the second Liverpool player to represent England final app 1895-97
Milward, Arthur 26
198 days
12 September 1870 OL Everton FC (FL1 8th) 3 3
the 41st brace scored
reserves: not known
team changes: Cunliffe Gosling (Old Etonians AFC & Corinthians FC) was replaced by Francis Becton at inside-left on Wednesday evening, 24 March. When the injury concern of Jimmy Crabtree (Aston Villa FC (FL1 TOP)) was also noted. He would be replaced by Jack Reynolds at right-half if he failed to recover.
team notes: Gilbert Smith was hit in the 'eye' by the ball 'and left the field a few minutes before the interval' and still did not return after half-time. Ten minutes into the second half, however, he did return, evidently for about ten minutes, before retiring from the game.
As Sheffield United FC used the Bramall Lane ground to play their home matches, then Foulke and Needham were playing on their home ground.

Jack Reynolds had already played five times for the Irish team, scoring once (1890-91 (two appearances and one goal against England)).
appearance notes: Gilbert Smith is the thirteenth player to have made nine England appearances and Jack Reynolds is the twentieth to have made seven. Bill Oakley, Tom Crawshaw and Steve Bloomer are the 29th players to have made six.
Ernest Needham is the 53rd player to have made four appearances, whereas 81 players have now made three,
and 130 players have played for England more than once.
Bloomer is the fourth (maybe fifth (dependent on John Goodall's tally)) England player to score twelve, equal with Charlie Bambridge and Fred Dewhurst, and one behind Tinsley Lindley.
Smith is the fourth player to make nine appearances under the guidance of the ISC.
records: England's unbeaten 'Home' run is now extended to a record eleven matches, they have also gone 295 minutes without conceding a goal at Home, a new record. So is three Home clean sheets in a row.
 
2-3-5 Foulke -
Oakley, Spencer -
Reynolds. Crawshaw, Needham -
Athersmith, Bloomer, Smith, Becton, Milward.
Averages: Age 24 years 112 days Appearances/Goals 4.4 1.9

Wales Team

 
Rank No official ranking system established;
ELO rating 5th
Colours "The Welsh uniform consisted of shirts of bright scarlet and white squares, with dark knickers."
Captain Jim Trainer Selection The Welsh Selection Committee, following a series of trial matches.
P 10 of 11, W 1 - D 4 - L 5 - F 14 - A 31. team chosen on Monday, 22 March 1897
Wales Lineup
  Trainer, James 34
81 days
7 January 1863 G Preston North End FC, England 16 56ᵍᵃ
  Matthias, John Samuel 24
331 days
2 May 1872 RB Shrewsbury Town FC, England 4 0
  Edwards, James Alfred c.23 early 1874
in Dudleston, England
LB Oswestry United FC 3 0
final app 1895-97
  Chapman, Thomas c.26 early 1871 RH Manchester City FC, England 7 2
final app 1894-97
  Mates, John 27
29 days
28 February 1870 CH Chirk AAA FC 3 0
final app 1891-97
  Jones, John Leonard 27
300 days
2 June 1869 LH Sheffield United FC, England 9 0
  Meredith, William Henry 22
242 days
30 July 1874 OR Manchester City FC, England 7 4
  Davies, Joseph 25
214 days
27 August 1871 IR Millwall Athletic FC, England 10 0
  Morris, Arthur Grenville 19
350 days
13 April 1877 CF Swindon Town FC, England 4 1
  Morris, Hugh 25
85 days
3 January 1872 IL Grimsby Town FC, England 3 2
final app 1894-97
  Lewis, William 32/33 1864 OL  Manchester City FC, England 26 8
mst apps
reserves: not known
team notes: James Edwards was called up to replace Smart Arridge (Everton FC, England), and Jack Mates replaced Caesar Jenkyns (Newton Heath FC, England).
 'the refusal of Everton and Newton Heath to allow Arridge and Jenkyns to appear.'

Tragically, not long after this match, Hugh Morris, on 20 September 1897, would die from tuberculosis, shortly after transferring to Millwall Athletic FC.
 
2-3-5 Trainer -
Matthias, Edwards -
Chapman, Mates, Jones -
Meredith, Davies,
G.Morris, H.Morris, Lewis
Averages: Age 26 years 90-139 days Appearances/Goals 7.7 1.5
       Match Report The Sheffield and Rotherham Independent, Tuesday, 30 March 1897

In brilliant sunshine A. G. Morris kicked off for Wales, who at once gained a throw in on their right. From this Davies banged the ball in front, but Crawshaw headed out, and a race was made for the other end. A goal kick ended the attack, and Wales had another turn, but once more Crawshaw headed away from Davies. Hands against England led to nothing, as the leather was lifted over the bar by Matthias, and Becton twice shot wide, when well placed. A free kick helped England, and both Needham and Reynolds lifted the ball back into the scrimmage, only to see it placed wide at last by Smith. The home country pressed hard after this, but Trainer was not troubled, several shots being wide of the mark, and one hot one by Bloomer was yards too high. More even play followed, though England had somewhat the better of the exchanges, the forwards shooting badly however. At length the Welsh right wing pair got off well, and Meredith lifted the ball over to the other wing, where Hugh Morris got possession and centred, only to see Davies offside close to the goalkeeper. End to end play followed, long shots, and not very straight ones, either, being the game indulged in by the home forwards, Bloomer twice being at fault. Trainer got his first work from a long attempt by Reynolds, and then the red and white got down smartly, and Lewis shot in well from long range, but Foulkes cleared with little difficulty. The game was neither very fast nor particularly exciting, England still having the better of the play, though there was not much steadiness in the attack, and aided by a couple of free kicks the Welshmen made a capital attempt to open the scoring. Hugh Morris had a good opening, but dallied too long, and when he did shoot it was a very feeble attempt, whilst Jones made a bad miss when well placed, and the England right going down at top speed forced a corner of Matthias. This was got away easily, and a second one, a moment later, was dropped behind by Needham. After Bloomer had troubled Trainer with a low one, A. G. Morris broke through, but was pulled up by Spencer, who, though not kicking very strongly, was hard to pass. A free kick for hands in favour of the 'whites' was headed outside by Edwards, but they were not to be denied, and were quickly attacking hotly. Several times the ball was sent in, but when the backs were beaten, Trainer was in the way, and he got rid of the leather cleverly, until at length Crashaw getting hold shot in over the heads of the intervening players. The goalkeeper threw out in a hurry straight to Needham, who took advantage of a clear opening, and shot the first goal through a cluster of half-a-dozen opponents, amidst loud cheering. From the restart the Welsh right bore down, but Reynolds checked them, and another loose dash was made by the English forwards, who were only pulled up with great difficulty. The ball was quickly returned, and a warm scrimmage followed right under the bar. Edwards headed away at the finish, and then the Welsh left got off, and beat Oakley without much difficulty, Foulkes and Crawshaw clearing in turn. Another warm attack was made on Trainer's charge but without avail, the goalkeeper saving splendidly several times, particularly a fast shot from Needham. Athersmith had a run on his own account, and shot just a shade wide at the the finish, while after a spell of long kicking in mid-field Trainer had again to clear in a hurry. The Welsh forwards kept breaking away, the right wing pair, Davies and Meredith, showing really good form, passing well, and beating Oakley nearly every time they came across him, but the others were not so smart, and the centres were thrown away, though Davies once, amidst cheers, whipped the ball hard in, Foulkes fisting out. A moment afterwards, the ball went over to the left wing, and the outside man had an open goal, but waited until Reynolds was on him, when he passed back to Jones, that player being a shade wide with a long one. England next pressed, and several good runs were made by Athersmith and Bloomer, Smith having retired through an injury to his face. Trainer twice saved smartly from Becton and Bloomer, but there was not much sting in the attack, and no very brilliant combination. At length, just upon half-time, the English right-wing pair got off with a rush, and Bloomer, with a high shot that gave Trainer no chance, scored the second goal. The interval followed immediately.
  The English centre-forward was unable too take his place after the interval, and his side had to start with ten men only. The first item of note was a capital single-handed run by A. G. Morris, but Oakley caught and managed to bother him as he shot, and Foulkes running out was able to clear. Becton had a chance at the other end, but Chapman smartly cleared the right wing pair next making the running, there being, however, too much passing in front, and Matthias jumped in and cleared. Edwards, with a mighty kick from the middle line, lifted the leather high over Foulkes's head, while Oakley, also from the middle, shot into Trainer's hands, that custodian only saving at the second attempt. There was little to choose between the two teams at this stage, pley being confined almost wholly to midfield for a few minutes, and neither goalkeeper being called on. Bloomer on one side, and Meredith on the other, were conspicuous, while both pairs of backs were kicking well and strongly. Off-side pulled up Milward, and Becton made a weak attempt to close in, while Needham twice kicked too strongly, and sent over the line. At length, after Smith had returned, Crawshaw got hold of a return from Mates, and from a twenty yards range shot hard, just under the bar. Trainer pulled the ball down, but before he could get rid of it was charged through by Milward, and England were three up. A bit of loose play after the restart, and then the English left wing got hold, Milward with a lightning, low shot, out of Trainer's reach, making the score a quartette. The Welshmen were quickly defending again, but they were very determined, both backs doing well, while Jones was very smart amongst the halves. Crawshaw shot wide, and Reynolds pulled up Lewis and Hugh Morris twice with great ease, the home forwards pressing hard, but ineffectually, for a short time. A couple of free kicks fell to Wales, the second one, off Crawshaw, close to the English goal, but this was gt away at the expense of a corner, from which Spencer headed away, and Bloomer got off with a rush. Jones robbed him, but the Whites were soon busy in front of Trainer again, the forwards passing better than at any previous part of the game. Smith was just wide with a low shot, and then retired again, leaving four forwards. Athersmith a moment later centred beautifully, and Becton headed over, several free kicks to both sides following quickly, and keeping the game more open. Jones beat Bloomer and Athersmith, and enabled Matthias to kick away at a critical moment, after which Chapman sent in a splendid long shot, which Foulkes fisted away. A dash by the English left ended in the ball being put in front, and Trainer missing it, Athersmith had no difficulty in shooting through, but the point was disallowed, evidently for interference with the goalkeeper. At the other end Meredith sent wide, and Chapman skimmed the bar with a beautly almost from the middle line. England again attacked, and Becton missed the mark by a shade. Athersmith too, being wide. They last-named player got in a fine centre, and Edwards managed to clear, as he did a second time a moment later. Milward on this occasion getting close in. The Welsh right several times broke away, but they were rarely dangerous, though they kept beating Oakley is in the first half, Needham, however, generally coming to the rescue. Athersmith got over the goal-line as he centred, but had better luck at another attempt, as he slipped round Matthias and hoisted the ball right across to Becton, who shot a yard outside the post. Things slowed down somewhat after this, and the home players could hardly be accused of ever exerting themselves, though they held their opponents in check without much difficulty. The half-backs showed some tricky but not very useful passing amongst themselves, play being fairly even and mostly about midfield. Spencer twice robbed Lewis and Hugh Morris very neatly, but on the other wing Oakley was not getting along very well, though he kicked strongly at times. Athersmith had another try just before the finish, but was charged down by Matthias, oth the Welsh backs showing plenty of dash and shirking nothing all through. In the last few minutes there was little of note transpired, the Englishmen having evidentaly got the measure of their opponents, and somewhat loose play was the rule until the whistle was sounded.
   

       Match Report The Times, Tuesday, 30 March 1897
In the Bramall-lane ground, Sheffield, yesterday, England beat Wales by four goals to none, a victory that was completely merited as the game went, although the football never reached any wonderful degree of excellence. England was represented by a very fine side, both individually and collectively the superior of anything Wales could produce, and perhaps it was the knowledge of the fact that the last thing probable was a loss to them that made the Englishmen adopt something like a leisurely method of play. Without exerting themselves, therefore, the home side pursued an easy course to victory... The English score was divided between the two periods of the game. Needham and Bloomer scored before the interval, and Milward obtained the two other goals... There were some four or five thousand spectators, and the conditions for the football were fairly favourable.
 
       In Other News....
It was on 28 March 1897 that Joséf 'Sepp' Herberger was born in Mannheim and went on to become the coach and mastermind behind West Germany's sensational 1954 World Cup win. Hungary were odds-on favourites, and unbeaten for over four years, including a crushing 8-3 victory against West Germany, two weeks earlier. Herberger had deliberately fielded a weaker team, however, and when Hungary surged into a two-goal lead in the first eight minutes of the final, they did not expect such an incisive response from their opponents, who ran out 3-2 winners.
 
Teams in a silver box denotes a player representing England
Domestic Football Results (29 March 1897)
The Football League Division Two:
 
Burton Wanderers 3 Blackpool 1
   Derby Turn, Burton (3,000)
OG, Handley, not known ~ Martin

Woolwich Arsenal 2 Small Heath 3
   Manor Ground, Plumstead (3,000)
Haywood, McAvoy ~ Hodgetts (2), Hare
Heath had Denny Hodgetts in the starting line-up

 
Small Heath won seven of their last eight games, but still finished two points short of the test matches and failed to win promotion straight back to the First Division..

Division Two Table
Team P
Notts County 27 41
Newton Heath 27 35
Grimsby Town 28 34
Newcastle United 26 31
Small Heath 26 30
Manchester City 26 28
Gainsborough Trinity 25 27
Leicester Fosse 25 27
Darwen 26 26
Blackpool 25 26
Woolwich Arsenal 24 24
Walsall 25 20
Burton Swifts 25 19
Loughborough 26 18
Burton Wanderers 25 17
Lincoln City 24 7
   
   
       Source Notes
TheFA
England Football Factbook
Welsh Football Data Archive
Ian Garland & Gareth M. Davies' Sons of Cambria
Rothman's Yearbooks
The Football Association Yearbooks
Original Newspaper Reports
Ancestry.com
Everton FC Heritage Society
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