England Party to tour Germany  November 1899
Player	Birthdate	Age	Pos	Club	App	G	Capt
Original Selection
Bach, Philip	8 September 1872	27	RB	Sunderland AFC	1	0	0
Bassett, William I.	27 January 1869	30	OR	West Bromwich Albion FC	16	5 or 6	0
Brown, E.D	not known	nk	IR	Clapton FC	0	0	0
Crabtree, James W.	23 December 1871	27	HB	Aston Villa FC	9	0	0
Goodall, John	19 June 1863	36	IR	Derby County FC	1	0	0
	Goodall withdrew from the tour at some point
Needham, Ernest	21 January 1873	26	LHB	Sheffield United FC	12	5 or 6	0
	Needham had not received permission from his club to take part
Rogers, Joseph James no evidence of James	1874 no evidence	nk	OR	Newcastle United FC	0	0	0
Rothwell, Herbert	28 February 1877	22	LB	Glossop FC	0	0	0
	Herbert Rothwell declined his invitation on 4 November
Waller, Wilfred Hugh	27 July 1877 in South Africa	22	GK	Richmond AFC	0	0ᵍᵃ	0
Wreford-Brown, Oswald Eric	21 July 1877	22	HB	Old Carthusians AFC	0	0	0
Additional Selection
Barrett, Herbert Roper	24 November 1873	25	LHB	Casuals AFC	0	0	0
	Barrett, the tennis player, withdrew from the tour at some point
Briggs, Stanley	7 February 1871	28	CHB	Clapton FC	0	0	0
Chadwick, Edgar W.	14 June 1869	30	IL	Burnley FC	7	2 or 3	0
Cox, John D.	21 October 1867	32	RHB	Derby County FC	1	0	0
Forman, Frederick R.	8 November 1873	26	OL	Nottingham Forest FC	3	3	0
Holt, John	16 October 1866	33	CHB	Reading FC	9	0	0
	Holt was drafted in as a replacement for the original captain Charlie Wreford-Brown
Taylor, Stanley Shelbourne	2 March 1875	24	IR	Cambridge University AFC & Corinthians FC	0	0	0
Wilson, Geoffrey P.	21 February 1878	21	CF	Corinthians FC & 'London Hospital'	0	0	0
Wreford-Brown, Charlesᶜ	9 October 1866	33	CHB	unattached 'retired'	4	0	2 or 3
	original captain Charlie Wreford-Brown withdrew from the tour because of an injury

All information is complete to and including England's last match, the third of the 1898-99 season, against Scotland on 8 April 1899.
Notes regarding Joe Rogers.... the only Joseph James born in Coventry occurred in the 1876 summer, and he died before the next quarter.

Diary

Wednesday, 18 October 1899 - The Football Association, by means of a circular to all of its clubs, request names to be nominated to for a team to send to Germany. Friday, 27 October 1899 - "The International Selection Committee of the Football Association are bent on arranging the Internationals, England v. North Germany, England v. South Germany, and England v. Austria, at the end of November." Monday, 6 November 1899 - Charlie Fry and Gilbert Smith confirm that they cannot undertake the journey. Glossop captain, Herbert Rothwell, has also declined the invitation to join the tour. Saturday, 11 November 1899 - "It has now been definitely decided that the English association team which is to play four international matches in Germany are to appear in Carlsruhe, Prague, and Berlin, in the order given. According to the arrangements made, they are to leave London on the 20th inst., in the evening. A journey of twenty-one hours will bring them to Carlsruhe, where they are to play the opening match on Wednesday, the 22nd. The programme, as completed, is:— November 22.—Carlsruhe. November 25.—Prague. November 27, 28.—Berlin. The second match at Berlin completes the tour, and the team, leaving on the following morning (November 29), should reach London just before eight a.m. on the 30th inst." Saturday, 18 November 1899 - "Appended is the revised official programme of the Football Association Tour in Germany with the names of players and officials:—Monday, November 20.—The party will meet at Holborn Viaduct Station at 8 p.m., and travel by the 8.45 train (saloon) to Queenborough. Supper will be served on board the steamer on arriving at 10.30 p.m. Tuesday, November 21.—Arrive Berlin 7 p.m. (Hotel Monopole). Wednesday, November 22.—Match played in Berlin in afternoon. Thursday, November 23.—Return match played in Berlin in afternoon. Friday, November 24.—Leave Berlin 8 a.m.. Arrive Prague 3.10 p.m. (Hotel Cheval Noir). Saturday, November 25.—Match in Prague in afternoon. Sunday, November 26.—Leave Prague 8.25 a.m., arrive Stuttgart 8.45 (Hotel Marguardt). Monday, November 27.—Leave Stuttgart 10.35 a.m., arrive Carlsruhe 12.32 a.m. (Hotel Germania). Tuesday, November 28.—Match in Carsruhe in afternoon. Wednesday, November 29.—Leave Carlsruhe 11.40 a.m. for home. Thursday, November 30.—Arrive London 7.50 a.m. N.B.—The arrangements between Prague and Carlsruhe might be altered." Monday, 20 November 1899 - "DEPARTURE OF ENGLISH TEAM FOR GERMANY.—A large company assembled at the Holborn Viaduct Station [tonight] to witness the departure of the English footballers, who travel via Queenborough and Flushing, to take part in the tour in Germany. As was feared would be the case, C. Wreford-Brown, who was present to see the players off, has been prevented from joining them, owing to not having altogether recovered from his recent injury, and his place as centre-half will be filled by J. Holt (the old International centre-half) now of Reading, while S. H. Taylor, of the Corinthians, has also been included. The team are accompanied by Messrs J. J. Bentley (Lancashire), G. S. Sherrington (Suffolk), and Charles J. Hughes (Cheshire). They received a big ovation as the train steamed out of the station sharp to time." Thursday, 23 November 1899 - "It is to be feared that certain of our Continental critics will attach some political significance to the departure of an English Association team to Germany at the same time that the Kaiser is visiting our shores. As a matter of fact, football relations between the two countries are somewhat strained, and the German associations have sent something in the nature of an ultimatum to the English Football Association." Germany 2 England 13 - "The English Eleven played the first of the four matches arranged on the Berlin Athletic Sports ground against a German team, to-day, under Association rules. The Englishmen easily defeated their opponents by 13 goals to 2, although a strong wind blowing across the ground hampered the scoring." Friday, 24 November 1899 - German 2 England 10 - "The English football team in Germany are apparently having a good time. They have the two matches played in Berlin by 13 goals to to 2 and 10 to 2. They are evidently teaching the Germans something. Who knows, but England v. Germany may not be a great international in years to come."

The England party depart from the match and leave immediately for Prague.

Saturday, 25 November 1899 - Austria 0 England 8 - "The third match of the English tour on the Continent was played at Prague on Saturday before a fashionable crowd of 5,000 spectators and on a rough and cold ground. The Englishmen had the best of the first half, scoring five goals, which were recorded by E. D. Wilson (3). Bassett, and Chadwick. In the second half the Austrians made a better show, but could not score, and Chadwick and Brown (2) obtained further points, the visitors winning by 8 goals to none."

"The third match of the English tour on the Continent was played at Prague to-day before a fashionable crowd of 5,000 spectators and on a rough and cold ground. The Englishmen had the best of the first half, scoring five goals, which had been recorded by E. D. Brown (3), Bassett, and Chadwick. In the second half the Austrians made a better show, but could not score, and Chadwick and Brown (2) obtained further points, the visitors winning by eight goals to none. The home side were by far the best contingent that the Englishmen have met this tour, and their backs and goalkeeper played splendidly. The forwards, though speedy, lacked combination. Crabtree, Holt, Chadwick, and Rogers did well for the visitors, although each of the side gave a good display. The Bohemian Governor was present, and took a lively interest in the game." - The Athletic News, Monday, 27 November 1899

"The ground is level and dry enough, but requires a 40-ton roller for a week or two, the surface being extremely rough. Wreford-Brown, Taylor, and Forman were left out of the English team. Chadwick started outside-left, but he afterwards changed places with Rogers, who played extremely well in his new position. From the manner in which they started it seemed more than likely that the German-Austria team would find us something to do, for they went off with great dash, and, to the astonishment of Crabtree and Bach, were actually making a serious attack. However, this did not last long, and after Wilson had scored the first goal they were kept well in hand. Their forwards were rather weak in combination, and did not receive much assistance from half-backs, who had fallen back with the object of protecting the last line of defence; but the last line was pretty well able to look after itself, and no one need wish to witness better back play or goalkeeping than that shown by the Austrian trio on Saturday. The crossbar, which was only seven feet from the ground, also rendered material assistance, for it was hit about half-a-dozen times. But it was chiefly owing to the backs and goalkeeper that England only led by five goals at the interval, but ultimately England added three more. It was a most enjoyable game, for although the Austrians were overweighted they stuck to their work in a most plucky manner. The English forwards did their very utmost, but the two backs received them with scant courtesy, and Bassett has seldom been better tackled than by Wiedergesass. Of course, a chap with a name like that ought to be able to tackle or do nothing, although it was not the most formidable we met in the town. The goalkeeper, or as we call him in Austria, the 'thorwachter,' was satisfied with one of Troy, whilst one energetic half-back rejoiced in the surname of Tommy. There is no doubt of one thing, the Germans are enthusiastic 'fuzzballers,' and a good coach could make them into a very useful team in a very short time. The Prague people are disposed to favorably consider the suggestion, and I should not be at all surprised to find some of our professionals on the Continent next season.   "That there is a future for Association football in both Berlin and Prague I am quite certain, and it is played by the best people, chiefly students at the Universities, who are delighted with the game and anxious to learn more about it..."

"In the evening a dinner was given in the team's honour by the Deutsche F.C. at the Deutsche Haus. Some sixty were present, and a most enjoyable function it was, enlivened by the music from the band of the 2nd Infantry Regiment. Later in the evening the party were the guests of the Students at a 'Commers,' a beer and smoking concert, at which Dr. Brandreis (one of the German Central Committee) presided. At both entertainments an enthusiastic welcome was offered to the players, with hearty expressions of thanks to the Football Association for sending out the team."

"...After the match we had  a big banquet—musical, as usual—in the German club, and it was presided over by Professor Hneppe, a very learned gentleman, who addressed us for twenty minutes. I was told it was a magnificent speech, but although we now fancy ourselves a bit on the German language, the professor crammed too many words to the square inch for us to follow him. 'Hoch, hoch, hoch,' was going the whole of the time, so that it was evidently appreciated by the natives.    "The English consul was also in attendance, and spoke of the pleasure it gave him to be able to welcome so many of his own countrymen, especially as footballers.    "A great smoker was afterwards held, at which Mr. C. J. Hughes proved to be quite an orator, and it was with regret that we left the convivial proceedings; but 6-30 a.m. is not long after midnight, and it was the only train by which we could get to Stuttgart, our destination for the day. And it was quite far enough."

Monday, 27 November 1899 -

"On 510 out of the last 520 Sunday I have been at work doing my best to assist in the production of the Athletic News, and I must confess that I would much rather have been engaged with the staff in that noble effort than make the journey from Prague to Stuttgart, for we saw the clock to go right round. Fortunately our hotel adjoined the station, and, with all due respect to our other 'homes' during the tour, I must single out the one at Stuttgart as the pick. We had quite a rest on Monday, morning and Conductor Timbs allowed us to step in bed until half-past nine. The journey to Carlsruhe occupied just over two hours, which was a mere fleabite after spending 12 and 14 hours on the railway at one stretch. Carlsruhe, or Karlsruhe, is said to be a very enjoyable town in the season, but in autumn it is decidedly dull after, say, Berlin..."

Tuesday, 28 November 1899 -

"...However, a little quietness was not acceptable, and we had a drive in miserable mist. The object was to ascend a hill by means of a Clifton Rock Railway, so that we might see the glorious Rhine, but we didn't go up. For one reason, the clouds came half way down the hill, and another was that the Clifton Rock Railway had been closed for the season. The weather cleared up, and in this respect we have been specially favoured..." - The Athletic News, Monday, 4  December 1899

Germany 0 England 7 - "The concluding match of the tour if the English football team on the Continent was played here to-day, when the Englishmen again opposed an eleven representing the combined strength of Germany and Austria.  The result was a win for England by seven goals to none. The width and roughness of the ground interfered to some extent with the combination of the English players, but they nevertheless pressed nearly all through the game. The German defence was good, but though playing a plucky game they were overmatched."

"...In order to get to the ground we had to drive through one of the Million Forests, which the Cheshire representative swore we passed in our extensive view of the country, and when we arrived we found a large space which had been cleared; about a dozen different sets of soldiers drilling, a couple of handsomely painted goal post, and the lines are duly marked out. The playing pitch seemed somewhat large, and a measurement displayed the fact that Mr. Bessemann and his satellites had provided us with about 130 by 100. No charge for admission was made, and no ropes encircled the ground. It reminded me very much of playing against Everton in Stanley Park, but although there were between 3,000 and 4,000 present there was little or no interference with the game, for Germans are a highly disciplined race, and the lesson they are taught in the army is not thrown away in everyday life. When we were all ready for a start, it was discovered that someone had blundered, and had forgotten to provide a ball. This was unfortunate, for although it was possible to play without well-defined boundaries, we could not manage sans a ball, and a cyclist was despatched. He must have been a Gascoyne, for he was back in no time and the game duly commenced, Stanley Briggs, Wilson, and Forman standing out. The ground was very rough, and the English team gave the poorest display of the tour. They won by seven to none, but it was not an exhibition which they gave at Berlin and Prague. For this the exceptional dimensions of the ground and the rough state of the turf must be held accountable. Shricker, the German captain, evidently had a vast amount of respect for Bassett, who was shadowed more than ever. The young German who was deputed to look after the West Bromwich representative, carried out his instructions to the letter, and where Bassett went he followed. Bassett has a vein of humour in his constitution, and walked aimlessly about the field with his opponent in close attendance; but the climax was reached when, in waiting for a corner kick to be taken, Bassett deliberately walked between the posts and inside the net, the German religiously following him. For a time it looked as if we should only just scrape through, so energetically did the Germans play, but eventually we got the upper hand of them and won easily enough..."

"In the evening the English party were entertained to another 'Kommers,' as the guests of the Phoenix Football Club of Karlsruhe. Excellent music and the same hearty welcome extended to them throughout, brought the last evening of the stay in Germany to a most agreeable conclusion..."

Wednesday, 29 November 1899 - "...The following day, at 12.45 p.m., good-bye was said to Mr. Bensemann, to whose kindness the party cannot express too hearty thanks, and other German friends, and the first step on the homeward journey was taken...   "Altogether the tour was a complete success. It was managed with the greatest tact and judgment by Mr. Timbs, and the best of feeling existed from first to last between all the players. On the first stage of the homeward journey from Carlsruhe two pleasing little incidents occurred. The first was the presentation of a silver cigarette case to Mr. Timbs as a slight souvenir from every member of the party of a most enjoyable tour. The second was a presentation from the professional members of the team. It was to the popular captain, Stanley Briggs, and took the form of a cigar holder."

"...Unfortunately Commander-in-Chief Timbs—one of the most jovial companions I have ever been on a journey with—was unable to see the match, for he was in bed with a temperature of nearly 104, and the doctor did not give much hope of his being able to travel the next day, but a robust constitution enabled him to do so, and soon after we left Carlsruhe Mr C. W. Alcock presented Mr. Timbs with a handsome cigarette case, suitably inscribed and presented by members of the party, whilst Crabtree on behalf of the professionals, handed Stanly Briggs a cigar holder. Needless to say, the recipients were highly delighted at the unexpected gifts, and the ceremony, if brief, was delightful in its character. You don't want anything better than Mr. Timbs in charge, and big, good-humoured Stanly Briggs as captain..."

Thursday, 30 November 1899 - "...At midnight, Flushing was reached, and after a few hours' trip across the North Sea, good old London was reached [this] morning."

"...All went well until we were aroused on Thursday morning, and then we found the Thames in a fog, so that we had nearly six hours to wait before being landed on the pier at Queenborough. On arriving in London we were met by Mr. F. J. Wall, and before dispersing our captain invited us to crack a bottle of the best with him, one of the most enjoyable times being brought to a close under happy circumstances" - The Athletic News, Monday, 4  December 1899 [the Free Critic]

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CG