The England
Party for the end-of-season South American Tour
May 1953 |
Player |
Birthdate |
Age |
Pos |
Club |
starts |
subs |
App |
G |
Capt |
Barlow, Raymond J. |
17 August 1926 |
26 |
LHB |
West Bromwich Albion FC |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Barrass, Malcolm W. |
13 December 1924 |
28 |
CHB |
Bolton Wanderers FC |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
Bentley, T.F. Roy |
17 May 1924 |
29 |
I/CF |
Chelsea FC |
8 |
0 |
8 |
3 |
0 |
Berry, R. John |
1 June 1926 |
26 |
OF |
Manchester United FC |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
Broadis, Ivan A. |
18 December 1922 |
30 |
IR |
Manchester City FC |
7 |
0 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
Dickinson, James W. |
24 April 1925 |
28 |
LHB |
Portsmouth FC |
27 |
0 |
27 |
0 |
0 |
Ditchburn, Edward G. |
24 October 1921 |
31 |
G |
Tottenham Hotspur FC |
2 |
0 |
2 |
3ᵍᵃ |
0 |
Eckersley, William |
16 July 1925 |
27 |
LB |
Blackburn Rovers FC |
12 |
0 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
Eckersley was called into the party on 4 May as a replacement for
Smith |
Finney,
Thomas |
5 April 1922 |
31 |
OR |
Preston
North End FC |
46 |
0 |
46 |
21 |
0 |
Froggatt, Jack |
17 November 1922 |
30 |
CHB/ OL |
Portsmouth FC |
12 |
0 |
12 |
2 |
0 |
Froggatt, Redfern |
23 August 1924 |
28 |
IL |
Sheffield Wednesday FC |
3 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Garrett, Thomas H. |
28 February 1926 |
27 |
LB |
Blackpool FC |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
Johnston, Harry |
26 September 1919 |
33 |
CHB |
Blackpool FC |
6 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
Lofthouse, Nathaniel |
27 August 1925 |
27 |
CF |
Bolton Wanderers FC |
15 |
0 |
15 |
15 |
0 |
Merrick, Gilbert H. |
26 January 1922 |
31 |
G |
Birmingham City FC |
13 |
0 |
13 |
15ᵍᵃ |
0 |
Ramsey, Alfred E. |
22 January 1920 |
33 |
RB |
Tottenham Hotspur FC |
29 |
0 |
29 |
1 |
3 |
Smith, Lionel |
23 August 1920 |
32 |
LB |
Arsenal FC |
6 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
Smith withdrew from the party on 4 May because of sciatica |
Taylor, Thomas |
29 January 1932 |
21 |
IL |
Manchester United FC |
3 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
Wright, William A. |
6 February 1924 |
29 |
RHB |
Wolverhampton
Wanderers FC |
50 |
0 |
50 |
3 |
35 |
All information is complete to and including England's
last match, the seventh of the 1952-53 season, against Uruguay on 31
May 1953.
Diary
"ENGLAND TO MEET U.S.
TEAM "The F.A. Council, meeting in London yesterday, announced that an
international match will be played against U.S.A. in New York after the
F.A. tour of South America next May. England will thus have an opportunity
to gain revenge for their surprising World Cup defeat by America last
season. During the F.A.'s tour England will meet Argentine, Uruguay and
Chile in full internationals and a F.A. XI will also oppose an Argentine
XI. Peru asked to be included in the tour agenda but it was not found
possible to fit in a match with them." -
Tuesday, 30 September 1952, Northern Daily Mail
Monday, 13 April 1953 - The
Football Association announce a
party of eighteen players that will represent England on their tour
of South America next month. Charlton Athletic's Jimmy Trotter has
again been chosen as the party's trainer. In three weeks five
matches will be played under strange conditions and it is reasonable
that such a large party be selected.
Tuesday, 21 April 1953 -
Yorkshire referee Arthur Ellis has been invited to accompany the FA
team to tour South America. Argentina and Chile have already agreed
that he shall control their matches against England.
Sunday, 3 May 1953 - Stanley Matthews,
hero of Blackpool's Cup Final triumph, has been invited to join the
England team which leaves for South America on Thursday. He will
make his decision after medical advice, as he has had thigh muscle
trouble for some weeks. Matthews, now 38, was dropped by
England selector's two years ago.
Monday, 4 May 1953 -
Stanley Matthews has declined the invitation to join the tour. "I am
very sorry to have to turn down the invitation, for I would have
loved to have gone. But I don't feel my thigh will be quite right
for about a fortnight yet, and it is no use going on such a trip
without feeling completely fit." Outside-right Tom Finney also
looks uncertain to go, because of a groin injury, he twice saw a
specialist last week. Another weekend problem for Walter
Winterbottom and the selectors came from the withdrawal of Lionel
Smith, the Arsenal left-back, who is suffering from sciatica and a
recurrence of an old ankle injury. His place will be taken by
Blackburn Rovers' Bill Eckersley. He will be, together with three
others of the touring party, flying with Winterbottom tomorrow to
Copenhagen, where he will play for the Football League XI against
the Danish side.
Thursday, 7 May 1953 -
The England team leave for South America, by air, BA353, via Madrid,
Dakar, Reciffe, Rio de Janeiro and Montevideo, for their
longest-ever Football Association tour to date, landing at Ministro
Pistarini Airport, outside Buenos Aires. They are staying at
the Hindu Country Club, Don Torcuato, twenty miles out of Buenos Aires, where Tom
Finney is recovering after he caught a chill on the journey.
Sunday, 10 May 1953 -
The touring party watch an Argentine Second Division match.
Meanwhile, the AFA summoned 28 players to their Olympic Village to
prepare for the matches.
Monday, 11 May 1953 -
The England team train at the La Plata Stadium at Buenos Aires,
where they will meet a Buenos Aires XI on Thursday, and Argentina
next Sunday. Though dusty, the pitch at the majestic marble and
stone bowl is completely covered with grass. Rain is forecast. The
party rejected an invitation to visit the Isidro racecourse.
Tuesday, 12 May 1953 -
Sir Stanley Rous, the F.A. Secretary was marooned for three hours in
the Argentina FC offices because of a milling crowd outside wanting
tickets for the matches. Police reinforcements and firemen were
called to control the crowds. Rous eventually escaped with police
aid, which included the laying out with truncheons of two
particularly difficult men. The team to play Buenos Aires
tomorrow is chosen. It is clear that it has been decided to try to
give every member of the touring party a game. The seven omitted
players will probably play on Sunday against Argentina, or later in
the tour. Arthur Ellis will referee all four of the touring
party's matches in South America if he can get leave of absence from
his employers. Both Uruguay and Chile have agreed to Ellis handling
their matches, but he only has permission to be away for the two
Argentina matches.
Wednesday, 13 May 1953
- This morning the FA party laid wreaths on the civic altar of Eva
Perón and then were received in as a special audience by Juan Perón,
President of the Argentine Republic, at the famous Pink Palace of
Government House". Perón, wearing a dark blue morning suit, said,
through an interpreter - "I hope you win. My money is on England. I
shall be cheering for you. Our teams fight hard in the first half
and then fade away," he told the team laughingly. The President was
presented with a gold FA badge by Mr. Joseph Mears, the Chelsea
chairman and FA member.. England's
match against Uruguay at the Centenario Stadium, Montevideo, will
definitely be played on Saturday, 30 May, unless weather conditions
cause a postponement. The match was originally scheduled for the
Sunday, but because of the feared possibility of bad weather the
Uruguayan officials requested the Saturday game so that there would
be a chance of playing it on the Sunday if it had to be postponed.
Thursday, 14 May 1953
- The English FA's team's 3-1 defeat by a selected Buenos Aires side
came as a shock to many Argentine fans.
The whole of the city was jubilant over their team's success against
the Maestros, though many were saying that England's play was too
bad to be believed. Jack Froggatt and John Berry were both injured
during the match. Froggatt suffered particularly bad with his knee.
Arthur Ellis, the Halifax Association referee, has had his leave
from business extended to enable him to remain in South America. He
should have returned home on 26 May to resume his duties as a
representative for Messrs. T. Ramsden and Son, Ltd, the Halifax
brewers. To referee three international matches in which his own
national team is playing is a signal honour and the fact that
Argentina, Chile and Uruguay have made special requests for Ellis'
services is a remarkable tribute to him.
Sunday, 17
May 1953 - Argentina 0 England 0: The
international match was abandoned after 22 minutes play in a storm
of tropical violence. After a morning of sunshine, the sky over the
stadium, which had been packed for six hours, suddenly darkened.
Then the rain came.
Monday, 18 May 1953 -
Yesterday's abandoned game between
England and Argentina will not be replayed. The AFA stated early
today that it was impossible for them to accept the English
officials' offer to play the game during the next three days. Sir
Stanley Rous had said the English party were anxious for a replay
and would play today or tomorrow despite the inconvenience, due to
travel plans. But they would gladly have changed those, even to
chartering a special aircraft for the next part of the tour. The
Argentinians said that the River Plate Stadium would be unfit for
play for five days and that organizational difficulties such as
printing tickets were insurmountable. The AFA offered England a
fixture on 4 June, but this was unacceptable to the English
officials, who are due to be in New York on 2 June, to play United States on 7
June. The proposal was considered, but the English officials
emphasised, that in view of the match with Chile on Sunday it would
not be possible to play after Wednesday. England may extend the
South American tour by playing Peru at Lima before they travel on to
New York. At first, the offer was refused, but again, it seems a
matter of foreign policy. A call from the Embassy to Sir Stanley
changed his mind. It now depends on travel and currency details.
Also, Argentina forgot to enter for the World Cup in Switzerland
next summer. FIFA have been asked to accept a late entry. If that
entry is accepted, said an Argentine official, Argentina may play
England after the Finals.
Tuesday, 19
May 1953 - An inspection of the River
Plate Stadium ground, incidentally, shows that it is fit for play.
The sandy subsoil had allowed the rainwater to drain rapidly while a
warm sunshine and light breeze dried the pitch to such a good
purpose that parts of it was being watered. In the evening,
Argentine officials invited their FA counterparts to discuss the
possibility of playing tomorrow night. The England party were to
leave Buenos Aires for Santiago today, but this had now being put
back to Thursday. A replay was virtually assured. Within an hour,
though, discussions broke down. It was decided that a match tomorrow
would be not practicable. Argentina maintained that the obstacles
were too great, notably the question of tickets and the fact that
their players had dispersed. The match was off! The England party
finally leave Ministro Pistarini airport for Santiago by air, as originally planned. They
travel pleasantly for three hours, piloted by Captain John Wright,
and are welcomed by a small crowd, along with Chilean and British
Embassy officials. The party are staying at the Carreras Hotel, on
the outskirts of Santiago.
Wednesday, 20 May 1953 -
The England party all report fit, including Jack Froggatt, and take
part in light training at their headquarters for an hour, watched on
by hundreds of schoolchildren.
Thursday, 21 May 1953 -
All efforts to arrange an additional match
for England at Lima have failed. FA officials, after a most careful
examination of the whole situation, found it impracticable to
arrange a game with Peru. Sir Stanley Rous told the British
Ambassador in Lima and the Peruvian FA that they were reluctantly
forced to turn down the invitation. It is hoped to arrange games
with Peru and Brazil in three years' time when the next tour of
South America takes place. The England players had hoped to take
part in training at the National Stadium. But when they turned up,
fully kitted out, they found that the pitch was being for an amateur
game. So they climbed back on board the bus and practised at the
Country Club.
Sunday, 24 May 1953
- Chile 1 England 2: England beat Chile
this afternoon after a goalless first half. England took the lead
through Taylor, three minutes into the second half, and Lofthouse
added a second after 68 minutes. Chile reduced the arrears twelve
minutes from the end following a massive Ramsey deflection.
Tuesday, 26 May 1953 - The team were due
to leave Chile today, but have had to remain in their hotel because
of illness. Alf Ramsey, Roy Bentley, Ivor Broadis, Tom Finney,
Johnny Berry and Jack Froggatt went down with 'Chile tummy', a form
of dysentery. Nat Lofthouse was also confined to his bed with badly
swollen glands and a sore throat. All attended on by trainer, Jimmy
Trotter.
Thursday, 28 May 1953 -
The team finally leave for Montevideo,
although Ivor Broadis was still feeling unwell. Bad weather
prevented the fulfillment of the journey as they had to spend the
night in Buenos Aires again.
Friday, 29 May 1953 -
Early in the morning, the party are once again airbound, and two
hours later, have a successful landing in Montevideo. But arriving
so late, tired and depressed from so much sickness and delay, Sir
Stanley Rous successfully arranged the match to take place on
Sunday. The party was set up in the Parque Hotel, overlooking the
seventy-mile wide River Plate.
Sunday, 31 May 1953
- Uruguay 2 England 1: World football champions, Uruguay, defeated
England. It was a keen battle, but the home side deserved their win
against an England team playing below form and with no luck. The
sickness which befell the team in Santiago left its effect,
especially on the forwards, who lacked cohesion. Harold Shentall,
chairman of the Selection Committee, criticised tactics employed by
Uruguay. Proposing the toast to the Uruguayans at a banquet, he said
the team were good enough players "without having to resort to
holding jerseys and employing tactics such as those used today."
Mr Shentall also criticised seating arrangements in the Tribune of
Honour and the playing of a minor match before the international.
The FA then presented the Uruguayan players with wallets and FA
pins, but the Uruguayans gave nothing to the English players. The
team leave for United States tomorrow.
Monday, 1 June 1953
- The England party leave Montevideo en route to New York. They
leave at 6.15pm...and take nearly 24-hours to reach its destination.
Flying via Rio de Janeiro, where they spent an hour waiting, before
flying on to the West Indies.
Tuesday,
2 June 1953 -
The party arrive in the Port of Spain and spend the morning being
entertained by the locals, before moving on for their last leg of
the trip, onto New York and stay at The Paramount Hotel in
Broadway.
Wednesday, 3 June 1953 -
England's footballers, having slept after their flight, had an hours
intensive practise in New York. All reported fit. One of the first
to greet the players was Matt Busby, the Manchester United manager,
who is America coaching. He denied emphatically a report that he
held an official position with the US team.
Sunday, 6
June 1953 -
Rain today caused the postponement of the International match at
Yankee Stadium. The match will be played tomorrow under floodlights.
The delay will cause the English party to leave New York on Tuesday
evening, instead of Monday, arriving back in London on Wednesday
morning. Before England negotiated the match it was agreed that in
the event of play being impossible that they would play on the
Monday. It is understood that it is the Yankee Stadium officials
refused to allow the match to go ahead, only two hours before the
match was due to kick-off, as the baseball pitch would be in danger
of being cut up.
England
Form: last six
games |
W
W D D W
L
f 15:a 7
success: 67% |
274 |
12 November 1952 -
England 5
Wales
2
[3-1]
Empire Stadium, Wembley
(94,094) |
Finney, Lofthouse (2),
J.Froggatt, Bentley
Ford (2) |
BC |
HW |
275 |
26 November 1952 -
England 5
Belgium
0
[2-0]
Empire Stadium, Wembley
(68,333) |
Elliott (2),
Lofthouse (2), R.Froggatt |
Fr |
HW |
276 |
18 April 1953 -
England 2
Scotland
2
[1-0]
Empire Stadium, Wembley
(97,000) |
Broadis (2)
Reilly (2) |
BC |
HD |
277 |
17 May 1953 -
Argentina
0
England 0
Estadio Monumental,
Buenos Aires
(85,000) |
Suspended after 23 minutes. Abandoned after 36 minutes. |
tour |
AabD |
278 |
24 May 1953 -
Chile
1
England 2
[0-0]
Estadio Nacional
de Chile, Santiago (56,398) |
Rojas
Taylor, Lofthouse |
AW |
279 |
31 May 1953 -
Uruguay 2
England 1
[1-0]
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo
(66,072) |
Abbadie, Míguez
Taylor |
AL |
|