Information on world records and short biographies of the record holders (1901-1910) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------by IFFHS--- From November 30, 1872, to December 31, 1910, a total of 302 official full "A" internationals were played worldwide, involving 19 countries – 16 in Europe and 3 in South America. England even fielded two national teams, from 1906 onward England's amateur national team played official full "A" internationals against non-British countries. The most full "A" internationals during this period were played by England (129), 21 of these (from 1906 onward) by the amateur national team. As might be expected, the countries after England which played most internationals during this time were Scotland (103), Wales (96) and Ireland (86). The top international fixture from 1872 to 1910 was Scotland-England (40 times), with Scotland winning 17 matches, losing 12 and drawing 11. The next most common fixture was Scotland-Wales (35 times), with Scotland winning 26 matches and drawing 5, to an impressive goal ratio of 125:33. It is remarkable that during this period, Ireland could not prevail against England in 29 matches and only managed to draw three times. Wales, on the other hand, beat England twice in 32 internationals. [see record 1] Scotland's world record of remaining undefeated in 22 consecutive full internationals was not breached, and by 1910 had been standing for 22 years. England's amateur national team equalled the English record of 20 consecutive full internationals without a defeat which had been set 14 years previously, by securing 19 wins and one draw from November 1, 1906, to April 16, 1910, in the process building the amazing goal ratio of 162:15. [see record 2] By 1910, Ireland's world record of 15 consecutive full internationals without a win had stood for 23 years. Furthermore, from March 26, 1904, to March 14, 1908, Ireland had also played 12 consecutive full internationals without winning one, thus sharing second place in this category with Wales. The negative record outside of Great Britain was held by France, who from March 23, 1908, to May 15, 1910, lost 10 consecutive full "A" internationals, to a goal ratio of 8:80. [see record 3] The three top attendances at full internationals up to 1910 were recorded at Hampden Park (Glasgow), which was rebuilt just after the turn of the century. There had previously been the 1st and 2nd Hampden Parks, both in Glasgow. It is remarkable that nine of the ten highest attendances during the 1872-1910 period were all recorded at full "A" internationals played in Glasgow. In 9th place is Goodison Park at Liverpool, where 42,500 spectators turned out for the England-Scotland match (3:0) on April 5, 1895. The world record was the 121,452 spectators who came to watch Scotland-England (1:1) at Hampden Park (Glasgow) on April 4, 1908. [see record 4]
Hampden Park (Glasgow)
Hampden Park (Glasgow) The full international with the lowest attendance, a world record which by 1910 had stood for 31 years, was a thin crowd of some 200 spectators who came to watch England-Wales (2:1) in the snow at Kennington Oval (London) on January 18, 1879. Of the next six lowest attendances, five were at full internationals involving France (four of them home games). The only other one involved Austria-Hungary (5:0), when 500 spectators came to watch in Vienna at the WAC ground on October 12, 1902. [see record 5] It was quite impressive that after 1900 (63,000), the world record attendance nearly doubled within eight years (121,452). While in the 1870's and 1880's, an average of 5,178 spectators per match attended the 65 full internationals played during this decade, in the 1890's this average was 12,314 at 60 full internationals. From 1900 to 1910, each of the 177 full "A" internationals played during this decade was watched by an average of 11,482 spectators. The slight drop in the mean attendance was due to the fact that full "A" internationals were now being played by more countries, in several of which football had not yet gained the popularity it would enjoy later. [see records 6, 7] As before, the most full "A" internationals were played at The Racecourse in Wales (34) and the Solitude in Belfast, Ireland (19), only there were more now. In third place was the Millenáris pálya in Budapest, where 16 full "A" internationals had been played by 1910, more than at the Celtic Park (Parkhead) in Glasgow, where 13 had been played to date. [see record 8] Both the highest win and full "A" international with the most goals total by 1910 are credited to Denmark, who beat France 17:1 at the Olympic football tournament in 1908 (London). In second place, with 15 goals each, were the British Championship match England-Ireland (13:2), played in Sunderland on February 18, 1899, and the friendly between France and the England amateurs (0:15), played in Paris on November 1, 1906. Altogether there were 23 full "A" internationals with 10 or more goals from 1872 to 1910, 15 of them featuring English teams as the winner. [see record 9] The 65 full "A" internationals played during in the 1870's and 1880's showed an average of 5.48 goals per match. During the 1890's, the average sank to 5.18 goals per match, and the average for the 177 full "A" internationals played from 1900 to 1910 was 4.74 goals per match. This consistent decrease is due both to changes in the Laws and the fact that many national teams had improved their defensive tactics. [see record 10] The top referee from 1872 to 1910 was Thomas Robertson of Scotland, who held the world record of having directed officiated at 23 full "A" internationals, which was 7.6% of all full internationals during this period. He was born in Torrance (Stirlingshire) in December 1864 and started playing football for Possil Bluebell before joining Glasgow Northern in 1881 and transferring to Cowlairs one year later. In 1885 he went to England and joined Aston Villa. After spending some time with Nottingham Forest, "Tom" Robertson returned to Glasgow in 1888, where he played for Queen's Park FC. He was an outstanding left half-back, but could also play on centre-half. Even though he always remained an amateur, he was always very fit. He played for Scotland four times from 1889 to 1892. "Tom" Robertson concluded his active career with St. Bernard's FC (Edinburgh), with which club he won the Scottish Cup in 1895. He had previously reached the Scottish Cup final with Queen's Park in 1890, 1892 and 1893. Even before he concluded his career as a player he had started refereeing, and within a few years had come to be considered the best referee in the world, and the one in greatest demand. From 1919 to 1921 he was also the president of the Scottish League. Thomas Robertson, who in 1910 had controlled more than twice as many matches as the next busiest referee, died in January 1924. Foto 13 The second and third top referees in the world ranking were Frederick Thomas Kirkham of England, who from 1903 to 1907 controlled 11 full "A" internationals, and Charles E. Sutcliffe, who from 1899 to 1901 directed eight. "Fred" Kirkham from Burslem also officiated at 3 English Cup finals. The busiest non-British international referee by 1910 was Christiaan Jacobus Groothoff from the Netherlands, who had charge of 6 full "A" intrnationals. [see record 12] By 1910, three trainers had coached a national team most often, all three with a modest 11 full "A" internationals to their credit. Apart from Alfred Davis of England, who coached England's amateur national team very successfully, they were former national players: ex-forward Edgar Wallace Chadwick, who from 1891 to 1897 played for England seven times and from 1908 coached the Dutch national team, and Juan Carlos Bertone of Uruguay, who played 11 full "A" internationals as both player and coach, captaining his side in most of them as well. The defender from Montevideo Wanderers was a great tactician and strategist. Next in the world ranking were the Hungarian national coaches Frigyes Minder (10 time) and Ferenc Stobbe (8 time). [see record 13] The player who captained a national team most often to 1910 was Vivian John Woodward of England, who led the England amateurs 12 times and the professional English national team on 13 occasions. He thus captained his country at a total of 25 official full "A" internationals, winning 23 and drawing the other two. The second and third place also go to Englishmen. Gilbert Oswald Smith, centre forward and at one time top forward in the world, captained England 16 times from 1896 to 1901, and Norman Coles Bailey 15 times from 1881 to 1887. They are followed by three Welshmen: Charles Richard Morris (14 times), James Trainer (13 times) and Humphrey Jones (12 times). It is remarkable that the first three were pure amateurs, even though by 1910, professional football had existed in England for 25 years already. [see record 14]
Vivian John "Viv" Woodward "Viv" Woodward, who was born in London on June 3, 1879, was an exceptional footballer – also by international standards – who would break many records. In 1909 he broke the world record of 30 full "A" internationals set by Olphert Martin Stanfield of Ireland on March 27, 1897, and by 1910 had broken his own record 5 times to the high point of 36 full "A" internationals. Vivian Woodward was thus the 6th player to improve on this record, after the Scots William Muir MacKinnon (1-9 full "A" internationals) and Henry McNiel (10), John Price of Wales (11-12), Norman Coles Bailey of England (13-19), and "Olphie" Stanfield of Ireland (20-30). [see record 15] By December 31, 1910, the players with the most full "A" internationals to their credit would necessarily still be British, but the top 30 already included five non-British players: Belgian idol and centre half-back Charles Cambier (5.1.1884-16.10.1955) of FC Brugeois (now Club Brugge KV) and his compatriot and all-rounder Camille Vanhoorden (1879-1919) of Racing Club de Bruxelles; the two Dutchmen Reinier Bertus Beeuwkes (17.2.1884-1.4.1963), goalkeeper of DFC Dordrecht, and centre half-back Johannes Marius "Bok" de Korver (27.1.1883-22.10.1957); as well as the then very young Hungarian scorer Imre Schlosser-Lakatos (9.10.1889- 19.7.1959). Winger William Henry Meredith, born in Chirk on July 30, 1874, won the second division championship with Manchester City in 1903, to which victory he contributed 22 goals. During his first season (1904/05) in the English elite league he scored 8 goals in 33 matches, thus becoming the third best scorer in his team. During the 1905/06 season, the Welsh idol was suspended for his alleged involvement in a bribery affair. When his suspension ended in December 1906, 32 year-old "Billy" Meredith transferred to local rivals Manchester United after having played a total of 339 league matches for the "Citizens" (both first and second division) and scored 149 goals, then as outside right. He had kept fit during his suspension, and still played 16 first-division matches for league climbers "ManU" during the second round. During the 1907/08 season he played 37 league matches (10 goals) and effectively made his side English champions. "Billy" Meredith had an iron constitution and hardly missed a league match during the following seasons. He won the English Cup with Manchester City in 1904, and with Manchester United in 1909. He was considered one of the trickiest outside rights, and was known for his precise passes and shots at goal. While active as a player, he was a partner of the sports equipment company Pilling & Briggs, which went bankrupt in 1909. Meredith, by then 35 years old, did not hang his head but concentrated on football, stayed amazingly fit and went on playing for "ManU" and the Welsh national team to become a legend in the history of world football. His brother Samuel Meredith, who was two years older, played at full-back for Stoke FC from 1901 to 1905, and from 1900 to 1907 played for Wales eight times. By 1910, "Billy" Meredith had played 33 full "A" internationals to second place in the world ranking, ahead of the Englishman "Bob" Crompton and "Olphie" Stanfield of Ireland (both 30 matches).
William Henry "Billy" Meredith Robert Crompton was born in Blackburn on September 26, 1879, where he started playing football at the local Moss Street School. During his school years and adolescence, he played for Rose & Thistle and Blackburn Trinity before joining Blackburn Rovers in September 1896. There he became an excellent full-back, played his first first-division match during the 1897/98 season, and from the following season on was a regular with the "Rovers". He was a robust but fair defender, technically good, quick at sizing up a situation, and always performed consistently. "Bob" Crompton quickly gained renown, made his international début against Wales on March 3, 1902, and captained the English national team on his fifth full "A" international. Only legendary inside forward Vivian Woodward had priority as captain. Right full-back "Bob" Crompton would become one of the greats of English football, and would not conclude his active career until the age of 40. [see record 16, 17]
Robert "Bob" Crompton The top scorer in the full internationals of the 1872-1910 period was Vivian John Woodward of England with a fantastic 60 goals in 36 full "A" internationals, of which he scored 33 during his 14 matches for the English amateur national team and 27 during 22 matches for the professional English national team (average of 1.67 goals per match). Disregarding full "A" internationals played for the English amateur national team, "Viv" Woodward (average of 1.23 goals per match) beats even the legendary "Steve" Bloomer (average of 1.17 goals per match). The best-placed non-British player was Belgian scorer Robert De Veen (27.3.1886-8.12.1939) of FC Brugeois, who ranked fourth. Vivian John Woodward was born in Kensington on June 1, 1897. Kensington is located in central London, north of the Thames and south west of Westminster. His school years and adolescence were spent in Clacton, a seaside town in Essex, where he also attended Ascham College. Already as a student he showed unusual talent, possessed an elegant and technically brilliant game and scored countless goals. However, he did not become interested in football until after he joined Clacton FC at the age of 14. This club had a strong amateur team where Woodward could properly exercise his talent. After finishing college, "Viv" Woodward studied architecture at university. At the age of 18 he moved to Harwich, a town on the North Sea coast located halfway near Ipswich, where from 1897 to 1900 he played for Harwich & Parkestone FC. However, Vivian Woodward – who also was an outstanding cricket player – made study his top priority. During the 1900/01 season he played for Chelmsford in the upper Essex County League. (Chelmsford is located south of Clacton, which is also on the North Sea coast). Vivian Woodward successfully completed his studies in London, where he joined the "Spurs" in 1901. Meanwhile, he had become a brilliant, two-footed inside forward who could play as inside right (or left) or centre forward. Many first-division clubs tried to sign him, but as he preferred to finish his studies with good marks and begin a career as an architect, he remained an amateur and so did not have the time to train regularly and play every week. Tottenham Hotspur, who did not play in either of the English top divisions, accepted these restrictions, especially since Woodward was such an outstanding player that he made his international début for England against Ireland (4:0) in Wolverhampton on February 14, 1903, and scored two goals as well. Sixteen days later he also scored the winner against Wales (2:1), and against Scotland (1:0) in Sheffield on April 4, 1903. The 23 year-old "Viv" Woodward made a truly meteoric rise, and yet he remainded an amateur. When the English amateur national team made its full international début on November 1, 1906 – in Paris against France (15:0) – Vivian Woodward scored four goals, including a hat-trick within eleven minutes of changing ends. His game was unbelievably creative, and he was all but perfect in front of goal. He was great not only as a technician and dribbler, but also as playmaker and individual. His aerial game also was fascinating, including his headers. Although he was rather tall, his movement with the ball was harmonious and elegant despite his long stride. His passes also were incredibly precise. [see record 18]
Vivian John "Viv" Woodward On October 22, 1908, during the Olympic football tournament, "Sophus" Nielsen of Denmark set a fantastic world record by scoring 10 goals in an official full "A" international during his country's 17:1 win over France. This made him the top scorer in a full "A" international, followed by six (!) Englishmen. In second place for the 1872-1910 period comes Stanley Schute Harris of Old Westminster (London), who scored seven goals for the England amateurs during their 15:0 victory over France in Paris on November 1, 1906. In third place come William Charles Jordan of Oxford University, who scored six goals against France (12:0) for the England amateurs in London on March 23, 1908, and superstar Vivian John Woodward, who also scored six goals for the England amateurs, against the Netherlands (9:1) on December 11, 1909. It is noteworthy that on three of these four occasions, the opponent was France. "Sophus" Nielsen was born in Copenhagen on March 15, 1888. The actual name on his birthday certificate is Sofus Erhard Nielsen. Since his parents were not affluent and his father died early, Sofus started helping to support the family at the age of six by delivering bread and milk, as did his three siblings, of which the second sister also died young. His teacher at school was the father of Svend Knudsen, who became a national player in 1918. Introduced to football by this teacher, Sofus quickly developed into a prolific goal scorer. From 1901 to 1907 he learned the blacksmith's trade at the Copenhagen shipyard. At the age of 14 he joined the Copenhagen club Frem Boldklubben, where he made the league team in 1904. His performance was so impressive that he played in the second team only once after he left the juniors. The media called him "Sophus Nielsen", a name which he eventually adopted and also used in his signature. He made his international début on October 19, 1908, and three days later became famous when he scored ten goals against France. His team-mates always called him "Krølben" because of his bow legs. With 11 goals to his name, he was Olympic top scorer in 1908, and Denmark Olympic runner-up as well. "Sophus" Nielsen was a technically good and versatile player, known for his long and skillful dribbling runs, strong in the air and gifted with a powerful shot. He also was a wily and temperamental player. During the 1910/11 season he played for FV Holstein (Kiel, Germany), where he also worked as a master fitter. With the "Störche" [Storks] he reached the semi-finals of the German championship. Altogether (including regional league and friendly), the inside left scored 72 goals for Holstein during this season. Thereafter he went back to his old club, winning the KBU (Danish) cup the same year. In 1912 he won the Olympic silver again with the Danish national team, and up to 1919 played for Denmark 20 times, scoring 17 goals. During the 1911/12 season, "Krølben" Nielsen also top scorer of the KBU league. When playing for his club, he tended to be headstrong, and in 1916 went several months without playing due to a calf injury. More often, though, it was knee injuries which kept him from playing for his club or the national team. He played 23 times for the Copenhagen city selection, mostly against British teams, and played 82 international matches during his time with Frem before concluding his active career on May 1, 1921, after a total of 145 league matches and some 135 goals. From 1923 onward he coached the Frem league team. He also coached, with breaks, the Danish national team from 1932 to 1951, and was secretary of the Danish selection committee from 1923 to 1955 (with a six-year break). During this period he conducted a great number of training courses all over Denmark. The exceedingly popular "Sophus" Nielsen died in Copenhagen on August 6, 1963. [see record 19]
Sofus Erhard "Sophus" Nielsen When hosts Sweden and Norway both made their international début in Göteborg on July 12, 1908, Norway opened the score in a flash, but in the end lost 3:11. For almost a century, sports publishers maintained that inside left Norman Minotti Bøhn of Ski og FK Mercantile (Kristiania, now Oslo) gave Norway the lead during the first minute of play. In fact, however, all the sources had copied each other. Repeated enquiries into the matter over the last few years revealed that a reporter amongst the 3,000 spectators at Göteborgs Idrottsförbund Grusplan had timed the game from kick-off to first goal. As it was, Norwegian Norman Minotti Bøhn (14.4.1888-1972) had opened the score after only 15 seconds of play, and so scored the fastest international goal during the 1872-1910 period, a world record which would stand for a long time. For Norman Bøhn himself, who also scored a second goal during this match, this would remain his only ever full "A" international ever. In 1907 he had won the Norwegian cup with his club. He was a quick forward with a good takeoff power, who emigrated to England soon thereafter, and later moved from London to the French Riviera. In second place comes the renowned English forward Edgard Wallace Chadwick, who opened the score at 35 seconds when England met Scotland (4:1) in Glasgow on April 2, 1892. The score was opened during the first minute of play another six full "A" internationals, but the times of first-minute goals was not kept so precisely back then. [see record 20] A total of 20 hat-tricks were scored from 1872 to 1910, two each by Harald S. Stapley and Vivian John Woodward of England, and by "Sophus" Nielsen of Denmark. It is a hat-trick only if a player scores three goals during one half without another player, colleague or opponent, scoring in between (no own goals, either). "Krølben" Nielsen even scored his two hat-tricks during the same match, on October 22, 1908. The first one, which he scored within five minutes, was a kind of world record and would remain the fastest hat-trick at a full "A" international for many decades. The biography of Harold S. Stapley already was presented under the heading "World Goalgetters" 1897. He scored his first hat-trick right on his full international début, in Darlington on December 21, 1907, when England beat the Netherlands 12:2. He also scored his second hat-trick against the Netherlands (4:0), during the semi-finals of the Olympic football tournament, on October 22, 1908. [see record 21] Only five forwards managed to score a quadra-trick at a full "A" international during the 1872-1910 period: three from England (Stanley Slater Harris, Harald S. Stapley, Vivian John Woodward), one from Scotland (William Paul), and one from Denmark ("Sophus Nielsen"). Nielsen's was the fastest, all four of his goals falling within 14 minutes. It is a quadra-trick only if a player scores four goals during the entire game without another player, colleague or opponent, scoring in between (no own goals, either). [see record 22] No national player had scored a penta-trick by 1910. It is a penta-trick only if a player scores four goals during the entire game without another player, colleague or opponent, scoring in between (no own goals, either). [see record 22]
The most effective goal scorer in the full internationals from 1872 to 1910 was William Charles Jordan of Oxford University, who in his only full "A" international – in London on March 23, 1908 – scored six goals against France (12:0), thus giving him an average of 6.00 goals per match. The highest so far had been the Scots Alexander F. Higgins (1885) and William Alexander Dickson (1888), with 4.00 goals per match. William Charles Jordan, was born in Oldbury (Worcestershire) on December 9, 1885, and attended college at Oxford. During his studies he played for Oxford University. The centre forward briefly played for Everton FC in 1909 before joining West Bromwich Albion FC as an amateur, for whom he scored 18 goals in 35 second-division matches. "Bill" Jordan died in 1949. [see record 25] The goalkeeper who was not beaten in the most full "A" internationals from 1872 to 1910 was Horace Peter Bailey of England, who did not concede a goal in 7 of his 11 full internationals. He did not concede in the two matches he played for England in 1908 (he played a total of five), and on five occasions with the England amateurs from 1908 to 1909, for whom he kept goal six times up to then. With the amateurs he did not concede a goal against France, the Netherlands (twice), Denmark and Germany. The five goalkeepers in this category all managed not to be passed in five full "A" internationals, although they played as many full "A" internationals as Horace Bailey or more. Horace Peter Bailey, born in Derby on July 3, 1881, started his goalkeeping career with the Derby County reserve team. At the age of 21 he transferred to Ripley Athletic, and in 1905 to Leicester Imperial. One year later he joined the second-division club Leicester Fosse FC, with whom he was promoted to the top division during the 1907/08 season, but was relegated again the following year. In the middle of the 1909/10 season he transferred back to Derby County (also second division), and at the end of the season joined Birmingham FC, with whom he played in the second division until 1913. He was a very talented and effective keeper who shone in goal and had no real weaknesses to speak of. A railway employee, he always remained an amateur and died on August 1, 1960. [see record 27] Foto 19 During the first decade of the 20th century, the world record of the longest time without conceding a goal in full "A" internationals was extended three times, by three different goalkeepers, but only by a total of about 100 minutes. Horace Peter Bailey also held this world record for 1910 (385 minutes). [see record 28] By far the most effective national goalkeeper from 1872 to 1910 was José Buruca Laforia of Argentina, who from 1902 to 1907 did not concede a goal in four full "A" internationals. The first one was Argentina's international début, in Montevideo on July 20, 1902, when Argentina beat Uruguay 6:0. When Argentina played Uruguay for the Copa Lipton in Buenos Aires on August 15, 1905, the match ended a scoreless draw and went to extra time, but had to be abandoned after 24 minutes due to nightfall. Exactly one year later, Buruca Laforia was in goal when Argentina won the match for the Copa Lipton against Uruguay (2:0) in Montevideo. Finally, when Argentina beat Uruguay 2:0 in Buenos Aires on August 15, 1907, José Buruca Laforia also was in goal, but left the field injured at 60 minutes. Since substitutions were not allowed, inside right Alfredo Brown took his place between the posts, and conceded a goal. Actually, José Buruca Laforia (16.5.1884-6.6.1957) only had the surname Buruca. Laforia indicated the ethnicity of his family, which hailed from Avellaneda. In 1900 he started to play with Central Athletic Club, and transferred to Barracas Athletic Club one year later. In 1905 he joined the superteam of Alumni Athletic Club (Buenos Aires), for which he played until 1912. In that year his father died, whereupon José Buruca abruptly ended his career. All other goalkeepers who during the 1872-1910 period reached an average of 0.00 goals per match only kept goal at one full "A" international. Thus, José Buruca Laforia's four internationals without a goal are a special world record. [see record 29]
José Buruca Laforia After Horace Peter Bailey of England (385 minutes), national goalkeeper and compatriot Samuel Hardy was not conceding a goal for the second longest time during the 1872-1910 period: exactly 376 minutes, from April 4, 1908, to May 29, 1909. Aside from José Buruca Laforia of Argentina, only three other national goalkeepers managed not to be passed for more than 300 minutes during this period: Dr. Ronald George Brebner (321 minutes) and John William Sutcliffe (317) of England, and Robert Hustin (301 minutes) of Belgium. Samuel Hardy was born in Newbold (Derbyshire) on August 26, 1883, and after playing football at school started his active career with Newbold White Star before transferring to second-division club Chesterfield Town in April 1903. When the Liverpool FC were promoted again after the 1904/05 season, the "Reds" brought 22 year-old goalkeeper "Sam" Hardy on board and made him a regular right away. In 1906 the "Reds" were English champions, and reached the semi-finals in the English Cup. Hardy made his international début for England against Ireland in Liverpool on February 16, 1907, and two years later became a regular in the English national team. Liverpool were English runners-up with "Sam" Hardy during the 1909/10 season, but as of 1907, their side was only average. Thus Hardy, who already was one of the top goalkeepers in the world, transferred to Aston Villa FC (Birmingham) in May 1912, winning the English Cup and becoming English runner-up with them the following season. During the 1913/14 season, he reached the English Cup semi-finals again with the "Villans" and was also as English runners-up again. In 1920 Samuel Hardy won the English Cup again with Aston Villa. At the age of 38, "Sam" Hardy transferred to Nottingham Forest before concluding his career in 1925. From 1907 to 1921 he played a total of 21 full "A" internationals, losing only four of them. He had no real weaknesses, was masterful and made everything he did on the pitch look easy. He possessed extraordinary skill and appeared to be ahead of his time. From 1925 on he was a hotelier in Chesterfield. He died on October 24, 1966, at the age of 83. [see record 30]
Samuel "Sam" Hardy From 1872 to 1910, the number of own goals at full "A" internationals had risen to 20, yet other than Iren Samuel Torrans of Ireland (3 own goals from 1893 to 1895) was the only player who managed to score more than one own goal. As with the previous decade, no player was sent off during a full "A" international played during the first decade of the 20th century, either. [see records 31, 32] The category of full internationals who played for more than one country gained no further players in the 1st decade of the 20th century - John Hawley Edwards (England & Wales) and John Reynolds (Ireland & England) were furthermore the only ones. [see record 33] From 1872 to 1910 there were 27 players whose full international career lasted 10 or more years. They were all British. The world record of 16 years and 44 days was held by John Edward Doig of Scotland, followed by William Henry Meredith (15 years, 26 days) and Arthur Grenville Morris (14 years, 41 days) of Wales as well as Hugh Wilson (14 years, 4 days) of Scotland, John Darling (13 years, 50 days) of Ireland and Robert Robinson Kelso (13 years, 12 days), also of Scotland and world record holder in this category for the 19th century. John Edward Doig was born in Letham (Forfarshire) on October 29, 1866, and started his active career at the age of 16, as outside right with St. Helens FC (Arbroath). In 1883 he transferred to local rivals Arbroath FC, where he became an excellent goalkeeper. During the 1889/90 season he joined Blackburn Rovers in England, but only played one league match. Thus he transferred to league climbers Sunderland in September 1890, where he became a regular right away and won the English championship four times (1892, 1893, 1895 and 1902). "Ned" Doig was a very cool and original goalkeeper with a fantastic constitution and constancy. He was one of the best goalkeepers of his time, and it is incomprehensible that from February 19, 1887, to April 4, 1903, he was only called up for the Scottish national team six times. In 1904 he transferred to Liverpool FC, which had just been promoted to the second division, and made a breakthrough by conceding the fewest goals. That was not all, however, for during the 1905/06 season league climbers Liverpool were English champions, and eclipsed by "Sam" Hardy, Doig played another eight league matches during this season. During the next two league years, he was a reserve, but still played four and five matches respectively. Thereafter he concluded his active career at the age of 42. "Ned" Doig died on November 7, 1919. [see record 34]
John Edward "Ned" Doig During the 1872-1910 period, four players shared the distinction of having played 19 consecutive full "A" internationals, the most so far. These players were "Bob" Crompton, "Ben" Warren and "Billy" Wedlock of England, and Charles Cambier of Belgium. In fifth place was Karel Heijting of the Netherlands, with 17 full "A" internationals. Charles Cambier was born in Bruge (Brugge) on January 5, 1884, where he also learned how to play football. He developed into a brilliant centre-half and was considered the best Belgian footballer before World War I. He made his full international début on May 1, 1904 – as did Belgium. On May 9, 1907, he played for Belgium together with his brother Arthur, a full-back. From April 22, 1906, to April 10, 1910, he did not miss any of his country's full internationals. On May 7, 1910, he sustained a severe injury during a club tournament in Brussels and was unable to play football for two years. When he was fit again, he fought his way back into the national team with great energy. He always remained with FC Brugeois, with whom he was Belgian runner-up twice and placed third five times. From 1904 to 1914 he played 23 matches for Belgium.
Charles Cambier William John Wedlock, born in Bedminster on October 28, 1881, started playing football with Masonic Rovers before joining the Bristol City amateurs, who played as a branch called Arlington Rovers. When he did not make the transition to professional, he transferred to Gloucester County and then joined Aberdare in Wales. Only in 1905 did he return to Bristol City FC, where he stayed until 1921. During the 1905/06 season he won the second-division championship with the "Robins", and during the following season even were English runner-up. "Billy" Wedlock made a late start, but upon his return became a mainstay right away and went on to become one of the best English centre-halves, also over his time. He made his full internatioal début against Ireland on February 16, 1907, and then played for the English national team without a break until 1912. Up to 1914 he played a total of 26 full "A" internationals. Yet from the 1911/12 season onwards, he languished in the second division with his club. "Billy" Wedlock was an excellent centre half-back, outstanding both in attack and in defence. He was very elastic, and popularly known as “India Rubber Man”. Although he was not particularly tall, he had an amazing energy. He reached the Welsh Cup final with Aberdare in 1904 and 1905, and the English Cup final with Bristol City in 1909. When he concluded his active career at the age of 39, he was granted a licence to open a pub in the immediate vicinity of Ashton Gate, the stadium of his club. He died on January 24, 1965.
William John "Billy" Wedlock Benjamin Warren was born in Newhall (Derbyshire) on January 15, 1879, and began to play football with Newhall Town. He then played for Newhall Swifts before joining Derby County in 1899, where he only became a regular during his third season (1901/02). He developed into a right half-back with nearly perfect control of the ball. He was also good at tackling, but he was not the fastest. His team-mates praised his precise passes and his reliability. In 1903 he reached the English Cup final with the "Rams". From his international début on February 17, 1906, until April 1, 1912, he did not miss any of England's full "A" internationals. Of the 22 internationals he played for England, they only lost one. Prior to the beginning of the 1908/09 season, he transferred to Chelsea FC (London) after having spent one season in the second division with Derby County. In 1910 "Ben" Warren was relegated with the Londoners, who had been playing in the top division. He narrowly missed climbing back to the top division in 1911, but did so in 1912. However, Benjamin Warren fell ill during the 1911/12 season and was committed to a psychiatric institution, where he died on the day of his 38th birthday. [see record 35]
Benjamin "Ben" Warren The 1910 world record for a player never having lost any of his official full "A" internationals belongs to Herbert Smith of England, who from March 27, 1905, to November 6, 1909, played four matches for England and 13 for the England amateurs and was not only never beaten in any of these games, but left the pitch a victor on all 17 occasions. In second place for the 1872-1910 period comes his compatriot and full-back Walter Samuel Corbett, who from April 1, 1907, to December 11, 1909, won all 14 of his full "A" internationals, 11 of them with the England amateurs. Also unbeaten in 14 matches, although one of them was a draw, was English outside right Arthur Berry, who would continue his run into the second decade of the 20th century. Herbert Smith, born in Witney (Oxon) on November 22, 1879, attended the Oxford County School and Beccles School, where he also learned to play football. He then played for Reading, Oxford City, Witney and Richmond before joining Stoke FC. He made his international début for England against Wales (3:1) on March 27, 1905, while still was playing for Reading FC. Until March 19, 1906, he was in defence for England for four consecutive full "A" internationals. He remained an amateur, however, and from November 1906 on played for the England amateurs, but transferred to Oxford City FC prior to the beginning of the 1909/10 season. In 1908 Herbert Smith won the Olympic football tournament with the England amateurs. The left full-back was extremely skillful with his left foot, which would make him famous yet. He also had great physical strength, but also was fair to the utmost. His active career ended with Derby County. Later, from 1919 onward, he was the president of the Oxfordshire FA. Herbert Smith died on January 6, 1951. [see record 36]
Herbert Smith By December 31, 1910, the negative record – players who never won any of their full "A" internationals – was held by William Crone of Ireland, who from February 25, 1882, to February 8, 1890, lost all his 12 full "A" internationals. The second and third place in this category likewise went to Irishmen. Thomas Bryson Molyneux failed to win any of his 11 full internationals from 1883 to 1888 (10 defeats and 1 draw), and James Connor all 10 of his from 1901 to 1909 (8 defeats and 2 draws). [see record 37] The three clubs which from 1872 to 1910 registered the most full "A" internationals appearances by their players were amateur clubs: the Scottish club Queen's Park FC (Glasgow) with 238 matches, and the Irish clubs Cliftonville FC Belfast (219) and Linfield FAC (191). The first professional club came in fourth, Glasgow Rangers FC (179). The English clubs which were the most successful in this respect occupied 9th and 10th position: Everton FC (105) and Aston Villa FC (100). The top non-British clubs with the most full "A" internationals by their players were Alumni AC (Buenos Aires) in 8th place and Ferencvárosi TC (Budapest) in 11th. Most national players during this period also came from Queen's Park FC Glasgow (70), followed by Cliftonville FC Belfast (56), Wrexham AFC (48), Glasgow Rangers FC (47), Distillery FC Belfast (44) and Glasgow Celtic FC (32). It is a curious fact that the university teams from Oxford and Cambridge both produced 28 national players each. [see record 38] The most experienced national teams – i.e., those whose players had, on average, played the most full "A" internationals previously – were fielded by Wales. This also shows that Wales did not have a large pool of good players. In this category, Wales occupiedplaces 1-4 as well as 7-10. In between were England, who by then also placed a greater emphasis on continuity. [see record 39] The oldest national teams during the 1872-1910 period were fielded by Scotland. Scottish national teams occupy the first four places in this list, and the Scottish team which lost to Wales (2:3) in Wrexham on March 1, 1909, was the only national team worldwide with an average age above 29 years. The top 14 in this category consist exclusively of Scottish and Welsh national teams. [see record 40] The youngest national teams were fielded by Hungary, who occupy places 1-6 in this list. The Hungarian national team which beat Austria (3:2) in Budapest on June 11, 1903, was the only team worldwide with an average age below 20. Hungary aside, the top 16 only include national teams from two other countries, Norway (once) and the Netherlands (twice). [see record 41] The world ranking for the youngest captains was topped by John Alexander Lambie of Scotland (1886), with 17 years and 92 days. He was followed by the two Irish players Olphert Martin Stanfield (1888, 19 years and 6 days) and Shaw Gillespie (1887, 19 years and 48 days). Only István Buda of Hungary (1903), the fourth international playmaker, also was younger than 20. [see record 42] Up to December 31, 1910, Shaw Gillespie of Hertford FC (Lisburn) still was the youngest national goalkeeper, who made his full international début on February 27, 1886, at the age of 18 years and 35 days, and played for Ireland six times. He studied and went to the USA in 1901. He later moved to Naramata (Canada), where he remained until his death. His brother John Robert Gillespie (born on 9.10.1865) and his cousin Robert John Hunter (born on 20.8.1863) also were Irish national players. The 1910 world ranking of the youngest goalkeepers also included two South Americans: José Buruca Laforia of Argentina, who was only 18 years and 65 days old when he made his full international début in Montevideo on July 20, 1902, and Cayetano Saporiti of Uruguay, who was 18 years and 179 days old when he played in Buenos Aires on August 15, 1905. The youngest goalkeeper on the European mainland was Robert Hustin of Belgium (1905), who with 18 years and 206 days and placed fifth and but was one day older than John Clugston of Ireland in 1888. [see record 43] During the first decade of the 20th century, the youngest full international goal scorer was Samuel Johnston of Ireland, who was only 15 years and 160 days old when he played against Wales on February 25, 1882. He was followed by two Hungarians, 16 year-old József Horváth (October 7, 1906) and Imre Schlosser, who on November 4, 1906, was 17 years and 26 days old. The next six youngest goal scorers were all 17 years old, including three more non-British players in places 7-9: "Dé" Kessler of the Netherlands (17 years and 222 days), Marius Hiller of Germany (17 years and 241 days), and Eliseo Brown of Argentina (17 years and 357 days). Another 16 full international scorers during the 1872-1910 period were 18 years old. [see record 44] Of the youngest national players from the 1872-1910 period, Aníbal Zapicán Falco of Uruguay set an astonishing world record in Buenos Aires on October 4, 1908, when he played his first full "A" international at the age of 15 days and 9 days. The right full-back from Club Nacional de Football (Montevideo) was so good during his country's 1:0 win over Argentina that Uruguay fielded him again for their next three full internationals against Argentina. Aníbal Zapicán Falco Fonseca was born in Montevideo on September 25, 1893. IFFHS obtained confirmation of his full name, his date and place of his birth, the names of his parents, his death certificate, etc. from the Uruguayan civil authorities and confirmed this information with his descendants. Aníbal Falco was married to Ivonne Frommel and they had three children (Mario Rurick, Nadia Delia, Leonel René). The four times Uruguayan international died at 23:00 o'clock on April 30, 1961.
Aníbal Zapicán Falco Following Samuel Johnston of Ireland, who made his full international début in Belfast on February 18, 1882, at the age of 15 years and 153 days, Tormod Kjellsen of Norway was the third youngest national player prior to 1910, aged 15 years and 351 days. Tormod Kjellsen was born in Larvik on September 25, 1894. Larvik is located 150 km south of Oslo, near the Skagerrak shoreline. He developed into a talented outside left with his home club Larvik Turn og Idrettsforening. After a good showing at a test game, he made his full international début against Sweden in Kristiania (as Oslo was called prior to 1924) on September 11, 1910. In 1912 Tormod Kjellsen transferred to local rivals Fram Idrettsforening, with whom he won the Norwegian Cup. However, because his club had fielded an ineligible player, the final was replayed, and won by Mercantile FK (Kristiania). Tormod Kjellsen was playing on inside left when he played for Norway against Russia, in Moscow on September 14, 1913. During the same year he retired from football, studied the timber industry and then went to Sweden to study civil engineering. After finishing his studies he devoted himself to gymnastics. IFFHS member Kåre M. Torgrimsen discovered that his name, Thormod Kjeldsen, had been misspelt in Norway for 85 years. Tormod Kjellsen married Ellen Lovise, who was younger by almost 20 years and who bore him a son.Tormod Kjellsen died on May 27, 1978, at the age of 83. [see record 45, 49]
Tormod Kjellsen The record for the three oldest players to make their full international début during the 19th century – Alexander Morten of England (1873) as well as John Henderson (1885) and Matthew Wilson (1884) of Ireland, all of them over 40 – was not broken during the first decade of the 20th century. John Henderson, who was born in Dromore in July 1844, was 40 years and some 227 days old when he made his full international début for Ireland on February 28, 1885. He later went to India, and he died in Natal on July 13, 1932, at the age of 88. "Matt" Wilson, who died on May 20, 1897, at the age of 54, was over 40 years and 1 month when he made his full international début on January 26, 1884. He had two sons, of which the older one, Robert Wilson, made his full international début for Ireland on March 24, 1888, also as a defender. He was thus the first Irish international whose father was also an international player, the father played for Distillery FC (Belfast) and the son for local rivals Cliftonville when the two played for Ireland. Fourth place for the oldest player making their international début was occupied by a non-Brit, Johannes Gandil of Denmark. Johannes Gandil was born in Copenhagen on May 21, 1873, and started playing football with Østerbros Boldklub. He later became a forest ranger and joined Kjøbenhavns Boldklub, where he developed into one of the best outside rights in Denmark. He was extremely fast, tricky and a good dribbler, two-footed and also very good with ball technically. He did, however, cultivate a game very much of his own. Johannes Gandil also was an excellent athlete and cricketer. From 1895 on, Johannes Gandil played for Boldklubben af 1893 København, a DBU (Danish FA) league club which was popularly known only as "B.93", and Gandil himself was known as "Mister G" of the "the Smile of B.93". In 1908 he took part in the Olympic Games for the second time, this time as a footballer. At the age of 35 years and 154 days he made his full international début against France (17:1). During this match he suffered a meniscus injury which put an end both to his nascent career as an international player and as an multiple athlete. Johannes Gandil became an official at his club, as well as team leader of the national team and football editor. He wrote hefty volumes on football in Denmark and died on March 10, 1956. [see record 46]
Johannes Gandil The oldest full international goal scorers of the 1872-1910 period were not typical. In 1910, this world ranking was headed by Derby County centre half-back, Archibald Lee Goodall of Ireland, who opened the score against Wales (2:0) in Belfast on March 28, 1903, at the age of 38 years and 282 days. "Archie" Goodall was the younger brother of the legendary John Goodall who had played for England during the 19th century. In second place was William Henry Meredith, who scored in the 3:1 win for Wales against Ireland (3:2) in Belfast on March 20, 1909, at the age of 34 years and 233 days. However, outside right "Billy" Meredith would astonish the football world during the second decade of the 20th century. The third place in this list went to the 19th century record holder, Irish winger John Peden (1898), with 34 years and 222 days. [see record 47] The three oldest international players of the 19th century – "Alex" Morten (England, 1873, 41 years and 113 days), John Henderson (Ireland, 1885, over 40 years), Matthew Wilson (Ireland, 1884, over 40 years) – also topped the world ranking in 1910. In fourth place came the above-mentioned "Archie" Goodall of Ireland, who played his last full "A" international in Bangor on March 21, 1904, at the age of 39 years and 276 days. He was followed by two 37 year-olds, John Leonard Jones (Wales, 1904) and William Scott (Ireland, 1910). [see record 48] The world ranking for the players who participated in the most full internationals as both player and coach of the national team (i.e., a coach who himself lined up in the team) in the 1872-1910 period was topped by a South American. From 1906 to 1911, Uruguayan defender Juan Carlos Bertone of Montevideo Wanderers FC played in 11 full "A" internationals while he also coached the national team at the same time. Not only was he the player-coach, he was also the captain in 9 of these 11 full internationals. Thus, adding the matches he participated in as player and as coach separately makes a total of 22.
Uruguay‘s league selection (18.7.1906 vs. South Africa): Back, f. l t. r. Guillermo MacFarlane (referee) Carlos Carve Urioste, Cayetano Saporiti, Juan Carlos Bertone, linesman; Middle, f. l. t. r. Luis Carbone, Francisco Branda, Pedro Zuazú; Front, f. l. t. r. Carlos María Cuadra, Gonzalo Rincón, Juan Pena, Alejandro Cordero, Cándido Hernández Bentancourt. Foto: IFFHS The second place of this category in 1910 went to Edgar Wallace Chadwick of England, who from 1891 to 1897 played for England seven times, and from 1908 to 1910 coached the Dutch national team in 11 full "A" internationals, thus yielding a total of 18 matches. The third place went to William Crone of Ireland, who from 1882 to 1890 played for Ireland 12 times, and in 1897 and 1910 coached the Irish national twice (total of 14). He was followed by two Uruguayans, Juan Peña (11) and Juan Harley (6), who were placed fourth and fifth respectively. [see record 51] During the 1872-1910 period there were 21 players from six countries who participated in full "A" internationals as player and as a referee. This world ranking was easily headed by the above-mentioned Thomas Robertson, who from 1889 to 1892 played for Scotland four times, and from 1896 to 1908 refereed 23 full "A" internationals. In second place was Humphrey Jones, who from 1885 to 1891 played for Wales 14 times and refereed one international in 1896. The third place was shared by the above-mentioned Dr. John Smith, who played for Scotland 10 times (1877-1884) and refereed one full "A" international in 1892, and by Maximiliano A. Susán, who from 1908 to 1910 played for Argentina 10 times and in 1910 also refereed one match. The South American would participate in more internationals during the second decade of the 20th century. [see record 52] The only player in the world who during the 1872-1910 period who was both a national coach and also refereed a full "A" international was Alfréd Hajós-Guttmann of Hungary, who was born on February 1, 1878. In 1906 he coached Hungary at three full "A" internationals (1:1 and 4:4 Bohemia, 3:1 Austria), and in 1907 refereed Hungary-Bohemia (5:2). However, the Hungarian were also the first and, until 1910, the only man in the world to be international player and national coach as well as to referee a full "A" international, for he played for Hungary (0:5 Austria) on October 15, 1902. The left half-back also was an all-round sportsman and Olympic athlete (1896). [see record 53]
Alfréd Hajós-Guttmann The national team which did not concede a goal for the longest time during the 1872-1910 period – regardless of who was keeping goal – were England. During their 11:1 victory over Austria in Vienna on June 8, 1908, they conceded one goal shortly before the final whistle, but did not concede any during the next five full "A" internationals, some 500 minutes of play. England did not concede a goal until Hungarian centre forward Ákos Késmárky beat English goalkeeper "Sam" Hardy in the 44th minute in Budapest on May 29, 1909. During the first three of these seven full "A" internationals, amateur Horace Peter Bailey kept goal for England. In second place of this 1910 world ranking comes the England amateur national team, who from October 1908 until April 1909 went for 420 minutes of play without conceding a goal in the full "A" internationals. Here, too, England's goal was kept by Horace Peter Bailey for the first five matches before Harold M. Lemoine was beaten by Robert De Veen of Belgium after only 35 minutes. [see record 54] The national team which went for the longest without scoring during the 1872-1910 period were Ireland. From March 25, 1899, until February 22, 1902, Ireland had not scored a goal in 616 minutes of play, and not profited from an own goal by an opponent either. In second place came Wales, who from March 1898 until February 1900 went for more than 410 minutes of play without scoring. [see record 55]
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