The sides which met the most often in a cup final during the 19th century were the Welsh teams Wrexham AFC and Druids FC Ruabon. From 1878 to 1899 they met in 6 Welsh Cup finals, with each emerging victorious on two occasions, the other two encounters resulting in a draw and making a replay necessary. Not counting replays of finals, the Glasgow rivals Celtic and Queen's Park met the most often in a national cup final. From 1892 to 1900, they met in 5 Scottish Cup finals, with the “Celts” winning four times. Although professional football had been legalised in Scotland in 1893, Queen's Park FC was the only top Scottish club to have retained pure amateur status. [see record 1] The stadium where the most cup finals were played during the 19th century was Kennington Oval (London), which from 1872 to 1892 saw 22 English Cup finals, counting two replays. The Racecourse in Wrexham was used for 13 Welsh Cup finals from 1880 to 1892, again counting two replays. The 2nd Hampden Park in Glasgow saw 11 Scottish Cup finals from 1885 to 1899 (including two replays). Note that this is not the same ground as the 1st Hampden Park, also in Glasgow, where 8 Scottish Cup finals were played from 1874 to 1883. [see record 2] The highest gate number at a national cup final during the 19th century was recorded for the English Cup. On April 15, 1899, 73,833 spectators at the Crystal Palace (London) watched the final between Sheffield United and Derby County (4:1). On April 21, 1900, 68,945 spectators attended the Bury-Southampton final (4:0) at same ground, and the Aston Villa-Everton final (3:2) on April 10, 1897, was witnessed by 65,891. The highest attendance at a Scottish Cup final during the 19th century was recorded on March 12, 1892, at Ibrox Park (Glasgow), when 25,897 spectators turned out for the Celtic-Queen's Park final (1:0). [see record 3]
Crystal Palace (London) The highest win at any national cup final during the 19th century was recorded in Belfast on March 23, 1895, when Linfield FAC beat Bohemians FAC (Dublin) 10:1. Bohemians side had actually been leading 1:0 until the 30th minute, but then Linfield turned up the pressure and even scored seven goals during the second half. The match with second-highest goals total at a national cup final also was seen during the Irish Cup, when on March 16, 1889, Distillery (Belfast) beat Belfast YMCA 5:4 in a dramatic match. Linfield Football and Athletic Club was founded in 1886 and first played at the Meadow (Ulsterville) before moving to Balmoral on Lisburn Road (southern Belfast) in September 1896. As of 1890, Linfield also wear royal blue jerseys. [see record 4] The referee who directed the most national cup finals during the 19th century was Francis Arthur Marindin, who from 1880 to 1890 directed 9 English Cup finals. Note that during the 1870's and 1880's, the referee still was positioned outside of the pitch while each of the umpires stayed in one half. Their positions were reversed thereafter. Francis Arthur Marindin was born as the son of a priest in Melcombe Regis (near Weymouth, Dorset) on May 1, 1838. He attended prep school, the Eton College and the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich (London). He also played football. During the first national cup final in history he kept goal for Royal Engineers on March 16, 1872. Two years later, when his Chatham side lost the English Cup final again, he played in defence. He also captained Royal Engineers during this time. He pursued a military career and became a captain in the army. He developed into a very circumspect and impartial referee who was intimately familiar with the Laws and highly regarded. He still officiated after the reversal of positions with the umpires. He died in Kensington (London) on April 21, 1900.
Francis Arthur Marindin The referee who directed the second-highest number of national cup finals during the 19th century was Irishman John Wright from Belfast, who from 1888 to 1894 directed 8 Irish Cup finals, including two replays. He was as inconspicuous by (later on) the field as he also was in his private life. These referees referees belong to usually to the bests, even if the media tend to ignore them. [see record 5] At first, teams in Great Britain did not have a boss who supervised the players' training or coached them during a match. Later, when the financially stronger clubs hired a secretary and this person was given (or seized) increasingly more power until he managed everything in the club, he also had more influence over the first team. This went so far that he decided the general line-up before the beginning of each season, and more and more often also lined up the team every week. Thus arose the secretary/manager. Usually, though, supervising the players' training was too much, and so an older player (or ex-player) would take charge of this. Inevitably, this made for friction with the so-called trainer, who also insisted on deciding the line-up and coaching the players, thus also limiting the secretary/manager's influence and power. While outside of Great Britain, power was shifting in the trainer's favour, things developed differently on the island, with former players assuming the function of secretary/manager and changing their role. They decided the team's fortunes, lined up the players, coached them at matches and had the final say in training. They were the superior of both the trainers during training as well as the employees doing the office work. Thus, the term manager took on a completely different meaning in Britain, whereas in the rest of the world the head coach still had co-trainers and the club manager had no authority over the team. In order to calculate world records (by means of computer), it is necessary to use one term consistently throughout. For that reason, we have opted for the word “trainer”, which is used worldwide, even though in Britain, following the transition stage (end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century), it corresponds to the manager. The world record list of trainers who coached their side the most often at a national cup final in 1900 is easily topped by Archibald Rae (16 times). At first (in 1874) he still was the omnipotent secretary of Queen's Park FC (Glasgow), but gradually slipped into the role of secretary/manager, even though his club retained amateur status. [Foto 3] The “trainer” who coached a team the fourth-most often at a national cup final during the 19th century was Thomas Brown Mitchell, who from 1884 to 1891 coached Blackburn Rovers at 3 English Cup finals (including one replay). The Englishman got the maximum result, winning the trophy 5 times. From 1884 to 1896 “Tom” Mitchell was secretary of the “Rovers”, growing more and more into the role of secretary/manager, also taking charge of the team. He increasingly became a coach, although he did not handle training as such, he only ordered it. In March 1897, now only as a manager, he transferred to Woolwich Arsenal (London), but retired in 1898. He died in 1921. The second place goes to Scotsman John B. Wright fom Dumbarton, who lead Vale of Leven 11 times in the Scottish Cup final, but won only twice. He made a like development as „Archie“ Rae. Third was Joseph Anderson, who coached Celtic Glasgow at 7 Scottish Cup finals. Fifth was his compatriot George Ramsay, who from 1887 to 1897 led Aston Villa to 4 English Cup finals, of which they won three. In Birmingham he formed a team which was technically brilliant and played a very attacking game, were English champions 5 times from 1894 to 1900, and during those years were considered the most popular team in the world. Much of the credit goes to George Ramsay. George Ramsay, born in Glasgow in 1855, was a good goalkeeper who played for Dundee and Newcastle United and assisted East Benhar before becoming the Aston Villa secretary, where he gradually became secretary/manager and eventually the top manager of English football at the turn of the century. He still guided Aston Villa for over a decade before his death in Llandriddod (Wales) in October 1935. [see record 6] The player who captained a side at the second most cup finals during the 19th century was Scotsman Arthur Fitzgerald Kinnaird, who from 1873 to 1883 did so 10 times (including two replays). He first captained The Wanderers twice at the English Cup, and then their local rivals Old Etonians (London) another eight. His record is even with four wins and four losses. Arthur Fitzgerald Kinnaird was born in Kensington (London) on February 16, 1847. He attended Cheam School (Surrey), Eton and then Trinity College (Cambridge). He also was an outstanding all-round sportsman. Thus he represented Cambridge University in track and field (sprinting), tennis, swimming and canoeing. As a footballer, however, the Scot was extraordinary. Not did his flowing full red beard catch the eye, he also had great agility and a remarkable energy. He was quite versatile, able to play on all positions, but preferred half-back in the then current 2-2-6 system. He first played for The Wanderers and Old Etonians, then again for Wanderers followed by Old Etonians. In 1877 he kept goal during a further cup final, when he did not captain the victorious Wanderers. Arthur Fitzgerald Kinnaird was a peer, the 11th baron in a line which ran back to 1682. He inherited the title from his father at the age of 40. Prior to that, he played one match for Scotland in 1873. He was a philanthropist and a natural leader. From 1877 to 1890 he was treasurer for the Football Association (i.e., of England), and from 1890 until his death on January 30, 1923, he was FA president. He also was a prominent member of the House of Lords.
Arthur Fitzgerald Kinnaird Two players come in third: Samuel Torrans of Ireland, who from 1891 to 1899 captained Linfield FAC at seven Irish Cup finals, of which he won 6 (an impressive statistic), and the Scotsman John Ferguson, who from 1877 to 1885 only won twice with Vale of Leven (Dumbarton), as four of the seven finals he led his side at were replays. [see record 7] The world ranking of players who participated in the most national cup finals during the 19th century (including replays) is topped by three players with 11 finals each. One of them is the above-mentioned Arthur Fitzgerald Kinnaird. The other two, both Scots – Charles Campbell and James Kelly – played for their home clubs. Their tally of finals includes replays (two resp. four). Charles Campbell was born in Coupar-Angus (Perthshire, Scotland) in 1852 and attended the Edinburgh Academy Institution. He joined Queen's Park FC (Glasgow) in July 1870 and never left them, except for a short stint with Pollokshields Athletic during the 1884/85 season. He was brilliant in the air, a master of the passing game, excellent at tackling, a strong runner and a born leader. He captained Scotland 9 times during his 13 full “A” internationals (1874-1886). In his 9 Scottish Cup finals (including one replay) his amateur side went undefeated (!) and won the trophy 8 times. When it instituted the English Cup, the FA had invited Scottish, Welsh and Irish clubs to participate in its yearly championship. The superteam from Glasgow, Queen's Park, did just that, and in 1872 and 1873 reached the English Cup semi-finals, but for financial reasons were unable to travel to London. A decade later, Queen's Park FC reached the English Cup final in 1884 and 1885, but lost to Blackburn Rovers both times. Thus Charles Campbell also captained his Scottish side at two English Cup finals. After his active time, he continued to served Queen's Park and also was president of the Scottish FA (1889-1890). He died in Ireland in April 1927. James Kelly, born in Renton (Dunbartonshire, Scotland) on October 15, 1865, played for Renton Wanderers before joining their great local rivals, the Football Club, in 1883. He started as outside right, then switched to inside right, and from 1887 on centre-half, on which position he became one of Scotland's best. He was quick to grasp a situation, a master of tackling, his long shots were feared – in short, he was the pivotal point of his side. In 1888 he transferred from Renton to Celtic FC, where he would stay until 1897. From 1888 to 1896 he played eight matches for Scotland. He played in 11 Scottish Cup finals (including four replays, some of them after a complaint was lodged), to an even balance of five wins and five losses. He also won the Scottish championship three times with “Celts”. After the end of his active career, he worked in public relations, was on the Blantyre School Board, a member of the Lancashire council, etc. James Kelly, the father of Sir Robert Kelly, died on February 20, 1932.
Glasgow Celtic FC, 1889: Back, l. t. r. J. McDonald, J. Glass, D. Malloy, J. J. Quinn (four committee members), Joseph Anderson (Secretary-Coach); Middle, l. t. r. Michael Dunbar, William Maley, W. Dunning, W. McKillop (Committee member), Patrick Gallacher, John O‘Hara (Committee member), Thomas E. Maley, William Grovers; Front, l. t. r. Michael McKeown, Neil McCallum, James Kelly, James McLaren, John Coleman. Foto: IFFHS
His team-mate William Williams, born in Ruabon in 1856, played for his native club Druids FC from 1874 to 1890 except for the 1878/79 season, when he was with Oswestry FC. A bundle of energy, he was a strong runner who mastered tackling and was the driving force behind his front line. “Little Billy” Williams was very effective, and from 1876 to 1883 played 11 full internationals for Wales. He played in the same Welsh Cup finals as his team-mate Edward Bowen. “Little Billy” was a chimney sweep by trade. Andrew McIntyre, born in Bonhill (Dunbartonshire, Scotland) on August 9, 1855, only played school football before he joined Vale of Leven FC (Alexandria, Dumbarton) in 1873. He developed into a grand defender, and one year later already was a regular player. “Andy” McIntyre was powerfully built, tremendously strong and had a very long shot. He won the Scottish Cup three times with his side, although rather curiously in 1879, when Glasgow Rangers did not appear for the replay of the final. He played in altogether nine finals, counting four replays. His career came to an end when he was injured during the Scottish Cup final in 1885. The two times Scottish international was an engineer by profession, and employed as such in Renton for a long time. He died on March 30, 1941. George Gillespie, born in Stirling (Scotland) on June 22, 1859, first played for Sandyford FC and Rosslyn FC, which is located in Partick, Glasgow. In 1875 he transferred to local rivals Rangers, and in 1877 played as left full-back in all three Scottish Cup finals. He found his ideal position to be in goal, however. He developed into a remarkable keeper and soon was considered the best in Scotland, for which he played seven times from 1880 to 1891. George Gillespie had an excellent character and was very popular in Scotland, where he was known as “Genial George”. He kept goal in all further national cup finals from 1879 on. In January 1884 he transferred to local rivals Queen's Park FC, with whom he reached the English Cup finals in 1884 and 1885, though his side ran afoul of Blackburn Rovers both times. Despite his altogether nine cup finals in Scotland and England, he only won the Scottish Cup twice (1886 and 1890). He also was a good track and field athlete (sprinter), and ended his career in 1890. A wine and spirits dealer by trade, he died of pneumonia on February 3, 1900. [see record 8] The most goals in a single national cup final were also scored by a Scot. On March 12, 1892, Robert Hill scored four goals for Linfield FAC (Belfast) against Black Watch (Limerick). “Bob” Hill, 24 years old at the time, had come to Ireland with the Gordon Highlanders Regiment, and also scored in the Irish league. During the 19th century, six players scored three goals in a national cup final: two Scots, two Irishmen as well as one Englishman and one Welshman. [see record 9] [Foto 6] The top scorers at national cup finals during the 19th century were three Scots, with six goals each. However, the first place goes to Thomas Cochrane Highet, who only played in four Scottish Cup finals (including one replay) and scored minimum one goal in each final, thus also helping Queen's Park FC to three cup wins. “Tom” Highet, born in Ayr in 1853, attended the Ayr Academy before joining Queen's Park FC (Glasgow) in 1873. He played under the pseudonyms “Herriot” and “Cochrane” for a good while at first. He was a vigorous, lively and diligent player. He also was an excellent cricketer. The four times Scottish international died on January 28, 1907. The centre-half Robert George Milne scored his six goals in ten Irish Cup finals. [see record 10]
Robert George Milne The worldwide most successful scorer of national FA-run national cup competitions in the 19th century was Henry Alfred Cursham, who from 1880 to 1887 scored 48 English Cup goals for Notts County. He was born in Wilford (Nottingham) on November 27, 1859, and attended Repton School, where he also found his football legs. He joined Notts County early, where he made a name for himself as a wing forward and a very good dribbler. He remained true to his club, although he occasionally played for Corinthians (London) and Thursday Wanderers (Sheffield). Henry Cursham played for England eight times from 1880 to 1884 and was the younger brother of six times English international Arthur William Cursham. Henry Alfred Cursham also was a good cricketer, and from 1889 to 1939 worked as an insurance salesman. He died on August 6, 1941. Details on the career of Scotsman James Donaldson Ross, who from 1885 to 1900 played for the English clubs Preston North End, Liverpool, Burnley and Manchester City and scored a total of 43 goals at the FA Cup, are given elsewhere (see national championships). Just as of the third-placed Scotman Alexander McMahon, who scored its cup goals from 1889 to 1900 for Hibernian (Edinburgh) and Glasgow Celtic. Samuel “Sam” Torrance (see full international) played 62 Irish Cup matches from 1887 to 1900 and scored 34 goals all together, even though he played in defence for the last few years of the 19th century. Far more effective, however, was his compatriot Robert McIlvenny, who from 1889 to 1895 played for Distillery FC Belfast and local rivals Ulster FC, scoring 31 goals in only 23 Irish Cup matches. Archibald Hunter, the son of a farmer, was born in Joppa (Ayrshire, Scotland) on September 23, 1859. He left school early and joined Ayr Star FC. His three brothers were all good athletes. “Archie” Hunter played for Eastern Glasgow (1874-1875) and 3rd Lanark Rifles Volunteers before he came to Birmingham in 1878 shortly after he had reached the Scottish Cup final with 3rd Lanark Rifles Volunteers (1878), the forerunner of Third Lanark. With Aston Villa he quickly developed into an outstanding inside forward who could also play as half-back. He played an at times grand game and was always very dangerous in front of goal. Although he became the team captain of Aston Villa and was the playmaker on the field, he never did make any friends. From the 1878/79 to the 1889/90 season, Hunter scored 32 English Cup goals for the “Villans”. Add to this the goals which he scored at the Scottish Cup for 3rd Lanark Rifles Volunteers in the previous years. In 1890 “Archie” Hunter left the “Villans” and returned to Scotland, where he coached Linthouse FC (Glasgow). Health problems later caused him to return to Birmingham, where he died on November 29, 1894, at the age of 35. [see record 11]
James Donaldson Ross
Samuel “Sam“ Torrans The club which won the national cup competition of its national FA most often during the 19th century was Queen's Park FC (Glasgow), who from 1874 to 1893 won the Scottish Cup 10 times. In second place comes Druids FC (Ruabon), who from 1880 to 1899 won the Welsh Cup 7 times. The third place is shared by two Belfast clubs, Distillery FC and Linfield AFC, which won the Irish Cup six times each. Five cup wins were registered by the English clubs The Wanderers (London) and Blackburn Rovers FC and the Welsh club Chirk AAA. [see record 13] The coach who won the most national cup competitions during the 19th century was the above-mentioned Archibald Rae of Scotland. From 1874 to 1893, he led Scotland's first superteam, Queen's Park (Glasgow), to win the Scottish Cup nine times. The second place goes to Thomas Brown Mitchell of England, who led Blackburn Rovers to win the English Cup five times – in 1884, 1885, 1886, 1890 and 1891. In third place are the Scotsmen John B. Wright, who won Scottish Cup three time Vale of Leven FC Alexandria, George Ramsay of Scotland, who won the English Cup three times with Aston Villa, and William Wilton, who won the Scottish Cup three time with Glasgow Rangers. Nine coaches (secretary-managers) won repeated the national cup competition, six Scotmen, two Irishmen, but only a Englishman. [see record 14]
Back, l. t. r. “Joe“ Gierson (Co-Trainer), “Tom“ Lyons; Middle, l. t. r. George Ramsay (Manager), “Joe“ Bache; Front, “Charlie“ Wallace (all Aston Villa FC). Foto: Colorsport
Charles Campbell William Owen, born in Chirk in 1862, found his football legs at his local Amateur Athletic Association, where he developed into a diligent and tricky, if selfish, player. “Billy” Owen loved the art and show in football, which often caused him to lose sight of the goal in a game, scoring. He also was known as the John L. Sullivan of inside forwards, after the heavyweight world champion in boxing. He always stayed with Chirk AAA, winning the Welsh Cup with them five times, and from 1884 to 1893 played for Wales 16 times. Inside forward “Billy” Owen concluded his career as a player in 1895 and became a referee. He always worked as a miner in the Chirk area. People later helped him with charity matches. His brother “Jack” Owen, who was four years his junior, played one match for Wales in 1892. “Billy” Owen died in his native town on March 2, 1946. James Henry Forrest, born in Blackburn on June 24, 1864, first played for the local clubs Imperial United, Witton and King's Own Blackburn before joining Blackburn Rovers in 1883. Lightly built, he was a superb runner and gave remarkably precise passes, truly one of football's greats. He played as either left half-back or centre-half, won the English Cup five times with the “Rovers”, and from 1884 to 1890 played 11 full internationals for England. “Jim” Forrest transferred to Darwen in 1895, but ended his career the same year still. In 1906 he became one of the directors of Blackburn Rovers, which post he held until his death on December 30, 1925. 13 players won 4 national cups during the 19th century, and 62 did so three times. The first player to win a national cup competition with three different clubs – and then in two different countries – was David Kennedy Russell of Scotland. Russell, who was born in Airdrie on April 6, 1886, played for Stewarton FC and Broxburn before he moved to England and joined Preston North End (PNE), with whom he was both English champion and cup winner. In 1890 he joined the “Hearts” (Edinburgh) and won the Scottish Cup during the following season. In 1893 he returned to PNE, but one year later was back with Heart of Midlothian FC, with whom he then won both the Scottish championship (1894/95) and the Scottish Cup (1895/96). Thereafter he transferred to Celtic FC (Glasgow), with whom he won the national championship during the 1897/98 season. In 1898 he moved to England for a third time and joined PNE again, then in 1899 went back to Glasgow Celtic yet again, with whom he won the Scottish Cup both before and after the turn of the century. The powerful centre-back played for Scotland six times from 1895 to 1901. After World War I he worked as a miner in Fauldhouse. [see record 15] The footballer who won the most national cup competitions in one or more countries as either player and trainer (coach) during the 19th century was Robert Torrans of Ireland. In 1892, 1893 and 1895 he won the Irish Cup three times as player with Linfield FAC, and twice in 1898 and 1899 as trainer with the same club. Robert Torrans, born in Belfast on November 26, 1866, was three years older than his brother Sam. “Rab” Torrans, who also played a full international for Ireland in 1893, was a versatile player who preferred the position of left half-back, but could also play on outside left or left full-back. As a trainer he was very circumspect and determined. The same number of national cup victories archieved the Irishman William Crone with Distillery (Belfast), four time as player and seven years later once as coach. The third place goes to William Maley of Scotland, who was born in Newry (Down) on April 25, 1868. He played for Hazlebank Juniors, Third Lanark and Cathcart FC joining Glasgow Celtic in 1888. The largely built wing half was extremely fast – he also was a 100 yard sprinter and quarter mile runner – and played a very cool game. Quite a character, he always remained an amateur, and in 1890 was made the club secretary. As a player, he won the Scottish championship three times with the “Celts” and played in four Scottish Cup finals before concluding his career in 1897, but before already took on the post of manager at his club, where he would remain for the next few decades. He also owner of sports equipment outlets in Glasgow and Dundee, and of a restaurant in Glasgow. He also wrote the book The Story of the Celtic, which was published in 1939. He died on April 2, 1958. [see record 16]
William „Willie“ Maley
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