The world's first full "A" international, played between Scotland and England at the West of Scotland Cricket Ground in Glasgow on November 30, 1872, ended in a scoreless draw, and since that was the only official full "A" international played that year, there was no World Goal Scorer for 1872. The world's top international goal scorers of the year Die Welt-Torjäger des Jahres im Nationaltrikot Los mejores artilleros internacionales del mundo del año Les meilleurs buteurs internacionales du monde de l'année
The year's only full "A" international, played between England and Scotland (4:2) on March 8, 1873, saw not only six goals, but the first international goal scorer in history also scored twice during a match. Thus, William Stanley Kenyon-Slaney also became the world's first international goal scorer in history. William Stanley Kenyon-Slaney was born in Rajkot (India) on August 24, 1847. (Rajkot is located on the Kathiawar Peninsula, which belongs to the state of Gujarat and is lapped by the Arabian Sea.). He attended Eton College and Christ Church Oxford, where he quickly caught the football fever and soon proved to have great talent. He served with the Grenadier Guards from 1867 to 1888. He joined the then famous Wanderers (London), with whom he also won the FA Cup in 1873. This happened three weeks before his first and only full "A" international. Playing outside left (not his usual position) as part of the then standard 8-man attack, he opened the score for England already in the first minute of play. He also put England ahead in the 75th minute after Scotland equalised to make it 2:2. William Stanley Kenyon-Slaney later transferred to local rivals Old Etonians, with whom he also reached the English Cup final, in 1875 and 1876, yet was denied the trophy both times. A successful and effective inside forward, he played with great élan and verve. He did not return to India, but settled in Newport (Shropshire), where in the late 1880's he became a Member of Parliament (MP), and in 1904 even was chosen for the "Privy Secret Council". He died on April 24, 1908. 1874
As since only one full ”A” international was played in 1874, when Scotland met England (2:1) in Glasgow on March 7, and since each goal was scored by a different player, the distinction of being the year's top international goal scorer was shared by two Scots and one Englishman. The latter was Robert Kennett Kingsford (23.12.1849-14.10.1895), a law student who played for Marlborough College and the Wanderers (London) and eventually emigrated to Australia. The two Scotsmen were Frederick Anderson of Clydesdale FC (Glasgow), who from October 1872 to November 1873 played for local rivals Queen's Park FC and in 1874 (the year of his only international match) was also Scottish Cup finalist, and Angus MacKinnon who also played only one full "A" international. The latter played for Queen's Park FC (Glasgow) from 1871 to 1875, with which club he also won the Scottish Cup in 1874 and 1875 before prematurely ending his footballing career for reasons of health. 1875
 Charles William Alcock Foto: IFFHS It was the fourth consecutive time, and the last time in the history of world football as well, that only one full "A" international was played during a year. This match, played at Kennington Oval (London) on March 6, 1875, was the encounter between England and Scotland, which ended 2:2. All four goals were scored by different players, none of which had yet scored for his country. This also was the last time that one goal earned a player the top ranking. The first English scorer was Charles William Alcock (2.12.1842-26.2.1907), who played for the Wanderers (London) and whose sole full "A" international this would be. Generally considered the great football innovator of the 19th century, he also was a good referee and the first secretary of the Football Association (FA). The other English scorer, inside forward Charles Henry Reynolds Wollaston (31.7.1849-22.6.1926), was a dribbling artist gifted with a sure shot who played for Oxford University, Clapham Rovers, Lancing Old Boys and the Wanderers (London) and who played a total of four full "A" internationals. He later became a lawyer and secretary of the London Union Bank. The Scottish scorers were Henry McNiel, to whom we shall return shortly, and Peter Andrews of Eastern FC (Glasgow), a good runner and strong outside left who only played one full "A" international. Early in 1876, his employer sent him to Leeds (England), where he played for Sheffield Heeley from 1877 to 1881. He also was the first Scotsman to play for the Sheffield Association. 1876
 Queen‘s Park FC Glasgow. Back, f. l. t. r. Angus MacKinnon, John Dickson, Thomas Lawrie, Charles Campbell, Robert Neill; Front, f. l. t. r. Robert Leckie, Joseph Taylor, Henry McNiel, James Thomson, James Begg Weir, William MacKinnon. Foto: IFFHS
 Vale of Leven Alexandria (Dumbarton): Back, f. l. t. r. W. Jamieson, A. Michie, W. C. Wood, Andrew McIntyre, Alexander McLintock; Front, f. l. t. r. Robert Paton, John McGregor, John Ferguson, David Lindsay, John McDougall, John C.Baird. Foto: IFFHS This year again saw only two full "A" internationals. Both featured Scotland, who beat England and Wales. There was a total of six goals, five of them scored by Scotland. John Ferguson, who played outside left against England, scored a goal five minutes after kick-off and another four minutes before the final whistle. The match winner of Scotland's 3:1 victory on March 3, 1877, was the only player to score more than one goal for his country this year. John Ferguson, born in Alexandria (Dunbartonshire) in 1848, joined the then big club Vale of Leven FC Alexandria (Dumbarton) in 1872. He stayed with them until the mid-1880's, winning three consecutive Scottish Cups from 1877 to 1879 and reaching the SFA Cup final again in 1885. From March 7, 1874, to March 23, 1878, the winger scored for Scotland five times in six full "A" internationals for Scotland. He was the first footballer from his region to be called up for the national team. John Ferguson, who captained his club side for many years, was very quick and able with the ball. Although he came to football relatively late, he was quite versatile and able to play in other positions in attack. He used to play shinty, a game similar to hockey, and also was a professional sprinter for many years, one time even winning the Powderhall Mile. He later worked in the wine and liquor trade in Kilmarnock for many years. He died on September 6, 1929. Scotland's second goal against Wales (2:0, Wrexham, March 5, 1877) has persistently been called an own goal by Powell of Wales. This was not so, for reports in regional newspapers at the time make it clear that it was a diagonal shot which went straight into the net. The scorer and his side were never identified, though. Since James Richmond did not play in this match, and since half-back Charles Campbell, Scotland's highly popular captain whom everybody knew and who had scored their first goal, it is nearly certain that John Ferguson's position as this year's leading scorer cannot be doubted. In all likelihood, he himself was the author of the diagonal shot. In the end, however, this is the only full "A" international of the 19th century with an unknown scorer. 1878
The two full "A" internationals in 1878 produced 18 goals, 16 of which were scored by Scotland, who won another two decisive victories. However, Scotland fielded 11 different players each time, so that all nominated players only played once in this year. Only John McDougall managed to score three goals. John McDougall (born in Dunbartonshire in 1853) spent his entire active footballing career with the Vale of Leven FC Alexandria (Dumbarton), winning the SFA Cup three times from 1877 to 1879. From March 3, 1877, to April 7, 1879, he played five full "A" internationals and scored a total of four goals. John McDougall, who usually played inside left, was a famous dribbling artist and without doubt one of the best-known footballers of his time. He was the world's first national player to score three goals in a full "A" international. After his retirement from sports, he became chairman of the Renton Gas Light Co. and one of the directors of the Vale of Leven Public Hall Co. Ltd. before he died on May 16, 1925, at the age of 72. 1879
 Dr.John Smith Foto: IFFHS This was the first year with three full "A" internationals, which produced a total of 15 goals. England only counted for three and Scotland nine players who played twice this year. Since both teams scored seven goals each, the top international scorer for 1879 was, as expected, a Scot. Dr. John Smith was born in Mauchline (Ayrshire) on August 12, 1855, and attended the Ayr Academy, where his footballing talent flourished. During his studies, he transferred from Mauchline FC to Edinburgh University, and after completing his studies in 1880 to the Queen's Park FC (Glasgow). Playing for the latter, he won the Scottish Cup in 1881, 1882 and 1884, but was not called up for all the finals. The physician John Smith often played under the pseudonym J.C. Miller, and occasionally played for Corinthians FC (London), Swift London and the Liverpool Ramblers. This would prove to be his undoing. In 1885 he played for Corinthians against a professional English club, upon which the Scottish FA found him guilty of violating the amateur statutes, forbidding him to play either for or against a Scottish club and no longer nominating him for the Scottish national team. Thus he only participated in ten full "A" internationals, which he played from March 3, 1877, to March 15, 1884, scoring ten goals all together. John Smith, MD, was one of the best Scottish inside forwards of his time, a devious dribbler with a powerful shot, always cool and tactically clever at passing the ball. He also was excellent at rugby, where during his studies he played in defence for Edinburgh University and the Edinburgh Wanderers. In 1876 he even was a reserve for the Scottish national rugby team. As a physician, he practised in Brycehall (Kirkcaldy) and sometimes officiated as referee. 1880
In 1880, a total of 20 goals were scored in three full "A" internationals: ten by Scotland, seven by England, and three by Wales. While Scotland fielded 11 different players for each of their two matches, England fielded five and Wales nine in both of their respective matches. Even so, George Ker of Scotland was World Goal Scorer of the Year for the fifth time running. If players are even on goals, the one who scored his in the fewest matches is ranked the highest. The native Glaswegian George Ker started out with the Queen's Park juniors, playing for Kerland FC and Alexandra Athletic before joining great local rivals Queen's Park FC (Glasgow) in 1877, with whom he won the Scottish Cup three times from 1880 to 1882. "Geordie" Ker was a clever centre forward, a skillful dribbler and very dangerous at goal. Yet until 1878 he played in defence. His goals were legend. George was the younger brother of William Ker, who from 1872 to 1873 played for Scotland twice, and until November 1873 was with Queen's Park FC (Glasgow) before emigrating to Canada. From March 13, 1880, to March 25, 1882, "Geordie" Ker played for Scotland five times and scored ten goals. On March 13, 1880, he also became the first Scotsman, and the second player in history, to score three goals in a full "A" international, and this against England. In July 1884 he emigrated to North America, and his track ends there. 1881
[Foto: 5] George Ker Foto: 1881 was a black year for English football. On February 26, 1881, the national team conceded a sensational 0:1 loss to Wales in Blackburn, and two weeks later was beaten 1:6 by Scotland in London. Thus England scored but one goal that year, Wales two and Scotland 11 in a total of three full "A" internationals. Needless to say, this year's top international scorer was Scottish, all the more since Scotland fielded the same 11 players in both matches. This was (after 1880) the second consecutive time that George Ker became the world's top scorer. Scotland fielded a 2-2-6 system with two centre forwards at that time. "Geordie" Ker was one of them, the other being Joseph Lindsay from Dumbarton FC. The second-best scorer was physician Dr. John Smith, the third Scotsman to score three goals in one match; and, like his predecessors, he also scored them against England. All the other scorers only mustered one goal, Scotland profiting from two own goals when they beat Wales 5:1 in Wrexham on March 14, 1881. 1882
 Oliver Howard Vaughton Foto: IFFHS This was the first year with five full "A" internationals, which produced an astounding 40 goals. England scored 17, Wales 12, Scotland 10 and Ireland only one. Thus the top international scorer was, for the first time since 1873, once again English. Oliver Howard Vaughton was born in Aston (Birmingham) on January 9, 1861, and started playing football for Waterloo FC. After playing for Birmingham FC and Wednesbury Strollers, in 1880 he joined the Birmingham club Aston Villa. He was an excellent inside left who could also play outside left. He was very good with ball and an outstanding team player, but inconsistent at goal, being more dangerous on some days than on others. Howard Vaughton only played for England five times from February 18, 1882, to February 17, 1884. Right at his international début, a 13:0 thrashing of Ireland, he became the first international player in the world to score five goals during one match. After that, however, he only scored one more goal. He was a silversmith and had his own company, which also made the second FA Cup trophy after the original was stolen in Birmingham in 1895. Howard Vaughton himself won the English Cup in 1887, then with the Villans. In 1924 he became president and director of of the Aston Villa FC, then retired in 1932 due to illness and died on January 6, 1937. 1883
 William Nevill Cobbold Foto: IFFHS Another five full "A" internationals were played during this year, albeit producing only 22 goals. England against scored the most (14) while Scotland scored six, Wales and Ireland one apiece. Thus the world's top international scorer in 1883 was again English. Clement Mitchell, born in Cambridge on February 20, 1862, began to play football at Felsted School. In 1879 he joined Upton Park FC (London). He was a centre forward with a sure shot and an avid scorer. He also had good control of the ball and excelled at passing. From March 15, 1880, to March 14, 1885, he played for England five times and scored five goals, four of them in 1883. Later on, Clement Mitchell also played for Corinthians FC (London). He also was a superb cricketer, and still played cricket for Kent during the early 1890's. Towards the close of the 19th century he went to India. He stayed there for many years before returning to England, where he died on October 6, 1937. The year's second-best scorer (and again in 1887) was Englishman William Nevill Cobbold (4.2.1863-8.4.1922), who was born in Long Melford (Suffolk), attended the Charterhouse School and Jesus College in Cambridge, where he also captained the "Bues". After completing his studies, the 9-times international played Old Carthusians, Wratting Park and Corinthians (London). "Nuts" Cobbold, considered the technically best footballer of the 1880's, also was an excellent cricket and tennis player. A tutor by profession, he always remained an amateur. 1884
[Foto 8] Henry Alfred Cursham Foto: From 1884 onwards, the four British countries contested the Home International Championship on a yearly basis, with each team playing against every other team. Thus, every year featured six full "A" internationals. In 1884, these produced 30 goals, with England scoring 12, Scotland 10, Wales 7, and Ireland 1. Henry Alfred Cursham, born in Wilford (Nottingham) on November 27, 1859, learned to play football at Repton School before he joined the Notts County FC. The two-footed winger, who was a very good dribbler, also played as half-back. From March 15, 1880, to February 23, 1884, he played for England eight times and scored five goals. During his last full "A" international, and his only one in 1884 (8:1 Ireland), he scored three goals, which made him the year's top international scorer. From 1882 to 1886, "Harry" Cursham also played for Corinthians FC (London). Before his early retirement from football in 1886, he still played for Thursday Wanderers (Sheffield). Thereafter, his passion was cricket, where he also earned local honours. By profession he was an insurance agent, and from 1889 to 1939 worked for the Union Insurance Society. He died on August 6, 1941. His older brother Arthur William Cursham (14.3.1853-24.12.1884), who also played for Notts County and was a passionate cricketer as well, played his 6th and last full "A" international on March 10, 1883, against Schottland (2:3). It was the first and only time that he and his younger brother Henry played together. They were England's inside right and left. In 1884 Arthur emigrated to the USA, where he died shortly after his arrival in Florida. 1885
[Foto 9] Alexander F.Higgins Foto: This year, the six full "A" internationals produced 37 goals, of which Scotland scored 17, Wales 10, England 6, and Ireland 4. If players are even on goals, the one who scored his in the fewest matches is ranked the highest. This rule was applied for the second time since 1880, and the contestants for the top honour were two Scots. Alexander F. Higgins was born in Kilmarnock in 1865 and played for his home club Kilmarnock FC, where he became a highly talented centre forward, a strong dribbler and a sure shot at goal. Although he performed consistently, he was only once was called up once for the Scottish national team. Yet on that occasion he proved his mettle, scoring four goals when Scotland beat Ireland 8:2 in Glasgow on March 14, 1885. In August 1888 Alexander F. Higgins transferred to Derby County FC, scoring 12 goals in 21 league matches during the first two years of the English League. In July 1890 he transferred to Nottingham Forest FC, with whom he rose to the highest class of English football. During the 1892/93 English League season he scored 12 goals in 25 league matches. His scoring power began to diminish during the next season, when he still played 22 matches, and he ended his active footballing career at the age of 29. Alexander F. Higgins, who also played inside right, was the father of Alexander "Sandy" Higgins, who from 1910 to 1911 played for Scotland four times and scored one goal. Father Alexander F. Higgins died on April 17, 1920, the day his great love, The Killies, won the SFA Cup for the first time ever. 1886
[Foto 10] Benjamin Ward Spilsbury Foto: The six full "A" internationals played in 1886 produced 32 goals, of which Scotland scored 12, England 10, Wales 7, and Ireland 3. This time the world top scorer did not come from the country which scored the most, but from England. Benjamin Ward Spilsbury, born in Findern (Derbyshire) on August 1, 1864, attended Rossall School, Repton School and eventually Jesus College in Cambridge. During his studies he played for Cambridge University, from 1885 to 1888 occasionally also for Corinthians FC (London). He played both outside and inside right, gave accurate passes and had a precise shot. However, he was moody, tended to take risks and did not always think his game through. He played one league match for Derby County FC during the 1888/89 season. From February 28, 1885, to March 27, 1886, he played for England three times, scoring five goals. Benjamin Spilsbury emigrated to Canada in 1889 and settled in Vancouver, where he died on August 15, 1938. 1887
 Tinsley Lindley Foto: IFFHS The six full "A" internationals played in 1887 produced 28 goals, of which England scored 13, Scotland 9, Ireland 5, and Wales 1. The year's top international scorers were two famous players and representatives of the English aesthetic football. For that matter, England's 13 goals were all scored by three players together. Tinsley Lindley, born in Nottingham on October 27, 1865, already revealed his extraordinary talent at Nottingham High School. He later attended Leys School in Cambridge, where he turned to rugby. From 1885 to 1888 he studied at Caius College (also in Cambridge) and during this time played football for Cambridge University, on occasion also for Corinthians FC (London). Via Casuals, he came to Nottingham Forest FC in 1888, but during the 1889/90 season also played two league matches for local rivals Notts County. In 1891 he also played for Crusaders and Swift (London) for a short while before guest-playing for Preston North End (1 league match). Tinsley Lindley was considered one of the 19th century's great centre forwards. His passes and shots at goal were very precise, he was very clever and an excellent team player. An elegant and technically superb player, he was the ultimate footballer. From March 13, 1886, to March 7, 1891, he played for England 13 times and scored 14 goals. His many transfers were due primarily to his professional full-time career and the fact that he always remained an amateur. Many clubs wanted to hire him as a professional, but his sporting interests went beyond football. In addition to football, he also had a passion for cricket and rugby. He played cricket for Nottingham and Cambridge, and rugby for Old Leysians. In 1889 he was called to the bar and practised law in Midland, which he also taught at Nottingham University. In 1918 he was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of British Empire). He died on March 31, 1940. 1888
 Frederick Dewhurst Foto: Colorsport The six full "A" internationals played in 1888 produced more goals than ever (46), with England and Scotland both scoring 15, Wales 13, and Ireland 3. The 13 Welsh goals were scored by four players. For the third time running, the world's top scorer was English. Frederick Dewhurst, born in Preston on December 16, 1863, began to play football with Preston Juniors before joining Preston North End FC (PNE) in 1882. There he developed into an agile inside left with a precise pass. In 1888 and 1889 he reached the FA Cup final with PNE, which they won on the second attempt. From March 13, 1886, to March 23, 1889, he played for England nine times and scored 12 goals. During the 1888/89 season, "Fred" Dewhurst won the inaugural first edition of the English League with the Lilywhites, and defended the title with them the following season. When his club placed second during the 1890/91 season, he played in only two or 22 league matches. His drop in performance started relatively early and was not did come unexpected. He had long been a schoolmaster at Preston Catholic Grammar School and died rather early, on April 21, 1895. 1889
William Groves The six full "A" intrnationals played in 1889 produced 28 goals, of which England scored 12, Scotland 10, Wales 4, and Ireland 2. It was the first time since 1876 that several players shared the honour of being top international scorer.
[Foto 14] William Paul Foto: The six full "A" international played in 1890 produced 33 goals, with England scoring 13, Scotland 10, Wales 6, and Ireland 4. The top scorer did not come from the country which had scored the most, but from Scotland. William Paul, born in Partick, Glasgow, on August 5, 1868, learned to play football with the Elm FC. From Partick FC he came to Partick Thistle FC, for whom he played until 1899. He was a very popular centre forward, and many considered him the best dribbler in the Scottish game at the time. He was fearless, but fair. From March 10, 1888, until March 22, 1890, he played for Scotland only three times, scoring five goals. From the 1893/94 season onwards, his Glasgow club at Inchview Park belonged to were members of the newly-founded Scottish Second Division. In 1897 they succeeded in advancing to the Scottish First League, but after two season were relegated once more. Thus he ended hs active footballing career in November 1899. William Paul, a shipwright by profession, was director of The Jags for a number of years, but died in October 1911. 1891
 Olphert Martin Stanfield Foto: IFFHS The six full "A" internationals played in 1891 produced 34 goals, of which England scored 12, Ireland 9, Scotland 7, and Wales 6. For the first time ever, the year's top international scorer was Irish. Olphert Martin Stanfield, born on February 26, 1869, soon developed into a complete centre forward who scored with his feet and head alike. He also played as inside left or right. He scored his first goal for Ireland the day he made his international début at the age of 17 years and 344 days. In 1888 and 1889 he reached the Irish Cup final with his Belfast club Distillery FC, winning the title in the latter year. When the Irish League started up with the 1890/91 season and produced the first Irish champion, his club Distillery placed third, as it also was did three years later. In 1895 Distillery FC were runners-up, and in the following year won their first title. After 1894 they won the Irish Cup again in 1896, "Olphie" Stanfield winning the first Irish double for his club in 1896. In the league or the national Cup championship, he was one of the club's greatest assets, and one of their top scorers. For Distillery he played 180 competitive games, scoring 176 goals. From February 5, 1887, to March 27, 1897, he played 30 full "A" internationals, scoring 11 goals. When Olphert Stanfield ended his footballing career, rather early it seemed, he was the Irish international record holder, top scorer, and the player who had captained the national team most often. He died on March 13, 1952. 1892
 Notts County FC: Back, f. l. t. r. Charles Bramley, Theophilus Harper, David Calderhead, George Toone, John Hendry, Alfred Shelton; Front f. l. t. r. Arthur Watson, Samuel Donelly, James Logan, Daniel Bruce, Harry Butler Daft. Foto: Colorsport The six full "A" internationals in 1892 produced 23 goals, of which Scotland scored 10, England 8, Ireland 3, and Wales 2. As in 1889, there were several top international scorers, none of whom had played more than one match this year. These were two Scots and two Englishman. One of the Scots was the legendary John "Kitey" McPherson (19.6.1868-31.7.1926), born in Kilmarnock, where he played for the great local club until 1889, when he transferred first to Cowlairs FC (Glasgow) and then to local rivals the Rangers. From March 10, 1888, to March 27, 1897, the inside left (or right) and captain played for Scotland nine times and scored seven goals. His compatriot James Hamilton, a Glaswegian by birth, had since 1885 been a centre forward for Queen's Park FC, with whom he won the Scottish Cup in 1890 and 1893, and reached the final in 1892. James Hamilton was one of three brothers, all of which played for Scotland. Alexander "Alex" Hamilton, the elder brother, had played for Scotland four times previously, and Gladstone Hamilton, the younger brother, once in 1906. Both of James' brothers (James having played for Scotlanf three times) preferred to play outside right. Englishman Harry Butler Daft (5.4.1866-12.1.1945) played at Trent College before he joined Notts County, with which club he reached the FA Cup final in 1891 and won the trophy three years later. He was a quick outside left and excellent at assisting other scorers, he later played for local rivals Nottingham Forest. From March 2, 1889, to March 5, 1892, he played for England five times and scored three goals. He also was a first-rate cricket player. The fourth top scorer in 1892 was John Goodall (19.6.1863-20.5.1942) of Derby County, who was then considered the best footballer in the world. His game fascinated the public. He was technically brilliant, tactically savvy, clever, very dangerous at goal, a strong runner and an able captain. With his totality and genius, he eclipsed all previous players. 1893
 Frederick Spiksley Foto: IFFHS The six full "A" internationals played in 1893 produced a staggering 42 goals, of which England scored 17, Scotland 16, Ireland 6, and Wales 3. As before, if players are even on goals, the one who scored his in the fewest matches is ranked the highest. John Madden, born in Dumbarton on June 11, 1865, played at his home town first for Albion and then the "Hibs" before he joined the great Dumbarton FC in 1886. Via Gainsborough Trinity, in 1888 he came to Glasgow Celtic FC, to whom he would remain loyal until year-end 1896, after which he still played one season each for Dundee FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC. Scotsman John Madden, popularly known as "Rooter", was a centre forward who would also escape to the right wing. He played a clever game and was extremely dangerous at goal. It was indeed strange that in 1892, Sheffield Wednesday sent him home after a test trial. John Madden only played for Scotland twice, on March 18, 1893, and March 23, 1895, both times against Wales, scoring a total of five goals. In 1887, John Madden reached the Scottish Cup final with Dumbarton FC. When Celtic had to replay the Scottish Cup final in 1889 and 1892, he played only in one of the four games. He did play in the Cup finals in 1893 and 1894. When the Scottish League started up with in the 1890/91 season, he was a constantly outstanding with Celtic, but was never a top scorer. John Madden was Scottish champion with Celtic Glasgow in 1893, 1894 and 1896, and runner-up in 1892 and 1895. He was one of the first Scottish players to work as a coach on the European continent: for SK Slavia (Prague). 1894
[Foto 18] John Gould Veitch Foto: The six full "A" internationals played in 1894 produced 29 goals, of which England scored 9, Scotland 9, Wales 7, and Ireland 4. Once again, the top scorer was decided on the basis of the fewest matches needed to score the most goals. John Gould Veitch (19.7.1869-3.10.1914) was born in Kingston Hill (Surrey) and learned to play football at Westminster School. From 1888 to 1891, he attended the Trinity College in Cambridge, where he played for the university side and Corinthians FC (London). After completing his studies, he played for Old Westminster. Colin Veitch was a versatile though inconsistent player who was equally good on the outside left and as inside left. He was a tall and strong man, a good dribbler and gifted with a sure shot. He scored 63 goals in 72 matches for Corinthians (until 1898). During his only full "A" international, against Wales (5:1) in Wrexham on March 12, 1894, he scored three goals for England. 1895
 Stephen Bloomer Foto: IFFHS The six full "A" internationals played in 1895 produced 26 goals, of which England scored 13, Scotland 5, Wales 5, and Ireland 3. England, who dominated the tournament, once again provided the top scorer. Stephen Bloomer, born in Cradley (Worcestershire) on January 20, 1874, learned to play football at the Derby Schools. Having been with Derby Swift (1888-1891) and Tutbury Hawthorn FC, he joined First Division club Derby County FC in 1892. The young "Steve" Bloomer was right at start titular outstanding as inside right and turned into an avid scorer, learning much from the international star John Goodall, the centre forward and captain for the "Rams". During his first season (1892/93) in the top English division, he participated in 28 of 30 league matches and scored 11 goals. The following season, it was 18 goals in 25 matches, and during 1894/95 season – his last year of apprenticeship, as it was – he scored nine goals in 19 league matches. On March 9, 1895, at the age of 21, he made his international début at his home ground in Derby, against Ireland (9:0), where he also was in attack together with John Goodall. Both scored two goals each. On April 6, 1895, during the match against Scotland (3:0) which decided the Home International Championship, "Steve" Bloomer opened the score, thus becoming the only player in 1895 to score three goals for the national team. 1896
 Gilbert Oswald Smith Foto: IFFHS The six full "A" internationals played in 1896 produced 32 goals, of which England scored 12, Scotland 9, Wales 7, and Ireland 4. For the first time since Scotsman George Ker (1880 and 1881), a player succeeded in defending the title of top international goal scorer. The perfect English inside trio – "Steve" Bloomer, G.O. Smith and John Goodall – warmed up against Ireland (2:0) in Belfast on March 7, 1896, and nine days later shone against Wales (9:1) in Cardiff. Stephen Bloomer alone scored five goals. On April 4, 1896, he was missed in Glasgow, and Scotland promptly won both the match and the championship. England's top scorer of the season was irreplaceable. The 22 year-old Bloomer had a superb shooting technique whch enabled him to place a hard and precise shot even from a great distance, but near the goal he preferred to take the ball directly and place it the net with feeling and precision. 1897
 Stephen Bloomer Foto: IFFHS The six full "A" internationals played in 1897 produced 30 goals, of which England scored 11, Scotland 9, Ireland 5, and Wales 5. This was the first time that a player was top international scorer for the third – and consecutive – time. "Steve" Bloomer, English top scorer of both the 1895/96 and 1896/97 seasons, was in sparkling form, and in the national team combined perfectly with the legendary Gilbert Oswald Smith. During the 1896/97 season, Stephen Bloomer reached the FA Cup semi-final with Derby County, and one year later the final, although his goal was not enough for a victory. During the 1898/99 season, "Steve" Bloomer was once more English top scorer. His career as a scorer would be a long one, lasting until 1907 with the national team and until January 1914 in the league, although he played for Middlesborough FC in between (from March 1906 to September 1910) but later returned to Derby County. "Steve" Bloomer was the first super-scorer in the history of international football. In July 1914 he went to Berlin (Germany) to work as a trainer. After the outbreak of World War I, the world-renowned Stephen Bloomer was imprisoned by the Germans for four years without reason, the German FA doing nothing to help. After the end of World War I, Stephen Bloomer did short coaching stints in Rotterdam and Canada (1922), then with old club Derby County, and from 1924 on in Spain. "Steve" Bloomer, who had been national top scorer five times, scored 317 goals in 536 Top Division matches and 38 goals in 64 Second Division matches, won the FA Cup in 1903, and was British champion with England six times. He died in Derby on April 16, 1938. 1898
 George Frederick Wheldon Foto: Colorsport The six full "A" internationals played in 1898 produced 23 goals, of which England scored 9, Scotland 9, Ireland 3, and Wales 2. As in 1894, if players are even on goals, the one who scored his in the fewest matches is ranked the highest. James Gillespie of Scotland, who was born in Morton, tried his footballing luck in the north of England when Sunderland AFC made the Football League of England in 1890, but after only two league matches transferred to local rivals Albion. When the "Rokerites" won the FA Cup in 1892, they brought James Gillespie back. During the 1892/93 season he won the Cup with Sunderland, scoring ten goals in 23 league matches, and was runner-up during the next season (24 league matches, 10 goals). During the 1894/95 season he won the Cup again with Sunderland (26 league matches, 12 goals). His performance began to flag during the following two seasons, with 25 resp. 29 league matches, and in May 1897 he transferred to Third Lanark (Glasgow), where he was outstanding a titular for two years. During the 1899/1900 season he only played one league match. Outside right James Gillespie, popularly known as "Taffy", was dangerous on the wing. He scored three goals during his only international match, against Wales in Motherwell on March 19, 1898. He was a cabinet maker by profession. Englishman George Frederick Wheldon (1.11.1871-14.1.1924) was born in Langley Green and first played for his home clubs Road End White Star and Langley Green Victoria before he went to Birmingham in 1890 and played for Small Heath, and from June 1896 for Aston Villa. He continued to play for other clubs after the turn of the century. In 1897 and 1898 he played for England four times, scoring six goals and ranking second top international scorer for both years. The scorer, who usually played inside left, was also an outstanding cricketer. 1899
 Robert Smyth McColl Foto: IFFHS The six full "A" internationals played in 1899 produced 39 goals, with England scoring 19, Scotland 16, and Ireland 4. It was the first time since the Home International Championship was instituted in 1884 that a national team – Wales – failed to score. Robert Smyth McColl, born in Glasgow on April 13, 1876, started playing football with Benmore FC before transferring to Queen's Park FC (Glasgow) in January 1894. In the 19th century, this amateur club did not belong to the Scottish First Division. Its period of glory in the Scottish Cup, which Queen's Park had won ten times up to 1893, was past. Nevertheless, "Toffee Bob", as he was known, became one of the best centre forwards of his time. He also was able to play as inside left. Robert McColl was a scorer with a deadly shot, but also an exemplary team-mate and excellent at passing. He made his international début in Dundee on March 21, 1896, when he played against Wales without scoring, but he scored ten times during the next five full internationals. On April 14, 1900, he reached the Scottish Cup final with Queen's Park FC, but lost 3:4 to local rivals Celtic. [35] 1900
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