30.10.17

Celtic's 62 game unbeaten run


On November 13th 1915 Celtic were defeated 2-0 by Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle. The following week they beat Kilmarnock 2-0 at Celtic Park. This was the beginning of a 62 match unbeaten run.  















So, the story of this remarkable run begins and ends with Kilmarnock:

CELTIC BEATEN AT LAST
Kilmarnock accomplished at Parkhead on Saturday what they nearly achieved at home a few weeks ago; they are the first to defeat Celtic in the present League campaign, and thus put an end to a sequence of victories extending from the middle of December, 1915, until the pr.esent time. It was fitting that a team renowned for consistency should be defeated by opponents who have been more consistent than any other team when opposing the champions. If Sinclair were slightly at fault in the first game in allowing McMenemy to equalise when but three minutes remained for play, Kilmarnock’s regular custodian made no such mistake in the return engagement. The shooting of the Celtic forwards was not particularly deadly, and it was in leaving his goal to deal with corner kicks almost innumerable that Blair excelled. The winners were somewhat fortunate to score as they did twice in the first half, doubly so to find their opponents miss opportunities much more frequent and less difficult. But the losers had no room for complaint, save on their own incapacity at goal. They were at home, on a perfect pitch, with wind and sun minor and equal handicaps to both teams. The winners goals were scored before the interval, so there was nothing of a snatch victory about Kilmarnock’s successful venture. The mistake made by McNair in passing back to his goalkeeper would not have been fatal had the home forwards shown their usual judgement and taken advantage of much better openings that fell to Smith and Culley. The pity is that the champions’ first defeat was incurred in their last home engagement; a reverse at an earlier stage would have enlivened a competition that has long ceased to attract by reason of its being a competition in name only. 
The Glasgow Herald  23.04.17




27.10.17

Italy 1934














































1934 was year 12 (XII) of the fascist era in Italy and the visual language of fascism figured strongly in the presentation of the tournament.
The monumental player (who is reminiscent of Il Duce himself) stands with his arm raised, on a pedestal that features a fasces-like object.
There was no way that Italy were not going to win the World Cup in 1934. They benefited from some dubious refereeing. The shame is that this detracted from the real qualities of the players and the genius of coach Vittorio Pozzo and his innovative Metodo.





20.10.17

Ricardo Zamora


Club Esportiu Espanyol goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora feels the chill in 1923.


14.10.17

Stockholm 1912

A great view of Stockholm Olympic Stadium during the Great Britain v Denmark match  (04.07.12). Great Britain (aka England Amateurs) won 4-2 to take the Olympic Gold Medal.  


8.10.17

England: Clubs with most internationals 1872-1937

Up to the summer of 1937 England played 211 international matches featuring 639 players.

The leading clubs in terms of providing England internationals were:


Players
Caps
Aston Villa 
40
161
Blackburn Rovers
33
136
Everton
29
101
The Wednesday/ Sheffield Wednesday
28
137
Sheffield United
27
72
West Bromwich Albion
24
85
Derby County
23
129



Arthur Digger Brown

Image result
Howard Vaughton

Brown and Vaughton both made their international debuts in the 13-0 win over Ireland on February 18th 1882. Brown scored 4 and Vaughton 5.

Image result for billy walker aston villa
Billy Walker

Here are the Aston Villa players who represented England during this period.
It's worth noting that John Reynolds also represented Ireland. Andrew Ducat also represented England at cricket.


Year (s)
Caps
·         Arthur Brown
1882
3
·         Howard Vaughton
1882-84
5
·         Oliver Whateley
1883
2
·         Dennis Hodgetts
1888-94
6
·         Albert Allen
1888
1
·         Charles Athersmith
1892-1900
12
·         John Devey
1892-94
2
·         John Reynolds
1894-97
5
·         Stephen Smith
1895
1
·         James Crabtree
1896-1902
11
·         George Wheldon
1897-98
4
·         Howard Spencer
1897-1905
6
·         Albert Wilkes
1901-02
5
·         William George
1902
3
·         William Garratty
1903
1
·         Joseph Bache
1903-11
7
·         William Brawn
1904
2
·         Alec Leake
1904-05
5
·         Albert Hall
1910
1
·         Harry Hampton
1913-14
4
·         Charles Wallace
1913-20
3
·         Sam Hardy
1913-20
7
·         Frank Barson
1920
1
·         Andrew Ducat
1920
3
·         Billy Walker
1920-32
18
·         Thomas Smart
1921-29
5
·         Billy Kirton
1921
1
·         Frank A Moss
1921-24
5
·         Richard York
1922-26
2
·         Thomas Mort
1924-26
3
·         George Blackburn
1924
1
·         Arthur Dorrell
1924-25
4
·         Benjamin Olney
1928
2
·         Eric Houghton
1930-32
7
·         Joe Tate
1931-32
3
·         Pongo Waring
1931-32
5
·         George Brown
1932
1
·         Joseph Beresford
1934
1
·         Thomas Gardner
1934-35
2
·         Ronald Starling
1937
1