Bob Chatt
Encyclopedia
Robert Chatt was an English
footballer who was a member of the Aston Villa
team which won the Football League championship three times in the 1890s. Chatt was credited with scoring the fastest goal in FA Cup Final
history, scored after just 30 seconds in the 1895 FA Cup Final
. This record stood for 114 years until Louis Saha
of Everton scored after 25 seconds against Chelsea in the 2009 final
.
Chatt later won the FA Amateur Cup
with Stockton
and is the only player to have winner's medals for both the FA Cup and the FA Amateur Cup.
and played football for Cleator Moor and Middlesbrough Ironopolis
before joining Aston Villa in August 1893.
In his first season
with Aston Villa, he made seventeen appearances generally playing at left half
, from where he scored five goals in league matches and four in the FA Cup. His goals included six scored in a run of two goals per match in three consecutive matches in March. At the end of the season, Villa claimed their first Football League title by a margin of six points over Sunderland
, having scored 84 goals in 30 games, with only five defeats.
Chatt became a regular member of the side in the 1894-95 season
, when he was pushed forward to play as an inside forward
. Chatt only missed three league games, scoring ten league goals, as Aston Villa finished the season in third place, eight points behind the champions, Sunderland.
In the FA Cup
, Villa defeated Nottingham Forest
6–2 in the third round with two goals each from Chatt and Stephen Smith
, to set up a semi-final
against Sunderland. Two further goals from Smith despatched Sunderland and Villa were in the final for the third time where they once again met local rivals, West Bromwich Albion
, against whom they had played in their two previous finals, winning 2–0 in 1887
and losing 3–0 in 1892
.
The final
on 20 April 1895 was played for the first time at Crystal Palace
, which was to host the finals for the next twenty years. The weather for the final was described as "a beautiful spring day", and consequently the crowd and press were still coming into the ground when the game kicked off. From the kick-off, John Devey
, the Villa centre-forward, swung the ball out to his inside-left, Dennis Hodgetts
. Hodgetts' long cross-pass found Charlie Athersmith
on the right, and his centre fell to Chatt who sent the ball goalwards on a half volley. Albion's keeper Joe Reader
was only able to get his fingers to the shot, and turned the ball across the goal mouth and, after a goalmouth scramble involving Devey and Albion defender Jack Horton
, the ball was turned in to the net. There are no accurate timings for the goal and different reports time it at between 30 and 39 seconds. At the time, many of the crowd and press missed the goal as they were still taking their seats, and the press reports indicated that Chatt had scored. According to Ward & Griffin in their "Essential History of Aston Villa" however, "after the game, the Villa players confirmed that John Devey had netted after Chatt's shot had been blocked straight into the latter's path and had ricocheted off his knee." Despite this claim, The Football Association
still credit the goal to Chatt as having been scored on thirty seconds. Chatt's record stood for 114 years until beaten by Louis Saha
's effort for Everton after 25 seconds in 2009
.
Despite pressure from the Albion forwards, especially from Billy Bassett
, Villa were able to hold on to their lead until half-time. In the second half, Villa began to press forward again with Chatt and Devey forcing excellent saves from Joe Reader. Neither side was able to add to the score and Villa won the cup for the second time.
For the 1895–96 season
, Chatt was moved back to centre-half to accommodate Johnny Campbell
who had arrived from Celtic
during the summer. The season started badly for Villa when they lost the FA Cup - literally. On 11 September the trophy was on display in a football outfitter's window when the shop was broken into and the trophy, together with some cash, was taken. The trophy was never recovered and Villa were fined £25 by the Football Association
. On the pitch, Chatt made 17 appearances in the league, as Villa took the title by four points over Derby County
with Campbell top-scorer on 26 goals. As Philip Gibbons pointed out in "Association Football in Victorian England": "Aston Villa had twice won the League Championship, as well as the FA Cup, during the three previous seasons, with a team generally acknowledged as the finest in the land."
The following year
Chatt continued at half-back but was no longer a regular choice, with Jack Reynolds
, James Cowan
and Jimmy Crabtree
forming a well established half-back line. During Villa's double winning season, Chatt made eleven league and one cup appearance, scoring a single goal, in a 2–1 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers
on Boxing Day
.
Chatt continued in defence for one more season, when Villa finished in a disappointing sixth place, before deciding to retire from professional football in June 1898. In his five years with Villa, Chatt made a total of 94 appearances, scoring 26 goals.
, and was part of the Stockton team which claimed the FA Amateur Cup
with a 1–0 victory over Harwich & Parkeston
in his first season.
He also played for South Shields
and Willington Athletic before becoming the trainer of Doncaster Rovers
(1904–1905). He held similar posts with Port Vale
(1905–1906), Manchester City
(1906–1916), South Shields
(1919), Caerphilly (1921–1922) and Newport County (1922–1931).
Robert Chatt died in 1935.
Stockton
Family
Father: Thomas Chatt b. 1828
Mother: Margaret Chatt b. 1837
Siblings:
Jane Chatt b. 1855
Richard Chatt b. 1857
Edward Chatt b. 1858
Ann S Chatt b. 1866
John Thomas Chatt b. 1861
Whitfield Chatt b. 1864
Frederick Chatt b. 1872
George Chatt b. 1874
Margaret Chatt b. 1880
Sources: Census 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who was a member of the Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
team which won the Football League championship three times in the 1890s. Chatt was credited with scoring the fastest goal in FA Cup Final
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
history, scored after just 30 seconds in the 1895 FA Cup Final
1895 FA Cup Final
The 1895 FA Cup Final was contested by Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion at Crystal Palace. Aston Villa won 1–0, with Bob Chatt being credited with scoring the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history, scored after just 30 seconds...
. This record stood for 114 years until Louis Saha
Louis Saha
Louis Laurent Saha is a French footballer of Guadelupian origin who currently plays as a forward for Everton FC in the Premier League and the France national team. A former scholar at the Clairefontaine football academy, he started his career at Metz before playing on loan at Newcastle United...
of Everton scored after 25 seconds against Chelsea in the 2009 final
2009 FA Cup Final
The 2009 FA Cup Final was the 128th final of the world's oldest domestic football cup competition, the FA Cup. The final was played at Wembley Stadium in London on 30 May 2009 and marked the third time that the final has been staged at the stadium since it was rebuilt...
.
Chatt later won the FA Amateur Cup
FA Amateur Cup
The FA Amateur Cup was an English football competition for amateur clubs. It commenced in 1893 and ended in 1974 when The Football Association abolished official amateur status.-History:...
with Stockton
Stockton F.C.
Stockton F.C. was an English football club based in Stockton-on-Tees. The club were known as 'The Ancients' because of their long-standing presence in the town. Their traditional colours were red and black quartered shirts with white shorts.-History:...
and is the only player to have winner's medals for both the FA Cup and the FA Amateur Cup.
Aston Villa
Chatt was born in Barnard CastleBarnard Castle
Barnard Castle is an historical town in Teesdale, County Durham, England. It is named after the castle around which it grew up. It sits on the north side of the River Tees, opposite Startforth, south southwest of Newcastle upon Tyne, south southwest of Sunderland, west of Middlesbrough and ...
and played football for Cleator Moor and Middlesbrough Ironopolis
Middlesbrough Ironopolis F.C.
Middlesbrough Ironopolis Football Club were an English association football club which briefly played in the Football League in the 1890s. Their entire history was played out during the Victorian era in Middlesbrough....
before joining Aston Villa in August 1893.
In his first season
1893-94 in English football
The 1893–94 season was the 23rd season of competitive football in England.-Events:The 1893–94 season saw four of the most famous teams in English Footballing history join the Second Division: Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester City, and the first team based in London, Woolwich Arsenal...
with Aston Villa, he made seventeen appearances generally playing at left half
Wing half
In association football, the position of wing half or wing half back) was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries...
, from where he scored five goals in league matches and four in the FA Cup. His goals included six scored in a run of two goals per match in three consecutive matches in March. At the end of the season, Villa claimed their first Football League title by a margin of six points over Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
, having scored 84 goals in 30 games, with only five defeats.
Chatt became a regular member of the side in the 1894-95 season
1894-95 in English football
The 1894–95 season was the 24th season of competitive football in England.-Football League:Following the collapse of Middlesbrough Ironopolis and the resignation of Northwich Victoria, three new teams were admitted to the Second Division, bringing it to 16 teams...
, when he was pushed forward to play as an inside forward
Inside forward
In football, the position of inside forward was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries. The inside forwards would support the centre forwards, running and making space in the opposition defence, and, as the passing game developed, supporting him with passes...
. Chatt only missed three league games, scoring ten league goals, as Aston Villa finished the season in third place, eight points behind the champions, Sunderland.
In the FA Cup
FA Cup 1894-95
The 1894–1895 FA Cup was the 24th season of the world's oldest association football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup . The cup was won by Aston Villa, who defeated West Bromwich Albion 1–0 in the final of the competition, played at Crystal Palace in London...
, Villa defeated Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
6–2 in the third round with two goals each from Chatt and Stephen Smith
Stephen Smith (footballer)
Stephen Smith was an England international football player in the late 19th century.Smith was born in Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire.. He played for Aston Villa from 1893 to 1901, helping them to win the Football League title in 1893-94, 1895-96, 1896-97, 1898-99 and 1899-1900, as well as the FA...
, to set up a semi-final
FA Cup Semi-finals
The FA Cup Semi-finals are played to determine which teams will contest the FA Cup Final. They are the penultimate phase of the FA Cup, the oldest football tournament in the world.- Location :...
against Sunderland. Two further goals from Smith despatched Sunderland and Villa were in the final for the third time where they once again met local rivals, West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
, against whom they had played in their two previous finals, winning 2–0 in 1887
1887 FA Cup Final
The 1887 FA Cup Final was contested by Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion at the Kennington Oval. Aston Villa won 2–0, with goals by Archie Hunter and Dennis Hodgetts.-Teams:*Played 2 April 1887*Attendance: 15,500*Referee: Major Francis Marindin...
and losing 3–0 in 1892
1892 FA Cup Final
The 1892 FA Cup Final was contested by West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa at the Kennington Oval. West Bromwich Albion won 3–0, with goals by Jasper Geddes, Sammy Nicholls and Jack Reynolds...
.
The final
1895 FA Cup Final
The 1895 FA Cup Final was contested by Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion at Crystal Palace. Aston Villa won 1–0, with Bob Chatt being credited with scoring the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history, scored after just 30 seconds...
on 20 April 1895 was played for the first time at Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
The National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace in south London, England is a large sports centre and athletics stadium. It was opened in 1964 in Crystal Palace Park, close to the site of the former Crystal Palace, in the former parkland and also usurping part of the former grand prix circuit.It was...
, which was to host the finals for the next twenty years. The weather for the final was described as "a beautiful spring day", and consequently the crowd and press were still coming into the ground when the game kicked off. From the kick-off, John Devey
John Devey
John Henry George "Jack" Devey was a football player.-Football career:Devey was born in Birmingham and signed for Aston Villa in March 1891; he would go on to become one of Aston Villa's greatest captains...
, the Villa centre-forward, swung the ball out to his inside-left, Dennis Hodgetts
Dennis Hodgetts
Dennis 'Denny' Hodgetts was a football player in the early years of professional football in England....
. Hodgetts' long cross-pass found Charlie Athersmith
Charlie Athersmith
William Charles "Charlie" Athersmith was an English professional footballer who played as a winger.Athersmith was born in Bloxwich, Staffordshire...
on the right, and his centre fell to Chatt who sent the ball goalwards on a half volley. Albion's keeper Joe Reader
Joe Reader
Josiah "Joe" Reader was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He spent his entire professional career with West Bromwich Albion and served the club as a player, coach and steward for a total of 65 years....
was only able to get his fingers to the shot, and turned the ball across the goal mouth and, after a goalmouth scramble involving Devey and Albion defender Jack Horton
Jack Horton
Jack Horton was an English footballer who played in The Football League for West Bromwich Albion. His brother Ezra was also a footballer.-References:...
, the ball was turned in to the net. There are no accurate timings for the goal and different reports time it at between 30 and 39 seconds. At the time, many of the crowd and press missed the goal as they were still taking their seats, and the press reports indicated that Chatt had scored. According to Ward & Griffin in their "Essential History of Aston Villa" however, "after the game, the Villa players confirmed that John Devey had netted after Chatt's shot had been blocked straight into the latter's path and had ricocheted off his knee." Despite this claim, The Football Association
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
still credit the goal to Chatt as having been scored on thirty seconds. Chatt's record stood for 114 years until beaten by Louis Saha
Louis Saha
Louis Laurent Saha is a French footballer of Guadelupian origin who currently plays as a forward for Everton FC in the Premier League and the France national team. A former scholar at the Clairefontaine football academy, he started his career at Metz before playing on loan at Newcastle United...
's effort for Everton after 25 seconds in 2009
2009 FA Cup Final
The 2009 FA Cup Final was the 128th final of the world's oldest domestic football cup competition, the FA Cup. The final was played at Wembley Stadium in London on 30 May 2009 and marked the third time that the final has been staged at the stadium since it was rebuilt...
.
Despite pressure from the Albion forwards, especially from Billy Bassett
Billy Bassett
William Isiah Bassett was an English association footballer, director and club chairman who served West Bromwich Albion for over half a century.-Playing career:...
, Villa were able to hold on to their lead until half-time. In the second half, Villa began to press forward again with Chatt and Devey forcing excellent saves from Joe Reader. Neither side was able to add to the score and Villa won the cup for the second time.
For the 1895–96 season
1895-96 in English football
The 1895–96 season was the 25th season of competitive football in England.-Events:Loughborough replaced Walsall Town Swifts in the Second Division.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
, Chatt was moved back to centre-half to accommodate Johnny Campbell
John Campbell (footballer born 1871)
John James Campbell was a Scottish footballer who played for Celtic, Aston Villa, Third Lanark and the Scotland national team.-Career:...
who had arrived from Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
during the summer. The season started badly for Villa when they lost the FA Cup - literally. On 11 September the trophy was on display in a football outfitter's window when the shop was broken into and the trophy, together with some cash, was taken. The trophy was never recovered and Villa were fined £25 by the Football Association
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
. On the pitch, Chatt made 17 appearances in the league, as Villa took the title by four points over Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
with Campbell top-scorer on 26 goals. As Philip Gibbons pointed out in "Association Football in Victorian England": "Aston Villa had twice won the League Championship, as well as the FA Cup, during the three previous seasons, with a team generally acknowledged as the finest in the land."
The following year
1896-97 in English football
The 1896–97 season was the 26th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Aston Villa became the second team to complete "the Double" of winning the Football League Championship and the FA Cup. No other team would complete the double for 64 years.The Cup Final was played on 10 April...
Chatt continued at half-back but was no longer a regular choice, with Jack Reynolds
Jack Reynolds (footballer born 1869)
John "Jack" Reynolds was a footballer who played for, among others, West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Celtic. As an international he played five times for Ireland before it emerged that he was actually English and he subsequently played eight times for England...
, James Cowan
James Cowan (footballer)
James Cowan was a Scottish footballer and manager.Born in Jamestown, Dunbartonshire, Cowan was a Scottish international half-back who played with local sides Renton and Vale of Leven before moving to England in 1888 to play for the Warwickshire County FC...
and Jimmy Crabtree
Jimmy Crabtree
James William "Jimmy" Crabtree was a gifted English footballer of the end of the 19th century.He began his career at Burnley, but left in 1890 and played in non-league football for two years before returning to Burnley for the 1892–93 season. His performances attracted the attention of FA Cup...
forming a well established half-back line. During Villa's double winning season, Chatt made eleven league and one cup appearance, scoring a single goal, in a 2–1 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
on Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
.
Chatt continued in defence for one more season, when Villa finished in a disappointing sixth place, before deciding to retire from professional football in June 1898. In his five years with Villa, Chatt made a total of 94 appearances, scoring 26 goals.
Later career
On leaving Villa, Chatt was reinstated as an amateur player and joined StocktonStockton F.C.
Stockton F.C. was an English football club based in Stockton-on-Tees. The club were known as 'The Ancients' because of their long-standing presence in the town. Their traditional colours were red and black quartered shirts with white shorts.-History:...
, and was part of the Stockton team which claimed the FA Amateur Cup
FA Amateur Cup
The FA Amateur Cup was an English football competition for amateur clubs. It commenced in 1893 and ended in 1974 when The Football Association abolished official amateur status.-History:...
with a 1–0 victory over Harwich & Parkeston
Harwich & Parkeston F.C.
Harwich & Parkeston F.C. is an English football club based in Harwich, Essex. The club are currently members of the Essex & Suffolk Border League and play at the Royal Oak ground.-History:...
in his first season.
He also played for South Shields
South Shields F.C.
South Shields F.C. are a football club based in South Shields, England. They have a long and complicated history, with three distinct incarnations taking the name...
and Willington Athletic before becoming the trainer of Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
(1904–1905). He held similar posts with Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
(1905–1906), Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
(1906–1916), South Shields
South Shields F.C.
South Shields F.C. are a football club based in South Shields, England. They have a long and complicated history, with three distinct incarnations taking the name...
(1919), Caerphilly (1921–1922) and Newport County (1922–1931).
Robert Chatt died in 1935.
Honours
Aston VillaAston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
- Football LeagueThe Football LeagueThe Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
champions: 1893–941893-94 in English footballThe 1893–94 season was the 23rd season of competitive football in England.-Events:The 1893–94 season saw four of the most famous teams in English Footballing history join the Second Division: Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester City, and the first team based in London, Woolwich Arsenal...
, 1895–961895-96 in English footballThe 1895–96 season was the 25th season of competitive football in England.-Events:Loughborough replaced Walsall Town Swifts in the Second Division.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
, 1896–971896-97 in English footballThe 1896–97 season was the 26th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Aston Villa became the second team to complete "the Double" of winning the Football League Championship and the FA Cup. No other team would complete the double for 64 years.The Cup Final was played on 10 April... - FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
winners: 1895
Stockton
Stockton F.C.
Stockton F.C. was an English football club based in Stockton-on-Tees. The club were known as 'The Ancients' because of their long-standing presence in the town. Their traditional colours were red and black quartered shirts with white shorts.-History:...
- FA Amateur CupFA Amateur CupThe FA Amateur Cup was an English football competition for amateur clubs. It commenced in 1893 and ended in 1974 when The Football Association abolished official amateur status.-History:...
winners: 1899
External links
Family
Father: Thomas Chatt b. 1828
Mother: Margaret Chatt b. 1837
Siblings:
Jane Chatt b. 1855
Richard Chatt b. 1857
Edward Chatt b. 1858
Ann S Chatt b. 1866
John Thomas Chatt b. 1861
Whitfield Chatt b. 1864
Frederick Chatt b. 1872
George Chatt b. 1874
Margaret Chatt b. 1880
Sources: Census 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891