Cambridge University Association Football Club
Encyclopedia
Cambridge University Association Football Club is an English
football
club representing the University of Cambridge
. Official university publications have claimed that the club was formed in 1856 or 1857.
have been played for many centuries, but until the mid-19th century, none of the modern codes of football existed. Many different games were played at English Public schools
and all of these were known simply as "football". Naturally, children who had learnt these games at school now sought to play them at university
, but this was problematic because they were used to so many different sets of rules.
Eton
, Harrow
and Winchester, in particular, developed codes which revolved around a roughly spherical ball being kicked along the ground (Weir, 2004). In 1846, H.C. Malden of Trinity
combined these and other football games in the Cambridge Rules, one of the first codes of football, posting them on the trees around Parker's Piece
. Debate on the rules continued, and in 1846, a revised set of Cambridge Rules were created. Some records (see Harvey) cite this as the foundation date of the club.
The foundation date of 1856 is based upon the 1856 copy of the Cambridge Rules held by Shrewsbury School
which is entitled: "The Laws of the University Foot Ball Club". The Club history probably goes back even further: for example, Harvey states: "Salopians formed a club of their own in the late 1830s/early 1840s but that was presumably absorbed by the Cambridge University Football Club that they were so influential in creating in 1846" Certainly in the early 1840s Charles Astor Bristed
confirms that at Cambridge there were games played between football clubs from different colleges and houses Similarly, other sources show that an Arthur Pell established a football club at Cambridge in 1839. This may have been the origin of the Cambridge AFC.
Colin Weir asserted in his history of CUAFC that: "it would be hard to exaggerate the influence that the University footballers of Cambridge have had on the game in England and subsequently all over the world". This is borne out by the fact that the Cambridge Rules were the main reference point for the initial rules of The Football Association
(FA) in October 1863, the first code for Association football
.
Cambridge graduates set up many early football clubs, such as Hallam FC
in the north and the Forest Club
in Essex.
.
The 1883 side was the first team to introduce the "pyramid" 2 3 5 formation (two defenders, three midfield, and five strikers). Following the success of the "Cambridge pyramid" this formation became the norm for all football teams.
Notable players of 1883 side included W.N. Cobbold, A.T.B. Dunn and Pawson. Their passing, attacking style led to a 3-2 victory in the Varsity match. The changes to team formation and playing style introduced by Cambridge AFC led to the longest consecutive run of victories (1883–1887) against the other university and their spectacular 5-1 victory in 1886
Combination play
by Cambridge University FC is suggested in contemporary accounts as early as Dec 1872: "The goal for the university was the result of the combined efforts of Adams, Sparham and Smith". In this account Cambridge "played well together".
and Jesus
. Once Oxford
had followed suit, there was immediate talk of a Varsity match, and on March 30, 1874 the two Universities first met. Although the Light Blues succumbed 1–0, they were to dominate their Oxford counterparts until the end of the century.
In 1882, and CUAFC were still playing on Parker's Piece. A meeting of the Club concluded that it would be advisable to buy a ground, for Parker's Piece was not appropriate "owing to the fact that anyone can walk across and about the ground during the game". But it was not until 1895, however, that they were able to acquire Grange Road, in tandem with the Rugby Club, for £4,300. They were still paying it off until just before the First World War. Grange Road remains the university ground, although it was joined by Fenner's
in 1975.
Nationally, with the new social legislation of the early 20th century that distributed more money to the working classes and increased leisure time (particularly on Saturday afternoons) and with new technological advances, such as the expanse of railways, which facilitated the nationalisation of leagues, the game of football was truly blooming. All the great clubs of today were formed at this time. The munitions workers at Woolwich Arsenal
put down their tools and started picking up their boots in 1886. Members of the cricket club at Everton widened their sporting interests in 1878. However, a disgruntled manager would later decide to form a rival club that played in red. With the support of the Three Crowns, Newton Heath was founded in 1878, soon joining with another side to become Manchester United
, while Aston Villa
grew out of the Bible Class at a Wesleyan Chapel in 1874. Fair to say that CUAFC’s creation had truly captured the imagination of people from all walks of life.
Cambridge University embraced this football explosion. It provided almost fifty England internationals in the early years. It was given a seat on the FA Council, which it maintains to this day. It has played against a plethora of league sides from within Britain and abroad; the first overseas tour took place in Hungary in 1902. Varsity matches were contested at Wembley
until 1989.
The pride in this history and tradition within the club is epitomised by the celebrations of its 150th anniversary: there will be a lunch at the new Wembley Stadium, attended by officials of the FA, UEFA
and FIFA
, there was a match against an FA XI on May 1, 2006, and a German TV documentary in which current players helped re-created that first game on Parker’s Piece a 150 years ago.
A professional coaching set-up is being maintained. Both the Blues and Falcons are now competing in National BUSA
leagues.
.
The full list of England players (with the number of caps received whilst registered with Cambridge University A.F.C.) were:
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...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club representing the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
. Official university publications have claimed that the club was formed in 1856 or 1857.
Foundation
Varieties of footballFootball
Football may refer to one of a number of team sports which all involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball with the foot to score a goal. The most popular of these sports worldwide is association football, more commonly known as just "football" or "soccer"...
have been played for many centuries, but until the mid-19th century, none of the modern codes of football existed. Many different games were played at English Public schools
English public school football games
During the early modern era students, former students and teachers at English public schools developed and wrote down the first codes of football, most notably the Eton College...
and all of these were known simply as "football". Naturally, children who had learnt these games at school now sought to play them at university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
, but this was problematic because they were used to so many different sets of rules.
Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
, Harrow
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
and Winchester, in particular, developed codes which revolved around a roughly spherical ball being kicked along the ground (Weir, 2004). In 1846, H.C. Malden of Trinity
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
combined these and other football games in the Cambridge Rules, one of the first codes of football, posting them on the trees around Parker's Piece
Parker's Piece
Parker's Piece is a flat and very roughly square green common located near the centre of Cambridge, England. The two main walking and cycling paths across it run diagonally, and the single lamp-post at the junction is commonly known as Reality Checkpoint...
. Debate on the rules continued, and in 1846, a revised set of Cambridge Rules were created. Some records (see Harvey) cite this as the foundation date of the club.
The foundation date of 1856 is based upon the 1856 copy of the Cambridge Rules held by Shrewsbury School
Shrewsbury School
Shrewsbury School is a co-educational independent school for pupils aged 13 to 18, founded by Royal Charter in 1552. The present campus to which the school moved in 1882 is located on the banks of the River Severn in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England...
which is entitled: "The Laws of the University Foot Ball Club". The Club history probably goes back even further: for example, Harvey states: "Salopians formed a club of their own in the late 1830s/early 1840s but that was presumably absorbed by the Cambridge University Football Club that they were so influential in creating in 1846" Certainly in the early 1840s Charles Astor Bristed
Charles Astor Bristed
Charles Astor Bristed was an American scholar and author, sometimes writing under the nom de plume Carl Benson. He was the first American to write a full-length defense of Americanisms.-Biography:...
confirms that at Cambridge there were games played between football clubs from different colleges and houses Similarly, other sources show that an Arthur Pell established a football club at Cambridge in 1839. This may have been the origin of the Cambridge AFC.
Colin Weir asserted in his history of CUAFC that: "it would be hard to exaggerate the influence that the University footballers of Cambridge have had on the game in England and subsequently all over the world". This is borne out by the fact that the Cambridge Rules were the main reference point for the initial rules of 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...
(FA) in October 1863, the first code for Association football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
.
Cambridge graduates set up many early football clubs, such as Hallam FC
Hallam F.C.
Hallam Football Club are a football club in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who currently play in the Northern Counties East League Division One...
in the north and the Forest Club
Wanderers F.C.
Wanderers Football Club is an English amateur football club, based in London, that plays in the Surrey South Eastern Combination. Founded as Forest Football Club in 1859, the club changed its name to Wanderers in 1864....
in Essex.
Development of the modern passing style
In a detailed investigation in to the evolution of football tactics based upon contemporary accounts, Adrian Harvey refers to the teams responsible for the early development of the passing game (including Sheffield, The Royal Engineers and Queens Park) but comes to the following conclusion about the finished, modern team product: "Curiously, the side that was generally credited with transforming the tactics of association football and almost single-handedly inventing the modern game was not a professional team but the Cambridge University XI of 1882. Contemporaries described Cambridge as being the first "combination" team in which each player was allotted an area of the field and played as part of a team in a game that was based upon passing". In a discussion by CW Alcock on the history of a "definite scheme of attack" and "elaborate combination" in football playing style, he states in 1891: "The perfection of the system which is in vogue at the present time however is in a very great measure the creation of the last few years. The Cambridge University eleven of 1882 were the first to illustrate the full possibilities of a systematic combination giving full scope to the defence as well as the attack" Although there is some disagreement over whether the innovation began with the team of 1882 or 3, other historians have backed up this view, including the football historian Sir Montague ShearmanMontague Shearman
Sir Montague Shearman was an English judge and athlete. He is most notable as co-founder of the Amateur Athletics Association in 1880.-Early life:...
.
The 1883 side was the first team to introduce the "pyramid" 2 3 5 formation (two defenders, three midfield, and five strikers). Following the success of the "Cambridge pyramid" this formation became the norm for all football teams.
Notable players of 1883 side included W.N. Cobbold, A.T.B. Dunn and Pawson. Their passing, attacking style led to a 3-2 victory in the Varsity match. The changes to team formation and playing style introduced by Cambridge AFC led to the longest consecutive run of victories (1883–1887) against the other university and their spectacular 5-1 victory in 1886
Combination play
Combination Game
The Combination Game was a style of association football based around team work and cooperation. It would gradually favour the passing of the ball between players over individual dribbling skills which had been a notable feature of early Association games. It developed from "scientific" football...
by Cambridge University FC is suggested in contemporary accounts as early as Dec 1872: "The goal for the university was the result of the combined efforts of Adams, Sparham and Smith". In this account Cambridge "played well together".
Cambridge University Association Football Club (CUAFC)
Meanwhile, within the University the 1860s witnessed the foundation of a formalised Cambridge University Association Football Club (CUAFC); the university club had previously been a somewhat ad hoc mix of students from TrinityTrinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
and Jesus
Jesus College, Cambridge
Jesus College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The College was founded in 1496 on the site of a Benedictine nunnery by John Alcock, then Bishop of Ely...
. Once Oxford
Oxford University A.F.C.
Oxford University Association Football Club is an English football club representing the University of Oxford.-History:Formed in 1872, the club was a giant of the 1870s, winning the FA Cup 2-0 against Royal Engineers in 1874 and finishing the competition as runners up in 1873, 1877 and 1880, the...
had followed suit, there was immediate talk of a Varsity match, and on March 30, 1874 the two Universities first met. Although the Light Blues succumbed 1–0, they were to dominate their Oxford counterparts until the end of the century.
In 1882, and CUAFC were still playing on Parker's Piece. A meeting of the Club concluded that it would be advisable to buy a ground, for Parker's Piece was not appropriate "owing to the fact that anyone can walk across and about the ground during the game". But it was not until 1895, however, that they were able to acquire Grange Road, in tandem with the Rugby Club, for £4,300. They were still paying it off until just before the First World War. Grange Road remains the university ground, although it was joined by Fenner's
Fenner's
Fenner's is the University of Cambridge's cricket ground.-History:Fenner's has hosted first-class cricket since 1848, and many of the world's great players have graced the wicket. The ground was established on land leased for the purpose by Francis Fenner, after whom the ground is named.Playing for...
in 1975.
Nationally, with the new social legislation of the early 20th century that distributed more money to the working classes and increased leisure time (particularly on Saturday afternoons) and with new technological advances, such as the expanse of railways, which facilitated the nationalisation of leagues, the game of football was truly blooming. All the great clubs of today were formed at this time. The munitions workers at Woolwich Arsenal
Royal Arsenal
The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, originally known as the Woolwich Warren, carried out armaments manufacture, ammunition proofing and explosives research for the British armed forces. It was sited on the south bank of the River Thames in Woolwich in south-east London, England.-Early history:The Warren...
put down their tools and started picking up their boots in 1886. Members of the cricket club at Everton widened their sporting interests in 1878. However, a disgruntled manager would later decide to form a rival club that played in red. With the support of the Three Crowns, Newton Heath was founded in 1878, soon joining with another side to become Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, while 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...
grew out of the Bible Class at a Wesleyan Chapel in 1874. Fair to say that CUAFC’s creation had truly captured the imagination of people from all walks of life.
Cambridge University embraced this football explosion. It provided almost fifty England internationals in the early years. It was given a seat on the FA Council, which it maintains to this day. It has played against a plethora of league sides from within Britain and abroad; the first overseas tour took place in Hungary in 1902. Varsity matches were contested at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
until 1989.
The pride in this history and tradition within the club is epitomised by the celebrations of its 150th anniversary: there will be a lunch at the new Wembley Stadium, attended by officials of the FA, UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
and FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
, there was a match against an FA XI on May 1, 2006, and a German TV documentary in which current players helped re-created that first game on Parker’s Piece a 150 years ago.
A professional coaching set-up is being maintained. Both the Blues and Falcons are now competing in National BUSA
Busa
Busa may refer to:*Busa language , a language used in New Guinea*Busa language , a language used in Africa*BUSA, the former British Universities Sports Association, now known as the British Universities & Colleges Sport...
leagues.
England internationals
Twenty-four Cambridge players were capped for EnglandEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
.
The full list of England players (with the number of caps received whilst registered with Cambridge University A.F.C.) were:
- John BrockbankJohn BrockbankJohn Benn Brockbank was an English footballer who played for England as a forward in the first international match against Scotland.-Career:...
(1 cap) - Cuthbert BurnupCuthbert BurnupCuthbert James "Pinky" Burnup was an amateur cricketer and footballer who gained fame through his participation in sports around the turn of the century...
(1 cap) - Lindsay BuryLindsay BuryLindsay Bury was an English amateur footballer who, playing as a full back, helped the Old Etonians win the FA Cup in 1879 and made two appearances for England in the 1870s. He also played cricket for Hampshire in 1877....
(1 cap) - William CobboldWilliam CobboldWilliam Nevill Cobbold , familiarly known as "Nuts" Cobbold, was one of the leading footballers of the Victorian era and on several occasions a member of the England national football team...
(6 caps) - Norman CooperNorman CooperNorman Charles Cooper was an English sportsman who represented the England national football team and played first-class cricket with Cambridge University.Cooper was educated at Brighton College and Trinity Hall, Cambridge....
(1 cap) - George CotterillGeorge CotterillGeorge Huth Cotterill was an English amateur footballer who made four appearances for England as a forward in the 1890s, captaining the side on his last two appearances.-Education:...
(1 cap) - Percy de ParaviciniPercy de ParaviciniPercy John de Paravicini was an English amateur cricketer and international footballer in the late nineteenth century.He was born in Kensington, London, the son of Baron James Prior de Paravicini, of Riverside, Datchet, Windsor...
(3 caps) - Arthur DunnArthur DunnArthur Tempest Blakiston Dunn was a noted amateur footballer who founded the English boarding school Ludgrove in 1892.-Football career:...
(2 caps) - Leslie GayLeslie GayLeslie Hewitt Gay, born at Brighton on 24 March 1871 and died at Sidmouth, Devon, on 1 November 1949, was a cricketer who played for Cambridge University, Hampshire, Somerset and England. As a footballer, he played for Cambridge University, the Corinthians and England.Leslie Gay was educated at...
(1 cap) - Stanley S. HarrisStanley Harris (footballer)Stanley Shute Harris was an English footballer who represented and captained the England national football team. He also played first-class cricket for various clubs, appearing in a total of 16 first-class matches....
(1 cap) - Arthur HenfreyArthur HenfreyArthur George Henfrey was an English footballer who made five appearances for England between 1891 and 1896 playing initially as a forward and later as a half back...
(1 cap) - Beaumont JarrettBeaumont JarrettBeaumont Griffith Jarrett was an English footballer who earned three caps for the national team between 1876 and 1878. Jarrett played club football for Cambridge University.-External links:*...
(3 caps) - Tinsley LindleyTinsley LindleyTinsley Lindley was an English footballer. He 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 son of Leonard Lindley who was a lace...
(9 caps) - Vaughan Lodge (3 caps)
- Alfred LytteltonAlfred LytteltonAlfred Lyttelton QC was a British politician and sportsman who excelled at both football and cricket. During his time at university he participated in Varsity Matches in five sports: cricket , football , athletics , rackets and real tennis , displaying an ability that made him...
(1 cap) - Edward LytteltonEdward LytteltonRev. Hon. Edward Lyttelton was an English sportsman, schoolmaster and clergyman. He played first-class cricket for Cambridge University and Middlesex as well as representing the England national football team.-Life:...
(1 cap) - Reginald MacaulayReginald MacaulayReginald Heber Macaulay was an amateur English footballer who won the FA Cup with Old Etonians in 1882 and made one appearance for England in 1881 playing as a forward.-Career:...
(1 cap) - Francis PawsonFrancis PawsonFrancis William Pawson was an English footballer who earned two caps for the national team between 1883 and 1885, scoring one goal. Pawson played club football for Cambridge University. His grandson is the comedian Tim Brooke-Taylor....
(1 cap) - Thelwell PikeThelwell PikeThelwell Mather Pike was an English footballer who earned one cap for the national team in 1886. Pike played club football for Cambridge University, Crusaders, Brentwood, Swifts, Thanet Wanderers and Corinthian....
(1 cap) - John Frederick Peel RawlinsonJohn Frederick Peel RawlinsonJohn Frederick Peel Rawlinson was an amateur English footballer who won the FA Cup with Old Etonians in 1882 and made one appearance for England in 1882 playing as a goalkeeper, before serving as a Member of Parliament for Cambridge University from 1906 to 1926.-Football:Rawlinson was born in New...
(1 cap) - Benjamin SpilsburyBenjamin SpilsburyBenjamin Ward "Ben" Spilsbury was an English international footballer. He made his debut for the international team against Ireland on the 28 February 1885...
(3 caps) - Ralph SquireRalph SquireRalph Tyndall Squire was an English footballer who earned three caps for the national team in 1886. Squire played club football for Cambridge University and Corinthian. Squire was educated at Westminster School and Trinity Hall, Cambridge.-External links:*...
(3 caps) - Arthur Walters (5 caps)
- Gordon WrightGordon Wright (footballer)Edward Gordon Dundas Wright was an English amateur football player who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics and was the captain of Hull City for seven seasons in a row....
(1 cap)