Ernest Greenhalgh
Encyclopedia
Ernest Harwood Greenhalgh (6 March 1849 - 11 July 1922) was an English
footballer who played for England
as a full back in the first international match
against Scotland
.
and played for Notts County
, before the foundation of The Football League
, from 1869 to 1883 making over 147 appearances as a defender and was made Captain in 1872 . His arrival at Notts County in 1869 helped to "greatly improve (their) results, due mainly to his great influence and leadership".
He was one of only two players not from a London
-based or university team to be chosen by the England selectors for the match against Scotland on 30 November 1872. In this match he played as the only full back in a 1-1-8 or 1-2-7 formation and was Notts County's first international representative. From the eleven who played in the first international, the England selectors only recalled Greenhalgh and Charles Chenery
for the return match on 8 March 1873, which resulted in a 4-2 victory for England.
In 1882-83
his leadership helped County to reach the FA Cup Semi-finals
where they were unfortunate to meet the Old Etonians
at their finest losing 2-1 at the Kennington Oval.
in Mansfield which was the home of Mansfield Mechanics F.C., until becoming the home of Mansfield Town
in 1916.
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 played for England
England 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...
as a full back in the first international match
Scotland v England (1872)
Scotland v England was the first ever official international football match to be played. It was contested by the national teams of Scotland and England. The match took place on 30 November 1872 at West of Scotland Cricket Club's ground at Hamilton Crescent in Partick, Scotland...
against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
.
Playing career
Greenhalgh was born in MansfieldMansfield
Mansfield is a town in Nottinghamshire, England. It is the main town in the Mansfield local government district. Mansfield is a part of the Mansfield Urban Area....
and played for Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
, before the foundation of The Football League
The Football League
The 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...
, from 1869 to 1883 making over 147 appearances as a defender and was made Captain in 1872 . His arrival at Notts County in 1869 helped to "greatly improve (their) results, due mainly to his great influence and leadership".
He was one of only two players not from a London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
-based or university team to be chosen by the England selectors for the match against Scotland on 30 November 1872. In this match he played as the only full back in a 1-1-8 or 1-2-7 formation and was Notts County's first international representative. From the eleven who played in the first international, the England selectors only recalled Greenhalgh and Charles Chenery
Charles Chenery
Charles John Chenery was a footballer who played for England in the first international match against Scotland. He also played cricket for Surrey and Northants.-Football career:...
for the return match on 8 March 1873, which resulted in a 4-2 victory for England.
In 1882-83
1882-83 in English football
The 1882–1883 season was the 12th season of competitive football in England.-National team:* England score given firstKey* H = Home match* F = Friendly-Honours:...
his leadership helped County to reach the FA Cup Semi-finals
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 :...
where they were unfortunate to meet the Old Etonians
Old Etonians F.C.
The Old Etonians Football Club is an English football club whose players are taken from previous attendees of Eton College, in Eton, Berkshire.-History:...
at their finest losing 2-1 at the Kennington Oval.
Later career
After retiring from playing in 1883, Greenhalgh continued to play an important part in the development of football, helping to found Greenhalgh's F.C. in Mansfield. He was also the owner of Field MillField Mill
Field Mill is a multi-use stadium in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England.It is currently occupied by its main tenant, Mansfield Town.The stadium has a capacity of around 10,000 when fully open, but due to the Bishop Street Stand being closed and safety restrictions, the ground currently holds less...
in Mansfield which was the home of Mansfield Mechanics F.C., until becoming the home of Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
in 1916.