James Smith (footballer born 1848)
Encyclopedia
James Smith was a Scottish footballer who played for Scotland
against England
in the first official international match
in 1872. He was a member of the Queen's Park
and South Norwood
clubs, and was prominent in the early history of Queens Park.
club, based in Glasgow.
In his "Scottish Football Reminiscences and Sketches" written in 1890, David Bone describes Smith thus:
By November 1870, Smith had moved to London and, although he retained his membership of Queen's Park, was also a member of South Norwood
, for whom he played in the FA Cup
. Smith, along with his elder brother Robert
, was named amongst 16 selected players in the publicity for the unofficial international match
played on 24 February 1872, but neither actually played.
In November 1872, the first officially recognised football international
was arranged between Scotland
and England
; unlike the earlier representative matches, all of which had been played at the Kennington Oval in London, this match was played at West of Scotland Cricket Club
's ground at Hamilton Crescent
in Partick
, Glasgow. The match was organised by the Queen's Park club (the Scottish Football Association
was not founded until the following year), who decided that only Queen's Park members should be selected. Smith started the match as a half-back.
Smith's brother, Robert, played in the match on 30 November 1872 as one of six forwards; thus, he and Robert were the first pair of brothers to play together at international level. Scotland played a 2–2–6 formation (with two backs and two half-backs) while England favoured a more attacking 1–1–8 formation with only two defenders; despite this, the match ended in a 0–0 draw.
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...
against 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...
in the first official 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...
in 1872. He was a member of the Queen's Park
Queen's Park F.C.
Queen's Park Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club are currently the only amateur club in the Scottish League; their amateur status is reflected by their motto, Ludere Causa Ludendi – to play for the sake of playing.Queen's Park are the oldest...
and South Norwood
South Norwood F.C.
South Norwood F.C. were an amateur football club, founded in 1870 or 1871, who featured in the early years of the FA Cup. They have been described as "one of the best in England at that time"...
clubs, and was prominent in the early history of Queens Park.
Football career
Smith was one of the founder members of the Queen's ParkQueen's Park F.C.
Queen's Park Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club are currently the only amateur club in the Scottish League; their amateur status is reflected by their motto, Ludere Causa Ludendi – to play for the sake of playing.Queen's Park are the oldest...
club, based in Glasgow.
In his "Scottish Football Reminiscences and Sketches" written in 1890, David Bone describes Smith thus:
The least known, perhaps, of the original international men, but one whose name will ever be honoured by many of the older school of players, and locally Queen's Park members, is Mr. James Smith, who died some years ago in London. Mr. Smith was, in conjunction with his brother Robert, early associated with the game in Scotland, and was an original member of the Queen's Park. Mr. Archibald Rae, the first secretary of the Scottish Football AssociationScottish Football AssociationThe Scottish Football Association is the governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland. Members of the SFA include clubs in Scotland, affiliated national associations as well as local associations...
, and at one time an active member of the Queen's Park (and a beautiful dribbler in his day), tells an amusing anecdote of Smith, while playing against the Hamilton Club, leaping on the top of a hedge to win a touch-down, which in those days counted a point in the game. This entirely coincided with poor Smith's play, as he was sometimes very impetuous.
By November 1870, Smith had moved to London and, although he retained his membership of Queen's Park, was also a member of South Norwood
South Norwood F.C.
South Norwood F.C. were an amateur football club, founded in 1870 or 1871, who featured in the early years of the FA Cup. They have been described as "one of the best in England at that time"...
, for whom he played in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The 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...
. Smith, along with his elder brother Robert
Robert Smith (footballer born 1843)
Robert Smith was a Scottish footballer who played for Scotland against England in the first official international matches in 1872 and 1873, as well as three appearances in the earlier unofficial matches...
, was named amongst 16 selected players in the publicity for the unofficial international match
England v Scotland representative matches (1870–1872)
Between 1870 and 1872, the Football Association organised five representative association football matches between teams from England and Scotland, all held in London. The first of these matches was held at The Oval on 5 March 1870, and the fifth was on 21 February 1872. The matches, which were...
played on 24 February 1872, but neither actually played.
In November 1872, the first officially recognised football international
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...
was arranged between 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...
and 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...
; unlike the earlier representative matches, all of which had been played at the Kennington Oval in London, this match was played at West of Scotland Cricket Club
West of Scotland Cricket Club
The West of Scotland Cricket Club is a large cricket club based in Glasgow, Scotland. Their ground is Hamilton Crescent located in the Partick area of Glasgow's West End...
's ground at Hamilton Crescent
Hamilton Crescent
Hamilton Crescent is a cricket ground located in the Partick area of Glasgow, Scotland. It is the home of the West of Scotland Cricket Club.Hamilton Crescent is famous for holding the first ever international football match, played between Scotland and England...
in Partick
Partick
Partick is an area of Glasgow on the north bank of the River Clyde, just across from Govan. To the west lies Whiteinch. Partick was a Police burgh from 1852 until 1912 when it was incorporated into the city.-History:...
, Glasgow. The match was organised by the Queen's Park club (the Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association
The Scottish Football Association is the governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland. Members of the SFA include clubs in Scotland, affiliated national associations as well as local associations...
was not founded until the following year), who decided that only Queen's Park members should be selected. Smith started the match as a half-back.
Smith's brother, Robert, played in the match on 30 November 1872 as one of six forwards; thus, he and Robert were the first pair of brothers to play together at international level. Scotland played a 2–2–6 formation (with two backs and two half-backs) while England favoured a more attacking 1–1–8 formation with only two defenders; despite this, the match ended in a 0–0 draw.