John Sands (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Sands was an English
footballer who played as a goalkeeper
for Nottingham Forest
before the advent of League football
, and made one appearance for the England
national team.
and played junior football in the town before joining Nottingham Forest
in 1878, shortly before his club debut. At that time Forest were not playing in a recognised league so matches were either "friendlies" or FA Cup
matches. Sands helped them reach the FA Cup semi-finals
in 1879 (lost 2–1 to Old Etonians
) and 1880 (lost 1–0 to Oxford University
).
Shortly before the 1880 semi-final (played on 27 March 1880), Sands was selected for his only appearance for England
away to Wales
on 15 March. Sands was one of six players who made their England debut in this match which England won 3–2 with two goals scored by Francis Sparks
of Clapham Rovers
. Thomas Brindle
had to leave the game in the second half due to injury, and England played on with ten men.
Sands continued to play for Nottingham Forest until 1883, his final recorded appearance being in an FA Cup replay in January 1883.
There is little recorded about his career outside football.
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 as a goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
for 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...
before the advent of League football
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...
, and made one appearance for the 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...
national team.
Career
Sands was born in NottinghamNottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
and played junior football in the town before joining 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...
in 1878, shortly before his club debut. At that time Forest were not playing in a recognised league so matches were either "friendlies" or 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...
matches. Sands helped them 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 :...
in 1879 (lost 2–1 to 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:...
) and 1880 (lost 1–0 to Oxford University
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...
).
Shortly before the 1880 semi-final (played on 27 March 1880), Sands was selected for his only appearance 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...
away to Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
on 15 March. Sands was one of six players who made their England debut in this match which England won 3–2 with two goals scored by Francis Sparks
Francis Sparks
Francis John Sparks was an English amateur footballer, who played as a forward. He won the FA Cup in 1880 with Clapham Rovers and made three appearances for England, scoring three goals and being appointed captain.-Career:...
of Clapham Rovers
Clapham Rovers F.C.
Clapham Rovers was from its foundation in 1869 a leading English sports organisation in the two dominant codes of football, association football and rugby union. It was a prominent club in the late 19th century but is now defunct...
. Thomas Brindle
Thomas Brindle
Thomas Brindle was an English footballer who played his club football at left-back for Darwen and Blackburn Olympic. He made two appearances for England in 1880, scoring once.-Career:...
had to leave the game in the second half due to injury, and England played on with ten men.
Sands continued to play for Nottingham Forest until 1883, his final recorded appearance being in an FA Cup replay in January 1883.
There is little recorded about his career outside football.