Robert Smith (footballer born 1843)
Encyclopedia
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
. 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. At the inaugural meeting of the club, held on 9 July 1867, he was listed as the club's first captain and treasurer.
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
. A Scottish XI had played an English XI in the first (unofficial) international match in March, which ended in a 1–1 draw. After criticism that the first match featured only London-based Scotsmen, the organiser, C. W. Alcock
, had written to Scottish newspapers in an effort to attract players from north of the border. As one of the few active football clubs in Scotland at this time, Queen's Park decided to send a representative but were put off by the cost of sending a player to London; as a result, Smith was nominated to represent the club.
The match ended in a 1–0 victory for the English, with the only goal coming from R. S. F. Walker. Despite further criticism in Scotland of the lack of players from outside London, further matches were arranged twice a season; Smith retained his place for the matches played on 25 February 1871 and 18 November 1871, being listed as captain in the November 1871 match. Smith, along with his younger brother James
, was named amongst 16 selected players in the publicity for the 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 one of six forwards, but at some point in the match, probably at half-time, he switched positions with Robert Gardner, and played the remainder of the match in goal.
Smith's brother, James
, played in the match on 30 November 1872 at half-back; 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.
The re-match was arranged to be played at the Kennington Oval on 8 March 1873. Although Queen's Park had made a substantial profit made on the first match, Scotland were only able to afford to send seven players to London. These players were supplemented by Smith and three other London-based Scotsmen: John Edward Blackburn and Henry Renny-Tailyour
, both with the Royal Engineers, and Arthur Kinnaird
. This time England lined up in a similar 2–2–6 to the Scots. England took a 2–0 lead before the Scots drew level on 70 minutes; England scored twice more late on to make the final score 4–2.
, Wyoming Territory
where he was in business as a merchant. He returned to Scotland to marry Georgina Greig Kidd (born 1853) in Glasgow on 22 July 1879.
Little is known about Smith's later life although he is reported to have died before 1920.
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 matches in 1872 and 1873, as well as three appearances in the earlier unofficial matches
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...
. 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. At the inaugural meeting of the club, held on 9 July 1867, he was listed as the club's first captain and treasurer.
In his "Scottish Football Reminiscences and Sketches" written in 1890, David Bone describes Smith thus:
not by any means an impulsive player, but took in the situation quietly; and while no man ever worked harder in the field, or did more for a club, he was not what could be called a brilliant forward. (He) did well in the (1872) international, and considerably helped the eleven to make a drawn battle of it.
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...
. A Scottish XI had played an English XI in the first (unofficial) international match in March, which ended in a 1–1 draw. After criticism that the first match featured only London-based Scotsmen, the organiser, C. W. Alcock
C. W. Alcock
Charles William Alcock was an influential English sportsman and administrator. He was a major instigator in the development of both international football and cricket, as well as being the creator of the FA Cup....
, had written to Scottish newspapers in an effort to attract players from north of the border. As one of the few active football clubs in Scotland at this time, Queen's Park decided to send a representative but were put off by the cost of sending a player to London; as a result, Smith was nominated to represent the club.
The match ended in a 1–0 victory for the English, with the only goal coming from R. S. F. Walker. Despite further criticism in Scotland of the lack of players from outside London, further matches were arranged twice a season; Smith retained his place for the matches played on 25 February 1871 and 18 November 1871, being listed as captain in the November 1871 match. Smith, along with his younger brother James
James Smith (footballer born 1848)
James Smith was a Scottish footballer who played for Scotland against England in the first official international match in 1872...
, was named amongst 16 selected players in the publicity for the match 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 one of six forwards, but at some point in the match, probably at half-time, he switched positions with Robert Gardner, and played the remainder of the match in goal.
Smith's brother, James
James Smith (footballer born 1848)
James Smith was a Scottish footballer who played for Scotland against England in the first official international match in 1872...
, played in the match on 30 November 1872 at half-back; 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.
The re-match was arranged to be played at the Kennington Oval on 8 March 1873. Although Queen's Park had made a substantial profit made on the first match, Scotland were only able to afford to send seven players to London. These players were supplemented by Smith and three other London-based Scotsmen: John Edward Blackburn and Henry Renny-Tailyour
Henry Renny-Tailyour
Henry Waugh Renny-Tailyour was an amateur all-round sportsman who appeared for Scotland in some of the earliest international football and rugby union matches, remaining to this day the only player to have represented the country in both codes...
, both with the Royal Engineers, and Arthur Kinnaird
Arthur Kinnaird, 11th Lord Kinnaird
Arthur Fitzgerald Kinnaird, 11th Lord Kinnaird KT was a principal of The Football Association and a leading footballer....
. This time England lined up in a similar 2–2–6 to the Scots. England took a 2–0 lead before the Scots drew level on 70 minutes; England scored twice more late on to make the final score 4–2.
Life after football
In about 1875, Smith emigrated to Green RiverGreen River, Wyoming
Green River is a city in and the county seat of Sweetwater County, Wyoming, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. The population was 11,808 at the 2000 census....
, Wyoming Territory
Wyoming Territory
The Territory of Wyoming was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 25, 1868, until July 10, 1890, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Wyoming. Cheyenne was the territorial capital...
where he was in business as a merchant. He returned to Scotland to marry Georgina Greig Kidd (born 1853) in Glasgow on 22 July 1879.
Little is known about Smith's later life although he is reported to have died before 1920.