William Rawson
Encyclopedia
William Stepney Rawson was a footballer who played at full back for England
, and was also an FA Cup
Final referee.
, South Africa
and attended Westminster School
, representing the school at "soccer" in 1872 and 1873, becoming captain in his final year. He then went up to Oxford University, winning a "blue" in four consecutive years, from 1874 to 1877.
He became the first African born player to appear in an FA Cup final when played in the 1874 FA Cup Final for Oxford University
- in the match, played against the Royal Engineers
at the Kennington Oval
on 14 March 1874, the University were the victors by 2 goals to 0. His brother Herbert
played for the opposition.
He made his debut for the England football team on 6 March 1875 again at The Oval, in a game
against Scotland
, which finished 2-2. His brother Herbert won his only cap alongside him in this fixture. This was the first occasion on which two brothers played for England in the same match.
As a referee, he was awarded the 1876 FA Cup Final
between the Wanderers
and Old Etonians
, also at the The Oval, which was undecided when the first match ended 1-1 after extra time on 11 March 1876. Wanderers eventually triumphed 3-0 in the replay on 18 March 1876.
On 3 March 1877, he was honoured with the captaincy of the international side, once more against Scotland, and once again at The Oval, in a match
which the Scots won 3-1. He collected just the two international caps for his adopted country.
He was on the losing side in the 1877 FA Cup Final
- the match at The Oval on 24 March was won by the Wanderers
by 2 goals to 1 against Oxford University
.
During his career he also played for Old Westminsters F.C.
and Wanderers
. He served on the FA
committee from 1876 to 1877 and again in 1879.
Referee
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...
, and was also an 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...
Final referee.
Career
Rawson was born in Cape TownCape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and attended Westminster School
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
, representing the school at "soccer" in 1872 and 1873, becoming captain in his final year. He then went up to Oxford University, winning a "blue" in four consecutive years, from 1874 to 1877.
He became the first African born player to appear in an FA Cup final when played in the 1874 FA Cup Final for 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...
- in the match, played against the Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers A.F.C.
The Royal Engineers Association Football Club is an association football team representing the Corps of Royal Engineers, the "Sappers", of the British Army. In the 1870s it was one of the strongest sides in English football, winning the FA Cup in 1875 and being Cup Finalists in four of the first...
at the Kennington Oval
The Oval
The Kia Oval, still commonly referred to by its original name of The Oval, is an international cricket ground in Kennington, in the London Borough of Lambeth. In the past it was also sometimes called the Kennington Oval...
on 14 March 1874, the University were the victors by 2 goals to 0. His brother Herbert
Herbert Rawson
Herbert Edward Rawson was a Mauritius born English footballer who played once for England, and appeared in two FA Cup finals, winning the cup in 1875 as a member of the Royal Engineers.-Career:...
played for the opposition.
He made his debut for the England football team on 6 March 1875 again at The Oval, in a game
1874-75 in English football
The 1874–1875 season was the fourth season of competitive football in England.-National team:* England score given firstKey* H = Home match* F = Friendly-Honours:...
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...
, which finished 2-2. His brother Herbert won his only cap alongside him in this fixture. This was the first occasion on which two brothers played for England in the same match.
As a referee, he was awarded the 1876 FA Cup Final
1876 FA Cup Final
Match rules:90 minutes normal time.30 minutes extra-time if scores are level, at captains' discretion.Replay if scores still level.No substitutes.-Summary:The replay took place one week later at the same venue...
between the Wanderers
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....
and 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:...
, also at the The Oval, which was undecided when the first match ended 1-1 after extra time on 11 March 1876. Wanderers eventually triumphed 3-0 in the replay on 18 March 1876.
On 3 March 1877, he was honoured with the captaincy of the international side, once more against Scotland, and once again at The Oval, in a match
1876-77 in English football
The 1876–1877 season was the sixth season of competitive football in England.-National team:* England score given firstThis was England's first defeat on 'home soil'. The referee for this match was former England player, Robert Ogilvie.Key...
which the Scots won 3-1. He collected just the two international caps for his adopted country.
He was on the losing side in the 1877 FA Cup Final
1877 FA Cup Final
The 1877 FA Cup Final was a football match between Wanderers and Oxford University on 24 March 1877 at Kennington Oval in London. It was the sixth final of the world's oldest football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup . Wanderers were the reigning cup-holders and had won the...
- the match at The Oval on 24 March was won by the Wanderers
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....
by 2 goals to 1 against 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...
.
During his career he also played for Old Westminsters F.C.
Old Westminsters F.C.
Old Westminsters F.C. is an association football club composed of former pupils of Westminster School, London, England.-History:The club was founded in 1885 and in its early years was very successful winning the London Senior Cup in 1887 , 1888, 1890, 1892 and 1893.Westminster has an historic joint...
and Wanderers
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....
. He served on the FA
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...
committee from 1876 to 1877 and again in 1879.
Sporting honours
Oxford UniversityOxford 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...
- FA CupFA CupThe 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...
winner: 1874 - FA CupFA CupThe 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...
finalist: 18771877 FA Cup FinalThe 1877 FA Cup Final was a football match between Wanderers and Oxford University on 24 March 1877 at Kennington Oval in London. It was the sixth final of the world's oldest football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup . Wanderers were the reigning cup-holders and had won the...
Referee
- FA Cup FinalFA Cup Final RefereesFA Cup Final Referees are the referees chosen for the FA Cup Final, the deciding game in the English football competition; the FA Cup.-Selection:...
: 18761876 FA Cup FinalMatch rules:90 minutes normal time.30 minutes extra-time if scores are level, at captains' discretion.Replay if scores still level.No substitutes.-Summary:The replay took place one week later at the same venue...