Football in Trinidad and Tobago

Casuals FC

TO-DAY will mark the beginning of a new era in the history of sport when the first football match in the League competition which will be contested by the Casuals and Clydesdale teams, which are admittedly the strongest combinations in the local world of football. The recent formation of an Amateur Football Association among the various football clubs in the colony has certainly created greater popular interest in that form of outdoor sport, while tending in itself to lift the game to a higher standard of efficiency by means of open competition in league matches between the respective football units. The cricket season has practically closed and for the next three months, football will be the centre of attraction of our sport-loving community. Strictly speaking, football is more or less in its infancy in this colony, but with the practical sympathy and general interest which it has already awakened, there is evidence that in the not distant future, the game will take that high position in the arena of local sport to which its peculiar attractions so fully entitle it. To-day's game which will be played on "Casuals" ground, will start at 5 p.m. punctually with the formality of the "kicking off" of the ball by the President of the Association; preparatory to which, at five minutes before call of time, the teams will be lined up at their respective goals. The players are requested to turn up at 4.45 p.m., so as to avoid delay in starting. Ample seating accommodation will be made for ladies attending. The teams are as follows:—

CASUALS—(Colours: Maroon and White). Linesman, Mr. T. Jackson. Goal, E.M. Legge; Backs, D. M. Anderson, F. N. Brierly, (capt.); Half-Backs, N. Farian, A. McCracken, R. Johnstone; Forwards, W. H. Eccles, G. D. Owen, J. R. Rochford, Revd. W. E. Smith, G. A. Brierly. Reserves, B. Athill, E. Sanderson.

CLYDESDALE—(Colours: Black and White). Linesman, Mr. A. B. Knowles. Goal, J. B. Todd; Backs, J. Penrich (capt.), J. Simpson; Half-Backs, C. Thavenot, J. H. Hoadley, W. Adam; Forwards, G. Logie, H. Bullock, H. W. Knox, P. Taylor, Wm. Stewart. Reserves, A. H. Cochrane, H. Ewalt.

Mr. Felix Leotaud will be the Referee.

Port-of-Spain Gazette 19.9.08

The first ever international goal for...

1873

The first ever goal in international football was scored by William Stanley Kenyon-Slaney of the Wanderers for England against Scotland on 8.3.1873. It came in the first minute of the match, which was the second ever international.
Scotland's first scorer was Henry Waugh Renny-Tailyour (Royal Engineers) in the 25th minute of the same match, which England won 4-2.


1879

Wales had to wait until their fourth international before registering a goal. Their first score was made by William Henry Davies (Oswestry) in the 2-1 defeat to England on 18.1.1879.

1882

Samuel Johnston (Distillery) got the first international goal for Ireland as they went down 7-1 to Wales on 25.2.1882.

1902


Carlos Dickinson (Belgrano) registered Argentina's first international goal in a 6-0 defeat of Uruguay, 20.7.1902.

Josef Taurer (Wiener AC)  scored Austria's first goal in a 5-0 win over Hungary  on 12.10.1902.


1903

József Pokorny (Hungary)

In their second international on 11.6.1903 Hungary avenged a 5-0 defeat at the hands of neighbours Austria with a 3-2 victory. József Pokorny (Ferencváros) got the first.

Carlos Céspedes (Uruguay)

Uruguay waited 14 months for their revenge over Argentina- Carlos Céspedes (Nacional) scored the opener in their 3-2 victory on 13.09.1903. Germán Arímalo and Carve Urioste (Nacional) had both scored in Uruguay's first match, but these were own goals!

1904

Belgium v France 1.5.1904. in the 7th minute Georges Quéritet (Racing Brussells) opened the scoring for Belgium in their 3-3 draw with France. 5 minutes later Louis Mesnier (Cercle Athlétique de Paris) became France's first international goalscorer.

1905

Eddy de Neve (Netherlands)

Netherlands first international outing was a a triumph for Eddy de Neve (Velocitas Breda). The Coupe van den Abeele was at stake so after 1-1 at 90 minutes extra time was played. De Neve got all four goals as Netherlands beat Belgium 4-1. 


1906

Bohemia (Czechoslovakia) played Hungary on 1.4.1906 and Jindřich Valášek (Meteor VIII) scored the opening goal in a 1-1 draw.

1908

In their second international on  8.3.1908 Adolf Frenken (Winterthur) gave Switzerland the lead against France, but they lost 2-1.

Fritz Becker (Germany)

Germany- Fritz Becker (Frankfurter Kickers) got Germany's first international goal as they were beaten 5-3 by Switzerland on 5.4.1908.

Karl Gustafsson ( Sweden)

Minotti Bøhn (Mercantile Kristiania) scored for Norway after 15 seconds of their match against Sweden on  12.7.1908. Karl Gustafsson (IFK Köping) equalized in the 14th minute, having earlier had a penalty saved. Sweden ran out 11-3 winners.


Denmark- Nils Middelboe (Kjøbenhavns Boldklub) got the first of Denmark's goals in a 9-0 win over France on 19.10.1908.

1910

Pietro Lana (Italy)

Italy- Pietro Lana (Milan Cricket and FC) has the honour of scoring Italy's first ever international goal. He completed a hat trick in the 6-2 victory over France on 15.5.1910.

In their first international, versus Argentina on 27.5.1910, Chile took an unexpected 11th minute lead through Frank Simmons (Badminton). Argentina came back to win 3-1.



1911

22.10.1911 saw Uno Lindbäck (HIFK) gave Finland the lead in the 3rd minute of the match against Sweden. Sweden eventually won 5-2.

On 29.10.1911 Luxembourg's Albert Elter (Racing Club Luxembourg) gave his country a 1-0 lead over France  France came back to win 4-1.





1912

Vasily Butusov (Russia )

Vasily Butusov (Unitas St. Petersburg) of Russia scored in the 2-1 loss to Finland on 30.6.1912.


1914

Rubens Salles (Brazil)

In their second international on 27.9.1914 Brazil secured a great 1-0 victory away to Argentina, with Rubens Salles (Paulistano) getting the winner in the 13th minute.


1916

Tommy Swords (USA)

USA captain Tommy Swords (Fall River Rovers) got the opening goal in the 3-2 win over Sweden on  17.8.1916.


1917

Haruyoshi Kitamura (Tokyo Normal Higher School ) scored both Japan's goals in their 15-2 loss to the Philippines.* 


1919


On 11.5.1919 Paraguay lost 5-1 to Argentina in their first ever international. Faustino Casado- 'Casadito' (Nacional FBC Asunción) opened their international account with a 30th minute equalizer.


1920

Hassan Allouba (Egypt)

Egypt's Hassan Allouba (Tersana/ Arsenal Sporting Club Cairo) got the first African international goal as his side went down 2-1 to Italy on 28.8.1920.

Patricio Arabolaza Aramburu (Spain)

On the same day (28.8.1920) Patricio (Real Unión) got the goal as Spain began international football with a 1-0 win over Denmark.

Yugoslavia- in their second international on 3.9.1920 Artur Dubravčić (Concordia Zagreb) got Yugoslavia's first international goal as they were beaten 4-2 by Egypt.


* Note: I have been unable to identify Philippines (1913) first goalscorer as yet, and China do not recognize their participations in the Far Eastern Games as being full internationals.

Some Systems...

To summarize the development of tactical formations- in the earliest days Association Football was based on all out attack (although the scores from those days, rather than suggesting goal-fests, have a modern familiarity).
Attacking moves were launched by long balls from the backs and individual dribbling and rushes by the massed forwards.
The 2-2-6 of Queens Park, Scotland and the Royal Engineers was about advancing the ball with more subtlety and certainty through passing (the Combination Game).
This was refined in the 1880s when one of the two centre forwards withdrew into midfield, creating the pyramid (2-3-5) and developing the role of the centre half.
The  centre half was a  fulcrum who had a key role in launching attack when in possession and countering  the opposing centre forward when in defence. They were the playmakers of the era.
The emphasis  remained firmly on attack, which was largely dependent on the two wide forwards taking on the full backs, getting to the by line and sending crosses into the box.
The 1925 change in the offside law was designed to favour the attacking side as clever and coordinated defences were exploiting the 'three defenders' rule to close down the space available. In the last season of the old offside law 2.5 goals per game were scored in the Football league. In the first season of the new rule this rose to 3.4. Paradoxically though this development led to the emphasis in tactical thinking shifting towards the defensive aspects of the game.
The origins of the third back are obscure and controversial- and I argue that it is simplistic to attribute its introduction solely to Chapman and Buchan seeking to redress the balance following the change in the offside law- and a 7-0 drubbing at Newcastle. However, analysis of Chapman's contribution to tactics shows that sound defence was the foundation on which all his innovations were based. 
From this point on tactical developments began to be about stopping the opposition playing, and Italy's Vittorio Pozzo stated this quite openly.

The back 3 in the WM (3–2–2–3)- the centre half drops back slightly behind the full backs and becomes responsible for the offside trap and adopts the role of 'stopper'.

 Pozzo introduced a successful system known as Metodo. Pozzo, who referred to the formation as sistemo, utilized the tirelessness of  Monti in a centro mediante position. When Italy were in in possession he retained his position as a creative midfielder, but would drop back to neutralise the opposing centre forward without becoming a pure defender. The withdrawal of the inside forwards into midfield to compensate for the lessening of the centre half's creative endeavours created a 2–3–2–3 set up.
Criticism of Monti's deployment in this position had echoes of the criticisms levelled at the third back in England- his role in the 1934 World Cup was described as being that of a spoiler.

The back 4 of the verrou.

Another significant rearrangement comes right at the end of our period. The Verrou-the bolt - saw the addition of a fourth defender. This system, introduced in Switzerland by Karl Rappan, set the stage for post war defensive developments. It suited teams with limitations (it has been referred to as being about  the right of the weak). Greater emphasis was placed on cohesion rather than  reliance on skill. It was also reflexive, with positions responding to the state of play, with players dropping back when out of possession, but the  most important development was the introduction of the ultra defensive central defender- the bolt.

Far Eastern Games

Japan 1927

The Far Eastern Games were a multi sport event run under the supervision of the IOC. They were conducted between 1913 and 1934.  The ten football tournaments were dominated by China and also featured plenty of controversy.

China wins-9 runners up-1
Phillipines wins-1 runners up-6 third-2
Japan runners up-2 third-5
Dutch East Indies runners up-1 

The first Football competition, in 1913 (Manila), was contested by Philippines and China. The records are vague over what actually took place. The RSSSF lists two matches, (China 1-0, Philippines 2-1) whereas other sources list a single match and credit Philippines with either a 2-1 or 3-1 victory. China were represented by club side South China A.A., and Philippines by Bohemians. This was a source of controversy as the team consisted of British, Spanish and American players.

In 1915 (Shanghai) South China A.A. again represented China (having won a tournament for the right to do so). They drew 0-0 with Philippines in a game that saw both sides have a player dismissed and won the second game 1-0.

There was mayhem at the 1917 tournament (Tokyo). Japan (represented by  Tokyo Higher Normal School) lost their first game 15-2 to Philippines.  When in the next match China scored a penalty to take a 4-0 lead the Philippines goal keeper responded by punching the goal scorer. A brawl ensued and Philippines withdrew from the tournament.

Japan didn't enter the football tournament of 1919 (Manila)- China prevailed in a three game series against Philippines

1921 (Shanghai) Japan returned but South China A.A made it 4 wins a row.
1923 (Osaka) and 1925 (Manila) saw the Hong Kong based club extend their winning streak with little drama.

Controversy returned in 1927 (Shanghai). China beat Japan 5-1 in the opener and then Japan secured their first win, beating the Philippines 2-1. Then all hell broke loose in the final match of the round- robin. China were awarded an early penalty and the Philippines team walked off the pitch in protest. Persuaded to return after some ten minutes they then had a player dismissed. China's second goal led to fighting on the pitch. Philippines forfeited the match at half-time.

 1930- China

1930-Japan

 1930-Philippines

Philippines star was waning, and Japan benefited from both this and their own improvement.
1930 (Tokyo) Both Japan (7-2) and China (5-0) made light work of Philippines, but when the decisive match was tied at 3-3 Japan refused extra time, choosing instead to forfeit.

1934 (Manila)- the opening game , in which China beat the hosts 2-0, was a very spirited affair. China, apparently reduced to 7 men by injuries and the Philippines to 9 suggests it was a very physical encounter (one newspaper report described the pitch as a battlefield) and both Japan and the Dutch East Indies lodged complaints with the tournament organizers after watching this fixture. The following day Dutch East Indies made their international debut in style, beating Japan 7-1.
China were the eventual winners, undefeated in their 3 matches.

1924 Olympics

The first global football tournament took place at the 1924 Olympic Games.It was the biggest international football tournament held until the 1982 FIFA World Cup, with 18 European nations joined by the United States, Uruguay,Turkey and Egypt. 

Great Britain and Denmark were absent in protest at FIFA's more relaxed definition of amateurism. 

A revelation! Here we have real football. Compared with this, what we knew before, what we played, was no more than a schoolboy’s hobby.
Henry de Montherlant on Uruguay

 Uruguay played first-rate football, combining speed, skill and perfect ball-control. By marrying short passing to intelligent positional play, they made the ball do all the work, and so kept their opponents on the run. 
Bernard Joy

Uruguay's scorers in the final-Ángel Romano, Pedro Petrone (Artillero), Pedro Cea

26.05.24  Uruguay 7-0  Yugoslavia
29.05.24  Uruguay 3-0   USA
01.06.24  Uruguay 5-1 France
06.06.24  Uruguay 2-1  Netherlands
09.06.24  Uruguay 3-0  Switzerland

P: 5 W: 5 F : 20 A:2

Scorers: Vidal 1 Romano 3 Scarone 4 Cea 4 Petrone 8 

Harry Stafford

Imagine that the captain of your local team was the landlord of the pub on the corner of your street...that's a privilege that Newton Heath supporters would have had back in the 1890s. 

I don't know if Harry Stafford got any stick off the customers if results were going badly, or if he welcomed Ardwick supporters to his Monday night concerts.

Harry Stafford joined Newton Heath from Crewe Alexandra  in 1896 . He was the club captain and remained so when the club became Manchester United in 1902. He retired from playing in 1903 and later kept hotels in Wales and Canada.

July 1st 1912

July 1st 1912 was an inauspicious day for Russian football- twice over.
Let me explain.
Up until 1918 the Russians used the Julian Calender, which was 13 days behind the Gregorian calender used in the west.
Russia made their international debut at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics  After losing 2-1 to Finland in the first round they met Germany in the consolation tournament on July 1st. Gottffried Fuchs scored 10 goals, 16-0 Germany, Russia went home...
Back in Russia they entertained Hungary (who had just won the consolation tournament at the Olympics).
The first match was played on 12th July, which, according to the Julian calendar was June 29th. As home debuts go, it was not good. Hungary won 9-0.
Two days later- that's July 1st in Moscow- Russia faced Hungary again. They lost 12-0.
Imre Schlosser-Lakatos of Ferencváros scored five. 
Vilmos Kertész of MTK scored a hat trick in each of the games.

The initial Russian international team did not enjoy success, although their results were improving when the war brought things to a halt.

Russia 1912

Russia 1912-1914:
played -8
wins-0
draws- 3
losses- 5
for- 6
against- 47

Hakoah Wien (Vienna)

At the 1898 Zionist Congress Max Nordau coined the term "muscular Judaism"  and called for the foundation of a Jewish sports movement.
Hakoah is Hebrew for The Strength. It has featured in the name of a number of football teams with Jewish origins.

I believe that the earliest of these was Hakoah Berlin established 22nd July 1905 as Sport-Club Hakoah Berlin. In 1929, Hakoah merged with Jüdischer Turnverein Bar Kochba Berlin (established 22nd October 1898) to create Jüdischer Turn- und Sportverein Bar-Kochba-Hakoah.

The greatest and most influential of the Hakoah clubs was Hakoah Wien, founded by Austrian Zionists as a multi sport club in 1909.
Hakoah finished second in the Austrian league in 1922 and won the title in 1925, the first season of the professional era.
In 1923 they beat West Ham United 5–1- the first time a continental team had beaten an English professional side in England.
At this time Hakoah were managed by Billy Hunter  who had played for Bolton Wanderers alongside Jimmy Hogan. He nurtured the 'Scottish game', based on short passing.
In 1926 the team conducted a highly successful tour of the United States. Their game at New York City's Polo Grounds against the American Soccer League XI attracted 46,000 spectators. 

Hakoah Wien 1925

Hungary's Béla Guttmann, he had two spells as both a player and manager with Hakoah Wien, he also played for New York Hakoah and Hakoah All-Stars. Guttmann, who went on to become one of the most influential managers in world football, was a dancing master. He played as centre half in the pyramid formation, and reputedly had his football shirts made of silk.

Other Hakoahs*
Many of the Hakoah Wien players settled in the United States following the tour- the financial inducements were attractive, and this led to the formation of  New York Hakoah which won the U.S. Open Cup in 1929. 
Former Hakoah Wien emigres also formed the club Brooklyn Hakoah.  Brooklyn Hakoah and New York Hakoah merged in 1930 to form Hakoah All-Stars.

Melbourne Hakoah (1927)
Club Náutico Hacoaj (Buenos Aries)  founded as Club Náutico Israelita in 1935 and changed its name in 1936 in honour of Hakoah Wien.

* Outside of our time range-   Hakoah Tel Aviv was founded in 1938 by a group of former Hakoah Wien players who had migrated to Palestine from Austria.
Sydney City FC  was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. 

The Football League First Division Table 1910-1915

Blackburn Rovers

Football in the 1910's was interrupted by the war with the Central Powers (1914-18). This is a cumulative first division table of the five seasons played up to the cessation of the league. 11 of the 27 teams are at present in the top flight of the English league.

Rank	Team	Years in Div. 1	Best finish	Average position
1	Blackburn Rovers	5	1	4
2	Sunderland	5	1	5
3	Aston Villa	5	2	5
4	Everton	5	1	6
5	The Wednesday	5	3	7
6	Oldham Athletic	5	2	8
7	Burnley	2	4	8
8	West Bromwich Albion	4	5	8
10	Bolton Wanderers	4	4	9
11	Bradford Park Avenue	1	9	9
12	Bradford City	5	5	9
13	Manchester United	5	1	10
14	Newcastle United	5	3	10
15	Sheffield United	5	5	10
16	Middlesbrough	5	7	11
16	Manchester City	5	13	11
17	Woolwich Arsenal	3	10	13
18	Derby County	2	7	13
19	Liverpool	5	12	14
20	Chelsea	3	8	15
21	Notts County	4	11	15
22	Tottenham Hotspur	5	12	16
23	Preston North End	3	14	17
24	Bury	2	18	19
25	Bristol City	1	19	19
26	Nottingham Forest	1	20	20