Just a bit of fun to stimulate some debate. I'm going to select a team for every decade from the 1880s to the 1930s. The inspiration? In November 1905 The Daily Mail chose a World XI to challenge another planet at football.
Please note that I have limited each player to one decade only, hence the absence of greats such as Needham (1900s) , Bassett (1880s) from this selection.
The 1890s was the decade of the great professional clubs and the growth of league football. England and Scotland were still the dominant forces in the World game.
Player
|
Team
|
Country
|
|
GK
|
Ned Doig
|
Sunderland
|
Scotland
|
Jack Robinson the England goalkeeper also developed the skills associated with modern goalkeeping.
|
|||
RB
|
Nicol Smith
|
Rangers
|
Scotland
|
Smith, a strong brave player with an accurate pass, was an early example of an attacking fullback who liked to get forward. He won 5 league titles and 3 Scottish cups with Rangers.
|
|||
LB
|
William John Oakley
|
Corinthian FC
|
England
|
An amateur who made 16 international appearances.
|
|||
RH
|
Jack Reynolds
|
Aston Villa/ West Bromwich Albion
|
Ireland/England
|
Jack Reynolds was capped by both England and Ireland. His contemporaries describe him as being remarkably skillful, fast, a good header of the ball and a formidable defender.
|
|||
CH
|
Johnny Holt
|
Everton
|
England
|
For a small man to occupy the role of centre half, the pivotal player in the team, required very high levels of skill.
|
|||
LH
|
Jimmy Crabtree
|
Aston Villa
|
England
|
One of England's greatest players. Shone in any position. Great as a half-back, but greater, possibly, as a back, kicking cleanly and with rare precision. A keen, skilful tackler, clever at close quarters and equally reliable in the open; cool, resourceful, and brainy. Excelled in the finer points of the game, and one of the most versatile players England has boasted. For many seasons unrivalled in his position.
The Villa News and Record September 1906 |
|||
OR
|
Charlie Athersmith
|
Aston Villa
|
England
|
The speediest forward in England is said to be Athersmith, of Aston Villa, one of the most dangerous men to tackle...he is one of the very best forwards at outside-right. His speed often gets him through where a slower man would have but little chance.
Ernest Needham, Association Football (1901) |
|||
IR
|
Steve Bloomer
|
Derby County
|
England
|
A legendary goal machine who would challenge for a place in a selection from the entire history of the game.
|
|||
CF
|
Johnny Campbell
|
Sunderland
|
Scotland
|
Popular opinion dictates that
GO Smith was the finest centre forward of the era, but Campbell’s phenomenal
goalscoring in the League cannot be overlooked.
Johnny Campbell of Celtic, Aston Villa and Scotland is also worthy of mention.
|
|||
IL
|
'Diamond' Freddy Wheldon
|
Aston Villa
|
England
|
When at his best, he was undoubtedly the finest inside left forward England possessed. His command of the ball, his adaptability to prevailing conditions, combined with his dodging, his swerving, and his deadly shooting, made him a great player in the highest company. Brilliant with head and foot alike, he has always been an ornament to the game.
The Villa News and Record September 1906 |
|||
OL
|
Fred Spiksley
|
The Wednesday
|
England
|
A skilful player, technically adept, relying on close control.
|
|||
Alternative selections are welcomed!
