Celtic's 62 game unbeaten run

On November 13th 1915 Celtic were defeated 2-0 by Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle. The following week they beat Kilmarnock 2-0 at Celtic Park. This was the beginning of a 62 match unbeaten run.  

So, the story of this remarkable run begins and ends with Kilmarnock:

CELTIC BEATEN AT LAST

Kilmarnock accomplished at Parkhead on Saturday what they nearly achieved at home a few weeks ago; they are the first to defeat Celtic in the present League campaign, and thus put an end to a sequence of victories extending from the middle of December, 1915, until the pr.esent time. It was fitting that a team renowned for consistency should be defeated by opponents who have been more consistent than any other team when opposing the champions. If Sinclair were slightly at fault in the first game in allowing McMenemy to equalise when but three minutes remained for play, Kilmarnock’s regular custodian made no such mistake in the return engagement. The shooting of the Celtic forwards was not particularly deadly, and it was in leaving his goal to deal with corner kicks almost innumerable that Blair excelled. The winners were somewhat fortunate to score as they did twice in the first half, doubly so to find their opponents miss opportunities much more frequent and less difficult. But the losers had no room for complaint, save on their own incapacity at goal. They were at home, on a perfect pitch, with wind and sun minor and equal handicaps to both teams. The winners goals were scored before the interval, so there was nothing of a snatch victory about Kilmarnock’s successful venture. The mistake made by McNair in passing back to his goalkeeper would not have been fatal had the home forwards shown their usual judgement and taken advantage of much better openings that fell to Smith and Culley. The pity is that the champions’ first defeat was incurred in their last home engagement; a reverse at an earlier stage would have enlivened a competition that has long ceased to attract by reason of its being a competition in name only. 

The Glasgow Herald  23.04.17

Italy 1934

1934 was year 12 (XII) of the fascist era in Italy and the visual language of fascism figured strongly in the presentation of the tournament.
The monumental player (who is reminiscent of Il Duce himself) stands with his arm raised, on a pedestal that features a fasces-like object.
There was no way that Italy were not going to win the World Cup in 1934. They benefited from some dubious refereeing. The shame is that this detracted from the real qualities of the players and the genius of coach Vittorio Pozzo and his innovative Metodo.

Ricardo Zamora

Club Esportiu Espanyol goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora feels the chill in 1923.

Stockholm 1912

A great view of Stockholm Olympic Stadium during the Great Britain v Denmark match  (04.07.12). Great Britain (aka England Amateurs) won 4-2 to take the Olympic Gold Medal.  

Brazil 1919

England: Clubs with most internationals 1872-1937

Up to the summer of 1937 England played 211 international matches featuring 639 players.

The leading clubs in terms of providing England internationals were:

	Players	Caps
Aston Villa	40	161
Blackburn Rovers	33	136
Everton	29	101
The Wednesday/ Sheffield Wednesday	28	137
Sheffield United	27	72
West Bromwich Albion	24	85
Derby County	23	129

Arthur Digger Brown

Howard Vaughton

Brown and Vaughton both made their international debuts in the 13-0 win over Ireland on February 18th 1882. Brown scored 4 and Vaughton 5.

Billy Walker

Here are the Aston Villa players who represented England during this period.
It's worth noting that John Reynolds also represented Ireland. Andrew Ducat also represented England at cricket.

	Year (s)	Caps
·         Arthur Brown	1882	3
·         Howard Vaughton	1882-84	5
·         Oliver Whateley	1883	2
·         Dennis Hodgetts	1888-94	6
·         Albert Allen	1888	1
·         Charles Athersmith	1892-1900	12
·         John Devey	1892-94	2
·         John Reynolds	1894-97	5
·         Stephen Smith	1895	1
·         James Crabtree	1896-1902	11
·         George Wheldon	1897-98	4
·         Howard Spencer	1897-1905	6
·         Albert Wilkes	1901-02	5
·         William George	1902	3
·         William Garratty	1903	1
·         Joseph Bache	1903-11	7
·         William Brawn	1904	2
·         Alec Leake	1904-05	5
·         Albert Hall	1910	1
·         Harry Hampton	1913-14	4
·         Charles Wallace	1913-20	3
·         Sam Hardy	1913-20	7
·         Frank Barson	1920	1
·         Andrew Ducat	1920	3
·         Billy Walker	1920-32	18
·         Thomas Smart	1921-29	5
·         Billy Kirton	1921	1
·         Frank A Moss	1921-24	5
·         Richard York	1922-26	2
·         Thomas Mort	1924-26	3
·         George Blackburn	1924	1
·         Arthur Dorrell	1924-25	4
·         Benjamin Olney	1928	2
·         Eric Houghton	1930-32	7
·         Joe Tate	1931-32	3
·         Pongo Waring	1931-32	5
·         George Brown	1932	1
·         Joseph Beresford	1934	1
·         Thomas Gardner	1934-35	2
·         Ronald Starling	1937	1