18.8.12

England European tour 1908

36 years after they played their first international England played their first official matches against opponents from outside the British isles, taking a mixed team of amateurs and professionals to Austria-Hungary. In one week in June they played 5 internationals against Austria (twice) Hungary and Bohemia.

Austria had played 10 previous internationals, all against Hungary.
6 June 1908 a crowd of 3,500 watched England beat Austria 6-1 at Vienna's Cricketer Platz. 2 days later at Hohe Warte Stadium, in the same city England ran out 11-1 winners (Attendance: 5,000).


England (standing) Hungary (seated)

 Hugo Meisl refereed the meeting between England and Hungary at Budapest on 10th June. It was Hungary's 16th international, all the previous ones being against either Austria or Bohemia. England won 7-0 in front of a 7,000 crowd.

Bohemia's team for the game at Prague on the 13th was made up of eleven Slavia Prague players. Bohemia's 5 previous internationals had all been against Hungary. A crowd of 12,000 saw England win 4-0. 



George  'Gatling Gun' Hilsdon


28 goals in 7 days for England, 8 for George Hilsdon (Chelsea), 6 for the captain, Vivian Woodward (Tottenham Hotspur) and 5 for Jimmy Windridge (Chelsea).