11.11.13

World Team of the Decade-1880s









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. I came across this when reading about Leigh Richmond Roose. 
As yet I have not been able to track down that 1905 World XI.
A difficult selection, as the 1880s was probably the decade in which the most profound changes in football took place. In 1880 the game at the highest level would have been almost exclusively the preserve of the old boys and amateurs. 
Three key developments shaped the decade:
 The emergence of the professional teams of Lancashire and the midlands.
The influx of Scottish professionals and the influence they had on the way the game was played.
The legalization of professionalism. 
Anyway, my selection for the 1880s- lining up in the 2-3-5 formation:



Player
Team
Country
GK
Herby Arthur
Blackburn Rovers
England
In the 1880s the FA Cup was the measure of success in the domestic game and Arthur won it 3 years in a row with Rovers. Another considered was James Trainer of Preston North End.

RB
Nick Ross
Preston North End/Everton
Scotland
A pioneer professional, considered the best defender in the country, reputedly paid £10 a month in 1888.

LB
Fergus Suter
Blackburn Rovers
Scotland
One of the earliest professional signings in the game when he joined Darwen. Caused a stir by moving to neighbours Blackburn Rovers. Others considered were Walter Arnott ( Queen’s Park/ Scotland ) and P.M Walters (Old Carthusians/ England).

RH
Arthur Fitzgerald Kinnaird
Old Etonians
Scotland
Lord Kinnaird’s physical approach to the game may have been a bit old school even at the end of his own playing days, but his achievements cannot be overlooked. He could play in any position.

CH
Norman Bailey
Clapham Rovers
England
The first man to have a protracted run as England captain and the first to reach the magical figure of ten caps. A solid performer.

LH
Jimmy Forrest
Blackburn Rovers
England
The first openly professional player to represent England. Won the FA Cup 5 times.

OR
Billy Bassett
West Bromwich Albion
England
1.65 m in an era of physicality, Bassett was a winger who also scored goals.

IR
Fred Dewhurst
Preston North End
England
The team of the decade would have to have some representative from Corinthian FC, but Fred Dewhurst wasn’t your typical Corinthian- he was the only amateur in the Preston Invincibles line up. A prolific scorer at international level.

CF
John Goodall
Preston North End
England
I chose Goodall as one of the earliest in a long line of professional centre forwards who have been England superstars. I gave consideration also to Tinsley Lindley (Cambridge University, Nottingham Forest/ England) and Archie Hunter (Aston Villa/ Scotland).

IL
Jimmy Ross
Preston North End
Scotland
The Little Demon scored a goal a game in the first two seasons of the Football League. In his time at Preston he scored 250 goals in 220 appearances.

OL
James Brown
Blackburn Rovers
England
Brown was another leading figure in the FA Cup dominance of Blackburn Rovers. Charlie Bambridge (Swifts/England) was a contender.



I expect some criticism for the lack of Scotsmen in the team, and would welcome readers to submit their alternative selections.