|
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.
|