The First England Amateur International Match

France 0 England 15

I travelled to the British Newspaper library in Colindale yesterday and one of my first tasks was to read the match report in The Sporstman newspaper of the very first England amateur international, played at The Parc de Princes, Paris on 1 November 1906.

On a wet day, the final score ended up 15-0 to England, a staggering mis-match. England were six-nil up at half-time. For the record, Stanley Harris scored seven goals, Vivian Woodward netting four, with Day (2), Raine and Farnfield completing the scoring. There will be more about the Farnfield brothers later this week.

Before a crowd of 3000, the following teams lined up as follows:

France: Baton (Olympique Lillois); Moigneu (Union Sportive Tourquenoise); Canelle (Racing Club Franois); L. Schubert (Olympique Lillois); Allemane (Racing Club Franois); Wilkes (Harve Sports); Verbrugge (Association Sportive Franois); Cypress (Club Athletic Parisien); Francois (Racing Club de Roubaix); Royet (Union Sportive de Paris); Sartorius (Racing Club de Roubaix).

England: E. Proud (South Bank); F.H. Milnes (Sheffield); H. Smith (Reading); C.D. McIver (Old Foresters); P. H. Farnfield (New Crusaders); R.M. Hawkes (Luton Town); J.E. Raine (Newcastle United); S.H. Day (Old Malvernians); V.J. Woodward (Tottenham Hotspur); S.S. Harris (Old Westminsters); H.P. Hardman (Everton).

Referee: M Guillan (Belgium).

One point The Sportsman’s journalist noted was that the kick off was delayed due to photographs of boths teams being taken. Do you know someone that has a copy. Please contact me if you do.