He was a pioneer in the early days of football. Born in Sheffield in 1850, he played for local sides and then Sheffield FC and Wednesday.
He and his brother represented Sheffield FA XIs in the first inter-association match on Decemeber 2nd 1871, and he played for England in the first official international against Scotland on November 30 1872, though he described some of his team mates as "snobs from the south".
His brother William won a cap the following year, thus they became the first brothers to earn English international caps.
Later, he and his brother were chosen to captain two teams, Reds and Blues, to play in the first floodlit match at Bramall Lane on October 15 1878, in front of a crowd of 20,000.
He became a referee, officiated in two FA cup finals, 1882 and 1892 as well as international matches.
He then was involved in administration and sat on the FA Council, with some of those "snobs", no doubt.
As president of Sheffield United Cricket Club he suggested that the Football club should play at Bramall Lane, which caused the foundation of the Blades in 1889 and the home of football for United.
He oversaw England's joining of FIFA in 1905 and their exit in 1919 and another join and leave in the 1920s. over the thorny issue of paying players.
He then was knighted by King George V, becoming the first football related "Sir". He was mayor of Sheffield three times, a strict tee-totaller, deeply religious and quoted that "nobody ever got lost on a straight road". Clearly he felt that professionalism might ruin football!
But he also understood players. In a disciplinary meeting a player came before him for making the remark that "he had shit better referees that this one". Clegg fairly replied that he would give the player a week to prove it and "if you can't you will be fined a £1"....quite a lot in those days!.
Clegg died in June 1937 and his funeral was held at Sheffield Cathedral.
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