Far from posh kids and if you read the Daily Telegraph Sports' section today you would get a decent reflection of what Independent Schools football is all about. The Independent Schools FA is the modern version of what were once known as the "Public Schools" and many famous footballers played under that social banner from the invention of Association Football, the original laws being fixed in 1863, hence the FA.
On the 5th March 1904 the Sheriff of London's Charity Shield was played, the fore runner of the FA Charity Shield and later the Community Shield. Sir Thomas Dewar gave the first "Shield" for the match played between the "top" amateur team in the country and the "top" professional side, with proceeds from the match going to local hospitals and charities.
In 1904, the Corinthians were undoubtedly the top "gentlemen" club and professional Bury FC were the FA Cup winners, having won the Final in 1903, beating Derby 6-0. Bury had also been FA Cup winners in 1900 beating Southampton 4-0. Derby had been in three finals and three semi-finals by then (they also got to the semis in 1904 too) always finishing second best.
The Shield match was played at the Queen's Club, which was the Corinthians' home ground and is now of course is a tennis venue. After 10 minutes Bury were 2-0 up and then the Corinthians cut a "wonderful dash", quickly recovering as Bury were 4-2 down at half time. By the end the Corinthians won 10-3.
In 1908, the AFA, who were keen to support the Amateur ethics of the game, split from the FA which favoured professionalism. By then the Shield was competed for the best team in the Football League and the best in the Southern League. In 1907 it was Newcastle United who won the Shield and in 1908 The Charity Shield was established fought out by the Southern League Champions and the FA Cup Winners. That eventually changed into The Football League Champions v The FA Cup Winners.
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