THE WORLD'S FIRST INTERNATIONAL

Between 1870 and 1872, the Football Association organised five representative football matches between teams representing England and Scotland, all held in London. The first of these matches was held at The Oval on 5 March 1870, and the fifth was on 21 February 1872. The matches, which were organised by Charles W Alcock, are the precursors to modern international football and were referred to as internationals at the time. They are not recognised, however, as full internationals by FIFA as the players competing in the Scotland team were drawn only from London-based Scottish players. They were followed by the 1872 match in Glasgow between Scotland and England, which is recognised as the first international match. On 5 March 1870, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. 

C.W. Alcock of Old Harrovians, captained the English side, he was the FA Secretary and later was responsible for organising the FA Cup. The international match was the first of a series of five showcases. The Scottish eleven was chosen by Arthur Kinnaird and captain James Kirkpatrick and also included Old Etonians' William Gladstone, whose father later became Prime Minister. 

The teams met at the Oval, muddied from rain, and played through a scoreless first half. After the break, they switched sides, which a post-match report described as a newly-implemented rule. 

Late in the second half, Alcock moved his goalkeeper up the field, leaving an opening for Scotland's Robert Crawford to score the first goal in the 75th minute. But Alfred Baker found the net for England in the 89th minute to earn a 1-1 draw. 

Four more representative matches followed between November 1870 and February 1872, ending in one more draw and three wins for England. The Scottish teams were drawn exclusively from London "clubs"  for all five matches, so FIFA does not recognize them as official internationals!! Booo!!!!

The first official international (in the World) then followed on 30th November 1872 at the Scotland Cricket Ground, Hamilton Crescent, Peel Street, Partick, Lanarkshire. 4,000 attended and the ground was hiered for £1 and 10 shillings. The crowd witnessed a 0-0 draw. All Scottish players were selected from the same club (the only occasion!), Queen's Park.

The England side included: Barker (GK first half) Greehaigh,Welch, Maddison, Ottaway (capt), Brockbank, Chenery, Clegg JC, Smith AK, Morice, Maynard (GKeeper in second half).                      (A. Kirke Smith's shirt is believed to be the one remaining shirt from the match.) Where is it??