See also the file Prolific Scorers Data.
Overview
Additional Data on Individual Players
Name YOB YOD Career 19th century* total career
M G ?** M G
Devey, John (Jack) 1866-1940 1884-1902 458 308 94 500 326
Ross, James 1866-1902 1883-1902 403 275 26 452 287
McMahon, Alexander 1870-1916 1886-1904 297 250 28+ 377 284
Wood, Harry 1868-1951 1881-1905 541 245 95 733 308
Wheldon, Frederick 1869-1924 1888-1907 387 238 45+ 588 358
McPherson, John 1868-1926 1885-1902 363 232 186 405 247
Bloomer, Stephen 1874-1938 1892-1920 284 216 755 504
Southworth, John (Jack) 1866-1956 1884-1894 213 212 30 213 212
Bell, John 1868-1956 1886-1908 378 209 86 582 258
Campbell, John 1869-1906 1886-1898 314 206 65 314 206
Campbell, John 1872-1947 1889-1906 330 191 98+ 497 281
Stanfield, Olphert 1869-1952 1886-1898 228 181 96 228 181
* 1871-1900 (May)
** number of goals with unknown scorers in matches involving this player
All statistics of British football in the 19th century are based on publications in newspapers
of the time. Reports of many matches were limited only to the results. Often newspapers published
team lineups on the eve of a match or in a match report, but did not give the scorers.
Another feature of that time: newspapers often gave their own version of goalscorers in the game.
It is therefore difficult or impossible to determine the top scorer in some seasons in all British
leagues.
The situation with statistics in official matches improved significantly in the 1890s.
In addition, newspapers often reported incorrect information about players when they transferred.
As a result, erroneous information about the careers of a number of players (including some of the
above) appears on the Internet.
The player statistics in the above list are not complete for the reasons stated. However, it is
almost certain that the first and perhaps only player to score more than 300 goals in official
games in the 19th century (at least on a professional level) was the famous Aston Villa captain
John Devey. It is also very likely that Devey was the first to score 200 goals (in 1893).
It is almost impossible to determine the name of the football player who scored 100 goals in
official games first. It is known that in the pre-league era (before 1888), John Brodie, the
Wolverhampton Wanderers player, scored more than 100 goals. Between 1882 and 1888, at least 103
goals were found scored by Brodie for club (92) and regional selections Birmingham and
Staffordshire. Brodie was perhaps the first to score more than 40 goals in official matches in
a single season: 41 goals in 1883-84, incl. 39 in 17 appearances for the club in five different
cup competitions and 2 goals in 4 games for Birmingham selection.
All teams period 19th century total
M G M G
Excelsior 1884-1886 22+ 4 (-45) 22 4
Aston Unity 1886-1887 6+ 3 (-10) 6 3
Mitchells St George's 1887-1891 84+ 72 (-33) 84 72
Aston Villa 1891-1902 324+ 216 (- 5) 364 233
Aston Villa Res 1902-1906 0 0 2 1
Burton Wanderers (as guest) 1890 2 1 2 1
Selection teams:
England 1892-1894 2 1 2 1
International trial matches 1889-1896 4 1 4 1
English League XI 1894-1897 4 2 4 2
Football Alliance XI 1891 1 0 1 0
Staffordshire 1887-1889 3 6 3 6
Birmingham 1888-1890 6 2 (- 1) 6 2
total 458 308 (-94) 500 326
Data by Tournament (Official Only)
Domestic Campionships
Birmingham 1888-1890 6 2 (- 1) 6 2
English League 1891-1902 242 153 272 168
Football Alliance 1889-1891 40 34 (- 9) 40 34 *
The Combination 1888-1889 11 15 (- 2) 11 15 *
Birmingham League 1902-1906 2 1 **
Domestic Cups
FA Cup 1884-1902 44 25 (- 3) 52 27
Other Tournaments
Birmingham Cup 1884-1899 33 21 (-46) 33 21
Staffordshire Cup 1886-1901 23 20 (- 9) 24 20
Birmingham Charity Cup 1886-1898 9 11 (- 2) 9 11
Wednesbury Cup 1884-1886 4 2 (- 8) 4 2
Wallsall Cup 1884-1888 10 1 (-14) 10 1
Derby County Cup 1888-1890 6 3 6 3
Bass Charity Vase 1890-1894 8 8 8 8
Dewar Charity Shield 1899-1901 1 0 2 0
World Championship (unoff.) 1894-1900 4 3 4 3
abandoned/canceled matches 1891-1896 3 0 3 0
between brackets: missing goals of teams
* League The Combination 1888-89 was not finished. 12 clubs from The Combination have formed
Football Alliance. This league was actually 2nd Division in 1889-1892.
** Devey played in game of Birmingham League on 17.04.1906 (Aston Villa Res - Stafford Rangers
- 2:1) and scored 1 goal
Achievements and facts
British Home Championship (England): 1892
Football League 1st Division: 1893-94, 1895-96, 1896-97, 1898-99, 1899-1900
FA Cup: 1895, 1897
World Championship (unofficial): 1894
Wednesbury Charity Cup: 1885
Derby County Charity Cup: 1888
Staffordshire Cup: 1890, 1893, 1894, 1896, 1899
Birmingham Charity Cup: 1893, 1894, 1895, 1898
Birmingham Cup: 1896, 1899
Bass Charity Vase: 1893, 1894
Sheriff of London (Dewar) Charity Shield: 1901
John Devey is the only player to score over 300 goals in official matches in the 19th century.
Devey is the best scorer of the English League in the 19th century.
Devey is first player to score 200 league goals.
John Devey is one of the most successful players in the 19th century.
All teams period 19th century total
M G M G
St Bernard's 1882-1883 1+ ? (-23) 1 ?
Preston North End 1883-1894 198 173 198 173
Liverpool 1894-1897 96 43 96 43
Burnley 1897-1899 66 37 (- 3) 66 37
Manchester City 1899-1902 37 19 77 26
Liverpool Reserves 1897 1 1 1 1
Manchester City Reserves 1901-1902 9 5
Selection teams:
International trial match 1896 1 1 1 1
Lancashire 1886-1892 3 1 3 1
total 403 275 (-26) 452 287
Data by Tournament (Official Only)
Domestic Campionships
1st Division 1888-1902 230 115 263 119 *
2nd Division 1895-1899 61 56 (- 3) 61 56
Test matches 1894-1898 13 2 13 2
Palatine League 1894-1895 7 4 7 4
Lancashire Combination 1897-1902 1 1 10 6
Domestic Cups
FA Cup 1885-1901 51 47 53 47**
Other Tournaments
Scottish 2nd XI Cup 1883 1 ? (-23) 1
Lancashire Cup 1885-1901 31 46 32 46***
Liverpool Cup 1895 2 0 2 0
Manchester Senior Cup 1900-1902 1 1 5 4
World Champioship 1889 1 1 1 1
* incl. 3 canceled matches, 1889, 1893, 1901
** incl. 1 canceled goal (1895). Ross scored the winning goal in extra time in the game
Liverpool FC v. Barnsley St.Peters on 02.02.1895. After the opponent protested, extra
time was canceled and the game was replayed. Liverpool won the replay 4-0 (Ross didn't score).
*** incl. 1 canceled match, 1 goal (1886)
Achievements and facts
Football League: 1888-89, 1889-90
FA Cup: 1888-89
Second Division: 1895-96, 1897-98, 1898-99
Lancashire Cup: 1887, 1893
Manchester Senior Cup: 1901
Lancashire Combination: 1901-02
James Ross began his career with 2nd St. Bernard's from Edinburgh. This club played in the
Scottish 2nd Eleven Cup in the autumn of 1883. Ross played at least in the 2nd round on 27/10/1883
against Dunblane 2nd (12-1, goalscorers unknown).
Ross made his debut for Preston North End on 24 November 1883. For his first two seasons, Ross
played only in friendlies. Reason: the club missed the FA Cup 1884-85, the 2nd club played in
the Lancashire Cup (lost in 2nd round).
Ross's debut in the FA Cup was supposed to take place on October 26, 1885, but his opponent,
Great Lever, withdrew from the tournament before the match. The teams played a friendly, which
Preston won (3-2) thanks to the two goals from Ross in the last 5 minutes of the match.
James Ross is one of the best scorers in the history of the FA Cup and Lancashire Cup in total
and in single season: 19 goals in the FA Cup 1887-88 (option - 20 goals) and 15 goals in the
Lancashire Cup in 1886-87.
According to different versions of scorers in some matches, Ross scored between 44 and 50 goals
in the FA Cup.
James Ross has never been the top scorer in the English league (1st division). In the 1889-90
season, James's older brother Nick ("Jack") Ross became the top scorer.
James Ross was arguably the 2nd Division's top scorer in the 1897-98 season. According to book
„The Clarets Chronicles: The Definitive History of Burnley FC“, he scored 23 goals that season.
English newspapers reported in May 1898 that Ross became the top scorer of the 2nd division
with 26 goals. A check of the club's game statistics from that season's press confirms this fact.
Ross scored at least 2 goals that are not in the book. September the 6th against Arsenal (according
to the Burnley Express) and November the 13th ag. Luton Town (according to the Luton Reporter).
The scorers of 3 goals FC Burnley are unknown.
James Ross was the oldest season top scorer (32 years) in the English league (1st and 2nd
divisions) before the 1st World War.
Ross holds two unique records. He played test games for 5 seasons in a row. Also he won the 2nd
division three times with three different teams within 4 seasons!
Ross ended the 1901-02 season with the 2nd team of Manchester City. Ross scored his last goal
on April the 12th in a Lancashire Combination match against Blackburn Rovers reserve (7-1),
two months before his sudden death.
All teams period 19th century total
M G M G
Leith Harp/2nd Harp 1886-1889 3+ 3 (- 3+) 3+ 3
Edinburgh Harp 1887-1888 5 ? (-10) 5
Hibernian 1889-1890 16 18 (- 5) 16 18
Celtic 1891-1903 251 215 (-10) 324 246
Partick Thistle 1903-1904 4 1
Selection teams:
Scotland 1892-1902 4 2 6 4
Scotland (unofficial) 1891 1 0 1 0
International trial matches 1893-1900 4 3 4 3
Scottish League XI 1892-1900 9 4 9 4
East of Scotland 1889-1890 2 4 2 4
Glasgow 1892-1900 1 1 2 1
Scottish Players‘ Union 1898 1 0 1 0
total 297 250 (-28) 377 284
Data by Tournament (Official Only)
Domestic Campionships
Scottish League 1890-1903 138 114 (- 9) 180 134
Glasgow League 1895-1899 18 7 18 7
Inter-City League 1899-1902 8 4 17 5
Domestic Cups
Scottish Cup 1889-1903 38 50 54 56
Other Tournaments
Glasgow Cup 1891-1901 34 26 (- 1) 39 30
Glasgow Charity Cup 1892-1901 12 12 14 12
League Charity Cup 1891 2 2 2 2
Edinburgh 2nd XI Cup 1886 1+ 1
Edinburgh Consolation Cup 1887 1+ 2 (- 3) 1 2
Renton Cup 1887-1888 5 ? (-10) 5
Gibson Charity Cup 1889 1 1 1 1
Edinburgh Shield 1889-1890 5 5 (- 5) 5 5
Rosebery Cup 1890 1 1 1 1
Edinburgh Exhibition Tourn. 1890 2 0 2 0
Glasgow Exhibition cup 1901 1 0
British League Cup 1902 1 1
World Championship (unoff) 1894-1898 4 5 4 5
Canceled matches
Scottish League 1891 1 1 1 1
League Charity Cup 1891 1 3 1 3
Glasgow Charity Cup 1892-1900 3 3 3 3
Scottish Cup 1903 1 0
between brackets: missing goals of teams
Achievements and facts
British Home Championship (Scotland): 1894, 1902
Scottish League: 1892-93, 1893-94, 1895-96, 1897-98
Scottish Cup: 1892, 1899, 1900
Glasgow Cup: 1891, 1894, 1895
Glasgow Merchants Charity Cup: 1892, 1894, 1895, 1899
Inter-City League: 1899-1900
Glasgow League: 1899
British League Cup: 1902
Scottish League Top Scorer: 1893-94 (19 goals)
Alexander McMahon is the best scorer of Scottish League (114+ goals) and perhaps of Scottish Cup
(50 goals) in the 19th century. McMahon may be the only player to score 50 goals in National Cup
in the 19th century (incl. 12 goals in 8 games for Hibernian).
McMahon probably began his career in the 2nd team of Leith Harp in 1886. The regional press
published detailed reports quite rarely. In November 1886 he played in the Edinburgh 2nd XI
Cup match. In March 1887 McMahon scored at least 2 goals in the 2nd round match of the Edinburgh
Consolation Cup against Royal Oak (5-4), but 4 days later he was suspended until the end of the
season due to a complaint from the referee. Reason: “a foul charge against the Royal Oak
goalkeeper”. Other McMahon - Ross - played center forward rest of season. Ross McMahon also
played for Hibernians (1885-86), Erin Rovers Perth, Burnley FC (1888-89) and regional team East
of Scotland.
Alexander McMahon extended his career in the Edinburgh Harp in the autumn of 1887. In January 1889
he transferred to Hibernians FC for next 2 years.
On June 5, 1889 he played again for Leith Harp in the first round of Gibson Charity Cup against
Leith Athletic (2-6) and scored one goal.
All teams period 19th century total
M G M G
Wednesbury Old Athletic 1881-1883 3 0 (-10) 3 0
Wednesbury Town 1883-1885 23+ 15 (-28) 23 15
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1885-1898 380+ 168 (-48) 380 168
Walsall Town Swifts 1891 11 3 11 3
Southampton FC 1898-1905 91 39 271 91
Wolverhampton Wanderers Res. 1891-1892 5 3 (- 5) 5 3
Southampton Reserve 1899-1905 1 1 13 12
Burton Wanderers (as guest) 1890 2 2 (- 1) 2 2
Selection teams:
England 1890-1896 3 1 3 1
International trial matches 1890-1893 3 2 3 2
English League XI 1893-1898 4 1 4 1
Birmingham 1883-1890 6 3 (- 2) 6 3
Staffordshire 1886-1887 4 7 (- 1) 4 7
Midland 1892 1 0 1 0
Sel. of English players 1889-1899 3 0 3 0
United League XI 1898 1 0 1 0
total 541 245 (-95) 733 308
Data by Tournament (Official Only)
Domestic Campionships
English League 1888-1898 243 110 243 110 *
Football Alliance 1891 9 2 9 2
Southern League 1898-1905 52 25 162 65 **
Western League 1898-1905 3 2 59 11
United League 1898-1899 18 7 18 7
Southern District Comb. 1899-1900 8 5 8 5
United County League 1893-1894 6 2 6 2
Shropshire League 1891-1892 3 2 (- 5) 3 2
Champions Challenge 1892 2 1 2 1
Southern League 2nd Div. 1904-1905 5 7
Hants League 1904-1905 3 2
Domestic Cups
FA Cup 1883-1904 66 21 (- 2) 79 24 ***
Other Tournaments
Wednesbury Charity Cup 1881-1888 11 5 (-13) 11 5
Walsall Cup 1882-1887 10 2 (-23) 10 2
Birmingham Cup 1883-1898 40 22 (-27) 40 22
Staffordshire Cup 1884-1898 27 14 (-21) 27 14
Birmingham Charity Cup 1887-1898 14 7 14 7
Bass Charity Cup 1890-1892 3 3 (- 1) 3 3
Hants Senior Cup 1899-1905 1 1 5 3
Southern Charity Cup 1902 1 0
* incl. 2 canceled matches, 1893, 1894
** incl. 4 canceled matches and 3 goals, 1898-1899
*** incl. canceled match on 10.02.1900
between brackets: missing goals of teams
Achievements and facts
British Home Championship: 1890
FA Cup Winner: 1893. Runner-Up: 1889, 1896, 1900, 1902, 1903
Southern League championship: 1898-99, 1900-01, 1902-03, 1903-04
Wednesbury Charity Cup: 1884, 1888
Birmingham Cup: 1893, 1894
Staffordshire Cup: 1888, 1897
Birmingham Charity Cup: 1887, 1892
Hants Senior Cup: 1905
Harry Wood and his older brother George began their careers in 1881 in 2nd team Wednesbury
Old Athletic, which played in regional cups and friendlies.
Harry first played in an official game (Wednesbury Charity Cup) on 19.11.1881 in a match
against Spital Chesterfield (10:1). Goal scorers are unknown. If Harry was indeed born
in 1868, he was under 13.5 years old on that day!
Harry played at least two more cup games in his first two seasons: on 18.02.1882 ag. Walsall
Swifts (0:2, Walsall Cup) and on 10.03.1883 ag. Nottingham Forest (0:3, Wednesbury Charity Cup).
In the summer of 1883, a new club, Wednesbury Town, was founded on the basis of the 2nd
team Wednesbury Old Athletic. The Woods brothers played for this team for the next two years.
The first season went quite well for the team. Wednesbury Town won the Wednesbury Charity Cup.
Harry scored 4 goals in 6 games.
The team reached the fourth round of the FA Cup. In the replay of the 2nd round against
Walsall Town on 08.12.1883 (6:0), Harry Wood scored 3 goals (the rest were scored by Woodcock (2)
and George Wood). According to his date of birth, Harry played in this match at the age of 15,5
years, making him possibly the youngest hat-trick scorer in the FA Cup history.
Harry scored also the only goal in the 3rd round match against Derby Midland on 29.12.1883 (1:0).
On 26.12.1883 Harry Wood made his debut for the regional team (District - Birmingham - 1:4).
Harry Wood should not have played in this match. But due to the absence of several players,
Wood and two other players of Wednesbury Town were urgently called up to take part in the match.
„The District played four men short at the commencement of the game, and were one man short
throughout the match.“
The second season was less successful for Wednesbury Town and in the spring of 1885 the team
was disbanded.
The Wood brothers returned to Old Athletic for a short time. In early October 1885, the
Wolverhampton press reported new Wolves players, brothers G. and H. Wood from Wednesbury Town.
Harry played for Wolverhampton for the next 13 years (with a short spell at Walsall Town).
Harry Wood is likely the only player to have played more than 500 official matches in the 19th
century. He was the first in the history of football to play 600 and 700 official games.
Harry Wood probably holds the record for the most national cup games in the 19th century: 65
matches between 1883 and 1900.
„Harry Wood is perhaps one of the finest inside left forwards in England“ (Lancashire Evening
Post, 25 March 1893).
All teams period 19th century total
M G M G
Langley Green Victoria 1888-1890 7+ 4 (-32+) 7 4
Small Heath 1890-1896 201 125 (-12) 201 125
Aston Villa 1896-1900 169 98 (- 1) 169 98
West Bromwich Albion 1900-1901 34 7
Queens Park Rangers 1901-1902 25 8
Queens Park Rangers Res. 1901 1 2
Portsmouth 1902-1904 55 29
Portsmouth Reserves 1902-1904 16 29
Worcester City 1904-1907 69 45
Selection teams:
England 1897-1898 4 6 4 6
English League XI 1894-1898 4 4 4 4
English Players‘ Union 1898-1902 2 1 3 1
total 387 238 588 358
Data by Tournament (Official Only)
Domestic Campionships
English League 1894-1901 184* 86 210* 89
Football Alliance 1890-1892 46 34 46 34
2nd Division 1892-1894 50 47 50 47
United Counties League 1894 4 1 (- 1) 4 1
Southern League 1901-1904 46 17
London League 1901-1902 7 4
Western League 1901-1904 23 14
Hampshire League 1902-1904 10 25
Southern 2nd League 1904 1 0
Birmingham League 1889-1906 4 1 (-27+) 66 41
Test matches 1893-1896 7 5 7 5
Domestic Cups
FA Cup 1890-1906 27 18 37 25
Other Tournaments
Birmingham Cup 1888-1901 29 20 (-15) 31 21
Staffordshire Cup 1896-1899 5 5 5 5
Birmingham Charity Cup 1891-1901 17 9 (- 2) 20 12
Dewar Charity Shield 1899 2 0 2 0
Hants Senior Cup 1903 2 0
Portsmouth Senior Cup 1902-1904 3 4
Southern Charity Cup 1902-1904 3 2
Worcester Cup 1904 2 0
World Championship 1899-1900 2 1 2 1
between brackets: missing goals of teams
* incl. 2 abandoned matches (1895, 1896)
Achievements and facts
British Home Championship (England): 1898
Football League 1st Division: 1896-97, 1898-99, 1899-1900
FA Cup: 1897
Western League: 1902-03
Hampshire League: 1902-03
Sheriff of London (Dewar) Charity Shield: 1899 (shared)
Southern Charity Cup: 1903
Birmingham Cup: 1899
Staffordshire Cup: 1899
Birmingham Charity Cup: 1898, 1899
Hants Senior Cup: 1903
Portsmouth Senior Cup: 1903, 1904
Top scorer: 1st Division 1897-98, 2nd Division 1892-93
In 1898-99 and 1902-03 Wheldon won 5 titles.
Wheldon scored over 20 goals in single season in 5 diverse leagues.
All teams period 19th century total
M G M G
Kilmarnock 1885-1888 16+ 14 (-78) 16 14
Cowlairs 1888-1890 14+ 10 (-64) 14 10
Glasgow Rangers 1890-1902 292 175 (-23) 331 188
Selection teams:
Scotland 1888-1897 9 5 9 5
International trial matches 1888-1899 12 9 12 9
Scottish League XI 1897-1902 3 3 5 4
Ayrshire 1886-1887 2 2 (-10) 2 2
Glasgow 1888-1900 4 5 5 6
Scotland, other matches 1888-1889 10 9 (-11) 10 9
Scottish Player‘ Union 1898 1 0 1 0
total 363 232 (-186) 405 247
Data by Tournament (Official Only)
Domestic Campionships
Scottish League 1890-1902 158 96 (-13) 182 107*
Glasgow League 1895-1899 30 19 (- 3) 30 19
Inter-City League 1899-1902 5 2 13 2
Domestic Cups
Scottish Cup 1886-1902 52 29 (-70) 53 29
Other Tournaments
Glasgow Cup 1887-1901 40 26 (-13) 45 28
Ayrshire Cup 1885-1887 3 3 (-33) 3 3
Kilmarnock Charity Cup 1886-1888 5 4 (-14) 5 4
Ayr Charity Cup 1888 2 3 (- 1) 2 3
North-Eastern Cup 1888-1890 4 5 (- 2) 4 5
Glasgow Charity Cup 1892-1901 18 7 19 7
Brit. Leagues Championship 1899 1 1 1 1
other tournaments 1888-1890 4 4 (-16) 4 4
between brackets: missing goals of teams
* incl. 6 canceled matches, 4 goals (1890-1901)
Achievements and facts
British Home Championship (Scotland): 1889, 1894, 1897
Scottish League: 1891, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902
Scottish Cup: 1894, 1897, 1898
Glasgow Cup: 1892-93, 1893, 1896, 1897, 1899, 1900, 1901
Glasgow Merchants Charity Cup: 1897, 1900
Glasgow League: 1896, 1898
British Leagues Championship (unoff.): 1899
Ayrshire Cup: 1886
Kilmarnock Merchants Charity Cup: 1886
Ayr Charity Cup: 1888
Glasgow Exhibition Trophy: 1888
Volunteer Cup: 1889
Rangers Sport Tournament: 1890
Port Glasgow Athletic Benefit Tournament: 1892
John McPherson made his debut for the regional selection in the game on March 20, 1886 (Ayrshire
ag. Southern Counties - 7:1, goal scorers unknown) at the age of 17. In April 1886 he was named
as a candidate for the Scottish national team.
McPherson played for national and league selects for 14 years (one of the longest period in those
years), until his final season. In total he played 12 Scottish International trial matches,
perhaps more than anyone else in 19th century.
According to information published in some sources, John McPherson played in the 1887-88 season
simultaneously for three clubs (Everton, Kilmarnock and Cowlairs). This information is incorrect.
John's older brother James McPherson played for the Cowlars. John became a Cowlairs player in
April 1888. For Everton played (according to the club archives) one Rob McPherson.
John McPherson is one of the most successful Scottish players in the 19th century.
All teams period 19th century
M G
Derby County 1892-1900 258 178
Derby County Reserves 1891-1892 2 2
Tutbury Hawthorn 1892 1 2
Selection teams:
England 1895-1900 12 20
International trial matches 1895-1900 4 6
English League XI 1896-1900 7 8
total 284 216
Data by Tournament (Official Only)
Domestic Campionships
among which:
Division One 1892-1900 215 144
Division One,abandoned matches 1896-1899 2 2
Division One, test match 1895 1 1
United Counties League 1894-1895 11 4
Midland Alliance 1891-1892 2 2
Domestic Cups
FA Cup (incl. 2 - 1 aband.) 1893-1900 24 24
Other Tournaments
among which:
Burton Junior cup 1892 1 2
Derbyshire Charity Cup 1893 1 1
Bass Charity Vase 1893 2 1
Birmingham Cup 1896 2 1
Achievements and facts
British Home Championship (England): 1895, 1898, 1899, 1901, 1904, 1905
English League: Runners-up 1896
2nd Division: 1912
FA Cup: Runners-up 1898, 1899, 1903
Derby Shield Competition: 1892
Burton Junior Cup: 1892
Derbyshire Charity Cup: 1892
United Counties League: 1894
Bass Charity Vase: 1903, 1905
Derbyshire Senior Cup: 1913
Derbyshire Association Medals: 1920
1st Division Top Scorer: 1897, 1899, 1901, 1904
See also: Prolific Scorers Data — Stephen Bloomer — Additional Data
All teams period 19th century
M G
Blackburn Olympic 1884-1887 7 4
Blackburn Rovers 1887-1893 162 156 (-29)
Everton 1893-1894 36 42
Selection teams:
England 1889-1892 3 3
English League XI 1893 1 0
International trial matches 1890-1894 2 2
Lancashire 1888-1890 2 5 (- 1)
total 213 212 (-30)
Data by Tournament (Official Only)
Domestic Campionships
English League 1888-1894 139 133 (-10)
Engl.League (canceled matches 1889-1891 3 4
Palatine League 1894 1 0
Domestic Cups
FA Cup 1887-1894 25 28 (- 2)
FA Cup (canceled matches) 1885-1891 3 5
Other Tournaments
Lancashire Cup 1884-1894 23 25 (-13)
East Lancashire Charity cup 1885-1893 11 7 (- 4)
Between brackets: missing goals of teams
Achievements and facts
British Home Championship (England): 1891, 1892
FA Cup: 1890, 1891
Lancashire Cup: 1894
East Lancashire Charity Cup: 1889, 1890, 1891
1st Division Top Scorer: 1891, 1894
Southworth made his official debut for Blackburn Olympic on the 4 October 1884 in a match of first
round Lancashire Cup against Leigh (18-0, Southworth scored 4 goals). In the spring of 1885,
Southworth retrained as a goalkeeper for 2 years.
In the autumn of 1885, Southworth joined the Chester FC as an amateur. He cited better
opportunities for his musical career as the reason for moving to Chester. Southworth and his
brothers were professional musicians. Because Southworth had a professional contract with
Blackburn Olympic, he was suspended for 12 months and only played friendlies for Chester.
In the spring of 1887, Southworth returned to Blackburn as a striker.
Southworth was the first in football history to score 100 goals in the top league and 200 goals
at the top level. The Lancashire Cup was the most representative regional cup. In the early
seasons of the English league, every second team was from Lancashire.
The East Lancashire Charity Cup was a tournament of the top four teams in the region: Blackburn
Rovers, Accrington, Darwen and Burnley. All played in the early 1890s in the English league. In
the 1880s, Blackburn Olympic, winners of the FA Cup 1883, also played in the tournament.
Southworth apparently holds the 19th century scoring record in single season at top level.
In 1890-91 he scored 47 goals in 32 official games, including 4 goals in two canceled games.
Both matches - December 27th against Accrington (2-1, one goal of Southworth) and January 10th
against West Bromvich (4-0, 3 goals) - were initially included in the league table, but were
later replayed.
Southworth's transfer to Everton in the summer of 1893 caused such a stir that he was forced to
publish an open letter to the press explaining the reasons for the transfer. The reason was the
same as 8 years earlier - better opportunities for musical activity after the end of a football
career.
In a benefit match on November the 19th, 1894 Preston North End v. Everton, Southworth badly
injured his knee and effectively ended his career.
Many journalists and players, even several years later, called Southworth the best center forward
in the world.
John Southworth's musical career as a member of various orchestras lasted more than half a century.
All teams period 19th century total
M G M G
Dumbarton Union 1886-1887 2+ 1 (- 8) 2 1
Dumbarton 1887-1893 110+ 79 (-78) 110 79
Heart of Midlothian (guest) 1890 3 3 3 3
Everton 1893-1903 162 73 218 85
Celtic 1898-1900 70 37 70 37
New Brighton Tower 1900-1901 24 9
Preston North End 1903-1908 124 28
Selection teams:
Scotland 1890-1900 12 5 12 5
Scottish League XI 1892-1899 2 1 2 1
International trial matches 1892-1899 5 2 5 2
Scotland (unofficial match) 1891 1 3 1 3
English Players' Union 1898 1 0 1 0
Scottish Players' Union 1899 1 0 1 0
Dumbartonshire 1887-1890 8 5 8 5
Glasgow 1898 1 0 1 0
total 378 209(-86) 582 258
Data by Tournament (Official Only)
Domestic Campionships
Scottish League 1890-1900 87 63 (- 9) 87 63*
English League 1893-1908 130 56 254 81
2nd Division 1900-1904 54 19
Glasgow League 1899 4 3 4 3
Inter-City League 1900 10 3 10 3
Domestic Cups
Scottish Cup 1887-1900 39 23 (-19) 39 23
FA Cup 1893-1907 17 7 34 11
Other Tournaments
Dumbartonshire Cup 1886-1893 16 7 (-34) 16 7
Dumbarton Tournament 1887 1 1 1 1
Greenock Charity Cup 1889-1892 7 5 (-23) 7 5
Rosebery Charity Cup 1890 3 3 3 3
United Abstainers Gold Cup 1890 3 2 3 2
Rangers Sports Tournament 1890 2 1 (- 1) 2 1
League Charity Cup 1891 2 1 2 1
Glasgow Charity Cup 1892-1900 4 2 4 2**
Lancashire Cup 1893-1907 13 9 22 10
Glasgow Cup 1898-1899 7 6 7 6
West Bromwich Charity Cup 1897-1898 2 1 2 1
between brackets: missing goals of teams
* incl. 1 canceled match, 1 goal
** incl. 1 canceled match, 1 goal
Achievements and facts
British Home Championship (Scotland): 1890, 1894, 1896, 1897, 1900
Scottish League: 1891, 1892
Scottish Cup: 1899, 1900
English League Runners-Up: 1895, 1902, 1906
English League, 2nd Division: 1904
Glasgow League: 1899
Inter-City League: 1900
Lancashire Cup: 1894, 1897
Dumbartonshire Cup: 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893
Greenock Charity Cup: 1890, 1891
Rosebery Charity Cup: 1890
League Charity Cup: 1891
West Bromwich Charity Cup: 1898
Scottish League Top Scorer: 1891, 1892
First two-time league top scorer in football history.
Bell is only goal scorer to score more than 50 goals in the Scottish and English leagues in
the 19th century.
John Bell won at least twice the FC Dumbarton President's prize for attendance at training
(98 attendances in 1888-89 and 76 in 1889-90).
All teams period 19th century
M G
Renton 2nd 1885-1886 1+ ? (- 4+)
Renton 1886-1889 50+ 29 (-61)
Sunderland 1889-1897 226 159
Newcastle 1897-1898 31 12
Selection teams:
International trial matches 1889-1896 2 2
Dumbartonshire 1887-1889 3 2
Lancashire North 1892 1 2
total 314 206 (-65)
Data by Tournament (Official Only)
Domestic Campionships
English League 1890-1897 188 133*
2nd Division 1897-1898 25 9
Test matches 1897-1898 7 1
Domestic Cups
Scottish Cup 1886-1889 18 10 (-46)
FA Cup 1886-1898 35 25**
Other Tournaments
Scottish 2nd XI Cup 1885 1+ ? (- 4+)
Dumbartonshire Cup 1886-1888 10 4 (-14)
Glasgow Charity Cup 1886-1889 14 10 (- 1)
Edinburgh Exhibition Cup 1886 1 1
Dumbarton Tournament 1887 1 1
Durham Challenge Cup 1890 3 2
World Championship (unoff.) 1888-1895 5 4
between brackets: missing goals of teams
* incl. 2 canceled matches
** incl. 2 canceled matches, 1 goal (1892)
Achievements and facts
Scottish Cup: 1887-88
Glasgow Merchants Charity Cup: 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889
World Championship (unofficial): 1888, 1892, 1893, 1895
1st Division: 1891-92, 1892-93, 1894-95
Edinburgh Exhibition Cup: 1886
Dumbartonshire Cup: 1887
Durham Challenge Cup: 1890
1st Division Top Scorer: 1891-92, 1892-93, 1894-95
John Campbell is the first three-time top scorer in the top leagues.
Campbell has won the unofficial club world championship four times (record) with Renton and
Sunderland.
All teams period 19th century total
M G M G
Benburb Glasgow 1889-1890 13+ 3 (-85+) 13 3
Celtic 1890-1903 235 137 (-13) 337 202
Aston Villa 1895-1897 66 47 66 47
3rd Lanark 1903-1905 51 18
Celtic Reserve 1891 ?*
Selection teams:
Scotland 1893-1903 6 2 12 4
International trial matches 1893-1902 5 1 6 1
Scottish League XI 1893-1902 2 0 4 3
Scotland, other matches 1898-1902 1 0 2 1
Glasgow 1892-1902 2 1 6 2
total 330 191(-98) 497 281
Data by Tournament (Official Only)
Domestic Campionships
Scottish League 1890-1905 117 61 (- 4) 207 105
English League 1895-1897 55 39 55 39
Glasgow League 1897-1905 16 11 18 12
Inter-City League 1899-1904 8 4 22 14
Domestic Cups
Scottish Cup 1890-1905 34 17 (- 1) 51 26
FA Cup 1895-1897 8 4 8 4
Other Tournaments
Glasgow Cup 1890-1904 30 21 (- 7) 43 33
Glasgow Charity Cup 1892-1902 13 10 (- 1) 20 12
League Charity Cup 1891 2 0 2 0
Birmingham Cup 1896 1 1 1 1
Staffordshire Cup 1896 1 2 1 2
Glasgow Exhibition cup 1901 2 1
British League Cup 1902 2 1
World Champioship 1896-1898 3 1 3 1
Benefit Fund Tournament 1902 3 3
other cups 1889-1890 13 3 (-85) 13 3
Canceled matches 1890-1903 13 13 16 13
among which:
Scottish League 1891-1902 3 2 4 2
Scottish Cup 1890-1903 5 4 7 4
Glasgow Cup 1891-1892 3 3 3 3
Glasgow Charity Cup 1900 1 2 1 2
League Charity Cup 1891 1 2 1 2
between brackets: missing goals of teams
* There is information that John Campbell scored 12 goals in one game for Celtic Reserves in 1891.
The original source of this information is unknown. Campbell may have played in the final of
Scottish 2nd XI cup (21.02.1891. Celtic Res. - St.Mirren Res. - 13-1). He didn't play for the
1st team that day. Report of the final match in scottish press is not found.
Achievements and facts
British Home Championship (Scotland): 1900, 1902, 1903
Scottish League: 1890-91, 1892-93, 1893-94, 1897-98, 1903-04
Scottish Cup: 1892, 1899, 1900, 1905
English League: 1895-96, 1896-97
FA Cup: 1897
Glasgow Cup: 1891, 1892, 1894, 1903
Glasgow Merchants Charity Cup: 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1899
Birmingham Cup: 1896
Staffordshire Cup: 1896
Inter-City League: 1899-1900
Glasgow League: 1899, 1905
British League Cup: 1902
Ibrox Disaster Benefit Fund Tournament: 1902
Scottish League Top Scorer: 1892-93 (13 goals)
English League Top Scorer: 1895-96 (26 goals)
John Campbell was perhaps the first player to win at least three titles with every club and
national team. Benburb won three cups in 1889-90: Glasgow Junior Cup, Govanhill & District Cup
and Evening News Charity Cup. Benburb also played in the Scottish Junior Cup final. In total,
Benburb has scored in 20 cup games about 100 goals , most of which the scorers are unknown.
John Campbell has won over 30 titles. He won at least one tournament every season.
Campbell was possibly the first player to win the 1st Division and National Cup of Scotland and
England with three different clubs. Campbell helped 3rd Lanark win their only Scottish league
title and their last Scottish Cup (didn't play in the final).
Campbell is only top scorer in the Scottish and English leagues in the 19th century.
All teams period 19th century
M G
Genoa FC 1883-1886
Distillery FC 1886-1898 179+ 153 (-78)
Selection teams:
Ireland 1887-1897 30 11
Irish League XI 1894-1897 5 0
International trial matches 1889-1892 3 3
Irish players Sel. 1887-1891 2 4 (- 3)
Antrim 1887-1888 2 1 (-13)
Ulster 1887-1896 5 4
Belfast 1891-1892 2 5 (- 2)
total 228 181 (-96)
Data by Tournament (Official Only)
Domestic Campionships
Irish League 1890-1898 66 48 (-18)
Irish League(canceled matches) 1890-1892 3 3
Domestic Cups
Irish Cup 1886-1897 33 30 (-32)
Other Tournaments
Belfast Charity Cup 1887-1897 24 20 (- 7)
Antrim Charity Shield 1888-1898 26 29 (-19)
Antrim Ch. Shield (canceled) 1891 1 2
City Cup 1894-1898 25 21 (- 2)
League Championship 1893 1 0
between brackets: missing goals of teams
Achievements and facts
Irish League: 1895-96
Irish Cup: 1888-89, 1893-94, 1895-96
County Antrim Shield: 1888-89, 1892-93, 1896, 1897
British Home Championship Top Scorer: 1891 (4 goals)
Olphert Stanfield is the best Irish goal scorer in the 19th century.
Stanfield is the only player to play 30 games for the national team in the 19th century.
According to Dawson Simpson's book „White's: The History of the Distillery Club“, Stanfield
scored 178 goals in 181 official games for the club. The source of these statistics is unknown.
A check of all FC Distillery games in irish newspapers for the period 1886-1898 does not
confirm this data. The newspapers regularly published team lineups, but did not always name
the goal scorers. The scorers of 78 goals FC Distillery are unknown. Stanfield scored at
least 153 goals in 179 matches, including 5 goals in 4 canceled matches. 6 more games possible
from Stanfield (no lineups found).
Prepared and maintained by Vladimir Kolos and Dorian Leveque for the Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation
Authors: Vladimir Kolos
(vkoloss@mail.ru)
and Dorian Leveque
Last updated: 16 May 2024
(C) Copyright Vladimir Kolos, Dorian Leveque and RSSSF 2024
You are free to copy this document in whole or part provided that proper
acknowledgement is given to the authors. All rights reserved.