Arthur Lea (footballer): Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Welsh footballer}} |
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{{Infobox football biography |
{{Infobox football biography |
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| name = Arthur Lea |
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| image = |
| image = |
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| fullname = Arthur Lea |
| fullname = Arthur Lea |
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| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1866|11|23}} |
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| birth_place = [[Wrexham]], Wales |
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| countryofbirth = [[Wales]] |
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| countryofdeath = [[Wales]] |
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| height = |
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| position = [[Inside forward]] |
| position = [[Inside forward]] |
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| youthclubs1 = [[Wrexham Grosvenor F.C.|Wrexham Grosvenor]] |
| youthclubs1 = [[Wrexham Grosvenor F.C.|Wrexham Grosvenor]] |
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| years1 = 1883–1895 |
| years1 = 1883–1895 |
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| clubs1 = [[Wrexham F.C.|Wrexham]] |
| clubs1 = [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]] |
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| caps1 = |
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'''Arthur Lea''' (23 November 1866 – 23 March 1945) was a Welsh [[association football|footballer]] who played as an [[inside forward]] for [[Wrexham F.C.|Wrexham]] in the 1880s and 1890s. Despite having only one arm,<ref name="IFFHS">{{cite web |
'''Arthur Lea''' (23 November 1866 – 23 March 1945) was a Welsh [[association football|footballer]] who played as an [[inside forward]] for [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]] in the 1880s and 1890s. Despite having only one arm,<ref name="IFFHS">{{cite web|title=Interesting and curious facts about full internationals and national players (1872–1900) |url=http://www.iffhs.de/?3f4b05ffcd85bcca952b9b95205fdcdc3bfcdc0aec70aeeda315 |publisher=[[IFFHS]] |accessdate=8 December 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204120325/http://iffhs.de/?3f4b05ffcd85bcca952b9b95205fdcdc3bfcdc0aec70aeeda315 |archivedate=4 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> he also made four appearances for the [[Wales national football team|Wales national side]]. |
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==Football career== |
==Football career== |
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Lea was born in [[Wrexham]] and started his football career at the age of 15 when he helped launch the [[Wrexham Grosvenor F.C.|Wrexham Grosvenor]] club.<ref name = "Whos who">{{cite book |title=Who's Who of Welsh International Soccer Players |last1=Davies |first1=Gareth |last2=Garland |first2=Ian |year=1991 |publisher=Bridge Books |isbn=1- |
Lea was born in [[Wrexham]] and started his football career at the age of 15 when he helped launch the [[Wrexham Grosvenor F.C.|Wrexham Grosvenor]] club.<ref name = "Whos who">{{cite book |title=Who's Who of Welsh International Soccer Players |last1=Davies |first1=Gareth |last2=Garland |first2=Ian |year=1991 |publisher=Bridge Books |isbn=1-872424-11-2|page=125}}</ref> He started out playing at full-back although he could play on the left wing when required. Despite only having one arm, he possessed "a natural flair with the ball" and his "all-round skill on the field" compensated for his disability, being noted for his "tremendous and powerful kick".<ref name = "Whos who"/> |
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By 1883, he had joined [[Wrexham F.C.|Wrexham]], initially as a reserve player but was quickly promoted to the first team, signing as a professional for a weekly wage of 5 shillings, with bonuses enabling this to reach 10 shillings; this made him reputedly the highest paid player in Wales.<ref name = "Whos who"/> |
By 1883, he had joined [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]], initially as a reserve player but was quickly promoted to the first team, signing as a professional for a weekly wage of 5 shillings, with bonuses enabling this to reach 10 shillings; this made him reputedly the highest paid player in Wales.<ref name = "Whos who"/> |
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Lea made his international debut for [[Wales national football team|Wales]] on 23 February 1889, when he played at [[inside-left]] in the 4–1 defeat by [[England national football team|England]].<ref>{{cite web|title=England 4–1 Wales|url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=31 |
Lea made his international debut for [[Wales national football team|Wales]] on 23 February 1889, when he played at [[inside-left]] in the 4–1 defeat by [[England national football team|England]].<ref>{{cite web|title=England 4–1 Wales|url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=31|publisher=Welsh Football Data Archive|accessdate=8 December 2010|date=23 February 1889|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719142324/http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=31|archive-date=19 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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In 1889–90, Lea was a member of the Wrexham team that reached the final of the [[Welsh Cup]], going down 1–0 to [[Chirk F.C.|Chirk]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Chirk 1–0 Wrexham|url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=13|work=Welsh Cup Final |
In 1889–90, Lea was a member of the Wrexham team that reached the final of the [[Welsh Cup]], going down 1–0 to [[Chirk F.C.|Chirk]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Chirk 1–0 Wrexham|url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=13|work=Welsh Cup Final|publisher=Welsh Football Data Archive|accessdate=8 December 2010|date=19 April 1890|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306023031/http://www.wfda.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=13|archive-date=6 March 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Later that year, Wrexham joined [[The Combination]] league. Their first game was played on 6 September 1890 against [[Gorton Villa F.C.|Gorton Villa]], with Lea scoring Wrexham's only goal in a 5–1 defeat. Like Lea, his team-mated James Roberts also had only one arm.<ref>{{cite web|title=The History of Wales' Oldest Team |url=http://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/page/History |publisher=Wrexham FC |accessdate=8 December 2010 |date=19 July 2009 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325133351/http://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/page/History |archivedate=25 March 2012 }}</ref> Although they only finished their inaugural league season in the penultimate position, Wrexham again reached the Welsh Cup Final, losing 5–2 to [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Shrewsbury Town 5–2 Wrexham|url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=14|work=Welsh Cup Final|publisher=Welsh Football Data Archive|accessdate=8 December 2010|date=31 March 1891|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306023036/http://www.wfda.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=14|archive-date=6 March 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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Lea received three further international caps, at [[left-half]] against [[Ireland national football team (1882–1950)|Ireland]] on 7 February 1891 (lost 7–2),<ref>{{cite web|title=Ireland 7–2 Wales|url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=37 |
Lea received three further international caps, at [[left-half]] against [[Ireland national football team (1882–1950)|Ireland]] on 7 February 1891 (lost 7–2),<ref>{{cite web|title=Ireland 7–2 Wales|url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=37|publisher=Welsh Football Data Archive|accessdate=8 December 2010|date=7 February 1891|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927031037/http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=37|archive-date=27 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> at [[right-half]] against [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] on 21 March 1891 (lost 4–3)<ref>{{cite web|title=Wales 3–4 Scotland|url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=39|publisher=Welsh Football Data Archive|accessdate=8 December 2010|date=21 March 1891|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927031424/http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=39|archive-date=27 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> and at [[right-half]] against Ireland on 8 April 1893 (lost 4–3), when he was team captain;<ref>{{cite web|title=Ireland 4–3 Wales|url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=45|publisher=Welsh Football Data Archive|accessdate=8 December 2010|date=8 April 1893|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203030851/http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=45|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> thus, he was on the losing side in all four of his international appearances. In his [[Football Association of Wales|FAW]] assessment in 1891, he was described as "a good, hard-working player – called upon at the last moment and had to play in the wrong position, appeared nervous. Played a good game against Ireland at left-half."<ref name = "Whos who"/> |
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Shortly before his final international appearance, Lea captained Wrexham to victory in the Welsh Cup Final, defeating [[Chirk F.C.|Chirk]] 2–1 on 3 April.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shrewsbury Town |
Shortly before his final international appearance, Lea captained Wrexham to victory in the Welsh Cup Final, defeating [[Chirk F.C.|Chirk]] 2–1 on 3 April.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shrewsbury Town 5–2 Wrexham|url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=16|work=Welsh Cup Final|publisher=Welsh Football Data Archive|accessdate=8 December 2010|date=3 April 1893|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306023047/http://www.wfda.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=16|archive-date=6 March 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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Later that year, Lea became seriously ill and was at one point threatened with the loss of a leg.<ref name="IFFHS"/> He eventually recovered and re-commenced his playing career in 1895, helping Wrexham reach the final of the Welsh Cup when they were defeated 3–2 by [[Newtown A.F.C.|Newtown]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Newtown |
Later that year, Lea became seriously ill and was at one point threatened with the loss of a leg.<ref name="IFFHS"/> He eventually recovered and re-commenced his playing career in 1895, helping Wrexham reach the final of the Welsh Cup when they were defeated 3–2 by [[Newtown A.F.C.|Newtown]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Newtown 3–2 Wrexham|url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=18|work=Welsh Cup Final|publisher=Welsh Football Data Archive|accessdate=8 December 2010|date=15 April 1895|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306023057/http://www.wfda.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=18|archive-date=6 March 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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Shortly afterwards, he was involved in an ill-tempered match against [[Druids F.C.|Druids]] in the Soames Charity Cup Final; Wrexham won the match with the only goal scored. At the end of the match, the Wrexham players were so roughly handled by some of the spectators that they had to flee from the pitch and make their way back to Wrexham as best they could. Lea later stated that "if that was what football was all about, it was the end for him". True to his word, that was his final appearance for the Wrexham first team, although he made a few appearances for the reserves.<ref name = "Whos who"/> |
Shortly afterwards, he was involved in an ill-tempered match against [[Druids F.C.|Druids]] in the Soames Charity Cup Final; Wrexham won the match with the only goal scored. At the end of the match, the Wrexham players were so roughly handled by some of the spectators that they had to flee from the pitch and make their way back to Wrexham as best they could. Lea later stated that "if that was what football was all about, it was the end for him". True to his word, that was his final appearance for the Wrexham first team, although he made a few appearances for the reserves.<ref name = "Whos who"/> |
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In December 1895, he was the beneficiary of a testimonial match between a Wrexham & District XI and [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], won 5–0 by the visitors.<ref>{{cite web|title=Liverpool in Testimonials|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/liverpool_in_testimonials.asp |publisher=Liverpool FC|accessdate=8 December 2010}}</ref> |
In December 1895, he was the beneficiary of a testimonial match between a Wrexham & District XI and [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], won 5–0 by the visitors.<ref>{{cite web|title=Liverpool in Testimonials |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/liverpool_in_testimonials.asp |publisher=Liverpool FC |accessdate=8 December 2010 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616203502/http://www.lfchistory.net/liverpool_in_testimonials.asp |archivedate=16 June 2010 }}</ref> |
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==Career outside football== |
==Career outside football== |
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Lea combined his football career with working as a |
Lea combined his football career with working as a postman – he sometimes started work at 5.30 a.m., did an 18-mile round on foot, and then caught the 9.20 train to an away match. After the match, he would return to [[Chester]] after the last train to Wrexham had departed, so had to walk home and be back on duty next morning. By 1900, he was reckoned to have walked over 80,000 miles in the service of the [[General Post Office|Post Office]].<ref name = "Whos who"/> |
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After retiring from the Post Office, he became the landlord of the Wrest Hotel at [[Marchwiel]], where he died on 23 March 1945, aged 78.<ref name = "Whos who"/> |
After retiring from the Post Office, he became the landlord of the Wrest Hotel at [[Marchwiel]], where he died on 23 March 1945, aged 78.<ref name = "Whos who"/> |
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==Honours== |
==Honours== |
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;[[Wrexham F.C.|Wrexham]] |
;[[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]] |
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*[[Welsh Cup]] winners: 1893 |
*[[Welsh Cup]] winners: 1893 |
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*Welsh Cup finalists: 1890, 1891 and 1895. |
*Welsh Cup finalists: 1890, 1891 and 1895. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist |
{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{EU-Football.info|11929}} |
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*[http://www.eu-football.info/_player.php?id=11929 International career details] |
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> |
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| NAME = Lea, Arthur |
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| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Footballer |
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| DATE OF BIRTH = 23 November 1866 |
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| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Wrexham]] |
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| DATE OF DEATH = 23 March 1945 |
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| PLACE OF DEATH = [[Marchwiel]] |
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}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lea, Arthur}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lea, Arthur}} |
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[[Category:1866 births]] |
[[Category:1866 births]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Footballers from Wrexham]] |
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[[Category:1945 deaths]] |
[[Category:1945 deaths]] |
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[[Category:Welsh footballers]] |
[[Category:Welsh men's footballers]] |
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[[Category:Wrexham F.C. players]] |
[[Category:Wrexham A.F.C. players]] |
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[[Category:Wales international footballers]] |
[[Category:Wales men's international footballers]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Wrexham Grosvenor F.C. players]] |
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Latest revision as of 03:38, 9 July 2023
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Arthur Lea | ||
| Date of birth | 23 November 1866 | ||
| Place of birth | Wrexham, Wales | ||
| Date of death | 23 March 1945 (aged 78) | ||
| Place of death | Marchwiel, Wales | ||
| Position(s) | Inside forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1881–1883 | Wrexham Grosvenor | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1883–1895 | Wrexham | ||
| International career | |||
| 1889–1893 | Wales | 4 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Arthur Lea (23 November 1866 – 23 March 1945) was a Welsh footballer who played as an inside forward for Wrexham in the 1880s and 1890s. Despite having only one arm,[1] he also made four appearances for the Wales national side.
Football career
[edit]Lea was born in Wrexham and started his football career at the age of 15 when he helped launch the Wrexham Grosvenor club.[2] He started out playing at full-back although he could play on the left wing when required. Despite only having one arm, he possessed "a natural flair with the ball" and his "all-round skill on the field" compensated for his disability, being noted for his "tremendous and powerful kick".[2]
By 1883, he had joined Wrexham, initially as a reserve player but was quickly promoted to the first team, signing as a professional for a weekly wage of 5 shillings, with bonuses enabling this to reach 10 shillings; this made him reputedly the highest paid player in Wales.[2]
Lea made his international debut for Wales on 23 February 1889, when he played at inside-left in the 4–1 defeat by England.[3]
In 1889–90, Lea was a member of the Wrexham team that reached the final of the Welsh Cup, going down 1–0 to Chirk.[4] Later that year, Wrexham joined The Combination league. Their first game was played on 6 September 1890 against Gorton Villa, with Lea scoring Wrexham's only goal in a 5–1 defeat. Like Lea, his team-mated James Roberts also had only one arm.[5] Although they only finished their inaugural league season in the penultimate position, Wrexham again reached the Welsh Cup Final, losing 5–2 to Shrewsbury Town.[6]
Lea received three further international caps, at left-half against Ireland on 7 February 1891 (lost 7–2),[7] at right-half against Scotland on 21 March 1891 (lost 4–3)[8] and at right-half against Ireland on 8 April 1893 (lost 4–3), when he was team captain;[9] thus, he was on the losing side in all four of his international appearances. In his FAW assessment in 1891, he was described as "a good, hard-working player – called upon at the last moment and had to play in the wrong position, appeared nervous. Played a good game against Ireland at left-half."[2]
Shortly before his final international appearance, Lea captained Wrexham to victory in the Welsh Cup Final, defeating Chirk 2–1 on 3 April.[10]
Later that year, Lea became seriously ill and was at one point threatened with the loss of a leg.[1] He eventually recovered and re-commenced his playing career in 1895, helping Wrexham reach the final of the Welsh Cup when they were defeated 3–2 by Newtown.[11]
Shortly afterwards, he was involved in an ill-tempered match against Druids in the Soames Charity Cup Final; Wrexham won the match with the only goal scored. At the end of the match, the Wrexham players were so roughly handled by some of the spectators that they had to flee from the pitch and make their way back to Wrexham as best they could. Lea later stated that "if that was what football was all about, it was the end for him". True to his word, that was his final appearance for the Wrexham first team, although he made a few appearances for the reserves.[2]
In December 1895, he was the beneficiary of a testimonial match between a Wrexham & District XI and Liverpool, won 5–0 by the visitors.[12]
Career outside football
[edit]Lea combined his football career with working as a postman – he sometimes started work at 5.30 a.m., did an 18-mile round on foot, and then caught the 9.20 train to an away match. After the match, he would return to Chester after the last train to Wrexham had departed, so had to walk home and be back on duty next morning. By 1900, he was reckoned to have walked over 80,000 miles in the service of the Post Office.[2]
After retiring from the Post Office, he became the landlord of the Wrest Hotel at Marchwiel, where he died on 23 March 1945, aged 78.[2]
Lea also played for Wrexham Cricket Club, principally as a bowler, but was also a useful batsman, making several half-centuries.[2]
Honours
[edit]- Welsh Cup winners: 1893
- Welsh Cup finalists: 1890, 1891 and 1895.
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Interesting and curious facts about full internationals and national players (1872–1900)". IFFHS. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Davies, Gareth; Garland, Ian (1991). Who's Who of Welsh International Soccer Players. Bridge Books. p. 125. ISBN 1-872424-11-2.
- ^ "England 4–1 Wales". Welsh Football Data Archive. 23 February 1889. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
- ^ "Chirk 1–0 Wrexham". Welsh Cup Final. Welsh Football Data Archive. 19 April 1890. Archived from the original on 6 March 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
- ^ "The History of Wales' Oldest Team". Wrexham FC. 19 July 2009. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
- ^ "Shrewsbury Town 5–2 Wrexham". Welsh Cup Final. Welsh Football Data Archive. 31 March 1891. Archived from the original on 6 March 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
- ^ "Ireland 7–2 Wales". Welsh Football Data Archive. 7 February 1891. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
- ^ "Wales 3–4 Scotland". Welsh Football Data Archive. 21 March 1891. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
- ^ "Ireland 4–3 Wales". Welsh Football Data Archive. 8 April 1893. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
- ^ "Shrewsbury Town 5–2 Wrexham". Welsh Cup Final. Welsh Football Data Archive. 3 April 1893. Archived from the original on 6 March 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
- ^ "Newtown 3–2 Wrexham". Welsh Cup Final. Welsh Football Data Archive. 15 April 1895. Archived from the original on 6 March 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
- ^ "Liverpool in Testimonials". Liverpool FC. Archived from the original on 16 June 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
External links
[edit]- Arthur Lea at EU-Football.info