Here are the main matches of the 1881-82 season in chronological order. Any details about missing goalscorers and best players from match reports would be appreciated. Queen's Park-Darwen 6-0, 24.9.1881, Glasgow, Hampden Park goals: Anderson, Brock (2), Ker, Fraser, Angus best players: ? The Darwen side contained some new players who had not had much chance to play together and Queen’s Park won the game with ease. Scottish Cup 2nd round, Vale of Leven-Dumbarton 0-2, 1.10.1881, Alexandria goals: ? best players: ? Vale of Leven- Queen's Park 1-2, 29.10.1881, Alexandria goals: ? / Anderson, Brock best players: ? Blackburn Rovers-Rangers 2-2, 31.10.1881, Blackburn goals: ? best players: ? FA Cup 1st round, Old Etonians-Clapham Rovers 2-2, 5.11.1881, The Oval goals: ? best players: ? Rangers-Queen's Park 1-2, 5.11.1881, Glasgow, Kinning Park goals: Corbett / scrimmage, Allan best players: ? FA Cup 1st round replay, Old Etonians-Clapham Rovers 1-0, 19.11.1881, The Oval goals: ? (own goal) best players: ? FA Cup 3rd round, Old Carthusians-Royal Engineers 0-2, 20.12.1881, The Oval ? goals: ? best players: ? Darwen-Queen's Park 1-2, 24.12.1881, Darwen, Attendance: 5,000 goals: Bury / reports varied considerably as to who scored the two Queen’s Park goals best players: ? The Darwen side was much stronger than the one that played at Hampden and a slightly under-strength Queen’s Park eleven had a tough battle on a hard, slippery pitch. Blackburn Rovers-Queen's Park 2-2, 26.12.1881, Blackburn, Attendance: 15,000 goals: 1-0 Douglas, 1-1 Allan, 2-1 Hargreaves, 2-2 Anderson or Kay best players: ? Blackburn Rovers- Dumbarton 5-1, 31.12.1881, Blackburn goals: ? best players: ? Queen's Park-Old Carthusians 8-0, 2.1.1882, Glasgow, Hampden Park, Attendance: 3,000 goals: Kay (3), Harrower (3), Anderson, Ker best players: ? Despite heavy rain and a strong wind, upwards of 3,000 spectators were in attendance. Old Carthusians had been doing well in England and had been expected to put up stubborn resistance but, despite a relatively good start, eventually slumped to an 8-0 defeat. Vale of Leven-Old Carthusians 2-1, 3.1.1882, Alexandria goals: ? best players: ? Scottish Cup Quarter-final, Dumbarton-Rangers 2-1, 28.1.1882, Dumbarton goals: ? best players: ? Rangers protested that the match hadn't been played for 90 minutes. The protested was upheld and a replay was ordered. FA Cup 4th round, Blackburn Rovers-Darwen 5-0, 30.1.1882, Blackburn goals: ? best players: ? Scottish Cup Quarter-final replay, Dumbarton-Rangers 5-1, 4.2.1882, Dumbarton goals: ? best players: ? Sheffield-Glasgow 3-1, 11.2.1882, Bramall Lane, Attendance: 8,000 goals: ? best players: ? IRL-ENG 0-13, 18.2.1882, Belfast, Bloomfield Park, Attendance: 2,500 goals: Vaughton 5, A. Brown 4, J. Brown 2, H. Cursham, Bambridge best players: ? FA Cup Semi-final, Old Etonians-Marlow 5-0, 4.3.1882, The Oval goals: Goodhart (3), Dunn, Macaulay best players: ? FA Cup Semi-final, Blackburn Rovers-The Wednesday 0-0, 6.3.1882, The Oval ? best players: ? SCO-ENG 5-1, 11.3.1882, Glasgow, Hampden Park, Attendance: 10,000 http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1872-00/1881-82/M0015Sco1882.html goals: 1-0 Harrower (15), 1-1 Vaughton (35), 2-1 Ker (43), 3-1 McPherson (46), 4-1 Ker (70), 5-1 Kay (85) best players: ? WAL-ENG 5-3, 13.3.1882, Wrexham, Acton Park, Attendance: 5,000 http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1872-00/1881-82/M0016Wal1882.html Note: Charlie Bambridge injured after 3 minutes. England played with 10 men. goals: 0-1 Mosforth 30', 0-2 Parry 35', 1-2 Owen 43, 1-3 Cursham 48', 2-3 Morgan, 3-3 Jones OG 68, 4-3 Owen 87, 5-3 Vaughan 89. FA Cup Semi-final replay, Blackburn Rovers-The Wednesday 5-1, 15.3.1882, The Oval ? goals: ? best players: ? Scottish Cup Final, Queen's Park-Dumbarton 2-2, 18.3.1882, Glasgow, Cathkin Park, Attendance: 12,000 goals: 1-0 Harrower 1, 2-0 Harrower 30, 2-1 Brown, 2-2 Meikleham best players: ? SCO-WAL 5-0, 25.3.1882, Glasgow, Hampden Park, Attendance: 5,000 Goals: 1-0 Kay (25), 2-0 Ker (70), 3-0 Fraser (72), 4-0 Fraser (80), 5-0 McAulay (88) best players: ? FA Cup Final, Old Etonians-Blackburn Rovers 1-0, 25.3.1882, The Oval, Attendance: 6,000 goals: Anderson best players: ? Old Carthusians- Old Etonians 1-0, 1.4.1882, The Oval goals: Parry best players: ? Scottish Cup Final replay, Queen's Park-Dumbarton 4-1, 1.4.1882, Glasgow, Cathkin Park, Attendance: 15,000 goals: 1-0 Richmond 1, 1-1 Kennedy, 2-1 Ker, 3-1 Harrower, 4-1 Fraser or Ker best players: ? Charity Cup 1st round, Queen's Park-Vale of Leven 2-2, 15.4.1882, Glasgow, Hampden Park, Attendance: 5,000 goals: 0-1 Brown, 1-1 Anderson, 2-1 Ker, 2-2 McFarlane best players: ? Blackburn Rovers-Vale of Leven 0-2, 16.4.1882, Blackburn goals: ? best players: ? Rangers-Blackburn Rovers 2-2, 22.4.1882, Glasgow goals: ? best players: ? Charity Cup 1st round replay, Queen's Park-Vale of Leven 0-2, 6.5.1882, Glasgow, Hampden Park, Attendance: 10,000 goals: Friel, McCrae best players: ? Vale of Leven had been practising hard since the first game but apparently Queen’s Park had not. Vale were the better side throughout and earned a well-deserved 2-0 victory. Charity Cup final, Dumbarton-Vale of Leven 2-2, ?.1882, Glasgow, ? goals: ? best players: ? Charity Cup final replay, Dumbarton-Vale of Leven 0-1, ?.1882, Glasgow, ? goals: ? best players: ? The London vs Sheffield matches probably continued this season. Further details about them would be welcome.
Additions in red: Queen's Park-Darwen 6-0, 24.9.1881, Glasgow, Hampden Park, Attendance 1,500 goals: Anderson, Brock (2), Ker, Fraser, Angus best players: Anderson, Fraser, Ker, Brock, Angus, Allan / Broughton (gk) The Darwen side contained some new players who had not had much chance to play together and Queen’s Park won the game with ease. Scottish Cup 2nd round, Vale of Leven-Dumbarton 0-2, 1.10.1881, Alexandria goals: ? best players: ? Vale of Leven- Queen's Park 1-2, 29.10.1881, Alexandria goals: ? / Anderson, Brock best players: ? Blackburn Rovers-Rangers 2-2, 31.10.1881, Blackburn, Attendance 5,000 goals: Avery, scrimmage / Inglis, Pringle best players: ? FA Cup 1st round, Old Etonians-Clapham Rovers 2-2, 5.11.1881, The Oval goals: Goodhart, Macaulay / Paine, Taylor best players: ? FA Cup 1st round, Aston Villa 4, Nottingham Forest 1, 5.11.1881 Goals: Whateley 2, Brown 2 / Widdowson Best Players: Rangers-Queen's Park 1-2, 5.11.1881, Glasgow, Kinning Park goals: Corbett / scrimmage, Allan best players: Inglis, Corbett, McFarlane / Watson, Gow FA Cup 1st round replay, Old Etonians-Clapham Rovers 1-0, 19.11.1881, The Oval goals: ? own goal best players: Ogilvie (gk) FA Cup 2nd round Blackburn Rovers 6 Bolton Wanderers 2, 9.11.1881 Goals: Avery, McIntyre 2, Brown 2, Sharples / Atherton, Struthers Best Players: FA Cup 3rd round, Old Carthusians-Royal Engineers 0-2, 20.22.12.1881, The Oval ? Yes goals: Williams,Ruck best players: ? Darwen-Queen's Park 1-2, 24.12.1881, Darwen, Attendance: 5,000 goals: Bury / reports varied considerably as to who scored the two Queen’s Park goals – the second was an own goal. best players: Rostron, Towers / A Holms, J Holms, Campbell, Watson The Darwen side was much stronger than the one that played at Hampden and a slightly under-strength Queen’s Park eleven had a tough battle on a hard, slippery pitch. Blackburn Rovers-Queen's Park 2-2, 26.12.1881, Blackburn, Attendance: 15,000 goals: 1-0 Douglas, 1-1 Allan, 2-1 Hargreaves, 2-2 Anderson or Kay best players: McCallum (gk) FA Cup 3rd round Aston Villa 2 Notts County 2, 31.12.1881 Goals: Davis, Whateley / Bausor 2 Best Players: Brown, Vaughton, Whateley, Simmons, Pank / AW Cursham, H Cursham, Moore, Jessop, Dobson Blackburn Rovers- Dumbarton 5-1, 31.12.1881, Blackburn goals: Strachan 2, og, Duckworth, scrimmage / ? best players: ? Queen's Park-Old Carthusians 8-0, 2.1.1882, Glasgow, Hampden Park, Attendance: 3,000 goals: Kay (3), Harrower (3), Anderson, Ker best players: ? Despite heavy rain and a strong wind, upwards of 3,000 spectators were in attendance. Old Carthusians had been doing well in England and had been expected to put up stubborn resistance but, despite a relatively good start, eventually slumped to an 8-0 defeat. Vale of Leven-Old Carthusians 2-1, 3.1.1882, Alexandria, Attendance 3,000 goals: ? best players: A McIntyre / Norris (gk), Messent FA Cup 3rd round replay, Notts County 2 Aston Villa 2, 7.1.1882 Goals: Chapman, AW Cursham / Brown, Archie Hunter Best Players: / Archie Hunter, Brown FA Cup 3rd round second replay, Aston Villa 4 Notts County 1, 14.1.1882 Goals: Archie Hunter, Whateley, Brown, Dawson / AW Cursham Best Players: Sheffield 2 London 4, 14.1.1882, Bramall Lane Goals: Winterbottom, Harrison / C Bambridge 2, Last, scrimmage Best Players: Mosforth / C Bambridge, Bailey FA Cup 4th round Wednesday 3 Heeley 1, 21.1.1882 Goals: Rhodes, Cawley, Mosforth / ? Best Players: FA Cup 4th round, Wednesbury Old Athletic 4 Aston Villa 2, 21.1.1882 Goals: G Woodcock 2, G Holden, Morl / Vaughton, Archie Hunter Best Players: G Woodcock, Roberts, G Holden, Kent (gk) / Archie Hunter, Vaughton Scottish Cup Quarter-final, Dumbarton-Rangers 2-1, 28.1.1882, Dumbarton goals: ? best players: ? Rangers protested that the match hadn't been played for 90 minutes. The protested was upheld and a replay was ordered. FA Cup 4th round, Blackburn Rovers-Darwen 5-01, 30.1.1882, Blackburn goals: J Hargreaves 2, Brown, J Duckworth 2 / og best players: ? Scottish Cup Quarter-final replay, Dumbarton-Rangers 5-1, 4.2.1882, Dumbarton goals: Brown, J Miller, Lindsay 2, og / ? best players: ? FA Cup Quarter-final, Wednesday 6 Upton Park 0, 7.2.1882 Goals: Cawley 3, Mosforth 2, Rhodes Best Players: FA Cup Quarter-final, Blackburn Rovers 3 Wednesbury Old Athletic 1, 11.2.1882 Goals: Lofthouse, Avery, Strachan / Growcutt Best Players: Sheffield-Glasgow 3-1, 11.2.1882, Bramall Lane, Attendance: 8,000 goals: Mosforth, Cawley, Marples / Wyllie best players: Mosforth, Marples, Mallinson (gk), Hunter, Buttery, Harrison / Campbell, Hill, Wyllie, Harrower IRL-ENG 0-13, 18.2.1882, Belfast, Bloomfield Park, Attendance: 2,500 goals: Vaughton 5, A. Brown 4, J. Brown 2, H. Cursham, Bambridge best players: ? FA Cup Semi-final, Old Etonians-Marlow 5-0, 4.3.1882, The Oval goals: Goodhart (3), Dunn, Macaulay best players: ? FA Cup Semi-final, Blackburn Rovers-The Wednesday 0-0, 6.3.1882, The Oval ? best players: Brown, J Hargreaves, Duckworth, Avery, Greenwood, McIntyre / Malpas, Mosforth, Buttery, Stevens, Gregory, West SCO-ENG 5-1, 11.3.1882, Glasgow, Hampden Park, Attendance: 10,000 http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1872-00/1881-82/M0015Sco1882.html goals: 1-0 Harrower (15), 1-1 Vaughton (35), 2-1 Ker (43), 3-1 McPherson (46), 4-1 Ker (70), 5-1 Kay (85) best players: Fraser, Anderson, Ker, Harrower, Kay, Gillespie (gk), Watson, Campbell / Mosforth, Bambridge, Greenwood WAL-ENG 5-3, 13.3.1882, Wrexham, Acton Park, Attendance: 5,000 http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1872-00/1881-82/M0016Wal1882.html Note: Charlie Bambridge injured after 3 minutes. England played with 10 men. goals: 0-1 Mosforth 30', 0-2 Parry 35', 1-2 Owen 43, 1-3 Cursham 48', 2-3 Morgan, 3-3 Jones OG 68, 4-3 Owen 87, 5-3 Vaughan 89. FA Cup Semi-final replay, Blackburn Rovers-The Wednesday 5-1, 15.3.1882, The Oval ? Fartown, Huddersfield goals: J Hargreaves, Avery, J Douglas, og, F Suter / og best players: J Douglas, J Hargreaves, F Suter, McIntyre Scottish Cup Final, Queen's Park-Dumbarton 2-2, 18.3.1882, Glasgow, Cathkin Park, Attendance: 12,000 goals: 1-0 Harrower 1, 2-0 Harrower 30, 2-1 Brown, 2-2 Meikleham best players: Watson, McCallum (gk), Harrower / M Paton, Hutchison SCO-WAL 5-0, 25.3.1882, Glasgow, Hampden Park, Attendance: 5,000 Goals: 1-0 Kay (25), 2-0 Ker (70), 3-0 Fraser (72), 4-0 Fraser (80), 5-0 McAulay (88) best players: ? FA Cup Final, Old Etonians-Blackburn Rovers 1-0, 25.3.1882, The Oval, Attendance: 6,000 goals: Anderson best players: Rawlinson (gk) Aston Villa 3 Rangers 2, 25.3.1882, Birmingham Goals: Crosslands, Vaughton, Bryan / Dunvers 2 Best Players: Old Carthusians- Old Etonians 1-0, 1.4.1882, The Oval goals: Parry best players: ? Scottish Cup Final replay, Queen's Park-Dumbarton 4-1, 1.4.1882, Glasgow, Cathkin Park, Attendance: 15,000 goals: 1-0 Richmond 1, 1-1 Kennedy, 2-1 Ker, 3-1 Harrower, 4-1 Fraser or Ker best players: Ker, Harrower, Fraser Birmingham Cup Final, Wednesbury Old Athletic 1 Aston Villa 2, 1.4.1882, Aston Goals: ? / Brown, Andy Hunter Best Players: G Holden, Moon, Kent (gk) / Archie Hunter, Davies, Whateley, Anderson Charity Cup 1st round, Queen's Park-Vale of Leven 2-2, 15.4.1882, Glasgow, Hampden Park, Attendance: 5,000 goals: 0-1 Brown, 1-1 Anderson, 2-1 Ker, 2-2 McFarlane best players: ? Blackburn Rovers-Vale of Leven 0-2, 16.4.1882, Blackburn, Attendance 9,000 goals: ? best players: ? Rangers-Blackburn Rovers 2-2, 22.4.1882, Glasgow goals: ? best players: ? Charity Cup 1st round replay, Queen's Park-Vale of Leven 0-2, 6.5.1882, Glasgow, Hampden Park, Attendance: 10,000 goals: Friel, McCrae best players: ? Vale of Leven had been practising hard since the first game but apparently Queen’s Park had not. Vale were the better side throughout and earned a well-deserved 2-0 victory. Charity Cup final, Dumbarton-Vale of Leven 2-2, 20.5.1882, Glasgow, ? Hampden Park, Attendance 7,000 goals: Miller, Lindsay / Brown 2 best players: Hutchison, Paton, / Strathern, Forbes Charity Cup final replay, Dumbarton-Vale of Leven 0-1, 3.6. 1882, Glasgow, ? Hampden Park, Attendance 10,000 goals: D Kennedy best players: Lang / McIntyre, McLintock (gk) Newspaper sources: The Globe, London Evening Standard, The Sportsman, Birmingham Mail, Liverpool Mercury, Manchester Courier, Nottingham Evening Post, Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Sheffield Independent, Dundee Courier, Glasgow Herald, Greenock Telegraph. Sources are from the British Newspaper Archive, managed by the British Library Board.
Suggested best XI 1881-82 (2-2-6): Gillespie - Watson, F Suter - Campbell, Bailey - Harrower, Ker, Archie Hunter, Bambridge, Kay, Mosforth.
Here are my suggestions for the nominees this season. 23 Man Shortlist Anderson, William SCO Queen's Park Bailey, Norman ENG Clapham Rovers Bambridge, Charles ENG Swifts Brown, Arthur ENG Aston Villa Brown, James ENG Blackburn Rovers Campbell, Charles SCO Queen's Park Fraser, Eadie SCO Queen's Park Gillespie, George SCO Rangers Greenwood, Haydock ENG Blackburn Rovers Hargreaves, John ENG Blackburn Rovers Harrower, William SCO Queen's Park Hunter, Archibald SCO Aston Villa Kay, John SCO Queen's Park Ker, George SCO Queen's Park Kinnaird, Arthur SCO Old Etonians McIntyre, Andrew SCO Vale of Leven McIntyre, Hugh SCO Blackburn Rovers Morgan, John WAL Derby School Mosforth, William ENG The Wednesday Rowan, Archibald SCO Queen's Park Suter, Fergus SCO Blackburn Rovers Vaughton, Howard ENG Aston Villa Watson, Andrew SCO Queen's Park By country: Scotland (14), England (8), Wales (1) By club: Queen's Park (8), Blackburn Rovers (5), Aston Villa (3), Rangers (1), Clapham Rovers (1), Old Etonians (1), The Wednesday (1), Swifts (1), Vale of Leven (1), Derby School (1) Top3 1. Harrower, William SCO Queen's Park 2. Watson, Andrew SCO Queen's Park 3. Hunter, Archibald SCO Aston Villa other candidates for the Top3: Campbell, Ker, Mosforth Team of the Season (2-2-6): Gillespie - Watson, F Suter - Campbell, Bailey - Harrower, Ker, Hunter, Bambridge, Kay, Mosforth.