The Royal Engineers Association Football Club is an
association football
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players who primarily use their feet to propel the ball around a rectangular field called a pitch. The objective of the game is ...
team representing the
Corps of Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually called the Royal Engineers (RE), and commonly known as the ''Sappers'', is a corps of the British Army. It provides military engineering and other technical support to the British Armed Forces and is heade ...
, the 'Sappers', of the
British Army
The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurk ...
and based in
Chatham, Kent
Chatham ( ) is a town located within the Medway unitary authority in the ceremonial county of Kent, England. The town forms a conurbation with neighbouring towns Gillingham, Rochester, Strood and Rainham.
The town developed around Chatham ...
. In the 1870s, it was one of the strongest sides in English football, winning the
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, more commonly known as the FA Cup, is an annual knockout football competition in men's domestic English football. First played during the 1871–72 season, it is the oldest national football competi ...
in 1875 and being Cup finalists in three of the first four seasons. The Engineers were pioneers of the
combination game
The Combination Game was a style of association football based around teamwork and cooperation. It would gradually favour the passing of the ball between players over individual dribbling skills which had been a notable feature of early Associati ...
, wher
teammatespassed the ball to each other rather than kicking ahead and charging after the ball. With the rise of professional teams, in 1888 the Engineers joined a newly formed
Army Football Association.
History
The club was founded in 1863, under the leadership of Major
Francis Marindin
Colonel Sir Francis Arthur Marindin, KCMG (1 May 1838 – 21 April 1900) served with the Royal Engineers and was a key figure in the early development of association football. He was later knighted for his work in public services.[Frederick Wall
Sir Frederick Joseph Wall (14 April 1858 – 25 March 1944) was an English football administrator.
Career
Wall became Secretary of the Football Association, a position he held from 1895 to 1934. He was knighted in the 1930 New Year's Honours List ...]
, who was the secretary of
The Football Association
The Football Association (also known as The FA) is the Sports governing body, governing body of association football in England and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Bailiwick of Guernsey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Formed in 1863, it is the ...
1895–1934, stated in his memoirs that the "
combination game
The Combination Game was a style of association football based around teamwork and cooperation. It would gradually favour the passing of the ball between players over individual dribbling skills which had been a notable feature of early Associati ...
" was first used by the Royal Engineers A.F.C. in the early 1870s.
[Cox, Richard (2002) ''The Encyclopaedia of British Football'', Routledge, United Kingdom] Wall states that the "Sappers moved in unison" and showed the "advantages of combination over the old style of individualism".
Contemporary match reports confirm that passing was a regular feature of the Engineers' style. An 1869 report says they "worked well together" and "had learned the secret of football success – backing up"; whereas their defeated opponents had "a painful want of cooperation".
[''Bell's Life'' in ''London and Sporting Chronicle'', 18 December 1869] In February 1871 against
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace may refer to:
Places Canada
* Crystal Palace Complex (Dieppe), a former amusement park now a shopping complex in Dieppe, New Brunswick
* Crystal Palace Barracks, London, Ontario
* Crystal Palace (Montreal), an exhibition building ...
it is noted that "
Lieut. Mitchell made a fine run down the left, passing the ball to
Lieut. Rich, who had run up the centre, and who pinched another
oal
By early 1868, a contemporary match report states "For the R.E.s Lieuts Campbell, Johnson and Chambers attracted especial attention by their clever play"
Another contemporary match report clearly shows that by 1870, ball passing was a feature of the Engineers style: "
Lieut. Creswell, who having brought it up the side then kicked it into the middle to another of his side, who kicked it through the posts the minute before time was called"
![Colonel thomas tupper carter-campbell of possil](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Colonel_thomas_tupper_carter-campbell_of_possil.JPG)
The Engineers used their team playing style with effect against the
Wanderers, a side considered as early as 1870 to be the
MCC of football. In a match of March 1871 against Wanderers their victory was due to "irreproachable organisation" and in particular that both their attacks and their backing up were both "so well organised" In November 1871 similar passing tactics are described in a contemporary account of a game against the Wanderers in which two goals were scored through tactical passing: "
Betts Betts is an English Patronymic surname, deriving from the medieval personal name Bett, a short form of Bartholomew, Beatrice, or Elizabeth. It is also the americanized spelling of German Betz. The surname may refer to
* Alejandro Jacobo Betts (1947 ...
, however, soon seized his opportunity, and by a brilliant run down the left wing turned the ball judiciously to Currie, who as judiciously sent it flying through the strangers' goal in first rate style"
[''Bell's Life'' in ''London and Sporting Chronicle'', 18 November 1871, issue 2, 681] Later in the match it is reported that "Lieut G Barker, turning the ball to
Lieut Renny-Tailyour who planted it between the posts"
"Turning" the ball clearly points to the short pass.
There is evidence that opponents sometimes adjusted their playing style to counteract the organisation and passing of the Engineers. For example, in February 1872 against
Westminster School
(God Gives the Increase)
, established = Earliest records date from the 14th century, refounded in 1560
, type = Public school Independent day and boarding school
, religion = Church of England
, head_label = Hea ...
, a brief contemporary match report states that: "The school captain took the precaution of strengthening his backs, deputizing
HDS Vidal to cooperate with
Rawson Rawson may refer to:
Places
*Rawson, Chubut, the capital of Chubut Province, Argentina
*Rawson Department, Chubut, Argentina
*Rawson Department, San Juan, Argentina
**Villa Krause, also named Rawson, the capital city of the department
* Rawson, Vic ...
and Jackson and so well did these three play in concert... they succeeded in defying the... RE forwards".
[''Bell's Life'' in ''London and Sporting Chronicle'', 17 February 1872, issue 2694] What is most notable about this report is that it confirms that the Royal Engineers "played beautifully together"
That the engineers were the first side to break the trend of dribbling is shown in a contemporary account of their victory against Crystal Palace in early 1872. This said that: "very little dribbling was displayed"
The Engineers played in
the first-ever FA Cup Final, losing 1–0 at
Kennington Oval
The Oval, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Kia Oval, is an international cricket ground in Kennington, located in the borough of Lambeth, in south London. The Oval has been the home ground of Surrey County Cricket Club since it ...
on 16 March 1872, to regular rivals Wanderers.
They also lost the
1874 Final, to
Oxford University A.F.C.
Oxford University Association Football Club is an English football club representing the University of Oxford. The club currently plays in the BUCS Football League, the league system of British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS). In 2020 ...
The Royal Engineers were the first football team to go on a tour, to
Nottingham
Nottingham ( , East Midlands English, locally ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, England. It is located north-west of London, south-east ...
,
Derby
Derby ( ) is a city and unitary authority area in Derbyshire, England. It lies on the banks of the River Derwent in the south of Derbyshire, which is in the East Midlands Region. It was traditionally the county town of Derbyshire. Derby gai ...
and
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city status in the United Kingdom, city in South Yorkshire, England, whose name derives from the River Sheaf which runs through it. The city serves as the administrative centre of the City of Sheffield. It is Historic counties o ...
in 1873.
Wall's memoirs state that this tour introduced the combination game to Sheffield and Nottingham. In
1875
Events
January–March
* January 1 – The Midland Railway of England abolishes the Second Class passenger category, leaving First Class and Third Class. Other British railway companies follow Midland's lead during the rest of the ...
the Engineers won the FA Cup, considered their greatest triumph.
In
the final
Final, Finals or The Final may refer to:
*Final (competition), the last or championship round of a sporting competition, match, game, or other contest which decides a winner for an event
** Another term for playoffs, describing a sequence of cont ...
against
Old Etonians
Eton College () is a public school in Eton, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1440 by Henry VI under the name ''Kynge's College of Our Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore'',Nevill, p. 3 ff. intended as a sister institution to King's College, C ...
, they drew 1–1 with a goal from Renny-Tailyour and went on to win the replay 2–0 with two further goals from Renny-Tailyour.
[When the Sappers won the FA Cup 1875](_blank)
Royal Engineers Museum
The winning side was:
* Capt.
W. Merriman; Lt.
G.H. Sim; Lt.
G.C. Onslow; Lt.
R.M. Ruck; Lt.
P.G. von Donop; Lt.
C.K. Wood; Lt.
H.E. Rawson; Lt.
W.F.H. Stafford; Lt.
H. W. Renny-Tailyour; Lt.
A. Mein; and Lt.
C. Wingfield-Stratford.
Their last
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the FA Cup, Football Association Challenge Cup. It has regularly been one of the List of sports attendance figures, most attended domestic football ev ...
appearance came in
1878
Events January–March
* January 5 – Russo-Turkish War – Battle of Shipka Pass IV: Russian and Bulgarian forces defeat the Ottoman Empire.
* January 9 – Umberto I becomes King of Italy.
* January 17 – Battle o ...
, again losing to the Wanderers.
They last participated in
1882–83 FA Cup
The 1882–83 Football Association Challenge Cup was the 12th staging of the FA Cup, England's oldest football tournament. Eighty-four teams entered, eleven more than the previous season, although five of the eighty-four never played a match.
Firs ...
, losing 6–2 in the fourth round to
Old Carthusians F.C.
Old Carthusians Football Club is an association football club whose players are former pupils of Charterhouse School in Godalming, Surrey, England. The club was established in 1876 and won the FA Cup in 1881, as well as the FA Amateur Cup i ...
Summary of the Royal Engineers early playing style
The evidence above contains detailed descriptions of passing that are lacking in reports of the
1872 Glasgow international. For example, in a lengthy account the
Scotsman newspaper makes no mention of passing or combination by the Scottish team and specifically describes the Scottish attacks in terms of dribbling: "The Scotch now came away with a great rush, Leckie and others dribbling the ball so smartly that the English lines were closely besieged and the ball was soon behind"
[''The Scotsman'' - 2 December 1872, page 6] and "Weir now had a splendid run for Scotland into the heart of his opponents' territory".
Although the Scottish team are acknowledged to have worked better together during the first half, this contemporary account acknowledges that in the second half England played similarly: "During the first half of the game the English team did not work so well together, but in the second half they left nothing to be desired in this respect.
" The Scotsman concludes that the difference in styles in the first half is the advantage the Queens' Park players had "through knowing each others' play" as all came from the same club. Unlike the 1872 Glasgow international, the contemporary evidence above shows that the Engineers' team playing style benefited their team play by winning games. Similarly, the 5 March 1872 match between Wanderers and Queens Park contains no evidence of ball passing.
The early accounts all confirm that the Engineers were the first club to play a passing game of cooperation and organisation with both their forwards and their defence. Although they could also play rough – as would be expected for an army team – The Engineers are the first side to be considered to play the football "beautifully".
All of these developments occurred before and independent of the 1872 match between England and Scotland.
Ireland
It was not only in England that the Engineers helped pioneer
association football
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players who primarily use their feet to propel the ball around a rectangular field called a pitch. The objective of the game is ...
. While stationed in
Ireland
Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
during the early 1900s the Royal Engineers, together with other
British Army
The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurk ...
regimental teams organised and competed in local competitions. In 1902–03
the Engineers won the
Munster Senior Cup.
The regiment also entered teams in the
Munster Senior League.
Later years
Professionalism arrived in
Northern England
Northern England, also known as the North of England, the North Country, or simply the North, is the northern area of England. It broadly corresponds to the former borders of Angle Northumbria, the Anglo-Scandinavian Kingdom of Jorvik, and the ...
in the 1880s, with
the Football League
The English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888 as the Football League, the league is the oldest such competition in the world. It was the top-level football league in Engla ...
starting in 1888. In the early years, the Engineers was one of several amateur teams who could defeat the professionals in challenge matches.
The
Army Football Association was formed in 1888. Its teams were organised by
battalion
A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions are ...
, and later by
regiment
A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation.
In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscripted ...
.
The Engineers' Depot
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions are ...
won the
FA Amateur Cup
The FA Amateur Cup was an English football competition for amateur clubs. It commenced in 1893 and ended in 1974 when the Football Association abolished official amateur status.
History
Following the legalisation of professionalism within footba ...
in 1908.
On 7 November 2012, the Royal Engineers played against the
Wanderers in a rematch of the
1872 FA Cup Final at
The Oval
The Oval, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Kia Oval, is an international cricket ground in Kennington, located in the borough of Lambeth, in south London. The Oval has been the home ground of Surrey County Cricket Club since ...
. Unlike the actual final, the Engineers won, and by a large margin, 7–1 being the final score.
Ladies team
In 2014, Keith Stubbs founded the REAFC Ladies squad which runs in line with the male squad.
Veterans
REAFC have a serving veterans team that play in exhibition type games. Recently the "Vets" have played games against the House of parliament and invited to some prestigious events.
Honours
*
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, more commonly known as the FA Cup, is an annual knockout football competition in men's domestic English football. First played during the 1871–72 season, it is the oldest national football competi ...
**''Winners'':
1875
Events
January–March
* January 1 – The Midland Railway of England abolishes the Second Class passenger category, leaving First Class and Third Class. Other British railway companies follow Midland's lead during the rest of the ...
**''Runners-up'':
1872
Events
January–March
* January 12 – Yohannes IV is crowned Emperor of Ethiopia in Axum, the first ruler crowned in that city in over 500 years.
* February 2 – The government of the United Kingdom buys a number of forts on ...
,
1874
Events
January–March
* January 1 – New York City annexes The Bronx.
* January 2 – Ignacio María González becomes head of state of the Dominican Republic for the first time.
* January 3 – Third Carlist War &ndas ...
,
1878
Events January–March
* January 5 – Russo-Turkish War – Battle of Shipka Pass IV: Russian and Bulgarian forces defeat the Ottoman Empire.
* January 9 – Umberto I becomes King of Italy.
* January 17 – Battle o ...
*
FA Amateur Cup
The FA Amateur Cup was an English football competition for amateur clubs. It commenced in 1893 and ended in 1974 when the Football Association abolished official amateur status.
History
Following the legalisation of professionalism within footba ...
**''Winners'': 1908
*
Munster Senior Cup
**''Winners'': 1902–03
Army FA Challenge Cup
The Army Football Association (Army FA) is a county football association affiliated to The Football Association of England, for the administration of football within the British Army in the United Kingdom, Cyprus and Germany. The Army FA is based ...
Various regiments and battalions within the RE Corps have won the
Army FA Challenge Cup
The Army Football Association (Army FA) is a county football association affiliated to The Football Association of England, for the administration of football within the British Army in the United Kingdom, Cyprus and Germany. The Army FA is based ...
:
;Service Bn: Won 1903; Runners-up 1904, 1905
;Depot Bn: Won 1907
;Training Bn: Won 1937
;
Barton Stacey
Barton Stacey is a village and undulating civil parish, which includes the hamlets of Bransbury, Newton Stacey, Drayton and Cocum, in the Test Valley district of Hampshire, England, centred about south-east of Andover. It is bounded to the n ...
: Won 1947
;4th Training Bn: Won 1950, 1957, 1958
;4th Divisional Engineers: Won 1969
;32nd Engineer Regiment: Won 1970; Runner-up 1971
;Training Regiments: Won 1980; Runner-up 1991, 1993
;28
mphibiousEngineer Regiment: Won 1981, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002; Runner-up 1983, 1988
;40 Army Engineer Support Group: Runner-up 1985
International players
England
The following six Royal Engineers players played for England. The number of caps gained while playing for club is in brackets.
*
Horace Barnet
Colonel Horace Hutton Barnet (6 March 1856 – 29 March 1941) was an English soldier and footballer.
Early and personal life
Barnet was born on 6 March 1856 in Kensington, which was then in Middlesex. He had two younger siblings, and their fat ...
(1 cap)
*
Alfred Goodwyn (1 cap)
*
Herbert Rawson
Colonel Herbert Edward Rawson (3 September 1852 – 18 October 1924) was an English British Army officer and footballer who played once for England, and appeared in two FA Cup finals, winning the cup in 1875 as a member of Royal Engineers A.F.C ...
(1 cap)
*
Bruce Russell (1 cap)
*
Pelham von Donop
Lieutenant-Colonel Pelham George von Donop (28 April 1851 – 7 November 1921) was a British Army officer in the Royal Engineers and later Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways. He represented the Royal Engineers at association football, appeari ...
(2 caps)
*
Cecil Wingfield-Stratford
Brigadier-General Cecil Vernon Wingfield-Stratford CB, CMG (7 October 1853 – 5 February 1939) was a British Army officer in the Royal Engineers and an English international footballer who played as a forward.
Early life
Born in West Malling ...
(1 cap)
Scotland
The following played for
Scotland
Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...
.
Scotland players – Royal Engineers
/ref>
*John Edward Blackburn
Colonel John Edward Blackburn (30 April 1851 – 29 September 1927) was a Scottish footballer and soldier.
In 1869, he entered the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich and was commissioned in the Royal Engineers in 1871. He played for the Royal ...
(1 cap)
*Henry Renny-Tailyour
Henry Waugh Renny-Tailyour (9 October 1849 – 15 June 1920) was a British amateur all-round sportsman who appeared for Scotland in some of the earliest international football and rugby union matches, remaining to this day the only player to have ...
(1 cap)
References
External links
{{Commons category, Royal Engineers AFC
Royal Engineers website
When the Sappers won the FA Cup (1875)
Association football clubs established in 1875
Football clubs in England
FA Cup winners
Association football in the British Army
1875 establishments in England
Royal Engineers
Former Munster Senior League (association football) clubs
Engineers
Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who invent, design, analyze, build and test machines, complex systems, structures, gadgets and materials to fulfill functional objectives and requirements while considering the limit ...