Blackburn Rovers 1891: Back: Tom Brandon, Rowland Pennington, John Barton, Jack Southworth, George Dewar, Jimmy Forrest; Front:Joe Lofthouse, Nat Walton, John Forbes, Coombe Hall, Billy Townley.
In the 1870s and early 1880s bulk and muscle had remained a considerable factor when appraising the qualities of football XIs. Accounts of the first international draw attention to the size advantage that England enjoyed, and the early 'inter class' matches such as Darwen v Old Etonians also drew attention to the physical superiority of the more privileged classes.
Until the introduction of professionalism (legally 1885 but in real terms c. 1879) working class players would have been seen as being at a disadvantage due to both long term ( the effects of poor diet and sanitation) and more immediate (50 hour working weeks) factors.
The advent of professionalism led to sinecure jobs and the evolution of training and physical preparation.,
The following , taken from Hansard, are the words of William Coddington MP , debating the
Factories and Workshops Bill (18.06.91). Mr Coddington was Member of Parliament for Blackburn from 1880-1906.
Interestingly, even when professionalism had been legal for 6 years, here is how the Blackburn Players of 1891 described themselves in that year's census:
Player | Occupation |
Rowland Pennington | Professional footballer |
Tom Brandon | Joiner |
John Barton | Turner and fitter |
Jack Southworth | Musician |
Geordie Dewar | Publican |
Jimmy Forrest | Innkeeper |
Joe Lofthouse | Licensed Victualler |
Nat Walton | Coachbuilder |
John Forbes | Hosier |
Coombe Hall | Professional footballer |
Billy Townley | Assistant schoolmaster |