Giulio Cowley Tyler Smith (2 May 1849 – 22 July 1909) (also known as J. C. Smith and Giulio Tyler-Smith) was an amateur athlete who played for England in the first unofficial football match against Scotland in March 1870.
Early life and education
Smith was born in Piccadilly, London, on 2 May 1849, [1] the son of Dr William Tyler Smith (1815–1873) who was an eminent obstetrician and his wife, Tryphena Yearsley. [2]
Smith attended Westminster School between 1863 and 1868 and represented the school at football in 1866–67 and 1867–68. [3] He also won the school 100 yards and mile races. [1] At Westminster, he was enrolled as "Julio" and is listed in the school match reports as "J.C. Smith". [1]
Football career
He played football for Middlesex in 1867, while still at school. After leaving school, he played for Old Westminsters, Crusaders, the Flying Dutchmen and the N.N. Club. [1]
In March 1870, Smith was selected to represent England in the first pseudo-international against Scotland organised by C. W. Alcock and Arthur F. Kinnaird. The first "international" was played at Kennington Oval on 5 March 1870, and ended in a 1–1 draw. [4] [5]
Later life
After leaving school, Smith became a tea and coffee merchant with Cassell & Co., who later became better known as publishers, based in Fenchurch Street, London. [1] Smith served in the Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps between 1868 and 1872. [1]
He married Florence Gadesden [6] in 1878; the couple had no children. Late in life, he change his surname to "Tyler-Smith". [1] He died on 22 July 1909 at Seaford in East Sussex. [1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Mitchell, Andy (2012). First Elevens: The Birth of International Football. Andy Mitchell Media. pp. 98–99, 130–131. ISBN 978-1475206845.
- ^ Webb, William Wilfrid. "Smith, William Tyler". Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ Mitchell, Andy (14 June 2010). "JC Smith of Westminster School, Crusaders and England (1870)". ww.football-research.co.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ "England Unofficial Match No. 1". www.englandfootballonline.com. 5 March 1870. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ "England 1 Scotland 1 (Match report)". www.londonhearts.com. 5 March 1870. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ "The Gadesden Family Of Ewell Castle". www.epsomandewellhistoryexplorer.org.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2014.