John Leighton (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Edward Leighton was an English amateur
footballer who played on the wing for Nottingham Forest
and the Corinthians in the 1880s and made one appearance for England
in 1886.
and after playing schoolboy and junior football in the town, he joined Nottingham Forest
in 1884. He joined Forest prior to the advent of the Football League
and was thus restricted to friendly and cup matches. Leighton scored a goal in the 4–1 victory over local rivals, Notts Olympic in the second round of the FA Cup
in November 1885; the following year he scored twice against Grimsby Town
in the second round, repeating this in November 1887 against Mellors Ltd.
His England call-up came on 13 March 1886 when, along with his Nottingham Forest team-mate Tinsley Lindley
, he was one of eight new caps selected to play against Ireland at Ballynafeigh Park, Belfast. England "totally dominated" the match as Benjamin Spilsbury
scored four goals in a 6–1 victory.
Leighton also played for the Corinthians between 1885 and 1889, during which time he made seven appearances.
at all levels; he collapsed and died at the City Ground on 15 April 1944, aged 79.
Amateur sports
Amateur sports are sports in which participants engage largely or entirely without remuneration. Sporting amateurism was a zealously guarded ideal in the 19th century, especially among the upper classes, but faced steady erosion throughout the 20th century with the continuing growth of pro sports...
footballer who played on the wing for Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
and the Corinthians in the 1880s and made one appearance for England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in 1886.
Football career
Leighton was born in NottinghamNottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
and after playing schoolboy and junior football in the town, he joined Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
in 1884. He joined Forest prior to the advent of the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
and was thus restricted to friendly and cup matches. Leighton scored a goal in the 4–1 victory over local rivals, Notts Olympic in the second round of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
in November 1885; the following year he scored twice against Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
in the second round, repeating this in November 1887 against Mellors Ltd.
His England call-up came on 13 March 1886 when, along with his Nottingham Forest team-mate Tinsley Lindley
Tinsley Lindley
Tinsley Lindley was an English footballer. He was considered one of the 19th century's great centre forwards. His passes and shots at goal were very precise, he was very clever and an excellent team player. An elegant and technically superb player.He was the son of Leonard Lindley who was a lace...
, he was one of eight new caps selected to play against Ireland at Ballynafeigh Park, Belfast. England "totally dominated" the match as Benjamin Spilsbury
Benjamin Spilsbury
Benjamin Ward "Ben" Spilsbury was an English international footballer. He made his debut for the international team against Ireland on the 28 February 1885...
scored four goals in a 6–1 victory.
Leighton also played for the Corinthians between 1885 and 1889, during which time he made seven appearances.
Life outside football
By profession, Leighton was a wholesale stationer and paper merchant in Nottingham. He was an avid supporter of Nottingham Forest and watched most of their matches at the City GroundCity Ground
The City Ground is a football stadium in the West Bridgford area of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, on the banks of the River Trent. It has been home to Nottingham Forest Football Club since 1898, and has a capacity of 30,602 ....
at all levels; he collapsed and died at the City Ground on 15 April 1944, aged 79.