Robert W Gardner
Encyclopedia
Robert W. Gardner was an important figure in football history. He was match arranger, goalkeeper and team captain for Queen's Park
during the 1860s up till 1874, and a letter of his, dated 1868, is the oldest surviving letter pertaining to soccer. He holds the unassailable record of being the first goalkeeper to captain an international side.
Gardner was one of the original members of Queen's Park
Football Club. He was originally a forward but switched to goalkeeper in 1872. Apart from four goals conceded in an international match in 1873, Gardner did not concede a goal until January 1874 - phenomenal when one considers that he may not have been allowed to use his hands for much of that time, and that goalkeeping technique would have been in a primitive state. However, although nineteenth century goalkeeping seems to have been almost entirely "on the goal line", the basic stalwart technique of "narrowing the angle" seems to have been used by Gardner. He was almost certainly the best goalkeeper of his time.
, Scotland versus England in 1872, called by many "the most important game in football history," because the English played a style based on individual dribbling, while the Scots played a passing style; and the rules for the match were standardised (the Scottish rules). The Scottish side for this match consisted entirely of Queen's Park players. Robert W Gardner was Scotland's first ever team captain, picked the team, and kept goal during the 0-0 draw, although some accounts say he swapped places with forward Robert Smith and played some or all of the latter part of the match up front.
Gardner kept goal and captained Scotland against England the following year. The game was won 4-2 by England in London against a Scottish side which was partly composed of English-based levies because the Scottish Football Association
budget only stretched to the rail fares of eight players.
Gardner's switch of club to Clydesdale
in 1874 lost him the Scottish captaincy when the Queen's Park players refused to be captained by a player from another club. He still kept goal for Scotland against old enemies England for the following two years, with a 2-1 win and a 2-2 draw. Gardner kept goal and captained Clydesdale in the very first Scottish cup final in 1874, playing against Queen's Park. Although his side lost 2-0, contemporary accounts of the match home in on Gardner's magnificent display of goalkeeping against his old club.
In 1878 he made his fifth and last appearance as Scotland's last line of defence, and had the satisfaction of taking part in Scotland's 7-2 drubbing of England. Gardner also served as referee, handling the first international match
between Scotland and Wales
on 25 March 1876, and was a founding member of the Scottish Football Association
serving as its President from 1877 to 1878.
Queen's Park F.C.
Queen's Park Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club are currently the only amateur club in the Scottish League; their amateur status is reflected by their motto, Ludere Causa Ludendi – to play for the sake of playing.Queen's Park are the oldest...
during the 1860s up till 1874, and a letter of his, dated 1868, is the oldest surviving letter pertaining to soccer. He holds the unassailable record of being the first goalkeeper to captain an international side.
Personal Details
Information about the life of Gardner is scant, but he is believed to have been born 1847 or 1848, may have been a highlander who lived in Glasgow, is thought to have worn a full beard, and was evidently very well educated. According to a contemporary cartoon, he may have relieved the boredom of long periods of inactivity by smoking his pipe on the field. He died before he was 40, on 27 February 1887.Gardner was one of the original members of Queen's Park
Queen's Park F.C.
Queen's Park Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club are currently the only amateur club in the Scottish League; their amateur status is reflected by their motto, Ludere Causa Ludendi – to play for the sake of playing.Queen's Park are the oldest...
Football Club. He was originally a forward but switched to goalkeeper in 1872. Apart from four goals conceded in an international match in 1873, Gardner did not concede a goal until January 1874 - phenomenal when one considers that he may not have been allowed to use his hands for much of that time, and that goalkeeping technique would have been in a primitive state. However, although nineteenth century goalkeeping seems to have been almost entirely "on the goal line", the basic stalwart technique of "narrowing the angle" seems to have been used by Gardner. He was almost certainly the best goalkeeper of his time.
International career
Gardner was instrumental in arranging the first official international football matchScotland v England (1872)
Scotland v England was the first ever official international football match to be played. It was contested by the national teams of Scotland and England. The match took place on 30 November 1872 at West of Scotland Cricket Club's ground at Hamilton Crescent in Partick, Scotland...
, Scotland versus England in 1872, called by many "the most important game in football history," because the English played a style based on individual dribbling, while the Scots played a passing style; and the rules for the match were standardised (the Scottish rules). The Scottish side for this match consisted entirely of Queen's Park players. Robert W Gardner was Scotland's first ever team captain, picked the team, and kept goal during the 0-0 draw, although some accounts say he swapped places with forward Robert Smith and played some or all of the latter part of the match up front.
Gardner kept goal and captained Scotland against England the following year. The game was won 4-2 by England in London against a Scottish side which was partly composed of English-based levies because the Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association
The Scottish Football Association is the governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland. Members of the SFA include clubs in Scotland, affiliated national associations as well as local associations...
budget only stretched to the rail fares of eight players.
Gardner's switch of club to Clydesdale
Clydesdale F.C.
Clydesdale F.C. were a nineteenth-century Glasgow-based soccer club, who were attached to Clydesdale Cricket Club during the 1870s. In 1873, Clydesdale was one of the teams to found the Scottish Football Association....
in 1874 lost him the Scottish captaincy when the Queen's Park players refused to be captained by a player from another club. He still kept goal for Scotland against old enemies England for the following two years, with a 2-1 win and a 2-2 draw. Gardner kept goal and captained Clydesdale in the very first Scottish cup final in 1874, playing against Queen's Park. Although his side lost 2-0, contemporary accounts of the match home in on Gardner's magnificent display of goalkeeping against his old club.
In 1878 he made his fifth and last appearance as Scotland's last line of defence, and had the satisfaction of taking part in Scotland's 7-2 drubbing of England. Gardner also served as referee, handling the first international match
Scotland v Wales (1876)
The first international match for the Wales national football team came on 25 March 1876 when they played Scotland at Hamilton Crescent, Partick, the home of the West of Scotland Cricket Club, with the Scots claiming an emphatic 4–0 victory...
between Scotland and Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
on 25 March 1876, and was a founding member of the Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association
The Scottish Football Association is the governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland. Members of the SFA include clubs in Scotland, affiliated national associations as well as local associations...
serving as its President from 1877 to 1878.