The Zulus
Encyclopedia
The Zulus were a short lived football
team established in Sheffield
, England
that existed from 1879
to 1882
. They were initially set up to raise funds for the wives and families of soldiers killed in the Zulu war
. The team disbanded after accusations that they were bringing the game into disrepute and receiving payment for playing.
against a Sheffield XI to raise money for the widows and orphans of the soldiers killed that year in the Zulu war. They won their second game 5-4 (their first match took place in Scarborough). Many of the players were taken from local teams, especially The Wednesday
. They played in an all black kit and decorated themselves with beads and feathers and, instead of using their own names, they adopted Zulu names such as Ulmathoosi. After the success of the match they started touring the country.
touring the town in full costume before the match. They subsequently also took on teams from Barnsley
and a combined team from Nottingham
and Derby
. After it transpired that players were receiving payments for playing they were subsequently banned from playing in official matches. The situation became critical in Sheffield where the 1881 Wharncliffe Charity Cup
final was cancelled because of the number of players banned for professionalism. They subsequently also played in Edinburgh
and had an offer to also tour South Africa
. They never lost a match. However, they were forced to disband by the Sheffield F.A.
in 1882.
in 1885
. However, opposition remained stronger in the Sheffield area. Sheffield's first professional football club, the short lived Sheffield Rovers, was formed mainly from players of the former Zulus team. The Wednesday
followed suit the next year.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
team established in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
that existed from 1879
1879 in football (soccer)
The following are the association football events of the year 1879 throughout the world.-Clubs founded in 1879:The following are the association football events of the year 1879 throughout the world.-Clubs founded in 1879:...
to 1882
1882 in football (soccer)
The following are the association football events of the year 1882 throughout the world.-Events:Ireland National Football Team played their first international friendly on 18 February 1882 against England losing 0-13 in Belfast...
. They were initially set up to raise funds for the wives and families of soldiers killed in the Zulu war
Anglo-Zulu War
The Anglo-Zulu War was fought in 1879 between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom.Following the imperialist scheme by which Lord Carnarvon had successfully brought about federation in Canada, it was thought that a similar plan might succeed with the various African kingdoms, tribal areas and...
. The team disbanded after accusations that they were bringing the game into disrepute and receiving payment for playing.
Beginnings
In 1879 a match was played at Bramall LaneBramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
against a Sheffield XI to raise money for the widows and orphans of the soldiers killed that year in the Zulu war. They won their second game 5-4 (their first match took place in Scarborough). Many of the players were taken from local teams, especially The Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
. They played in an all black kit and decorated themselves with beads and feathers and, instead of using their own names, they adopted Zulu names such as Ulmathoosi. After the success of the match they started touring the country.
The Zulus on tour
The tour started against ChesterfieldChesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
touring the town in full costume before the match. They subsequently also took on teams from Barnsley
Barnsley
Barnsley is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Dearne, north of the city of Sheffield, south of Leeds and west of Doncaster. Barnsley is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley, of which Barnsley is the largest and...
and a combined team from Nottingham
Nottingham
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 Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
. After it transpired that players were receiving payments for playing they were subsequently banned from playing in official matches. The situation became critical in Sheffield where the 1881 Wharncliffe Charity Cup
Wharncliffe Charity Cup
The Wharncliffe Charity Cup was an invitational cup competition involving the Sheffield FA's top teams during its earliest days. The competition took its name from the Earl of Wharncliffe who sponsored the event, and was held with the aim of raising money for local good causes...
final was cancelled because of the number of players banned for professionalism. They subsequently also played in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
and had an offer to also tour South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. They never lost a match. However, they were forced to disband by the Sheffield F.A.
Sheffield and Hallamshire Football Association
The Sheffield and Hallamshire Football Association was formed in Sheffield in 1867 and was the first County Football Association in England. Its teams adopted the Sheffield Rules of football up until 1878 when they were merged with the Football Association's rules...
in 1882.
Aftermath
After increasing pressure from players and clubs, professionalism was legalised by The Football AssociationThe Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
in 1885
1885 in football (soccer)
The following are the association football events of the year 1885 throughout the world.- Events :During the summer of 1885, there was pressure put on the Football Association to accept professionalism in English football, culminating in a special meeting on 20 July, after which it was announced...
. However, opposition remained stronger in the Sheffield area. Sheffield's first professional football club, the short lived Sheffield Rovers, was formed mainly from players of the former Zulus team. The Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
followed suit the next year.