Thomas Hughes (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Bridges Hughes was an English amateur footballer who was the first player to score two goals in an FA Cup Final
, with Wanderers
in 1876
. He subsequently had a long career as a schoolteacher.
between 1863 and 1870, where he excelled academically, becoming a school prefect and in 1869-70 he was "Prefect of Hall", effectively the head boy. He was also a keen cricketer and represented the school from 1868 to 1870. He attained a scholarship to New College, Oxford
, although this took him three years to achieve.
After graduating, in 1876 he initially studied law at the Inner Temple
, before embarking on his career as a teacher.
(when he played against Cambridge University in March 1874), Swifts
and Old Wykehamists, but he achieved notability for his exploits with the Wanderers
amateur club, who won five of he first seven FA Cup final
s.
His first Wanderers match came on 29 January 1876 in a 2–0 victory over Sheffield
in the FA Cup third round, with both goals coming from Francis Heron
. Hughes retained his place for the rest of the season, helping Wanderers to reach their third final in the first five years of the tournament, when they met the Old Etonians
at the Kennington Oval
in the final
on 11 March, which ended in a 1–1 draw. In the replay a week later, again at the Oval, Charles Wollaston
scored Wanderers' first after a scramble in front of goal. Their next attack saw a fast run down the field by Hubert Heron
, and Hughes slamming in the second goal. Heron and Hughes made another good run early in the second half and, being well supported, Hughes was able to notch another goal for the Wanderers. It was the first year of Wanderers' "hat-trick" of Final victories. Hughes thus became the first player to score more than once in an FA Cup final.
During the 1876–77 season, Hughes only made three reported appearances for Wanderers, all in the FA Cup. In the Cup Final
Wanderers were again victorious, defeating Oxford University
2–1, with goals from William Lindsay
and Jarvis Kenrick
, with Arthur Kinnaird
conceding an own goal
for Oxford University.
Hughes teaching career prevented him from appearing for Wanderers over the next two seasons, but he returned in 1880–81 to make five appearances with two goals, both in the opening match of the season against Old Harrovians on 2 October 1880. By now Wanderers were in decline and Hughes played in their penultimate match against Harrow School
in December 1882.
from April to December 1878, and then at Brighton College
from January to July 1879. He then returned to London
and settled at Evelyn's School in Hillingdon
where he remained until at least 1907.
He died at his home in Lelant
, Cornwall on 10 August 1940.
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
, with Wanderers
Wanderers F.C.
Wanderers Football Club is an English amateur football club, based in London, that plays in the Surrey South Eastern Combination. Founded as Forest Football Club in 1859, the club changed its name to Wanderers in 1864....
in 1876
1876 FA Cup Final
Match rules:90 minutes normal time.30 minutes extra-time if scores are level, at captains' discretion.Replay if scores still level.No substitutes.-Summary:The replay took place one week later at the same venue...
. He subsequently had a long career as a schoolteacher.
Education
Hughes attended Winchester CollegeWinchester College
Winchester College is an independent school for boys in the British public school tradition, situated in Winchester, Hampshire, the former capital of England. It has existed in its present location for over 600 years and claims the longest unbroken history of any school in England...
between 1863 and 1870, where he excelled academically, becoming a school prefect and in 1869-70 he was "Prefect of Hall", effectively the head boy. He was also a keen cricketer and represented the school from 1868 to 1870. He attained a scholarship to New College, Oxford
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
, although this took him three years to achieve.
After graduating, in 1876 he initially studied law at the Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
, before embarking on his career as a teacher.
Football career
His football career included appearances for Oxford UniversityOxford University A.F.C.
Oxford University Association Football Club is an English football club representing the University of Oxford.-History:Formed in 1872, the club was a giant of the 1870s, winning the FA Cup 2-0 against Royal Engineers in 1874 and finishing the competition as runners up in 1873, 1877 and 1880, the...
(when he played against Cambridge University in March 1874), Swifts
Swifts F.C.
Swifts Football Club were a football team based in Slough, England.The club were founded c.1868 and played their home matches on a ground near The Dolphin public house, Slough...
and Old Wykehamists, but he achieved notability for his exploits with the Wanderers
Wanderers F.C.
Wanderers Football Club is an English amateur football club, based in London, that plays in the Surrey South Eastern Combination. Founded as Forest Football Club in 1859, the club changed its name to Wanderers in 1864....
amateur club, who won five of he first seven FA Cup final
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
s.
His first Wanderers match came on 29 January 1876 in a 2–0 victory over Sheffield
Sheffield F.C.
Sheffield Football Club is an English football club from Sheffield, South Yorkshire. The club is most noted for the fact that they are the world's oldest club now playing Association football, founded in 1857...
in the FA Cup third round, with both goals coming from Francis Heron
Francis Heron
Charles Francis William Heron was an English footballer who made one appearance as a forward for England and was a member of the Wanderers side that won the FA Cup in 1876.-Playing career:...
. Hughes retained his place for the rest of the season, helping Wanderers to reach their third final in the first five years of the tournament, when they met the Old Etonians
Old Etonians F.C.
The Old Etonians Football Club is an English football club whose players are taken from previous attendees of Eton College, in Eton, Berkshire.-History:...
at the Kennington Oval
The Oval
The Kia Oval, still commonly referred to by its original name of The Oval, is an international cricket ground in Kennington, in the London Borough of Lambeth. In the past it was also sometimes called the Kennington Oval...
in the final
1876 FA Cup Final
Match rules:90 minutes normal time.30 minutes extra-time if scores are level, at captains' discretion.Replay if scores still level.No substitutes.-Summary:The replay took place one week later at the same venue...
on 11 March, which ended in a 1–1 draw. In the replay a week later, again at the Oval, Charles Wollaston
Charles Wollaston
Charles Henry Reynolds Wollaston was an English footballer for Wanderers F.C. and England.Wollaston played for Wanderers in the first FA Cup Final in 1872 and scored in the second final of 1873. In all he won five winner's medals, the first player to achieve this feat.He earned four caps for...
scored Wanderers' first after a scramble in front of goal. Their next attack saw a fast run down the field by Hubert Heron
Hubert Heron
George Hubert Hugh Heron was an English footballer who made five appearances as a forward for England in the 1870s and won three FA Cup winners' medals.-Playing career:...
, and Hughes slamming in the second goal. Heron and Hughes made another good run early in the second half and, being well supported, Hughes was able to notch another goal for the Wanderers. It was the first year of Wanderers' "hat-trick" of Final victories. Hughes thus became the first player to score more than once in an FA Cup final.
During the 1876–77 season, Hughes only made three reported appearances for Wanderers, all in the FA Cup. In the Cup Final
1877 FA Cup Final
The 1877 FA Cup Final was a football match between Wanderers and Oxford University on 24 March 1877 at Kennington Oval in London. It was the sixth final of the world's oldest football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup . Wanderers were the reigning cup-holders and had won the...
Wanderers were again victorious, defeating Oxford University
Oxford University A.F.C.
Oxford University Association Football Club is an English football club representing the University of Oxford.-History:Formed in 1872, the club was a giant of the 1870s, winning the FA Cup 2-0 against Royal Engineers in 1874 and finishing the competition as runners up in 1873, 1877 and 1880, the...
2–1, with goals from William Lindsay
William Lindsay (footballer)
William Lindsay was an English amateur footballer who, generally playing as a full back, helped the Wanderers win the FA Cup in 1876, 1877 and 1878 and made one appearance for England in 1877...
and Jarvis Kenrick
Jarvis Kenrick
Jarvis Kenrick was an English association football player....
, with Arthur Kinnaird
Arthur Kinnaird, 11th Lord Kinnaird
Arthur Fitzgerald Kinnaird, 11th Lord Kinnaird KT was a principal of The Football Association and a leading footballer....
conceding an own goal
Own goal
An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents....
for Oxford University.
Hughes teaching career prevented him from appearing for Wanderers over the next two seasons, but he returned in 1880–81 to make five appearances with two goals, both in the opening match of the season against Old Harrovians on 2 October 1880. By now Wanderers were in decline and Hughes played in their penultimate match against Harrow School
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
in December 1882.
Teaching career
After abandoning his initial choice of a career in the legal profession, Hughes became a school master at Repton SchoolRepton School
Repton School, founded in 1557, is a co-educational English independent school for both day and boarding pupils, in the British public school tradition, located in the village of Repton, in Derbyshire, in the Midlands area of England...
from April to December 1878, and then at Brighton College
Brighton College
Brighton College is an institution divided between a Senior School known simply as Brighton College, the Prep School and the Pre-Prep School. All of these schools are co-educational independent schools in Brighton, England, sited immediately next to each another. The Senior School caters for...
from January to July 1879. He then returned to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and settled at Evelyn's School in Hillingdon
Hillingdon
Hillingdon is a suburban area within the London Borough of Hillingdon, situated 14.2 miles west of Charing Cross.Much of Hillingdon is represented as the Hillingdon East ward within the local authority, Hillingdon Council...
where he remained until at least 1907.
He died at his home in Lelant
Lelant
Lelant is a village in west Cornwall, England, UK. It is on the west side of the River Hayle estuary about 2½ miles southeast of St Ives and one mile west of Hayle....
, Cornwall on 10 August 1940.
Sporting honours
WanderersWanderers F.C.
Wanderers Football Club is an English amateur football club, based in London, that plays in the Surrey South Eastern Combination. Founded as Forest Football Club in 1859, the club changed its name to Wanderers in 1864....
- FA CupFA CupThe 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...
winners: 18761876 FA Cup FinalMatch rules:90 minutes normal time.30 minutes extra-time if scores are level, at captains' discretion.Replay if scores still level.No substitutes.-Summary:The replay took place one week later at the same venue...
and 18771877 FA Cup FinalThe 1877 FA Cup Final was a football match between Wanderers and Oxford University on 24 March 1877 at Kennington Oval in London. It was the sixth final of the world's oldest football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup . Wanderers were the reigning cup-holders and had won the...