Bailey Norman Image 2 Corinthians 1905

Description

Streatham, Surrey born centre half Norman Bailey was educated at Westminster School, whom he represented at football. As an amateur footballer he subsequently played for the Old Westminsters, Clapham Rovers, Wanderers, Swifts and The Corinthians from 1886 to 1889, as well as earning representative honours for the Surrey and London Football Associations. At his peak he was described as “a very safe half-back, with plenty of dash and judgement; he has both strength and pace and never misses his kick”.

He was a member of the Clapham Rovers team that reached the FA Cup Final twice, losing 1-0 to Old Etonians in 1879, going on to win the Cup in 1880 with a 1-0 win over Oxford University at The Kennington Oval.

He made 19 appearances (scoring once) for the England national football team between March 1878, when he played in a heavy defeat to Scotland at Hampden Park and a March 1887 defeat to Scotland at Leamington Road, Blackburn (and was thus the first player to make more than ten appearances for his country) and captained England fifteen times from 1881, leading England to four successive British Championship wins between 1884 and 1887. His record number of England appearances was passed by G.O. Smith in April 1901.

He was a solicitor by profession, qualifying in 1880, and served on The FA Committee between 1882 and 1884, becoming vice-president from 1887 to 1890. He seconded CW Alcock’s proposal to introduce professionalism to English football in February 1884.