| Founded | 1863 |
|---|---|
| Ground | None |
| Website | Club home page |
The Royal Engineers Association Football Club is an association football team representing the Corps of Royal Engineers, the "Sappers", of the British Army. In the 1870s it was one of the strongest sides in English football, winning the FA Cup in 1875 and being Cup Finalists in four of the first eight seasons of the competition. The Engineers were pioneers of the "combination game", where team-mates passed the ball to each other rather than kicking ahead and charging after the ball.
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The club was founded in 1863, under the leadership of Major Francis Marindin.
Sir Frederick Wall, who was the secretary of the Football Association 1895–1934, states in his memoirs that the "combination game" was first used by the Royal Engineers A.F.C. in the early 1870s.[1][2][3] Wall states that the "Sappers moved in unison" and showed the "advantages of combination over the old style of individualism".
Contemporary match reports confirm that passing was a regular feature of the Engineers' style. An 1869 report says they "worked well together" and "had learned the secret of football success – backing up"; whereas their defeated opponents had "a painful want of cooperation".[4] An 1870 report says "Lieut. Creswell, who having brought it up the side then kicked it into the middle to another of his side, who kicked it through the posts the minute before time was called".[5] In February 1871 against Crystal Palace it is noted that "Lieut Mitchell made a fine run down the left, passing the ball to Lieu. Rich, who had run up the centre, and who pinced another [goal]" [6] In March 1871 against Wanderers F.C. their victory was due to "irreproachable organisation" and in particular that both their attacks and their backing up were both "so well organised".[7] Against the same opponents in November 1871, two goals came from passes: Betts to Currie, and Barker to Renny-Tailyour.[8] In February 1872 against Westminster school, the Engineers "played beautifully together"[9] and Westminster played an extra back to hold out in defence.[9]
The Royal Engineers were the first football team to go on a tour, to Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield in 1873.[1] Wall's memoirs state that this tour introduced the combination game to Sheffield and Nottingham.[10]
They played in the first-ever FA Cup Final, losing 1–0 at Kennington Oval on 16 March 1872, to regular rivals Wanderers.[11] They also lost the 1874 Final, to Oxford University A.F.C..[11]
Their greatest triumph was the 1874–75 FA Cup.[11] In the final against Old Etonians, they drew 1-1 with a goal from Renny-Tailyour and went on to win the replay 2-0 with a goal each from Renny-Tailyour and Stafford.[12]
The winning side was:[12]
Their last FA Cup Final appearance came in 1878, again losing to the Wanderers.[11] They last participated in 1882–83 FA Cup, losing 6–2 in the fourth round to Old Carthusians F.C..[11]
Professionalism arrived in Northern England in the 1880s, with the Football League starting in 1888. In the early years, the Engineers was one of several amateur teams who could defeat the professionals in challenge matches.
The Army Football Association was formed in 1888. Its teams were organised by battalion, and later by regiment.
The Engineers' Depot Battalion won the FA Amateur Cup in 1908.[13]
Various regiments and battalions within the RE Corps have won the Army FA Cup:[14]
The following six players played for England whilst on the books of Royal Engineers A.F.C. (with the number of caps received whilst registered with Royal Engineers A.F.C.):[15]
Several former engineers went on to represent their country.
The following played for Scotland whilst on the books of Royal Engineers A.F.C.:[16]