Giulio Cowley Tyler Smith (2 May 1849 – 22 July 1909) (also known as J. C. Smith and Giulio Tyler-Smith) was an amateur athlete who played for England in the first unofficial football match against Scotland in March 1870.

Early life and education edit

Smith was born in Piccadilly, London, on 2 May 1849,[1] the son of Dr William Tyler Smith (1815–1873) who was an eminent obstetrician and his wife, Tryphena Yearsley.[2]

Smith attended Westminster School between 1863 and 1868 and represented the school at football in 1866–67 and 1867–68.[3] He also won the school 100 yards and mile races.[1] At Westminster, he was enrolled as "Julio" and is listed in the school match reports as "J.C. Smith".[1]

Football career edit

He played football for Middlesex in 1867, while still at school. After leaving school, he played for Old Westminsters, Crusaders, the Flying Dutchmen and the N.N. Club.[1]

In March 1870, Smith was selected to represent England in the first pseudo-international against Scotland organised by C. W. Alcock and Arthur F. Kinnaird. The first "international" was played at Kennington Oval on 5 March 1870, and ended in a 1–1 draw.[4][5]

Later life edit

After leaving school, Smith became a tea and coffee merchant with Cassell & Co., who later became better known as publishers, based in Fenchurch Street, London.[1] Smith served in the Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps between 1868 and 1872.[1]

He married Florence Gadesden[6] in 1878; the couple had no children. Late in life, he change his surname to "Tyler-Smith".[1] He died on 22 July 1909 at Seaford in East Sussex.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Mitchell, Andy (2012). First Elevens: The Birth of International Football. Andy Mitchell Media. pp. 98–99, 130–131. ISBN 978-1475206845.
  2. ^ Webb, William Wilfrid. "Smith, William Tyler". Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  3. ^ Mitchell, Andy (14 June 2010). "JC Smith of Westminster School, Crusaders and England (1870)". ww.football-research.co.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  4. ^ "England Unofficial Match No. 1". www.englandfootballonline.com. 5 March 1870. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  5. ^ "England 1 Scotland 1 (Match report)". www.londonhearts.com. 5 March 1870. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  6. ^ "The Gadesden Family Of Ewell Castle". www.epsomandewellhistoryexplorer.org.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2014.

External links edit