Billy Garraty plays for England

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

At the time of writing, unlike his great great grandson Billy Garraty played for England.

Although the seven-man FA International Selection Committee did not include Gareth Southgate, it did still prove to be his only England cap.

Monday, 2 March 1903

England 2 Wales 1

Fratton Park, Frogmore Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Attendance: 5,000; receipts £246

"We are asked to publish, for the information of Welsh football enthusiasts who may be at Fratton Park on Monday, that the colours of the representatives of "Gallant Little Wales" will be green and white shirts and black knickers. All Welsh supporters are asked to sport green and white."

"The ground was in a shocking condition , and at one time, the officials held the opinion that it would be impossible to play, but there was a big gate, and it would have been very disappointing to the enthusiasts if the match had not gone on."

England beat Wales at Portsmouth, yesterday, by two goals to one, but the victory was due rather to the turn of the luck than to any superiority of the Englishmen. As a combined team the Welshmen were undoubtedly better than their opponents. Although having to act chiefly on the defensive during the first half, England scored the only goal. Good play by Davis led up to the point, but had not Blew just touched the ball, Bache, whose shot beat Evans, would have been off-side. The winning point had not quite the same element of chance about it, but the ball was only rushed through from a scrimmage. Davis, after having a shot fisted out, centred nicely, and Corbett headed in, while from the ensuing scramble Woodward scored. The Welshmen's goal was the result of very different play. Davies, the left half-back, passed up the field to Atherton, who made an opening for A. G. Morris, and the outside man, outpacing Crompton, centred beautifully across the goal ; Watkins rushed up and sent in a hard low shot, which Sutcliffe had no chance of stopping...
Heavy rain had left the Fratton Park ground very soft, and it was a matter for regret that such a keen, hard game could not have been fought out under more favourable conditions. No rain fell during the afternoon, but the bad weather had already done much to spoil the football by making the ground so treacherous. - The Times - Tuesday 3rd March, 1903

http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1900-39/1902-03/M0078Wal1903.html

[Lastfootstamper]

Cup winner. Jack's destiny...