Jimmy Settle. His part in our history.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

James Settle (5 September 1875 – 1 June 1954) was an English professional footballer. A fast-paced inside or outside right, he could have chosen sprinting if he had not taken up football.

Settle played for Bolton Wanderers and Bury before joining Everton for a fee of £400.

In 1908 Settle was sold to Stockport County, his final club before retiring from football.

Settle represented England 6 times between 1899 and 1903, playing in the British Home Championship against the other Home Nations, scoring 6 times, including a hat-trick against Ireland in February 1899. Settle scored England's only goal in the match against Scotland in April 1902 which was expunged from the records and replayed as a result of the Ibrox disaster which occurred during the game. Settle's goal in this match is not included in his international record.

What does this all to do with Aston Villa you may ask ? On the 10th April 1897 Bury beat Derby 1-0 with Settle scoring the only goal at Gigg Lane in front of 6,108 spectators. Derby began the day in 2nd place, 7 points behind Villa with 4 games remaining. Defeat meant Villa were crowned league champions.  That day Villa were otherwise engaged  200 miles or so south playing and beating Everton 3-2 in the FA Cup Final at the Crystal Palace in front of 65,891.

We actually finished the season 11 points clear with Derby being overtaken into second place by Sheffield United. Jimmy Settle didn't win us the double but he did contribute to make us the the only team to achieve the league and cup "double" on the same day.

[Lucky Eddie]

Great story, I enjoyed reading that so thank you.

[Godfrey Brian]

Interesting stuff, thanks Andy. He was the Boscombe Jankovic of his day.