Charles Ashpitel Denton
Encyclopedia
Charles Ashpitel Denton was an English amateur footballer who twice won the FA Cup
with Wanderers
. In his professional life, he was a solicitor
.
in the City of London
; his father was vicar of St. Bartholomew's Church. He was educated at Bradfield College
between 1862 and 1872 before going up to Trinity College
at the University of Oxford
. He graduated in 1876 with a Bachelor of Arts
degree.
He had a daughter, Edith Jane, who married Hubert Francis Burke (1880–1956). Burke was a member of the Royal Artillery
who attained the rank of Colonel
and served with distinction in the First World War, being decorated with the Distinguished Service Order
(D.S.O.) and the Croix de Guerre
.
, Swifts
and Wanderers
and was later a member of the Casuals
club.
He made his debut for the Wanderers on 13 January 1872 and then played the occasional match over the next few years. It was only in the 1876–77 season that he began to play regularly, helping the Wanderers reach the Cup Final
against Oxford University. The Wanderers were victorious by a 2–1 margin after extra time.
In 1877–78, Denton was virtually ever-present making 14 appearances, scoring eight goals as Wanderers again reached the FA Cup Final, this time against the Royal Engineers
. The 1878 FA Cup Final
was their fifth appearance in the seven years since the tournament was inaugurated. With Denton making "some fine runs" on the left wing, the Wanderers were again victorious, thus taking the trophy for the fifth and final time.
Denton was described in the 1878 Football Annual as "a fast wing player [who] did good service for the Wanderers in some of the cup ties; not a good shot at goal". He was one of the few players to appear regularly for the Wanderers after 1878 as the club gradually declined. By the time that he played his last match in February 1880, Denton had made 41 appearances with 12 goals.
in 1880 and later became assistant secretary of the Union Bank of London. In 1891, he was appointed Secretary of the London Assurance Corporation based at the Royal Exchange
. He retired in 1921.
Denton was also a keen cricketer and played for Bradfield College from 1870 to 1872 and was a member of the M.C.C.
Denton died on 28 September 1932 at the Grand Hotel, Folkestone
. At the time of his death he was resident at Grosvenor Place, Westminster
.
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
with Wanderers
Wanderers F.C.
Wanderers Football Club is an English amateur football club, based in London, that plays in the Surrey South Eastern Combination. Founded as Forest Football Club in 1859, the club changed its name to Wanderers in 1864....
. In his professional life, he was a solicitor
Solicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
.
Family and education
Denton was born at St. Bartholomew's Vicarage in Moor Lane, CripplegateCripplegate
Cripplegate was a city gate in the London Wall and a name for the region of the City of London outside the gate. The area was almost entirely destroyed by bombing in World War II and today is the site of the Barbican Estate and Barbican Centre...
in the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
; his father was vicar of St. Bartholomew's Church. He was educated at Bradfield College
Bradfield College
Bradfield College is a coeducational independent school located in the small village of Bradfield in the English county of Berkshire.The college was founded in 1850 by Thomas Stevens, Rector and Lord of the Manor of Bradfield...
between 1862 and 1872 before going up to Trinity College
Trinity College, Oxford
The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity in the University of Oxford, of the foundation of Sir Thomas Pope , or Trinity College for short, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It stands on Broad Street, next door to Balliol College and Blackwells bookshop,...
at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
. He graduated in 1876 with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree.
He had a daughter, Edith Jane, who married Hubert Francis Burke (1880–1956). Burke was a member of the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
who attained the rank of Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
and served with distinction in the First World War, being decorated with the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
(D.S.O.) and the Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
.
Football career
Denton was a member of the Bradfield College football XI from 1869 to 1872, being captain in his final year. He also played for Oxford UniversityOxford University A.F.C.
Oxford University Association Football Club is an English football club representing the University of Oxford.-History:Formed in 1872, the club was a giant of the 1870s, winning the FA Cup 2-0 against Royal Engineers in 1874 and finishing the competition as runners up in 1873, 1877 and 1880, the...
, Swifts
Swifts F.C.
Swifts Football Club were a football team based in Slough, England.The club were founded c.1868 and played their home matches on a ground near The Dolphin public house, Slough...
and Wanderers
Wanderers F.C.
Wanderers Football Club is an English amateur football club, based in London, that plays in the Surrey South Eastern Combination. Founded as Forest Football Club in 1859, the club changed its name to Wanderers in 1864....
and was later a member of the Casuals
Casuals F.C.
Casuals F.C. were an amateur football club based in London, formed in 1878.They were founder members of the Isthmian League in 1905 and won the FA Amateur Cup in 1936....
club.
He made his debut for the Wanderers on 13 January 1872 and then played the occasional match over the next few years. It was only in the 1876–77 season that he began to play regularly, helping the Wanderers reach the Cup Final
1877 FA Cup Final
The 1877 FA Cup Final was a football match between Wanderers and Oxford University on 24 March 1877 at Kennington Oval in London. It was the sixth final of the world's oldest football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup . Wanderers were the reigning cup-holders and had won the...
against Oxford University. The Wanderers were victorious by a 2–1 margin after extra time.
In 1877–78, Denton was virtually ever-present making 14 appearances, scoring eight goals as Wanderers again reached the FA Cup Final, this time against the Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers A.F.C.
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...
. The 1878 FA Cup Final
1878 FA Cup Final
Match rules:90 minutes normal time.30 minutes extra-time if scores are level, at captains' discretion.Replay if scores still level.No substitutes.-Post-match:...
was their fifth appearance in the seven years since the tournament was inaugurated. With Denton making "some fine runs" on the left wing, the Wanderers were again victorious, thus taking the trophy for the fifth and final time.
Denton was described in the 1878 Football Annual as "a fast wing player [who] did good service for the Wanderers in some of the cup ties; not a good shot at goal". He was one of the few players to appear regularly for the Wanderers after 1878 as the club gradually declined. By the time that he played his last match in February 1880, Denton had made 41 appearances with 12 goals.
Professional career
Denton qualified as a solicitorSolicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
in 1880 and later became assistant secretary of the Union Bank of London. In 1891, he was appointed Secretary of the London Assurance Corporation based at the Royal Exchange
Royal Exchange
Royal Exchange may refer to:*Royal Exchange, Belfast a major mixed-use regeneration scheme in the North East Quarter of Belfast City Centre*Royal Exchange, Manchester, a 19th century classical building, home of the Royal Exchange Theatre...
. He retired in 1921.
Denton was also a keen cricketer and played for Bradfield College from 1870 to 1872 and was a member of the M.C.C.
Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club is a cricket club in London founded in 1787. Its influence and longevity now witness it as a private members' club dedicated to the development of cricket. It owns, and is based at, Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood, London NW8. MCC was formerly the governing body of...
Denton died on 28 September 1932 at the Grand Hotel, Folkestone
Folkestone
Folkestone is the principal town in the Shepway District of Kent, England. Its original site was in a valley in the sea cliffs and it developed through fishing and its closeness to the Continent as a landing place and trading port. The coming of the railways, the building of a ferry port, and its...
. At the time of his death he was resident at Grosvenor Place, Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
.
Honours
WanderersWanderers F.C.
Wanderers Football Club is an English amateur football club, based in London, that plays in the Surrey South Eastern Combination. Founded as Forest Football Club in 1859, the club changed its name to Wanderers in 1864....
- FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
winners: 19771877 FA Cup FinalThe 1877 FA Cup Final was a football match between Wanderers and Oxford University on 24 March 1877 at Kennington Oval in London. It was the sixth final of the world's oldest football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup . Wanderers were the reigning cup-holders and had won the...
, 18781878 FA Cup FinalMatch rules:90 minutes normal time.30 minutes extra-time if scores are level, at captains' discretion.Replay if scores still level.No substitutes.-Post-match:...