Gershom Cox
Encyclopedia
Gershom Cox was a professional footballer
who played as a full-back for Aston Villa
from 1888 to 1893.
on the first day of the inaugural season, 1888-89
on 8 September 1888 for Aston Villa against their Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers
. However, his goal was scored into his own net, thereby scoring an "own goal
".
The first intended goal was scored shortly afterwards by Fred Dewhurst
of Preston North End
.
Cox also won an FA Cup
runners-up medal, appearing for Aston Villa in the 1892 final. Villa lost to West Bromwich Albion
.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played as a full-back for Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
from 1888 to 1893.
Career
His main claim to fame is that he "scored" the first goal in The Football LeagueThe Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
on the first day of the inaugural season, 1888-89
1888-89 in English football
The 1888–1889 season was the 18th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:A new competition, The Football League, started this season...
on 8 September 1888 for Aston Villa against their Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
. However, his goal was scored into his own net, thereby scoring an "own goal
Own goal
An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents....
".
The first intended goal was scored shortly afterwards by Fred Dewhurst
Fred Dewhurst
Fred Dewhurst was a professional footballer, who played as an inside forward for Preston North End in the late 19th century...
of Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
.
Cox also won an FA Cup
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...
runners-up medal, appearing for Aston Villa in the 1892 final. Villa lost to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
.