James Trainer
Encyclopedia
James Trainer was a Welsh
association football player of the Victorian era
. He was the best goalkeeper of the English Football League several years in a row starting with the initial season of 1888–89.
Trainer first played for a Wrexham club, while working as a coachbuilder, until he moved to Bolton Wanderers
in 1884. During his time there, he also played for Wales
against Scotland in 1887.
In 1888 William Sudell
persuaded Trainer to join Preston North End
, having seem him play against Preston in a match that ended 12–0 for Preston.
Although Trainer played in the majority of Preston’s matches during the initial season of 1888–89, it was fellow Welsh goalkeeper Robert Mills-Roberts
who had the honour of playing in the FA Cup final against Wolverhampton Wanderers
, in a game that Preston won 3–0, securing a double
.
Between 1888 and 1897 Trainer played in 253 games for Preston, and after retiring he became landlord of the Lamb Hotel in Preston.
He later moved to London
, where his business failed. He died in poverty in 1915.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
association football player of the Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
. He was the best goalkeeper of the English Football League several years in a row starting with the initial season of 1888–89.
Trainer first played for a Wrexham club, while working as a coachbuilder, until he moved to Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
in 1884. During his time there, he also played for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
against Scotland in 1887.
In 1888 William Sudell
William Sudell
Major William Sudell was an English association football player and administrator, who was the first chairman of Preston North End. He joined the Preston Nelson sports club on 3 August 1867, aged 16. Initially a player of several sports, by his mid-twenties he had become chairman of the club...
persuaded Trainer to join 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...
, having seem him play against Preston in a match that ended 12–0 for Preston.
Although Trainer played in the majority of Preston’s matches during the initial season of 1888–89, it was fellow Welsh goalkeeper Robert Mills-Roberts
Robert Mills-Roberts
Dr. Robert Herbert Mills-Roberts was a leading football player in the 1880s. He was a Welsh International, and was a player in the Preston North End side which became known as "The Invincibles"....
who had the honour of playing in the FA Cup final against 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...
, in a game that Preston won 3–0, securing a double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
.
Between 1888 and 1897 Trainer played in 253 games for Preston, and after retiring he became landlord of the Lamb Hotel in Preston.
He later moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where his business failed. He died in poverty in 1915.