Robert Vidal
Encyclopedia
Robert Walpole Sealy Vidal (3 September 1853 – 5 November 1914) was a prominent 19th century footballer who featured in the first three FA Cup Final
s for two different clubs. In March 1870 he played in the first ever international football match, which took place at The Oval
, London. He represented England again in 1871
, 1873
and 1874
. He attended school at Westminster
, London and university at Christ Church, Oxford
before becoming a reverend. He was a member of the Wanderers F.C.
team as they won the first ever FA Cup
. It is said that he assisted the first ever FA Cup final goal. Vidal broke away and looped the ball across to Morton Betts
, who shot between the posts.
The following year, Vidal had moved to Oxford. His team reached the final, where they faced Vidal's old side, the Wanderers. However Oxford could not penetrate the defences and Wanderers won 2-0.
In the next season, Oxford again qualified for the final, this time to face the Royal Engineers. Vidal played again, setting up Charles Mackarness's goal as Oxford University romped with a 2-0 victory. Vidal became the only person to have played in all three of the first FA Cup Finals. However, he never played in a final again. The University side reached the semi-finals in the next year, 1875, but the Engineers exacted their revenge by winning 1-0.
He only received one cap for England
. His cap came in the second official international football match, against Scotland
on 8 March 1873 which England won 4-2.
Oxford University
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
s for two different clubs. In March 1870 he played in the first ever international football match, which took place at The Oval
The Oval
The Kia Oval, still commonly referred to by its original name of The Oval, is an international cricket ground in Kennington, in the London Borough of Lambeth. In the past it was also sometimes called the Kennington Oval...
, London. He represented England again in 1871
Football career
Not much is known about Vidal's career. He was well known however as the "prince of dribblers". In those days, the rule was that the team that scored also kicked off afterwards. On one occasion this rule allowed Vidal to score three goals in a match without the other team touching the ball. He played in the first three FA Cup Finals, of 1872FA Cup Final 1872
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:...
, 1873
FA Cup Final 1873
The 1873 FA Cup final was a football match between Wanderers and Oxford University on 29 March 1873 at Lillie Bridge in London. It was the second final of the world's oldest football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup...
and 1874
FA Cup Final 1874
The 1874 FA Cup final was a football match between Oxford University and Royal Engineers on 14 March 1874 at Kennington Oval in London. It was the third final of the world's oldest football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup . Both teams had previously reached the final but been...
. He attended school at Westminster
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
, London and university at Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
before becoming a reverend. He was a member of the Wanderers F.C.
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....
team as they won the first ever 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...
. It is said that he assisted the first ever FA Cup final goal. Vidal broke away and looped the ball across to Morton Betts
Morton Betts
Morton Peto Betts was a leading English sportsman of the late 19th century. He was notable for scoring the first goal in an English FA Cup Final....
, who shot between the posts.
The following year, Vidal had moved to Oxford. His team reached the final, where they faced Vidal's old side, the Wanderers. However Oxford could not penetrate the defences and Wanderers won 2-0.
In the next season, Oxford again qualified for the final, this time to face the Royal Engineers. Vidal played again, setting up Charles Mackarness's goal as Oxford University romped with a 2-0 victory. Vidal became the only person to have played in all three of the first FA Cup Finals. However, he never played in a final again. The University side reached the semi-finals in the next year, 1875, but the Engineers exacted their revenge by winning 1-0.
He only received one cap for England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
. His cap came in the second official international football match, against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
on 8 March 1873 which England won 4-2.
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: 1872
Oxford University
Oxford 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...
- 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: 1874 - 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...
runners-up: 1873