Walter Wells Bowman in Canada, was the first non-British player to play in the Football League.

Canadian Bowman was first discovered while playing for a Canadian team (although he also had Swiss heritage) that was in England playing exhibition matches against some of England's top teams. He signed for Accrington

Accrington F.C.

Accrington Football Club were an English football club from Accrington, Lancashire, who were one of the founder members of The Football League. Accrington F.C. was formed following a meeting at a local public house in 1876...

 in 1892 and scored three goals in only five games. The next season he played for Ardwick

Manchester City F.C.

Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...

of the second division. He played for Ardwick (who became Manchester City in 1894) until he retired in 1898.