John Marsh

…of Thurlstone

(1843-1880)

“…One of the safest & reliableBacksSheffield ever produced …”

Clubs

Apps/Goals!

Sheffield F.C

(N/A )

McKenzie F.C

(N/A)

The Wednesday

(N/A)

Thurlstone Crystal Palace

(N/A)

England

Country

Apps/Goals!

0/0

“…Marsh’s leadership abilities & Footballing prowess were always highly praised making it a little strange that he was never selected for the National Team…”

At this point in Footballing history, England were playing a measly one International per season, but even so, for such an influential character in the games formative years to never even be considered seems a little harsh on Mr Marsh (…Perhaps he should’ve attended one of those Public Schools…)

1860…

Moves to the ‘Steel City’ to become an engraver but soon enough, his ability with the ‘Leather’ attracts interest from the World’s first proper Football Club

The Sheffield Foot Ball Club !

1867…

Instrumental in the formation of another of Sheffield’s famous Footballing institutions

The Wednesday

…immediately winning the Cromwell Cup - The Club’s maiden success !

The Cromwell Cup

1867…

Guides McKenzie to the Final of the Youdan Cup - Football’s first ever Cup Competition !

1871-’74…

Skippers the influential Sheffield Football Association side in numerous encounters with various other Associations, including Ten early encounters with the London Football Association (…soon to be known simply as The F.A, of course) winning Seven & losing just twice

Sheffield F.A v London F.A, Bramall Lane, March 1873

1877

Breaks an arm while playing for Thurlstone that never really heals, leading to his premature retirement from the game he loved & did so much to shape & grow

1880…

Unable to play or even work, The Wednesday finally step-up to raise funds for their seriously stricken progenitor, but alas, it’s all too little, all too late

“…One of the True Greats of the early Sheffield Football scene, experiencing the game from it’s humble beginnings to the dawn of International Football & finally the amalgamation of the rules way back in 1877Football in general & Sheffield in particular owe a huge debt of gratitude to John Marsh…”