Giulio Cowley Tyler Smith (2 May 1849 – 22 July 1909) (also known as J. C. Smith and Giulio Tyler-Smith) was an amateur athlete who played for England in the first unofficial football match against Scotland in March 1870.

Early life and education

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Smith was born in Piccadilly, London, on 2 May 1849,[1] the son of Dr William Tyler Smith (1815–1873) who was an eminent obstetrician and his wife, Tryphena Yearsley.[2]

Smith attended Westminster School between 1863 and 1868 and represented the school at football in 1866–67 and 1867–68.[3] He also won the school 100 yards and mile races.[1] At Westminster, he was enrolled as "Julio" and is listed in the school match reports as "J.C. Smith".[1]

Football career

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He played football for Middlesex in 1867, while still at school. After leaving school, he played for Old Westminsters, Crusaders, the Flying Dutchmen and the N.N. Club.[1]

In March 1870, Smith was selected to represent England in the first pseudo-international against Scotland organised by C. W. Alcock and Arthur F. Kinnaird. The first "international" was played at Kennington Oval on 5 March 1870, and ended in a 1–1 draw.[4][5]

Later life

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After leaving school, Smith became a tea and coffee merchant with Cassell & Co., who later became better known as publishers, based in Fenchurch Street, London.[1] Smith served in the Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps between 1868 and 1872.[1]

He married Florence Gadesden[6] in 1878; the couple had no children. Late in life, he change his surname to "Tyler-Smith".[1] He died on 22 July 1909 at Seaford in East Sussex.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Mitchell, Andy (2012). First Elevens: The Birth of International Football. Andy Mitchell Media. pp. 98–99, 130–131. ISBN 978-1475206845.
  2. ^ Webb, William Wilfrid. "Smith, William Tyler" . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 53. pp. 167–168.
  3. ^ Mitchell, Andy (14 June 2010). "JC Smith of Westminster School, Crusaders and England (1870)". ww.football-research.co.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  4. ^ "England Unofficial Match No. 1". www.englandfootballonline.com. 5 March 1870. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  5. ^ "England 1 Scotland 1 (Match report)". www.londonhearts.com. 5 March 1870. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  6. ^ "The Gadesden Family Of Ewell Castle". www.epsomandewellhistoryexplorer.org.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
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