England v. Scotland

England v. Scotland

The West of Scotland Cricket Ground, Patrick. November 30th 1872. The lines are drawn for the first international football match between England and Scotland. Despite the anti-climax of a disappointing nil-nil draw, it was to become one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures in the history of international football. England v. Scotland is the story of this old and passionate rivalry. It starts at the very beginning, after the official launch of the F A Cup.

This was a time when the English upper-classes dominated soccer, a time of gentlemen and officer players when expensive tickets could be brought only through F A clubs.

The turn of the century brought a change to this ‘Old Boys’ network with the emergence of the paid professional player. In Scotland in particular, these waged footballers would become local heroes in their towns – and a new sub-section of the strict British class structure had arrived. By the 1890s, the best players had become stars. Men like Scotland’s burly John Bell, who was known to have been run over by a cab on the Strand and infamously exacted his vengeance upon the English on the pitch. But as the 20th century dawned, the game was shaped by war, peace and rising prosperity.

England v. Scotland tells the story of the games that history forgot, of the rivalry and sportsman spirit that persisted during war-torn Britain and of the game in the wake of two world wars.

What sparked the now famous rivalry between the English and Scottish teams? In what ways has the game, its players and its fans changed over the years? And what does the future hold for one of international football’s famous fixtures? ‘England v. Scotland’ is a fast-paced and comprehensive history spanning over one hundred years of game-play with analytic reports on 105 matches. It is a must-read guide to a century of thrilling football. ‘A fascinating book for any fan of the game.’