Football club Corinthians FC, London

stepetroul - posted on 11 May 2011 at 02:08:13

1885-86 [corinthian-casuals.com]


Not a competitive club initially, founded by English FA for London/nearby players to practice and play together more regularly and thus strengthening England NT (dominant Scotland, based mainly on Queen’s Park and other clubs of the same city, Glasgow, was copied).
This is why many sources erroneously credit Corinthian with more Internationals and caps than the few above (most players were participating in the club’s matches, while playing elsewhere).

Corinthian=man of fashion and pleasure (long-forgotten reference to ancient Hellenic city Corinthos) and, suitably, they just played friendlies (mostly against amateurs), in accordance to their original constitution:
"not to compete for any challenge cup or prizes of any description".
Only 16 years later did this rule was broken for strictly charitable reasons, after Corinthian, rated as the best amateur club, were invited to 9 out of 10 Sheriff of London Charity Shields (forerunner of Community/Charity Shield) against the top English professionals, usually the League champions.

They shared the trophy once and won it twice, with a 10-3 thrashing of FA Cup holders Bury in 1904, same year that Manchester United were humbled 11-3 in a friendly, their heaviest-ever defeat (just managed a 3-1 revenge in the commemorative match after 100 years)!
Impressive results, but Corinthian never wanted to enter the Amateur Leagues and only after 40 years did they "depart from their usual rules and compete in a contest with charity not [...]

stepetroul - posted on 11 May 2011 at 02:30:45

1904, vs Bury 10-3 [corinthian-casuals.com]


[...] its priority", the FA Cup.

With rich gentlemen as players (thus amateurs), the club was able to focus on what is best remembered for and became its greatest contribution, the "missionary work".
Touring extensively in Northern England every Xmas, Corinthian then started "globetrotting" to popularise football and between 1897-1928 travelled no less than 20 times in Europe (11 countries: the whole central part, Sweden and Spain), South Africa, USA/Canada and Brazil (3 times each), playing almost 200 matches!

In these exhausting tours (overseas often lasted more than 3 months and up to 25 matches) victories were common (76% to 13% defeats, despite opponents gradually improving due to football spread), with wins over selections (or NTs?) of France
11-4, Belgium 12-0 (in London) and Netherlands 2-1, causing sensation back in Britain.

But once more, results mean nothing compared to the legacy Corinthian were leaving behind, being the inspiration for:
* giants Real Madrid CF’s famous white shirts
* 2nd most popular Brazilian club, SC Corinthians Paulista’s name (5 more followed).

Today in Tolworth, outer London, Corinthian-Casuals FC (a merger few days before WW II) are competing in the 8th English division, the only difference to the initial club’s ideals, since they remain STRICTLY amateurs and even tour occasionally (5 times 1953-2001: Libya, France, Brazil and USA)!

Regarded still as the HIGHEST RANKED AMATEUR CLUB of England and alongside Queen’s Park, Glasgow (link: ) of the world!!!