{"product_id":"the-early-years-of-the-james-w-bancroft-9781399099950","title":"The Early Years of the Fa Cup: How the British Army Helped Establish the World's First Football Tournament","description":"The 2021-2022 season marked the 150th anniversary of the first FA Cup, the world's oldest football knockout tournament. The inaugural matches began on 11 November 1871, with the final played at Kennington Oval on 16 March 1872, featuring the Royal Engineers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDuring the first decade, military teams played a pivotal role in the competition. Teams like the Royal Engineers, 1st Surrey Rifles, and 105th Regiment competed in 74 matches, winning over half and scoring 154 goals. Major Francis Marindin was instrumental as a player, referee, and administrator, shaping the FA Cup's legacy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMilitary figures achieved notable milestones in football history. The Royal Engineers reached the first FA Cup final. Lieutenant James Prinsep of the Essex Regiment was the youngest player to feature in a full match at the time, while Lieutenant William Maynard played in the first official international match for England. Captain William Kenyon-Slaney scored the first international goal for England, and Lieutenant Henry Renny-Tailyour scored Scotland's first goal.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Early Years of the FA Cup explores the intersection of Victorian football and military history. It recounts FA Cup matches involving military players, their contributions to infrastructure and mapping, and their roles in conflicts such as the Zulu War, Afghanistan, and the Western Front, many sacrificing their lives.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e James W. Bancroft\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1399099957\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781399099950\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Frontline Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 12\/30\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 224\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback","brand":"James W. Bancroft","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":47427530850559,"sku":"9781399099950","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_317bbf14-5808-40ce-ad6d-9dd77dfd1a88.jpg?v=1761579980","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-early-years-of-the-james-w-bancroft-9781399099950","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}