International Football History and Statistics

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On this day in football history

1891 Alex McColl of Renton became the first player to score a penalty in the Scottish League in his sides 3-2 win at Leith Athletic. Renton had only just been re-admitted to the League after being suspended the previous season for "professionalism".

1956 Denis Howell, M.P. refereed the Third Division South match between Southend United and Newport County, the first time a Member of Parliament had performed such a function in modern times. He refereed regularly until the Labour Party won the Election in October 1964 and resigned from the League list at the end of that season.

1959 Jim Barrett, Birmingham City inside forward, transferred to West Ham United as player coach. The son of 'Big' Jim Barrett who was Hammers' centre half for 14 seasons before the Second War, young Jim joined his father's former club in 1949 and moved to Nottingham Forest in December 1954. Whilst he was with Forest he developed as a goal scorer and hit 64 goals in 105 League matches. Transferred to Birmingham in 1958. League record, 1950 - 1960: 210 matches - 91 goals.

1959 Death of David Meiklejohn, Partick Thistle manager for twelve years and formerly one of Scotland's greatest ever players. Joined Rangers in 1919 and played for them at right half or centre half until 1936 appearing in some 600 first team matches of which 493 were in the Scottish League, and scored over 50 goals. He won 13 Championship medals and 7 Scottish Cup medals of which four were winners. Captained the club for many years and also captained Scotland for whom he turned out in 15 internationals between 1922 and 1933.

1963 Death of Jimmy Broad at the age of 72. A very fine centre forward he was also one of the great characters of the game both before and after the First World War. He served many clubs, both at home and abroad, but his Football League career began with Oldham Athletic in 1913. He joined Millwall during the War and in 1919-26, their last season in the Southern League, he scored 32 goals in 39 matches. Was with Stoke from 1921-24 and scored 61 goals in 107 League outings, then had short spells with Everton, New Brighton and Watford, where he scored twice in his only Third Division game. Scored over 100 League goals in his career and in 1931 was appointed groundsman to Chelmsford City and held the job for 30 years.

1965 Because of injuries Sunderland played Derek Forster in goal in the First Division match against Leicester City. He was only 15 years and 185 days old at the time and was the youngest player to appear in the top Division.