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Wiltshire Footballers Playing for England?.... Well I Never!

Posted by: Blog Administrator on May 21, 2010

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The World Cup in South Africa is almost upon us and I’m sure all you avid England supporters are already debating which players should be picked for the squad. As Wiltshire is not well known as a county that ‘sports’ England players; it may surprise you to know that we have produced a few over the years…


John Atyeo's England Shirt, c.1950s

Harold Fleming from Downton was born in 1887 and excelled at all kinds of sport, but was spotted playing football for his local church team by Swindon Football Club’s secretary/manager Sam Allen and invited for a trial. He played for Swindon Town, ‘drifting’ at inside right towards the forward line, balance and ball control being his main attributes.  In his time, Swindon Town were playing in an Edwardian version of today’s premier league. Harold played eleven times for England, but his official total was nine; quite impressive for his day. His best known achievement was in 1912 when he scored a hat-trick against Ireland. He remains the only full international England player to have played for Swindon Town.

George Marks' Baptism Entry, 1915
George Marks' Baptism Entry, 1915

George Marks was born in Figheldean in 1915 and began his career at his local club, the Salisbury Corinthians, before joining Arsenal as an amateur (and later professional) in 1936. During World War II he served in the RAF but still managed to gain eight caps for England as their goalkeeper. After the war he was sold for £5,000 to Blackburn Rovers, a record fee for a keeper in those days.

Salisbury football match in Victoria Park, Salisbury, early 20th century
Salisbury football match in Victoria Park, Salisbury, early 20th century
Ref: P7957

Peter John Walter Atyeo was born in 1932 in Standerwick, Somerset, moving to Dilton Marsh aged five. He played junior football for Wiltshire Schools and also for Westbury United FC, becoming semi professional at Bristol City FC in 1951 (where he has a stand named after him). He obtained offers from Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, and AC Milan whilst at City; reputedly the Italians were willing to pay £50,000 for him. He played at inside right for England, his first match being against Spain in 1955 when England won 4-1. Whilst playing football Atyeo worked as a quantity surveyor and a trained mathematician, teaching at Kingsdown School, Warminster for 20 years. He also wrote for a Plymouth based newspaper, the Sunday Independent. To find out about our other England players, please 'read more'...












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Wiltshire's Sports Stars

Posted by: Blog Administrator on Mar 20, 2010

Tagged in: WWII , World War I , World Record , Wisden , Winter Olympics , winner , Wiltshire League , Wiltshire Historic Photographic Collection , Wiltshire , wickets , white horse , Walter George , Victorian , victor , training , three mile , The Oval , test cricketers , Swindon Town , Swindon Museum and Art Gallery , superstar , Sunday Graphic , Stars , St. Vitus’ dance , sports , smoking , silver medal , Shelley Rudman , Septimus Kinneir , running , runner , Queen Alexandra , Purton Museum , Purton , pub , Prittie , Prince and Princess of Wales , pioneering sportswomen , pharmacist , Pewsey , past , Old Trafford , newspaper cuttings , munitions factories , Morgan’s Hill , miracle mile , memorabilia , media , MCC , Lords , London , Lillie Bridge , Lansdowne Monument , ladies football , King Edward , Jim Smith , James Kibblewhite , innings , injuries , home ground , GWR works , Football Association , fastest mile , Fanny Williams , era , English Record , English Ladies Football Association , England , croup , Cricketer , Corsham Cricket Club , Corsham , cigarette cards , child , Cherhill , Challenge Cup , Cedric Ivan James Smith , carried his bat , caricatured him , career , Calne , brine baths , bowls , bowling , beer drinking , bats , athletics , asthma , Ashes , amateur , 2006 , 100-up exercise

After the success of the local(ish) Amy Williams and the continued determination and perseverance from Pewsey’s 2006 silver medal winner Shelley Rudman in this year’s Winter Olympics, I thought I would bring to light another of Wiltshire’s pioneering sportswomen. Fanny Williams played for Swindon Town ladies football team in the 1920s. Ladies football developed during World War I when the employees of munitions factories formed teams to play each other. The Football Association banned ladies football on their grounds but the English Ladies Football Association was formed in 1921. A national Challenge Cup competition was begun in 1925. Fanny’s boots are kept at the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery.

Wiltshire can also be said to possess famous athletics stars of the past. Purton produced a famous athlete in James Kibblewhite, born in 1866.
James Kiblewhite running for Spartan Harriers in the two mile NCAA Championship, Manchester, 1890 Ref: P18380 Wiltshire Historic Photographic Collection, reproduced with kind permission from Purton Museum
James Kiblewhite running for Spartan Harriers in the two mile NCAA Championship, Manchester, 1890 Ref: P18380 Wiltshire Historic Photographic Collection, reproduced with kind permission from Purton Museum 

He began his athletics career in 1884 and enjoyed great success for over 10 years. In 1890 he was selected to run in London in front of King Edward and Queen Alexandra (then the Prince and Princess of Wales). He won many medals but one of his greatest achievements was breaking the three mile English Record and World Record in London. He was employed by the GWR works in Swindon by 1916 and had a son who was also a promising athlete.  Purton Museum holds many items of memorabilia relating to James Kibblewhite, including trophies, medals, gold chain and watch, and newspaper cuttings of his career which are well worth having a look at.

James Kibblewhite with his trophies
James Kibblewhite with his trophies
Ref: P18381Wiltshire Historic Photographic Collection, reproduced with kind permission from Purton Museum 
Please 'read more' to find out which town two of Wiltshire's famous cricketers played for...














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