The Napoleon of Football
Charles Clegg became chairman of the Football Association in 1890. It was a turbulent time in English football. Professionalism, something that Charles vehemently opposed throughout his life, had been legalised in 1885 and the Football League had been created the season before.
During his years in charge, Charles would oversee the Football Association's entry into FIFA in 1905 and subsequent exit in 1919. After re-entering in the early 1920s they would leave FIFA once again in 1927 over the thorny issue of professional payments.
He also became President of the FA in 1923 after the death of Lord Kinnaird. No other person before or since has held both positions. He was knighted by King George V in 1927. Although the citation did not mention football, he is generally regarded as the first person to receive a knighthood for services to football.
Charles Clegg died on 26 June 1937, barely two months after seeing his beloved Wednesday fall into the second division. His funeral was held at Sheffield Cathedral on 30 June and was attended by representatives from both national FAs and all the county FAs of England as well as a number of clubs. He was buried at Fulwood Churchyard in Sheffield.
Read more about this topic: John Charles Clegg
Famous quotes containing the words napoleon and/or football:
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