Harry Simmonds

Harry Simmonds (June 1858 – 3 Aug 1939)

The 1879–80 English football season saw Aston Villa's entry into top flight competitive association football with their first tie in the Football Association Cup. The start of the official record was Saturday 13 December 1879 when Villa faced Stafford Road F.C., of the Stafford Road railway works, Wolverhampton. The match was played before a crowd of 2,000 at Stafford's Half-Way House Ground. Although playing before shirt numbers were introduced in 1926, Goalkeeper John Ball received Legacy Number 1. Defender Simmonds received Legacy Number #12, Andy Hunter #4 officially became Villa's first goal-scorer in the 1–1 draw. He subsequently retired from the game due to an ankle injury.