Cuthbert ottaway biography of william

When Ottaway returned to Oxford in June to take his BA degree, there was a great ovation for him in the Sheldonian Theatre in recognition of his sporting achievements. His legal career was sadly cut short by his early death, aged only 27, in Dr Mark Curthoys, an Oxford University historian who wrote the Oxford DNB entry for Ottaway, says: 'Ottaway was well known in his own lifetime as a sporting phenomenon, representing his university at five sports.

Cuthbert ottaway biography of william

He can now be viewed in the longer term as one of the first generation to organize and play association football on the national stage. The Oxford DNB is freely available through public libraries, and by remote access to public library members. It is the national record of men and women who have shaped British history and culture, worldwide, from the Romans to the 21st century.

Ottaway failed to recover in time for the replay, held only three days later, and Etonians also lost the services of three other players who had prior commitments. Unable to obtain adequate replacements, the Old Boys arrived at the ground an hour late and lost the delayed replay 0—2. Although the precise nature of Ottaway's ankle injury remains unknown, there is no evidence that he ever played senior football again after the Cup Final.

His biographer, Michael Southwick, suggests that "the damage sustained to his ankle As an international, Ottaway was selected to lead the England team travelling to Partick to meet Scotland on 30 November in what is now recognised as the first international match to be played. England had met a "Scotland" team in five earlier friendliesbut these matches are not regarded as official as the "Scotch" players were drawn solely from those then domiciled in England.

England dominated the match, played before a crowd of around 4, at the West of Scotland Cricket Clubbut were unable to break down an obdurate Scottish defence, a failing probably attributable to the "rampant individualism" indulged by Ottaway's forwards in this early and formative period of the Association game. The game ended in a 0—0 draw. Ottaway did not play in the return fixture, arranged in London for 8 Marchbut again captained his country in the third England-Scotland international, played once again at Partick on 7 March On this occasion, the result was a 2—1 victory for Scotland.

The precise reasons for Ottaway's elevation to the captaincy in are not known. Southwick suggests that he owed his selection solely to Charles Alcockwho had originally been chosen to captain the team by the committee of the Football Association. Alcock was injured playing for Old Harrovians sometime before the international, and, writes Southwick, "it being too late to call a committee meeting Ottaway [was] unanimously selected by the Englishmen as best worthy to take the command.

Cuthbert Ottaway played principally as a centre forward in the seven- and eight-man attacks in vogue during the early s, and was described as "an excellent forward, being fast and very skilful in piloting the ball". As a striker, another contemporary appreciation noted, "he can certainly hold his own against all rivals"; [ 16 ] he was "an elegant dribbler and plays well.

Ottaway appears to have been well regarded by his teammates, but there are hints that he practised the cuthbert ottaway biography of william not uncommon among men of his class and time. Share This Tweet. Share on Facebook. Share on LinkedIn. Share on Reddit. Oxford shares ambitious plans to support transformative social and economic change locally 28 Jan There is very little written about football at this time and football historians I know welcome this contribution to the history of the game.

In reality, however, Ottaway is better known as a cricketer. Our subject was born in ; at the age of 13 he went to Eton, where he stayed for 6 years. He also excelled at Fives and Rackets, winning numerous trophies in the public school competitions. He played for Kent inwhen still at Eton, arriving at Brasenose College at Oxford University the following year.