The following are events in 1871 which are relevant to the development of
association football. Included are events in closely related codes, such as the
Sheffield Rules.
20 July – At a meeting in London,
Charles William Alcock and
The Football Association lay down the creation of the
FA Cup for the following season, which remains the oldest existing football tournament in the world.
9 January –
Davie Russell (d. 1952), Scotland international in six matches (1895–1901).
10 February –
Jimmy Miller (d. 1907),
Scotland international forward in three matches. scoring two goals; won a total of six domestic league titles playing for
Rangers and
Sunderland.[2]
11 July –
Alex Leake (d. 1938), England international half-back in five matches (1904–1905).
12 September –
John Campbell (d. 1947), Scotland international forward in twelve matches (1893–1903), scoring four goals; won a total of six league titles in twelve seasons from 1892–93 to 1903–04, playing for
Celtic,
Aston Villa and
Third Lanark.
23 December –
Jimmy Crabtree (d. 1908),
England international defender in fourteen matches (1894–1902); won three league titles with Aston Villa.