Wigan Album

Each year for 5 years (1908-1912), the England Amateur team undertook a 5 week tour of Europe, playing matches in the main football playing countries. Such was the strength of the English amateur game, they were frequently able to beat sides containing professionals. My grandfather, John Healy, was captain of the 1911 touring party and the photograph shows him being introduced to Prince Max of Baden-Baden. This was, probably, prior to the game against Germany which was played in Berlin on 14th April,1911. Given the delicate nature of European politics at the time, the team was advised, for diplomatic reasons, to avoid winning if possible. The final score was 2-2. As an aside, the touring party's observations whilst they were in Germany confirmed what everybody knew i.e. war was inevitable.
During his career, grandfather (a wing-half) played for Old Xaverians (in Liverpool), Wigan County soon after Springfield Park opened, Northern Nomads (a team which he captained) and was also registered with Preston North End as an amateur having declined offers to turn professional.