Francis Marindin

Who was Francis Marindin?

Colonel Sir Francis Arthur Marindin, KCMG served with the Royal Engineers and was a key figure in the early development of association football. He was later knighted for his work in public services.

Born in Weymouth, Dorset, he was the second son of the Rev. S. Marindin of Chesterton, in the parish of Worfield, Shropshire. He was educated at Eton College and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.

Marindin spent active service in the Crimean War and was a member of the Board of Trade Railway Inspectorate, an occupation he continued after he left the Corps. He is credited with having founded the Royal Engineers Football team in 1869, which went on to win the FA Cup in 1875. The club had been founded in at least 1863 and is notable as the first side to exploit modern teamwork and passing tactings. He retired from the Royal Engineers in 1879 at the rank of Major.

As a football player, Marindin played in the first FA Cup Final in 1872, which the Royal Engineers' team lost to Wanderers . At the time, Marindin held the rank of Captain. The team lost the Final again, to Oxford University in 1874 with Marindin in the XI, but won it against the Old Etonians F.C. in 1875, although Marindin was absent, having left Chatham for a new posting.