The poignant tale of a broken star

It sent shock waves across the football world.

"Obscene," they said. “Ridiculous.” "Where will it all end?"

Sensational news had just broken. The world's first £100 football transfer.

The footballer was Willie Groves and his £100 move from West Bromwich Albion to Aston Villa in 1893 is just one element of his remarkable story. The most talented, charismatic, controversial footballer of his generation played for Scotland, won the FA Cup with Albion, made his record-shattering move to Villa and helped them to the Football League title...but died in penury, aged 38. His final months were spent working as a labourer for Edinburgh Corporation.

It is an incredible story and it was a privilege to share the telling of it with his great great nephew, Jim Troughton. Ninety-eight years after Groves won the FA Cup with Albion at The Oval, on that same field, his great great nephew scored a first class century for Warwickshire. And, as assistant coach of Surrey, Jim is now based at the place where Groves lifted the FA Cup.

It’s a fascinating thread of sporting history which we are delighted to bring into the open in Reports from Arbroath.

You can subscribe to Reports From Arbroath:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
RSS