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All the United Kingdom England West Auckland 'First World Cup' Memorial

'First World Cup' Memorial

This memorial depicts the unlikely team that won England the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy.

West Auckland, England

Added By
Alan Newman
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The memorial.   Stanley Howe/cc by-sa 2.0
The memorial.   Trevor Littlewood/cc by-sa 2.0
The memorial.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The memorial.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

This bronze statue shows a soccer player kicking a ball while a coal miner lies on his side, wielding a pick. It seems like a disjointed scene, but it actually commemorates a surprising soccer scenario.

In 1909, Sir Thomas Lipton donated a trophy to the Italian soccer authorities for an international competition, which has been dubbed the “First World Cup” even though other international soccer competitions did indeed precede it.

Although the Italians fielded a composite team called Italy XI, the other competing countries—Switzerland, Germany, and England—sent club teams as their representatives. The Swiss and Germans used well-known teams, but the English Football Association was represented by the West Auckland Amateur Football Club, which consisted of coal miners.

According to popular legend, the West Auckland Football Club was invited by mistake. Their invitation had been intended for the Woolwich Arsenal FC, which had the same initials.

Yet despite the legendary mixup, the amateur football club was able to attend the competition. They raised the money themselves to fund the trips and wound up winning. Two years later, they returned to Turin, Italy, to play again, once again defending their title and winning the trophy. The sculpture in West Auckland, England, was installed shortly after the centennial of the second win.

Related Tags

Soccer Sports Memorials Statues World Cup

Know Before You Go

You can walk by at any time. There is ample free parking on the streets surrounding the monument and the social club on the road opposite has a replica of the trophy. Unfortunately, the original was stolen a few years ago.

Community Contributors

Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

grahamstewartwalker, rbenn250

  • grahamstewartwalker
  • rbenn250

Published

February 19, 2019

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Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Thomas_Lipton_Trophy
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-19691913
  • https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10735400.statue-to-west-aucklands-world-cup-heroes-unveiled/
'First World Cup' Memorial
2 Toadpool
Darlington Road, West Auckland, Bishop Auckland, UK
West Auckland, England, DL14 9LB
United Kingdom
54.631549, -1.724269
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Escomb Church

Escomb, England

miles away

The Mining Art Gallery

Bishop Auckland, England

miles away

Auckland Castle Deer House

Bishop Auckland, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,219
Stories 145

Nearby Places

Escomb Church

Escomb, England

miles away

The Mining Art Gallery

Bishop Auckland, England

miles away

Auckland Castle Deer House

Bishop Auckland, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,219
Stories 145

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