Substitutes were used earlier than we think

It is a reasonably well-known fact that, Keith Peacock of Charlton Athletic became the first-ever substitute in the English Football League (EFL) to play a part in a game, when he came on to replace injured goalie Mike Rose in the 11th minute, against Bolton Wanderers at Burnden Park on 21 August 1965. At the time, the introduction of only one substitute was permitted per team per match that season, and then only for proper injury purposes. The 1965-66 campaign had started on that day. Tactical substitutions were permitted two seasons later, from the 1967-68 season. Substitutes in the World Cup were not allowed until the 1970 tournament in Mexico.

What you might not know, however, is that substitutes were used in matches long before the 1960s. As long ago as 1880, an International match involving Wales and Scotland saw the Welsh team replace an already-named player who had failed to turn up. Technically not an 'off-the-bench' type of substitute but a replacement, and therefore a substitute, nonetheless.

Going even further back in time to the 1850s, to before the Wands were even a twinkle in St Mary Cray's eye, we discover that a football match featuring Eton College saw the first-ever recorded use of a substitute. From what I gather from my research, the game was not officially recognised as a competitive match but then, organised football didn't exist at the time as we know it today.

It also appears that substitutes were used during games in Europe as far back as the 1930s. 

In Scotland, Archie Gemmill, who was later to feature successfully in the EFL for Derby County and Nottingham Forest in the 1970s under the managership of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor, became the first substitute in Scottish Football when he replaced Jim Clunie while playing for St Mirren during a Scottish League Cup tie against Clyde on 13 August 1966 - almost a year after Peacock's appearance for Charlton.

But, it transpires, Keith Peacock was not the only debutant substitute on 21 August 1965 although he was still the first. In Barrow, meanwhile, the home club was playing against Wrexham at Holker Street on the same day. The lesser-known Bobby Knox not only came on as a substitute for Barrow but he even managed to score a goal, thus making him the first-ever substitute to do so for an English club. A few months later, Knox achieved another 'first' for a substitute, coming on during Barrow's game against Doncaster Rovers to replace injured Barrow goalkeeper Lionel Duffin and then saving a penalty!

Meanwhile, the first substitute to appear in a game for Cray Wanderers was Derek Ingram, on 3 September 1966. He replaced the injured Wands full-back Alan Howe in an away F A Cup tie against Harlow Town. The first recorded Cray substitute to enter a game and score a goal in that same match is attributed to Alan Walker, who replaced Ray Woolley, in a Metropolitan League fixture against Bedford Town Reserves at Grassmeade on 31 August 1968. The match ended 5-1 to the Wands and Walker scored Cray's third goal (my thanks to Club Historian, Jerry Dowlen, for confirming this information).

Substitutes have been replacing players ever since during games and scoring goals. Most English leagues throughout the football pyramid are currently permitted to name and use five substitutes per team. I just wonder if it will ever get to the stage where the whole team can be substituted during the same league or cup match...?

Trevor Mulligan