- By Andy Giddings
- BBC News, West Midlands
Andrew Kenyon-Slaney represented the William Kenyon-Slaney family at the match
A charity football match was held to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first goal in international football.
One of his great-grandchildren was present to watch the match between Shifnal Town and Bridgnorth Town.
Andrew Kenyon-Slaney said his ancestors would be “dead to pieces”.
The money raised through the game will be used to support a church group that provides free lunches and a local theater group for young people.
A collection is also organized for Shifnal’s food bank.
Shifnal and Bridgnorth wear white and blue shirts respectively representing England and Scotland
William Kenyon-Slaney, played only one game for England, despite having a successful career with two of the biggest clubs of the time, Wanderers and Old Etonians, winning the FA Cup five times.
He also served as a Colonel in the Grenadier Guards and later as an MP for the region.
Another of his grandsons, Rupert Kenyon-Slaney, said: “It was certainly not appreciated during his lifetime, quite what that achievement would become.”
image source, Andy Mitchell
William Kenyon-Slaney scored the landmark goal in his only game for England
The town’s vicar, Chris Thorpe, said: “Last year Rupert Kenyon-Slaney told me about this celebration and I just thought we had to do something about it.”
He talked to Shifnal Town and the town council and the cup match was arranged.
Revd Thorpe said it was “a great day to be proud of for the town”.
Andrew Kenyon-Slaney said his great-grandfather would be “delighted” that he loved Shifnal and was also “surprised at what the football game has become.”
“He will be delighted to watch this game play out today recalling what could have been a rather confusing event at the time,” he added.
