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Wales v Ireland at Wrexham (1906)

International football action in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in Wrexham.

Non-Fiction 1906 3 mins Silent

Overview

In what may be the earliest International football match recorded on film, Wales play Ireland in a Home Championship fixture at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground. Wales (in the darker kit) are cheered on by a lively home crowd. Two cameras cover the action, with edited shots showing the build up to two of the Welsh goals and drama in the penalty area. This was a high-scoring game, ending in a 4-4 draw.

Sadly, the filmmakers weren't able to catch Welsh star Billy Meredith in action. Meredith was serving a season-long ban for alleged bribery following a bad-tempered First Division game between his club, Manchester City, and Aston Villa. Believing himself a fall-guy for his club's practices, Meredith left City for local rivals Manchester United in May 1906.