Charles William Alcock

Football Charles William Alcock

Charles William Alcock (2 December 1842 - 26 February 1907) was an influential English sportsman and administrator. He was a major instigator in the development of both international football and cricket, as well as being the creator of the FA Cup. Early life and career: Alcock was born in Sunderland, and his family moved to Chingford, then part of Essex, at an early age. According to JB Smart, he was born as simply Charles and almost certainly took the middle name William in memory of his younger brother (who died in 1858, aged 11). Educated at Harrow School, Alcock was a keen schoolboy footballer, and formed the Forest club with his elder brother, John, in Chingford in 1859. He was then a prime mover in the 1863 foundation of Forest's more famous successor, Wanderers F. C., who were initially a predominantly Old Harrovian side.