Matt Kingsley: Newcastle United’s first English national team call-up
By Roy Emanuel
The goalkeeper was Newcastle United’s first English international.
A footballer being called up to their national side is a tremendous achievement, and is certainly an accomplishment worth celebrating. Newcastle United and England have had a unique dynamic in recent years, notably Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey not making appearances for the Three Lions this season. But that was not always the case, and it all started in March of 1901.
Matt Kingsley was the first Magpie to be called into the English side, and the goalkeeper helped to make sure that the result was a memorable one. England defeated Wales 6-0 in the British Home Championship, as Kingsley earned a clean sheet in his first cap.
The interesting part of that fantastic start was that it was not only his last international clean sheet, but also his last international appearance. Despite six years of productive work on Tyneside, Kingsley would not be brought into the England team again.
Kingsley was the key shot-stopper for a Toon side that was beginning to establish themselves as a power in the First Division.
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He would make 180 league appearances for United, and was a part of strong showings in the FA Cup as well.
However, his time with the Magpies would eventually end because of a future legend at the goalkeeper positon.
Lawrence takes over
Jimmy Lawrence became the first-choice keeper in 1904, and would go on to play a record 496 games for Newcastle.
The shame of it for Kinglsey was that it also was the time that the team earned great success, as Lawrence was the goalkeeper for three league titles and their FA Cup final triumph over Barnsley in 1910.
Despite the lofty standards that came after he left for West Ham, Kingsley will always have that special place in club history.
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Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey may be next, but the path from Newcastle United to England was formed by the outstanding work of Matt Kingsley more than a century ago.