Sammy Law
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | January 1850 | ||
| Place of birth | Handsworth, Staffs | ||
| Position | Half back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1879–1882 | Aston Villa | 11 | (1) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Samuel Richard Law (January 1850 – ?) was an English footballer. He played in Aston Villa's first ever FA Cup tie.[1]
The 1879–80 English football season saw Aston Villa's entry into top flight competitive association football with their first tie in the FA Cup.[2] The start of the official record was Saturday 13 December 1879 when Villa faced Stafford Road F.C., of the Stafford Road railway works, Wolverhampton. The match was played before a crowd of 2,000 at Stafford's Half-Way House Ground.[2] In 2024, celebrating the club's 150th anniversary, Aston Villa Legacy Numbers were introduced indexing every first-team player who had represented the club in a competitive fixture.[3] Although playing before shirt numbers were introduced in 1926, Goalkeeper John Ball received Legacy Number 1.[4] Half-back Law received Legacy Number #7,[1] Andy Hunter #4,[5] officially became Villa's first goal-scorer in the 1–1 draw.[2]
The replay was held at Villa's Wellington Road ground on 24 January 1880 with inside-forward George Ramsay #12 replacing Charlie Johnstone. Villa defeated Stafford Road 3–1. Billy Mason scored a brace with Law getting the third goal.[6]
The 32-year-old Law played his final game on 21 January 1882 in Villa's 4th Round away defeat to Wednesbury Old Athletic.[7] He subsequently retired.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Sammy Law". AVFC History. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- 1 2 3 "🟨 13 Dec 1879, Villa 1-1 Stafford Road, Half-Way House Ground". AVFC History. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "Legacy Numbers: Aston Villa approach 1,000th player". Aston Villa Football Club. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "John Ball". AVFC History. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "Andy Hunter". AVFC History. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "🟩 24 Jan 1880, Villa 3-1 Stafford Road, Wellington Road". AVFC History. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "🟥 21 Jan 1882, Villa 2-4 W.O.A.C, The Oval". AVFC History. Retrieved 23 January 2026.