THE FIRST GREATS

The early days of football were a time of great development due to the tests related to the Association. During this period, several teams emerged to shape the future of what would become the greatest sport of all time. Some teams were noted for their consistency and their achievements in major tournaments. Others, however, left their mark on the history of football, but for their style, their identity on the field and how they guided the style of play of future teams. Obviously, such a task will require me to deal with only a few teams, although, of course, others deserve a greater mention.

Not long before the creation of the Scottish Football Association, Queen's Park had already distinguished themselves as the most prominent side in Scotland. Henceforth, Scottish football estabilished with its tournaments wirh Queen's Park winning several local cup titles — Scottish Cup and Glasgow Charity Cup — and competing against the leading teams from the British Isles. The Spiders reached their peak in the late seventies and early eighties, especially in the years 1880/81 and 1881/82, when the team had a formidable side consisting of, for instance, Andy Watson, Charlie Campbell, Dr. John Smith and George Ker.

After their period of great dominance, Queen's Park began to decline in the mid-1880s, so although they were still a widely respected and excellent team, and won a few editions of the Scottish Cup, Queen's Park never returned to anything close to the time when George Ker was present on their lines.

Subsequently, great powers emerged in the nineties, such as Glasgow Rangers F.C. and Celtic F.C. Both teams achieved great prestige, shaped great teams and the face of Scottish football. In my opinion, however, for their achievements, the development caused by the institution, the dictation of the game and its heyday, I cannot say that there was another Scottish team that stood out more than Queen's Park F.C.


PRESTON NORTH END F.C.

Later, not too long after Queen's Park's dominance, three exceptional teams ruled the roost on English soil: Corinthians F.C., Blackburn Rovers F.C. and Preston North End F.C.

Of the English teams mentioned above, North End, although less successful than Blackburn Rovers, undoubtedly reached the highest level. North End — Proud Preston — emerged to establish their football as the most spectacular in the world. Filled with a star-studded team, especially Scottish players, the precision and punctuality of their passes, dribbling, knowledge of the game and, of course, the level of their individuality shaped a team that was nicknamed the "Invincibles". With an arsenal that included players such as Nicholas J. Ross and John Goodall, Major William Sudell's team dominated matches at will, thus acting in a sovereign manner and with a very different level of football.

Consequently, other brilliant teams emerged, such as Sunderland A.F.C., The Team Of All The Talents, but it was Aston Villa who dominated and established a brilliant and consistent level.

Aston Villa F.C., which quickly strengthened throughout the decade, was a team to be beaten in all the British Isles, especially due to its brilliant lines, which included players such as Howard Spencer, James Cowan, Jimmy Crabtree — one of the greatest of all-time —, captain John Devey, Charlie Athersmith, Fred Wheldon, John Campbell, etc. This was a team that played refined football, although not as spectacular as Queen's Park or North End. Aston Villa, however, managed to reflect its sovereignty through the titles it won.

CONCLUSION

There are a few ways to define the top team: either by level achieved or by consistency.

In terms of maintaining greatness while reaching a very high level, Aston Villa F.C. did what North End could not. However, the Lancashire side reached a level of performance which only Queen's Park could come close. North End is the main team of the decade, but the Villains had more constancy during their time. 

Therefore, I will conclude this article:


Peak: 1. North End 1886/87, 2. Queen's Park 1881/82, Aston Villa 1896/97.
General: 1. Aston Villa 1895/1900, 2. North End 1885/1890, 3. Queen's Park 1978/83.


It is true that the times of Queen's Park and North End were different — times when the League system did not yet exist, but tournaments were only focused on the Cup system. This, notoriously, helps Aston Villa in my overall choice, besides, as mentioned before, the consistency, level reached and dominance that William McGregor's side achieved makes Aston Villa my  General  choice.

In terms of titles, there were some sides that have outperformed North End. After all, in addition to suffering some problems with regulations, had brief moments while they were sovereign, although they still managed to extend their status as one of the main teams in England until the early seasons of the ninities. They failed to reflect their dominance in titles, but they pinnacle of football in terms of performances. North End at their zenith were the finest team of the 19th century. I would also like to point out that this team could possibly be placed at the highest level of the best teams of all-time, perhaps the best.