A rare and early F.A. Cup winner's medal won by Hubert Heron of Wanderers FC in 1878, the obverse with a football in raised relief enclosed by laurel,

A rare and early F.A. Cup winner's medal won by Hubert Heron of Wanderers FC in 1878, the obverse with a football in raised relief enclosed by laurel, the reverse inscribed FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE CUP, WANDERERS, 1878; sold together with another medal awarded to Heron, a silver South Hants & Dorset Challenge Cup winner's medal 1884-85, the obverse a hemispherical football enclosed by laurel and surmounted by a crown, the reverse inscribed SOUTH HANTS & DORSET CHALLENGE CUP, FINAL TIE, 1884-5, WINNERS, BOURNEMOUTH ROVERS, H. HERON (2) George Hubert Hugh Heron was born in Uxbridge, Middlesex, 30th January 1852. On leaving Mill Hill School he joined Uxbridge Football Club and was selected to play for England in only the second international match in football history, and the first England home fixture. This was the game v Scotland at The Oval played on 8th March 1873. Heron played four more games for England between 1874 & 1878, captaining the team in 1876. Heron made his debut for Wanderers on 4 March 1874 in a friendly match against Westminster School. He was described in the 1875 Football Annual as 'a wing player who is useful and at times brilliant; is fast and dribbles skilfully, used to be a little selfish in his style of play, but of late very much improved in this respect'. Heron was a member of the Wanderers team that won three successive F.A. Cups between 1876 and 1878. The first win required a replay when they overcame Old Etonians 3-0. In 1877 the Wanderers winner came in extra-time as they beat Oxford University 2-1. The medal being offered here is for the 1878 F.A. Cup, which was also Heron's last match for Wanderers. The game ended as a comfortable 3-1 win over Royal Engineers. In the first round of the 1877-78 competition, Heron scored four goals in a 9-1 victory over the Panthers. During his career he also played for Swifts as well as representing Middlesex and London. When running a wine merchant business in Bournemouth he played for Bournemouth Rovers. It was at this time that he won the second medal being offered in this lot. Bournemouth Rovers changed their name to Bournemouth Dean Park, and then again to simply Bournemouth FC in 1889 when they amalgamated with Bournemouth Arabs. They moved to their current ground Victoria Park in 1890. Nicknamed 'The Poppies', the club should not be confused with the Football League club AFC Bournemouth. Hubert Heron died in Brentford, Middlesex, 5th June 1914.