Fred Beardsley

Beardsley is known to have played for Nottingham Forest from at least 1884, and even through moving to London, continued to make guest appearances for the club.

Famously in 1886, he asked Nottingham forest for some kits and a ball to help start what was to be Arsenal F.C.

[2] Fred Beardsley made his first ever appearance against Eastern Wanderers, in Arsenal's very first game, as the club's inaugural goalkeeper.

It is unclear as to how many appearances in total Beardsley made due to the paucity of the line-ups, however he made two FA Cup appearances, in Royal Arsenal's first ever FA cup matches.

[3] Beardsley retired in 1891 from his playing career, but was elected to Vice-chairman and continued to sit on the board of directors for Royal Arsenal F.C.