Wagstaffe Simmons

Wagstaffe Simmons spent more than 50 years as a football player, referee, administrator, journalist and director of Tottenham Hotspur FC. Born in Hertfordshire, he was a centre-half with local clubs Hertford Town and St Albans, and played a big part in the formation of the latter club, along with his brother-in-law Jack Dickerson. After ending his playing days Simmons turned to refereeing and officiated in three international matches, including the Netherlands v. Sweden game at the 1912 Olympics, when he was also the FA member in charge of the Great Britain team. After the Olympics, he had the Swedish Order bestowed upon him by King of Sweden. The highlight of his career was in being one of the linesmen at the 1903 FA Cup final when Bury created history by beating Derby County 6-0. It was the most goals scored in a final by one team until equalled in 2019, when Manchester City beat Watford by the same score.

As an administrator, Simmons served the Hertfordshire FA for more than 50 years, and was a member of the FA Council as the Hertfordshire representative, for 25 years from 1901. He was a member of the FA’s International Selection Committee for 20 years and went on many tours with FA parties around the world. He was appointed a director of Tottenham Hotspur in 1925 and became a vice-chairman in 1943, a post he still held at the time of his death. Simmons also served the Southern Counties Amateur Championship, and was also on the committee of the Football League, and was present at the meeting in June 1939 when it became compulsory for players to wear numbers on their shirts in the short-lived 1939-40 season. Simmons was also a journalist for over 50 years with the Sporting Life, having started his career with the Hertfordshire Advertiser. In 1947 he published the book Tottenham Hotspur Football Club: It’s Birth and Progress 1882-1946.