1881 in association football

Events

Clubs founded in 1881

France

• FC Girondins de Bordeaux

  England

• Berwick Rangers F.C.
• Leyton Orient F.C.
• Southport F.C.
• Swindon Town F.C.
• Watford F.C.

  Scotland

• East Stirlingshire F.C.

  Wales

• Colwyn Bay F.C.

  Domestic cups

Births

• 9 February – Jimmy Hay, Scotland international half-back in eleven matches.
• 22 May – Colin Veitch, England international half-back in six matches.
• 3 July – Horace Bailey, England international goalkeeper in five matches.
• 19 July – Stanley Harris, England international forward in six matches, scoring two goals.
• 22 August – Harry Makepeace, England international half-back in four matches ; also a cricket international.
• 20 September – Alex Bennett, Scotland international forward in eleven matches.