Birmingham Post

Grave restoratio­n plan for Wolves hero

- Mike Lockley Features Staff

PLANS have been unveiled to restore the overgrown grave of one of the heroes of Wolves’ first FA Cup victory.

George Kinsey, from Birmingham, was part of the side that beat Everton in the March 25, 1893, final.

More than 60,000 watched Wolves’ 1-0 victory at Fallowfiel­d Stadium, Manchester.

The winning goal was scored by captain Harry Allen.

Now, football historian Kieran Smith has launched a fund to repair Kinsey’s last resting place at Stapenhill Cemetery, Burtonon Trent.

Mr Smith, from Liverpool, said: “Sadly, the grave is virtually impossible to see.

“A tree has grown alongside it and has damaged the grave beyond recognitio­n.

“The only way I could recognise the grave was via the grave number on the stone.

“I am hoping to launch a fund to repair and rededicate the grave, and I am looking to find any surviving family members.”

Kinsey was born on November 27, 1866, in Burton-onTrent, one of four children to Jabez and Elizabeth Kinsey.

Like his father, he became a brewer’s labourer in Britain’s brewing capital and he began his playing career with local clubs Burton Crusaders and Burton Swifts.

The 1891 census records George living in Birmingham, with his wife Rosa, and still working as a brewer’s labourer. He was then playing for the Birmingham team Mitchell St George. In the close season he signed for Wolverhamp­ton Wanderers. It was during his first season with Wolves that Kinsey received his first of four England call-ups, playing in a 2-0 defeat of Wales at Wrexham in March 1892.

Kinsey played for England again in April 1893, when they beat Scotland 5-1 at Richmond.

In June 1894, Kinsey moved to Aston Villa but did not settle and a year later he Derby County.

While there, Kinsey won two more England caps, both in March 1896. England beat Ireland 2-0 in Belfast and thumped Wales 9-1 in Cardiff.

Kinsey’s next move was to Notts County in March 1897, but a few months later he transferre­d again to Eastville Rovers, who were renamed Bristol Rovers at the end of his first season.

In October 1900, the player returned to Burton Swifts and the 1901 census records him as a licensed victualler in the town.

In 1902 he played for Burton Early Closing FC and in 1904 he was reinstated as an amateur player.

George Kinsey daughters and his away in April 1936.

George himself died, aged 70, in Birmingham on November 13, 1936. transferre­d to had four wife passed

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 ??  ?? > The FA Cup winning Wolves team of 1893. Below: George Kinsey and his overgrown grave
> The FA Cup winning Wolves team of 1893. Below: George Kinsey and his overgrown grave

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