England's first football captain Cuthbert Ottaway honoured by officials after grave is restored He had the honour of being the first England captain and it is great that what he achieved is being recognised in this way. I am always proud to lead out my country and even more so to have the chance of doing so against our old rivals Scotland and in celebration of the FA's 150th anniversary. Contemporary accounts describe Ottaway as a "skilful forward"" at Eton and then Oxford (where he won a Blue and the FA Cup in 1874). He represented England twice and also played for the Old Etonians (including in the 1875 FA Cup final). He did not excel only at football; Ottaway also represented Oxford at rackets, athletics and real tennis. He was a cricket Blue and played for Kent and Middlesex. Ottaway represented Oxford University at five different sports - a record that remains unmatched He also studied hard, leaving Oxford with a first. He became a barrister but tragically died from a bronchial complication aged 27 and was buried in Paddington Old Cemetery. He never got to see his daughter Lillian, who was born shortly after his death. His widow Marion took Lillian back to her native Canada. Ottaway's grave fell into disrepair but has now been restored with a proper headstone and marked grave to honour his unique contribution to football. The new gravestone acknowledges Ottaway's unique contribution "I was horrified when I first found out of the state of Cuthbert Ottaway's neglected grave,"" said Paul McKay, the England fan who mobilised the campaign for a proper memorial for Ottaway. "Once the plot was more grand with a granite ledger [stone slab] on marble plinths with iron standards and railings."" McKay set out to raise funds for a "more fitting" memorial. The FA, as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations, contributed. So did the PFA. The Old Etonian Association sent a cheque and a letter, saying "it is marvellous that Cuthbert is still remembered and that there will be something more suitable to remind people of his story."