The following are events in 1870 which are relevant to the development ofassociation football. Included are events in closely related codes, such as theSheffield Rules.
19 November – a second representative match between the two teams results in a 1-0 victory to England.[a]
Various dates – match reports from London and Sheffield mentiongoalkeepers and, in tactical terms, the passage from a "dribbling game" to a "passing game".[citation needed]Royal Engineers are noted as early practitioners of the passing game.
25 January –Fred Spiksley (d. 1948),England international forward in seven matches, scoring seven goals (1893–1898).
13 April –Jock Drummond (d. 1935), Scotland international defender in 14 matches (1892–1903) and captain in four; won fiveScottish Cups and four league titles with Rangers.
22 April –Jack Robinson (d. 1931), England international goalkeeper in eleven matches (1897–1901).
9 September –Tom Waddell (d. unknown), Scotland international in six matches (1891–1895).
12 September –Alf Milward (d. 1941), England international forward in four matches, scoring three goals (1891–1897).
16 October –Sandy McMahon (d. 1916), Scotland international forward in six matches, scoring four goals (1892–1902); won four league titles withCeltic from 1893 to 1898.
unknown date –James Gillespie (d. unknown), Scotland international forward in one match (1898), scoring ahat-trick; won the English league title with Sunderland in 1893 and 1895.
^abDespite being recognised as internationals at the time, these two matches are not now recognised as full internationals byFIFA because the majority of the Scotland team were London-based players of Scottish ancestry.