Herbert Kilpin

From England to Italy

Kilpin's footballing career went on with the recently re-established Notts Olympic and then for St. Andrews, a church team based near the Forest Recreation Ground on Gregory Boulevard, where he played as a defender and midfielder. In 1891, Kilpin moved to Turin, in Italy, in order to work for Edoardo Bosio, an Italian-Swiss textile merchant with links to a Nottingham lace manufacturer. In the same year Bosio founded Internazionale Torino, believed to be the first full-fledged Italian football club. Kilpin played for the team, as well as Torino Football & Cricket Club, becoming the first-ever Englishman to play football abroad. During this time, he also took part in the first two editions of the Italian Football Championship, losing both times in the final against Genoa.

Founding of AC Milan

By 1898, Kilpin had already left Turin and settled in Milan with fellow Englishman Samuel Richard Davies. The following year, the duo were among the charter members of AC Milan, under the original name of Milan Foot-Ball and Cricket Club. The first elected president was Alfred Edwards; while Kilpin, who was arguably their most experienced man, would serve as player-manager. However, he decided to let his oldest teammate David Allison be the captain for the first season. The newly founded club proved immediately successful, as they won the national title in 1901, only the second season of their history. Kilpin spent nine seasons at the club, making…

Player

Milan FBCC Italian Football Championship: 1901, 1906, 1907

Manager

Milan FBCC Italian Football Championship: 1901

Other competitions

Milan FBCC Medaglia del Re: 1900, 1901, 1902 FGNI tournament: 1902, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907 Palla Dapples: 23 times, from 1905 to 1908

Individual

AC Milan Hall of Fame