Oxford University Association Football Club

Biography

Reginald Erskine 'Tip' Foster was born in Malvern, Worcestershire on 16th April 1878, one of seven brothers. He was educated at Malvern College before coming up to Oxford.

Little is known about Foster's football exploits at Oxford. He did not immediately stand out as a cricketer but improved steadily during his time at Oxford; in 1900 he scored 171 against Cambridge in the Varsity match at Lord's, a record for many years.

Foster played for the England football team five times between 1900 and 1902, scoring three goals. He was made captain for his final appearance, against Wales on 3rd March 1902.

In 1903, Foster captained the England cricket team on their winter tour to Australia. Despite only having played three first class matches that year (due to business commitments) he made 287 in the First Test. This was, until 1930, the record Test score for an individual and remains both the highest score by a Test debutant and the highest score by an Englishman in Australia.

Foster is still the only man to have captained England at both football and cricket. He died at his home in London on 13th May 1914, aged 36, from diabetes.

Sources: Cricinfo (www.cricinfo.com), Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org)