The Walters brothers played together in England’s defence on this day.

Two brothers were England’s full-backs for a big clash with Scotland on this day 125 years ago. Arthur and Percy Walters (pictured) – the latter was 16 months older – both played for Old Carthusians, who had won The FA Cup four years earlier.

The brothers both had the middle name ‘Melmoth’ and they were known as ‘AM’ and ‘PM’, i.e. ‘Morning’ and ‘Afternoon’. They were back at Kennington Oval in London, the scene of their Cup Final triumph, to form part of this England team to play the Scots on 21 March 1885:-

Herbie Arthur (Blackburn Rovers), Arthur and Percy Walters (Old Carthusians), Andrew Amos (Cambridge University), Norman Bailey (Old Westminsters), Jimmy Forrest and Joe Lofthouse (Blackburn Rovers), Tom Danks (Nottingham Forest), Jimmy Brown (Blackburn Rovers), Nevill Cobbold (Cambridge University) and Charlie Bambridge (The Swifts).

England’s record against Scotland had been poor, losing the last five matches in a row and conceding 20 goals. But they managed to stop the rot with a 1-1 draw at the Oval, Bambridge equalising after 57 minutes.

Percy ‘PM’ Walters was capped for England 13 times and captained the side on at least four occasions. Arthur ‘AM’ Walters, the younger of the two, won nine caps and may have been captain against Scotland in 1890. Both were persuaded by their parents to give up football after another brother was fatally injured during a game.