James Reeves (footballer)
Spanish footballer
Herbert James Reeves (1869 – 4 June 1937), also known as James Reeves or Captain Reeves, was an English football pioneer who is regarded as one of the most important figures in the amateur beginnings of football in Catalonia, being noted for his prominent role in promoting football in the city and as the undisputed leader and fundamental head behind the foundations of some of the earliest Catalan clubs in existence such as British Club de Barcelona and Sociedad de Foot-Ball de Barcelona, serving both teams as its captain. In addition to his leadership skills, he also stood out as a great striker, netting some of the first goals in the history of Catalan football.
Early life and education
Herbert James Reeves was born in 1869 in Hackney, then a municipality in the county of Middlesex (now a district of Greater London). The exact date of birth is not known, but he was registered in the civil registry between April and June of that year. Reeves was born to a wealthy family, being the second of eight children of John Reeves (1838–1902), a sawyer, and Elizabeth Sowter (1848–1926).
Reeves studied engineering, and graduated as an artisan engineer. While in Middlesex, he developed a deep interest in football, already showing great leadership skills from a young age.
Footballing career
Recreativo de Huelva
At some point in late 1891, Reeves moved to Huelva after being hired by the local Waterworks Company, and while he was there, he began playing football in his free time with his friends and co-workers in order to feel more at home, and eventually, he joined the ranks of the only football club that existed in the region, Recreativo de Huelva, which had been founded just two years earlier, in December 1889, and which was then presided by a fellow Briton Charles Wilson Adam. On 20 February 1892, he lined up for Huelva as a defender in a friendly match against Sevilla FC, which had been set to serve as a tie-breaker between the two teams, since their previous two encounters had ended in a draw; Huelva won 2–0. Three months later, on 6 May, he again started as a defender for Huelva, this time in a match against Rio Tinto FC, playing alongside the likes of George Wakelin, William Alcock, and Luis Birchall.
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