Herbert Kilpin

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Kilpin's journey began in Nottingham, where he grew up at 129 Mansfield Road (later renumbered to 191) as the son of a butcher. At just 13 years old, he helped found an amateur club named after Giuseppe Garibaldi, wearing red shirts. His career took him from Notts Olympic and St. Andrews in England to Turin in 1891, where he worked for Edoardo Bosio. There, he played for Internazionale Torino and became the first Englishman to play football abroad. By 1898, Kilpin had moved to Milan with Samuel Richard Davies. The following year, they were charter members of AC Milan (originally Milan Foot-Ball and Cricket Club). Although Alfred Edwards was elected president, Kilpin served as player-manager. He chose David Allison as the first captain but led the team through its most formative years, making 23 appearances and scoring 7 goals over nine seasons.

In Their Own Story

Herbert Kilpin, arguably the club's most experienced man at the time, took charge as player-manager of the newly founded Milan Foot-Ball and Cricket Club. While he allowed David Allison to serve as captain for the first season, Kilpin's influence was paramount. The team proved immediately successful, winning the national title in 1901, only their second season of existence. Kilpin continued to lead the Rossoneri through a golden early period, securing two more Italian Football Championship titles in 1906 and 1907. His tenure ended around 1907 after nine seasons at the club. Later, he married Maria Capua from Lodi in 1905. Tragically, Kilpin died in Milan on 22 October 1916, aged 46, likely due to drinking and smoking habits. His grave was lost until amateur historian Luigi La Rocca tracked it down in the Municipal Cemetery in the 1990s.

Reader's Guide

He is the link between English football roots and Italian sporting culture. His specific contributions include the club's founding as a charter member, his role as player-manager, and guiding the team to three Italian Football Championship titles (1901, 1906, 1907) and five FGNI tournament wins (1902–1907). He also secured the Medaglia del Re in 1900, 1901, and 1902. His legacy was nearly forgotten until the late 20th century; his grave, originally unnamed in a Protestant section of the Municipal Cemetery, received a new tombstone paid for by AC Milan in 1999. On 2 November 2010, following a petition, he was inducted into the Famedio. His story was revived through Robert Nieri's 2016 book 'The Lord of Milan' and a documentary released in 2019.

Did You Know?

• Kilpin was the first-ever Englishman to play football abroad.
• He helped found an amateur club at age 13 named after Giuseppe Garibaldi.
• His grave was located in a part of the Milan Municipal Cemetery reserved for Protestants and had no name reference until 1999.
• He married Maria Capua, a woman from Lodi, in 1905.
• Kilpin made exactly 23 appearances and scored 7 goals during his nine seasons at AC Milan.