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4 unusual facts about Walpole Vidal


Walpole Vidal

At 18 years 195 days he was the youngest ever player in a Cup Final until surpassed by 17 years old James Prinsep in 1879, and only winning player still at school on Cup Final day.

Vidal was born at Cornborough House, Abbotsham near Bideford, Devon, England, and educated at Westminster School, being Captain of School and of the School's football and cricket XIs when he left in 1872.

He was also very active in local public affairs in Devon, as chairman of Abbotsham Parish Council, member of Bideford Rural District Council, vice-chairman of Bideford Board of Guardians, member of Devon County Education Committee and a local Commissioner for Income Tax.

Later in his life he was Rural Dean of Hartland in the area his parish stood, and shortly before his death, which followed major breakdown in health, was made Prebendary of Exeter Cathedral.



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